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Last of the year.  First of the year.

I think it would be fun to print these out - a year of photos, growth, memories.  So many of the shots look similar but the nuance that time and context lend make them distinct in my mind - and maybe that's the fun of it...seeing the change within the normalcy of daily life.

Owen: lego from nana

Ever: the ukulele.   

51/52

It's early Christmas, thanks to Aunt Leslie.

Owen: has played with it daily.
Ever: well...it's official.  :)

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Owen: dentist visit!
Ever: snow day.

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Owen:  first snow fell today.  He was outside every 20 minutes clearing the latest dusting off of the deck and stairs.  

Everly:  a chilly walk in her red christmasy dress. 

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Owen: little climber on the playground.

Everly:  birthday balloons.

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Owen:  lunch date hot chocolate.
Everly:  on the weeks where I have a few good photos of Owen I'll have none of Everly.  Or vice versa.  But I do like this one of her sharing the seesaw with her brother.  They both are having such a good time.  

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At the zoo

Owen: we hung out with the polar bears while we ate our lunch.  

Everly: we always stay by the pool for a few minutes - hoping the bears jump in. We've never seen them close to the water - but maybe one day.

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Owen: early morning playdough.  Smelled like pumpkin bread...I'm glad they weren't tempted to eat it.

Everly: a new hiking trail on a beautiful fall morning.  

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Owen: received a small lego set for meeting a goal.  Spent the morning making and re-making each of the included options.

Everly: her turn to play pretend in the fishing spot.  I hope we always live near by a little stream like this.

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Owen: resting/snuggling with mama during a game of playground hide and seek

Ever:  one photo to document her newfound obsessive love of mascot costumes.  She met at least 8 over the weekend and needed to hug every single one.  And high five them.  And stare at them for awhile and then encourage EVERYONE to hug them too.  Look at that happy little face.

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Owen:  Despite a number of other good photos from this week's fun...I think this shot captures the trend of the past few weeks....pensive and slightly grumpy.  Keeping it real. 

Everly:  fuzzy baby chick holding a fuzzy baby chick.  Interestingly...not the only chicken loving picture I have of Ever this week.  And from different farms...

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Rainy, cold, misty day - but still can't keep them inside.

Owen:  mowing - I guess he got over the lack of a blade.
Everly:  wet sticks, wet grass, wet toes

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Outdoor 'school' day.  Scavenger hunt with bugs and flowers and sand and fish and blue sky and fresh air 

and good friends.

Owen:  sand box and a backpack.
Ever: fearless around bugs...especially cute furry ones.  She brought me three this week to keep as pets.  They are all named buddy.

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Owen:  intent on finding a green pumpkin.
Everly: taste testing on site.

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Jon's birthday trip to the beach.  

Our 'surprise' trip to the ocean was short but felt long - the perfect mini-getaway.  It was cool and a little rainy but we had enough time on the sand to build castles, chase seagulls, eat Kohrs (and french fries) and relax together.

Owen:  Not sure why I'm always so drawn to photos of Owen lost in the vastness of nature.  Here he is digging the shore back into the water. 

Everly:  Owen's opposite - I love close-ups of Ever, lost in her own little world.  Castle caves for tigers this time.

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 Week 37 was one of those weeks packed with fun from end to end.  It was so nice to go through all my old photos (since I'm actually posting this on November 1!) and remember how happily busy that week was.  Doesn't it seem like some weeks hog all the activity while others stagnate in staying at home and chores?  I guess it's a life cycle of sorts.

Owen:  we ended the week at a tiny state park beach not too far away.  After swimming ourselves silly in the gentle bay waves we walked the long jetty down to its end and explored a bit.  The sky and the water seemed so big out there on this thin strip of land.  

Everly:  We found another park with a great wading river.  All it took was a long hike down (and then back up) the mountain.  This place is definitely on the list of places to explore next year!

Imagination

Somewhere along the line, we ended up with this plastic toy lawnmower.

O has used this lawnmower for some time, 'helping' to mow the lawn and assist with chores around the house.  In particular, he enjoys anything to do with raking, shoveling, mowing, etc.. as long as he's able to help.

So the other day should have come as no surprise to me...

As I was getting the grill started to cook up some kebabs, O was busy running the lawnmower back and forth over the backyard. I was only vaguely aware of what he was doing, just that he was doing it intently.

I glanced over at one point and he had it flipped over... studying the underside with great interest. Then, after a long moment of reflection, the following conversation ensued...

"DADDY!" O shouts. "There's no blade on this lawmower!!."

"Yes, son, I know."

"Well, I can't cut grass if there's no blade!!"

"Yes, son, I know." [pause for reflection] "You have to use your imagination."

Clearly unsatisfied, O retorts: "You can't cut grass with your imagination!!!"

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Owen:  another day, another tree.  Giving the neighbor a heart attack (even though he was only 3 feet off the ground...with a helmet on).  
Edit:  Owen2:  Ever got two photos last week and I found this photo of Owen kayaking solo for the first time (that's Jon in the background).  Of course, he loved it.

Everly:  The sky, her marker painted finger (showing Owen the 'way'), her sun bleached hair, her little clenched board book.  I'd live this moment over again.

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Owen:  climbs everything these days and is braver and braver with each tree/playground/doorframe he conquers.  He and dad had a nice long chat while he was in this tree.
Everly:  I knew as soon as I took this photo that I wanted to use it here.  The goggle face melted my heart.  But then we went fishing on the Saturday before labor day and Everly caught her first fish.  Her reaction is priceless.  

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Owen:  early morning cars
Everly:  I loved how her hair curled up in it's own little nest at the playground

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Owen: earned enough love tokens for a special family outing.  He chose treasure hunting.  Fuzzy happy Owen with the geocache.  He also chose one of his cars to leave for the next person - exchanging it for a small stamp.

Ever:  the lake was crystal clear and perfect for swimming.  She spent all day in the water with completely wrinkled feet to show for it.

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Owen:  caught his first fish today with Adrian

Ever:  superwoman swing series

31/52

Owen:  wow.

Everly: early morning tantrum.