Family Fun

We ventured to Atlanta via Richmond for the holidays. We spent Christmas eve night with cousins Ava and Christopher who had more experience with Santa, specifically the excitement and anticipation of Christmas morning. It was great fun and wonderful to be with the Farmers and Bracketts. We were lucky to be able to see the McCann clan as well before and after our trip. THANK YOU to our beloved families who give us reason to be grateful.

Assoteague Island

We camped for two nights at Assoteague Island before heading to spend Thanksgiving in Richmond. It was a bit chilly, but the stars were amazing, the beach beautiful and the campfire mesmorizing. It was our first time there--we love firsts. It was also our first Sitka deer sighting and our first time having a pesky pony to contend with. Loki doesn't quite know what to make of our new friend, whom Adelaide aptly named "Pony Pony".

Gratitude

We are all packed up and headed out of town.

Happy Thanksgiving to our friends and family.
We are very thankful for you, indeed.

Hemlock Haven

On a warm Friday evening we ventured to Cathedral State Park, an ancient hemlock forest of majestic proportions, and one of the last living commemorations of the vast virgin hemlock forest which once flourished in the Appalachian highlands. My camera was taking some blurry shots, but here are the best of them.

Never a Dull Moment

Adelaide practicing her ski moves.

Busy at bathtime...

Hanging out...talking to "her" pumpkin.

Feeling Batty?

Our first official "trick or treat"-ing experience went off without a hitch. Adelaide and her buddies, with parents in tow, managed a two block radius. Our friend Roger wondered aloud if herding cats might be easier (shame on him). The kids did great.

Mom: "Adelaide, tell me something about bats".

Adelaide: "Bats like to fly. Bats live in caves".

Mom: "What do bats like to eat"?

Adelaide: "JELLY!"

Fall-ing into Winter

Jack Frost stopped by for a visit...but didn't stay long. This is the first year we have built a snowman before carving our pumpkins.

The Maize Maze

We ventured north into Maryland for our first Corn Maize experience. Adelaide wasn't too sure about it at first, but confidently showed us the way through the twists and turns by declaring "this way" with both arms open in opposite directions. The day was complete with a hayride (with rowdy boy scouts), a "cow" ride, and then a trip down the road to the pumpkin patch.

A fine day indeed...with a magnificent sunset to guide us home.

Standing Tall

We've been going on lots of tall, long walks...

Fall Frolicking

The Usual

Walking, "flying", running, building, resting, repeat.

Little people, little paddles

Happy Birthday to our friend, Emma!

So long summer...

With cooler weather and turning leaves, we are reminded that summer is over and fall is upon us. We are all adjusting to new schedules for the upcoming year. Patrick is teaching two classes a week at Davis and Elkins College. My work schedule has changed a bit and the biggest change is Adelaide attending "school" two days a week. She is going to Montessori school with her pal Mason. We are all getting up earlier and doing lots of driving.

Here is a picture of Adelaide's first day of school with carpool buddy, Mason...and the school itself, a.k.a. "The Purple House" (you gotta love a school that's purple!)

Art's in the house

We love our art... stuff.

When I asked Adelaide to smile for this picture, she replied "Birds don't smile. Birds talk".

Who Says?

Who says paint is for paper?

Who says pool floats are for water?

Kickball

Last Thursday was the annual kickball game against the two neighboring towns-Thomas vs. Davis. (We live in Thomas though our PO Box is in Davis). We lost, unfortunately, again, but good times were had by all. Here are some pictures of Adelaide showing her team spirit.

UPS delivery

Marma and Randaddy sent Adelaide a new shirt.

She likes it.

Kick it up a notch

The makings of a kitchen....

This house may be small, but it now has TWO kitchens.

Grandma McCann got Adelaide her new appliances for her birthday.

We have been cooking it up and washing our hands a lot in the sink.