Hear her ROAR!

October 2010

October 2011

What a difference a year makes. Seems that Lucy has switched teams and is pretty happy about her choice. The lions probably have more fun. If this wasn't cuteness overload enough - you should know that she is making Calvin (the fuzzy lion) and Hobbes (the courderoy one) play patty cake. When you have recovered, read on.

Calvin: "Do you think it's just sleeping?" Hobbes: "I told you not to yell so loudly."

Not a vegetarian.

A favorite sitting spot. Good for thinking, chewing on things and putting your shoes on before school.

And I almost forgot, chatting on the phone. I can mentally flash forward 15 years...phone bills will be cheaper then right?

Big gal chair

Rockin' the big girl chair that Mary P got for her at a yard sale. She's so proud when she gets up there all by herself. Her mama is both proud and nervous watching her do it. More successes than not though. This past week there was an epic skin flair up (as you can see). It's looking better after various ointments, sock covered sleeping hands and warm face washing. Most of the time the food stuff is fine and I feel that Lu's got a great little menu going on. Every once in a while though - an illicitly shared Nuk at daycare or the left over residue of someone else's cheesy puffs and it looks like she either has horrible parents or is some sort of extreme sports enthusiast (what's a little road rash, brah?).

I did a bunch of research today about hidden ingredients. We're still on the search for a good floor cleaner that doesn't have something derived from coconut/nuts. It's amazing how many things are. Wish I'd been better at organic chemistry in college. There are a lot of ingredient names to remember...It may be that we'll be adding a little Johnson & Johnson baby soap to our borax/vinegar/water all purpose cleaning solution. If anyone has ideas - I'm all ears.

Big week this week - our first solo mama y hija week in a while. See you on the flip side.

Busy day

We were going to go for a walk after work/daycare. 10 minutes after arriving home though this was the scene.

Tired girl. This is also when Ry and I realized that she is moving up to the toddler room in two weeks. What?! In my head we had a little more time. Is this how our parents felt when we graduated from 8th grade/high school/college etc.? Wow.

Way down yonder

Went to the La Crosse/Winona area for Jake and Emily's wedding this weekend. So fun to see them and all the other peeps. There aren't any photos of the actual event because Ryan was in the wedding and I was chasing around a toddler. It's was sweet though and I feel lucky to know these wonderful people. Congratulations!

I'd never been to this part of WI/MN. It was stunningly absolutely beautiful. I'd recommend a road trip through this river country to anyone. My goodness. The leaves were lovely, the rolling hills and farms were gorgeous, and the rivers were so sparkly. It still baffles me that this is the Mississippi River that everyone talked about growing up. (And yes, I did spell it in my head just now).

This park was right behind our hotel and we took a big stroll with Adam and Nicole after breakfast.

Rehearsal on Friday evening. More stunning rolling hills.

After the wedding shingdig, we drove just a titch further south to see Ed, Angie, Addelaide and "Acorn" (the baby in the belly). They just bought a house in the countryside this summer. It's close to Ed's job with Organic Valley and there is plenty of space for Angie to work from home. And there is a Waldorf school in town that Addelaide is loving. What a sweet place for them to land.

Beautiful. Reminded me of home quite a bit. Looks like New England.

Catching grasshoppers. Addelaide was great at catching them and sharing. I was enthusiastic but poor at actually holding onto them.

We saw Poseidon on our hike!

Oh, just Ed. Yep, it was October and 80 degrees. This water was still pretty chilly.

Because Ed can talk Ryan into anything - even cold water - they both splashed around. While the rest of us putzed on the banks/soaked tired feet.

The bug whisperer.

What a nice weekend. I can't wait to a) see all these great people again and b) visit this spectacular landscape again. Made the 5 hour car ride worth it.

Fall fun

Lots of photos in front of this waterfall both pre and post baby.

We love this backpack. Thanks John and Becky for the lend!

Sweet kiddo rockin' Maarit's hat.

We used to be all bundled for fall...and now it's 75 out. We'll take it. Leaf jumping with the neighborhood kids (Lucas, Emma and Drew).

Ah, Lu, I think there is someone behind you.

Leaf monster. (red patches on her cheeks are remnants of hives...home early from school and thus able to play with the neighbors.)

Well that's all done. What else you got?

Weekend in the Cities

Ryan had a big test in St. Paul on Friday so Lu and I went down with him.

Lucy and I met up with Britt and explored the Children's Museum.

Chickens! Hi ladies. Lucy loved the Gangeness ladies. They loved her crackers.

So fun to see B & B before the baby arrives! (no pictures of them though)

On Saturday we met up with Pam and the Mages to explore Como Park. Then on to a bridal shower with the Olsons. Happy wedding Erica!

The next chapter:

Fun times and great food with the Adam, Nicole, Jake and Emily (and TJ of course).

Sharing is caring.

One for you. One for the puppy. One for me.

Super Lucy!

Time at the orchard with Johnsons and Laughlins.

Tessa is so cool.

Adam shares some grapes.

Is that a hayride?

Helping hands. Because all the apples that less than 6 feet high are not good enough.

Thanks for a great weekend everyone!