Weekend.

Jon was gone this weekend in Milwaukee so the rest of us went up to PA on Friday afternoon.  It snowed on Saturday - a freak occurrence for October.  It was strange to see snow on tree that still had green leaves.  

Inches of snow.  Perfect for sledding.

And snowmen.

Excessive snowman making led to a bad case of the 'freezings'.
Nothing a little hot chocolate and a snuggle with Pop-pop couldn't fix.

Always wanting to help.  Owen mixes coffee grinds.  

Everly entertains with a pot and pan band.

On a rabbit hunt in the snow.  

Safari

Way back in August - while we were in Kenya - we visited the Nairobi National Park.  It's about 15 minutes from downtown but, if you are facing away from the clearly visible skyline, feels like you are out on the Masai Mara.  We took a trip there one morning and all agreed that we could have stayed for days.  It's just so beautiful.

Over 45 square miles of open land you can pretty much see any animal you'd expect to find in Kenya (with the exception of the elephants) as they roam freely and mix together.  It's a rhino sanctuary too - although we heard it's rare to see a rhino.

This is a little video I put together of our visit.  I thought I'd put a song over it - but some of the sounds are just too precious.  (Listen to Owen as he watches out the window.)

Beach

I think that my favorite time to visit the shore is in September.  The crowds are gone and it's warm but not too hot.  

We we fortunate to find a particularly deserted beach.   Which makes for great shell hunting.

Owen quickly overcame any lingering fear of the waves and played at their edge for hours and hours.  Although the presence of someone bigger was still desired at all times.  

After all, it's not as much fun to play a game of "sandpiper chases the waves" unless there is someone there to scream and run with you.

Everly was much more content to ride on shoulders or be slung on a hip for long walks up and down the sand... 

...eventually to settle down in a shallow tide-pool for a game of 'pick up shells'.

Little boy footprint - so happy on the sand. 

Ever Walks

Ever has been taking steps for almost 2 weeks now.   

She can go a pretty good distance but likes to have a 'target' to motivate her.  

Anything interesting will work but probably the most successful thing we've found 

is Jon's phone, turned so that she can watch herself as he video records it. 

 This is what you end up with.  

walk

Hair for reigns.  Love that smile.  And her awesome leggings (thanks aimee!  white onesie and these ARE the perfect outfit!)

10 Happy Months

These were taken on the 3rd...but kinda posted late.

I can totally see  Jon's smile in this photo.  It's hard to choose a close-up of my almond-eyed sweetie pie.  She's also got Jon's twinkly eyes.

More and more on the go.  I like how the little doll is in the same pose.  

Everly is well past 10 months now.  Lots of big milestones being reached this month.

One interesting thing that I noticed recently is that she copies sounds much faster than she copies movements.  She tries to sign 'please' and ends up clapping her hands.  But I tell her that a cow goes 'mooooo' and she gets it on the first try. (Owen was much more physical - he picked up sign language pretty fast and took longer to copy sounds.)  It pretty much fits with our sense that she'll be a worshiper.  I have a feeling that she'll be singing a lot in short order.

Love you Evers.