Catching Up—Longest Post Ever?
When I started captioning the photos for this blog post, I realized we’re wearing shorts in a lot of them! I guess it’s been a while since I’ve put anything up. Lucky for you, that means I can’t remember enough to write a lot, so this will mostly be photos and videos.
At the end of August we finished off the camping season with a YABS camping trip and a trip up to Nederland with the Wilensky/Berzanskis family. While we were in the mountains with our church friends, Dave fit in a mountain bike ride, and I went for my first-ever trail run.
We had a really fun time at Kelly Dahl with Andrew, Tilley, and Whitman. Maggie and tiny baby Milam even stopped by for a few hours!
As you know, the kids started school at the end of August. Benjamin still loves his Mickey backpack! In fact, he took it to church today (the second week of Advent).
I always travel over Labor Day weekend because that’s when the American Political Science Association holds its annual conference. This year I was in San Francisco, and I had a whole day to walk around the city! I also got to run from the hotel to—and across—the Golden Gate Bridge with my running friend Renee. That was a thrill, though I hadn’t realized the bridge was so long!
Random Early Fall Photos
My aunts Nancy and Shirlie came to visit for two weekends with a trip to Mesa Verde in the middle. Shamefully, we took no photos of them playing with the kids, even though Aunt Nancy and Phoebe spent nearly half a day at the playground and we all enjoyed a couple of trips to our wonderful rec center! Aunt Nancy bought Phoebe a sparkly airbrushed tattoo at Art Night Out, and I managed to get a photo of that.
Random Late September Photos and Videos
Plus, Benjamin turned three!
The ELCA has a wonderful annual event called “God’s Work Our Hands Sunday.” We participated for the third year in a row. We helped clean the yard of one of Mount Calvary’s stalwart elderly members who happens to live a quarter mile from us.
In early October, Grammie and Pappy visited and spent a lot of time playing with the kids. We also celebrated Benjamin’s birthday together.
A few of Phoebe’s Take-A-Break friends have gone their separate ways, so the moms planned an every-other-month playdate so that Phoebe, Isabelle, Kylie, and Calae can get together and the moms can yak about kindergarten, etc. The first playdate was at Lowe’s, where they were having a kids’ workshop. The girls built birdhouses.
On October 11 (happy birthday, Erika!) Phoebe and her good friend Fritz each painted a window on a building on Lafayette’s main street. It’s an annual Halloween contest. Lafayette is such a great town!
Random Mid-October Photos
After 27 years as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent, Ohio, my mom retired on Reformation Sunday. It was a momentous occasion, and we were delighted to be able to fly out to celebrate with her. Our good friends the Otts came to church, and Dave’s dad and stepmom drove all the way from Pittsburgh!
Phoebe and Benjamin were playing kitty at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
You’ve already seen our Halloween photos, but here are a few shots from my work on Phoebe’s pink and purple mermaid costume. I finished a whole day before the school Halloween party!
In mid-November, Phoebe went to a princess birthday party. The princesses got to be photographed on the red carpet.
Phoebe’s school (and Benjamin’s preschool), Alicia Sanchez International, held a talent show. Phoebe read a book like a librarian (Dinosaur Kisses—she only got one minute to perform). Her kindergarten class also performed a wonderful rendition of “Someone to Lava.”
The next day, Phoebe was invited to read her report about giraffes to the whole school at an assembly!
The kids went sledding with Tilley and Whit.
Random Photos from the End of November and Early December
On Dave’s birthday, Phoebe had a friend’s birthday party at the roller rink. It was the first time she’d ever roller skated. It was fun for me too; I hadn’t skated in years, but I used to love it. Turns out they don’t play “Hey Mickey” while you skate anymore.
Random Videos
This hat used to belong to my best friend, Elaina. She would’ve enjoyed Benjamin’s delight!
