Life lately.

How it is the middle/end of October is beyond me. It seems like I was just getting excited at the first hints of fall, and now here we are smack dab in the middle of it.
We've been enjoying all the beautiful colors that the Northwest offers during this time of year and embracing this season.

A glimpse at our life lately...

Sister, Sister.



Fall Arts and Crafts

 

Friend dates...for the kids and the adults. 

 

Pumpkin Patch

We met some of our PEPS friends at the most darling pumpkin patch ever just North of Seattle. The Farm at Swan's Trail was my fall dream come true: apple cider donuts, hay rides, corn dogs, a farm maze, gunny sack slide, corn bin for the kids to play in, farm animals. We will definitely be making this place a tradition! 

 

 

Putting babies to sleep.
Always. Every day. Those babies are ALWAYS tired.

Celebrating 11 months.

And not believing that we can possibly be a month away from her 1 year??!?!! My little dovie girl...you are such a perfect addition to our family. Your sweet nature and toothie grin bring me such joy.

 

At home play.

As fun as it is to have activities to go to....sometimes staying home and making messes in your own room is the best activity of all.

 

The little teacher.
Reading a story to me and Madeleine. I love her love of books.

A little park action.

Feeling very blessed and thankful to be the mama of these two girls.
Life is good.
Happy Fall!

 

 



Oktoberfest {but not really...}

A couple of weekend ago we headed back over to Leavenworth to cheer on Nicholas in the Oktoberfest Half Marathon. The bonus part of the whole thing was that the siblings were all planning to head over as well, so we rented a fabulous house that fit us all (in beds!) for the weekend {thanks CoCo for planning} out in Plain.

 We initially had plans to spend more time in town for some Oktoberfest action, but after the race we decided to post up at house to relax, play games, go on nature walks and just enjoy some down time.

 

A fabulous Fall Family Fun Weekend (how's that for a little alliteration?!)

 

And not just the siblings, but the Loviks too...who are basically family, so I've still got my Family Fun theme going here.

Little girls excitedly cheering on their daddies. Pretty darn cute.

 

We woke in the morning to the most wonderfully foggy blanket that encouraged the coziness to linger a bit longer.
But by mid-morning the fog had lifted and it was a gorgeous, sunny day.

 

It just smells so good there. In fact I'm pretty sure everyone was getting a little tired of my incessant declaration of the amazing smell...but it just does!

Crisp, clean. Like trees and leaves and dirt and air. How Fall is supposed to smell.

A much deserved beer after the race.

 

This one has been fighting the afternoon naps lately...and so, we walk. The Ergo always wins.

 

 

S'mores, pumpkin beer, and star gazing



Check that off the Fall Bucket List.

Ballet.

Our latest activity.

My sweet big girl.
Saturday mornings now mean ballet mornings.
And I love it.

Before we signed up for the seemingly daunting 17 week semester, I wanted to be sure this was something she was actually going to enjoy and be into. Thankfully her dance studio offers a free class to test it out. And to my wish-I-was-a-dancer-heart....she loved it.
We talked about the class, what things we might expect, and when the day came to test it out I stood behind veiled curtains and fought back the tears.
It sounds ridiculous, but watching her soar and follow and listen and mimic and dance and express...well, it was just almost too much for this mama heart.

I suppose this is how it is as a mother...little by little we let them go and watch them spread their wings. It is what they are supposed to do. What they are made to do.

But for whatever reason each week when I watch her I get a lump in my throat. She is turning into this little lady right before my eyes...a little more confident, a little more independent, a little more her own person. And while at times this is quite challenging, our ballet morning are cherished times right now.
At the end of each class I can see her eyes search the room for me and when we lock together...she runs towards with me with the knowledge that I was there waiting...and she can't wait to share what she learned.

 Dance your heart out baby.

xoxo