Autumn in the Woods

We went on an epic hike in the woods yesterday with out friends Peter and Sigrun, and their daughter Lilia. It was beautiful, though a little cold. I thought they were overdressing Lilia before we left, but of course it was my kid shivering in the cold. We spent a lot of time stopping and snacking (Makili's main activity) and Lilia decided that she and Makili were going for a walk. She took his hand and off they went. I don't think they even looked back at all!




And check out this amazing beaver damn!

A Fairy Party

We helped celebrate Violet's 2nd birthday, which turned out to include a whole lot of little fairies. We watched fairies eat cake, color, jump on the trampoline, and just about everything else one does at a birthday party. Makili decided to sport his ninja gear, and he didn't feel the least bit out of context. Ninjas and fairies seem to get along great.

A few more Halloween shots

The Path

Raph took the day off on Tuesday, err... I mean Raph was sick on Tuesday, and we finally got the walkway we've been trying to complete done. We still have so much to do before the snow falls, but we're slowly checking things off of the list. You can also see my vegetable stand turned into a temporary wood storage shed for the winter, since we installed a wood stove recently. Projects, projects, projects. Did I mention how much work was involved in this walkway? Let's just say Emily and Chris started the project two months ago when they visited...

While We Breathe, We Hope.

"...tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope."

I just watched the Obama acceptance speech again. And it made me cry. Again. I don't know why really. I knew he was going to win. I knew he would give a dynamo speech. I guess it just is that I am truly hopeful. Maybe we will survive the challenges we face. Maybe. He is my hope. Maybe we will be able to come together, to take care of ourselves and each other, to renew a committment to service and sacrifice and responsibility.

And I'd like to say too that I watched McCain's speech as well, which was without question the best speech he's given since this campaign began. I want to believe that the sentiments he expressed were the real man, not the campaign he ran. I want to believe that he can help bring us together.

Anyway, I'm going to go volunteer or do something for somebody while the fire is within me. And while I breathe, I hope. That line just cuts into me.

Alright Alright Already

I've been hearing it from all sides lately. Give a girl a break. I've been busy. That and we have a crisis on our hands - no computer space. Like none. We might actually go buy a new computer today. In any case, I had to delete pictures just to download these. And I have to say they don't really do justice to Halloween which might be my new favorite holiday. Holy crap was Makili cute. Seriously. First the ninja, then the ninja disguised as a skunk. We went to the Portsmouth Parade, which as I've written about previously is the greatest parade in the history of the world. Makili and I walked hand in hand through the whole town square and I was actually embarressed because so many people were looking at us and cooing over him. As you can see if the pictures, the skunk costume is terribly cute, but what you can't see is Makili's little accompanying waddle. He actually moved like a skunk. It was ridiculous. We went trick-or-treating on Thursday night with some friends, and I'll tell you what, Makili dug it. He dug it and he didn't even understand that he was getting candy. He just liked walking around with all the little kids. He would march up to every doorway, whether or not the light was on. It was terribly cute. I really do love Halloween. Easter has a lot to live up to this year.

Mooooommmmm!

Play with ME!  Look at my block tower!  

He really is awesome at building block towers which is his new favorite thing to do, but he only really likes to do it with me.  Sorry I've been slacking so much lately - busy busy busy.  We've got to get things done before the weather turns!

Home

The bugs finally got too cold, the trees beautiful and we could get out into the woods together again, like we did when we first moved into our house. On this hike, Makili even did some of his own walking!

On the Edge

I thought Colin Powell's reasons for supporting Obama were impressive because they were so realisitic and also addressed some of the feelings I've had about the McCain campaign.
Check it out

The Finish

In addition to fabulous weather and times in the Bay area, we spent several days with my sister and her brood.  Makili LOVED his cousins, and running around with them.  He loved their attention, their toys, their activity.  I could have taken many more pictures, but you know what, I was just too tired.  Those kids are damn cute though.  Makili also really loved their cuckoo clock.  He would beg anyone who happened to be near to press the button so the little birdie would come out.  It was cute and annoying at the same time.  We had a great visit, which is good because I can promise that I won't be getting on another airplane too soon.  Well, we'll see how I feel about it in another week...  Today I fly home.  Whew.  One more 1.5 hour trip.  And another hour drive and then that is it! 

A start

We returned last night from California.  I'm sitting in Pittsburgh recovering trying to figure out how I can spend the remaining years of my life without ever flying on an airplane again.  Mind you, it was a great trip, as the pictures will attest to.  But seriously, I must have been mad.  And I never want to do it again.  At one point I though I might even go without my mother.  You can laugh out loud at this point, which is the rightful thing to do.  Ha.  Hahahahaha.  Except that now I am crying at the mere thought of the endless hours in the plane and in the car and in the hotel.  Makili was a total trooper, but I might never recover.  Here are some pics of the fun side of the trip (I did actually go to do some work stuff there).  I can't post them all at once, so I'm starting with our time with our friend Kathy, who lived in Pittsburgh when I was a kid, but as you can see is clearly a Californian at heart.  She started our trip off at high pace, but in total beauty - picnic on San Francisco Bay, a lovely dinner with her family, a hike up Mt. Tamalpais, then another down the Tennessee Valley Trail the next day.  From the pictures it is hard to believe that we spent scarcely more than 24 hours with her.  Whew.