autumn leaves

 Such a pretty day today; wish the sunshine and warmth would stay... and stop Mr. Frost from coming.

Came in today to find Elise kneeling up in her crib and pulling up on the railing... time to drop her mattress.  She is on the move and so close to crawling, not sure if we're prepared:)

Eight months

~ Miss Elise Ana ~

You are the highlight of every drive home, every rainy day, and every free thought when I'm away.

You are a rock star at daycare and like to wake up all the sleepy little girls with screeches and cheers.  Miss D'Lynn takes very good care of you and is starting to figure out most of your tricks.  Great Grandma Libuse also has you figured out and you have her figured out even more I think - as you know exactly what you can get away with and test your limits constantly.  You have mommy and daddy wrapped around your finger, especially now that you say mama and dada. 

You are full of new skills and are so so close to crawling.  Sitting and rolling in both directions is now a piece of cake as is pivoting in one spot.  You can get yourself to just about anything even if across the room.  You love balls and anything that rolls.  You LOVE to be outside watching the trees blow and feel the sunshine on your face.  You have six teeth and a seventh on the way which makes your grin absolutely irresistible.  We love you so very much.

Happy Eight Months

A few more...



Outing to celebrate...

Evan passing the bar exam!!! The letter came in the mail Saturday afternoon, and it was a thick one:)  He is so excited to have that final confirmation that he is indeed an official lawyer.  We are so happy to have that be an adventure that concluded well and I am so proud of him.  Now, no more exams for both of us for a long time!   It has been absolutely heavenly to have weekends to just spend doing whatever our hearts please with no agenda of exams, papers and projects hovering over our conscience.  So today, after a hike with Lucie, Quinn and Luna to Saddle Rock, we spent the sunny afternoon sipping some delicious, crimson, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon at a local winery.  Ahhhh, the fall is so pretty here.

Oktober Festing with the Rieke's & Florea's

It is always so special and fun for us when the "McFloRieks" get together and have these three peanuts of ours play.  I'm not sure if they enjoy it as much as their parents, yet, but I'm sure they will one day.  All three are such little characters already and did so well posing in the wagon while we took hundreds of photos.... in my collection none of them had all three kiddos looking at the camera:( Maybe Amy or Beth were luckier. 

We played around at Smallwoods and then headed to Leavenworth for bratwursts and beer.  Evan was a true Leavenworth native and pulled out some Lederhosen, hat and tall while socks and sported them around town, he was in perfect comany of all the others dressed in German attire.  After dropping the kiddos off at the grandparents' houses, we were off on a kid free trip to the fest hall and sported around fun hats from the Hat Shop.  Too bad my camera didn't make it much past Smallwoods and so we have no photos that captured our fun evening.  We absolutley loved the company of these six and love them dearly.

Evan with the gorgeous ladies, Amy & Beth.



All three boys and the kids, Lola, Logan & Elise on the cow train!



This is my only shot of the us heading into town and Evan in his giddy-up:)



Fall is here and we love it!

There is nothing like the smell of harvest in the air, boxes of apples and pears sitting full to the brim in the orchards and the smell of warm apple cider and coco.  All is painted with the beautiful colors of fall which have to be just about my favorite.  I feel so lucky to live in such a picturesque valley where fall has sprung and is in full bloom:)

Riding with grandma in full delight.

A trip to Smallwoods to celebrate everything fall, including a cow train ride with daddy. 



Cute in purple and gold

My two loves are true Husky fans, sporting their jerseys on a walk to the local Farmer's market, only to be caught in a morning rain shower.   Just the perfect lazy Saturday.

Mission Ridge

Elise went on her second hike, slighly longer than the first, and did great in her baby pack!  It is so fun to be able to go out with her... she was either looking around trying to spot Luna, chatting and giggling or snoozing back there.  What a trooper.  It is great having Mission Ridge practically in our back yard.