fast-forward october

october came and went.  that's usually the way this month goes for us - jb's birthday; halloween; frolicking in the woods, capturing the leaves changing; last minute hiking attempts; savoring every last bit of warmth in the air.  i love fall.  this year just went by way too fast for my liking.

we were spared of snow in october, but the wind and the nippy air froze things up and made for some chilly outings.  we managed to get outside a few times, long enough to freeze up our hands and require tissues for our runny noses.  although, if it's going to be cold, i think everyone is just ready for the snow to fly...    

frozen lake lucille

sunrise out the studio window

on {what would have been} grandma pat's 81st birthday, we brought her flowers - pink-tipped roses - grandpa jack would have chosen the same, for sure.  in the past, i've done these sorts of gestures with the kids, but having gramma d along, made it even more special.  i know she thought so, too. 

rather than carving pumpkins this year, we bought a bag of mini ones and painted the heck outta them.  the kids enjoyed this WAY more than they ever have carving.  it makes sense though.  so far, they have yet to carve a pumpkin; they get to just sit back and watch.  and, who carves a pumpkin quickly - or rather, who carves a pumpkin at a toddler's preferred fast-pace?!  not us.  we're left to the goop and sliminess, while the kids have been long over it, playing on the floor with trucks, puzzles, bulldog, etc.  next year, i'm sure will be a repeat of paints and sparkles.

  super-serious pumpkin decorating.

but, the seriousness faded quickly.

the next night, after the paint had dried, we were able to decorate our pumpkins with (our personal favorite) googly eyes, mustaches, puffy paint mouths and foam stickers.  dada even got in on the fun.

 jb decorated with trucks, ben took over applying tiny faces

masterpieces.

halloween was extremely low-key.  in the past, i've spent waaay too much time and money on costumes they can't wait to get out of.  and, considering my energy level, i just didn't care to put so much effort into such a thankless "holiday" - oh, that's sounds like the pits.  but.  i'm already over it.

jb asked repeatedly to be a caterpillar, but this year, you couldn't have paid me to sit at my sewing machine.  so, if he wants to be a caterpillar next year, dammit, i'm making the most elaborate insect ever.  there.  dylan wanted nothing to do with any part of halloween.  well, no, except the candy part.  she was all over that.  but costumes?  leave her alone.

i bought jb a spiderman mask for his school party, and he picked out a matching tee at the store.  done.  considering it was negative degrees for trick or treating, i'm so thankful i didn't waste my energies only to watch him leave the house in full snow gear.  if i've learned anything being a mother, it's practicality!

yep, we hand out the big bars.

september snowfall

i have to admit.  the snowfall on september 29th did not make me nearly as sad as the first snowfall usually does.  i woke up that morning, to a little creature in my room, whispering:

mama, it snowed last night.  yots.  come yook.  see?  

as he pulled back the curtains to reveal the blinding light and snow covering the ground, i couldn't help but remember times of doing just that when i was little.  the first snowfall is always exciting.

 dylan's laughable, teeny-tiny snowman

 all that's missing from these two photos are a harness and the kiddos yelling MUSH!

maybe knowing that it was too early for the snow to actually stick, well, that was a little relief, too.

first timer's butte hike

september 8 was a gorgeous autumn day.  never knowing how many blue skied-days are left of the season, we jumped at the chance to go for a hike.  finally starting to feel human again, it was the perfect opportunity to hike the butte with gramma d and mark.  their first time.  i couldn't wait to have them see the landscape in person, not just from my nikon's point of view.

 my own little mountain goat.

 they made it!

 my daughter has just a teensy bit of personality.  

i have to include these pictures of her because she makes me so happy.

every time we drive by the go-carts, i hear about it.  dat place looks like FUN!  i promised the little man that after our hike, we could drive the go-carts.  i'll do {pretty much} anything to see this kid smile and hear his giggle.

 

september, gone in a flash

after our last visit to echo lake, where we were practically carried away by the mosquitos, i was eager to get back and walk further around the lake.  i think this place just must be a dud, for us.  the bugs were still pretty buggy, and i don't think it's a trail that gets much use.  gramma d and i had to find sticks to swat the path in front of us to avoid becoming ninjas at all the spiderwebs spreading across our faces - gah!  how gross is that?!  freaks me out and pisses me off all at once!

we found mushrooms and railroad tracks, so it wasn't a complete bust.  the kids kept track of bella, constantly yelling for her.  they both love their bullydog.  

echo lake

this was the summer & autumn of slugs... or, as jb calls them: skwugs.  i'm not sure why he insists on making things harder on himself, but he just does.  skwugs.  in my mind, i can still recall ben's exact face when jb first said skwug to him.  baffled.  pure confusion.  his mind went into overdrive, desperately trying to figure out what the heck his son was saying.  oh, jack.  the stories i'm going to have to tell.

my usually-clean-handed child makes the exception to his rule when he's outside, in search of the not-so-elusive slug.  unearthing rocks and boulders.  digging down deep into my flower bed.  the kid is mad.  dare i say slugs have taken over his mushroom fascination?  no, no.  that's not true.  let's just say he's added another obsession to his list of favorite, laughable, outdoorsy findings.

skwugs.  whatta riot.  

    

we visited peters creek on a sunny saturday afternoon with mark and gramma d.  we hadn't been to this creek before which is a complete mistake because it was so much fun.  several areas to get close enough to not only throw rocks, sticks, leaves in the water, but a low enough bed to actually get into the water, which is dyl's m.o.  if there's water, she's getting wet - boots to cheeks.  she just can't help herself.

jack had fun finding (and kicking) mushrooms.  the betzold's enjoyed time with the kiddos, and i enjoyed the sun on my face.  at one point, i closed my eyes, with my face in the direct sun rays, imagining i was on a different sort of water's edge; i'm thinking palm trees, sugar-soft sand...

  

super-duper fun park in anchorage at westchester lagoon!  i've run by this park during many of my races.  it has always grabbed my attention, and we finally took the time to see what it was all about.  the kids have never played at a park like this before.  so much fun and creative playground equipment.  i'm sure these new fun swings and climbing doo-das are all over the lower-48 parks, but up here, this is a new discovery for us in the far north.  

we'll be visiting again.  soon.  

gramma had fun, too.

state fair

we usually take in the fair 2 or 3 times.  this year, we just barely made it once before it closed until next august.  it's not as if there were all these great, sunshiny opportunities to take in the rides and sweet treats.  we had rain for most of the fair's 10-day run.  and, baby 3 wasn't exactly craving any of the fair food, or rather, fair food smells, i should say.  but.  we made an appearance and managed to stay (mostly) dry and (relatively) warm.

ben started working more hours at the end of august; he was gone on a 10-day sheep hunt; the shop was (is) taking up any free time; and of course, the little man took notice.  he so craves his dada's attention, love and affection.  i was sad to leave behind dylan on our fun fair outing, but i was happy for jb to have some quality time with his favorite big guy.  their relationship melts me.    

 

this was jb between every ride - couldn't get off the present ride fast enough, sprinting to the next one.

these fun mazes sure are funny.  this was right before jb walked into the glass, forehead first.  i can't even describe the giggles that came out of him (and ben & i) after!  even now, two months later, jack saw this picture and cracked up:  'member that, mama?  i bonked my head!  

 of course, he had to ride in the one with dylan's name!

 happy day with my two favorite guys.