Fall is funny!

These past couple weeks we have been enjoying a beautiful Fall.  We have had lots of sunshine and nice, warm temperatures.  There have been a few days of rain, which reminds us Seattle weather.  This past Saturday we did have a wintry mix of rain and snow, but no accumulation and no power outages, which we feel which we feel very fortunate, since a lot of other regions had both.  This storm did remind us that winter is ahead (boo!) and we should get prepared.  We are now in the process of buying batteries, bottled water, canned food, and have a goal of getting our fireplace in working order, which is exciting, because I love a cozy fire!

In Hersh News, our little man turned 18 months old last week!  He is growing and changing daily.  He has a really good sense of humor and thinks lots of things are funny.  For example, at dinner he will sometimes lead me and Jacob in "Simon Says" type game, which typically consists of us tilting our heads back when he tells us to.  Well, to Hershel, this is hilarious!  He is also really into dancing and will put both arms up in the air and say "dance, dance."  A new playground went up at the park just across the street and he has been fearless in his exploration of the new climbing structure and slides.  Hersh has also started to help me "cook"  a bit.  He has a book of nursery rhymes that he makes Jacob read him cover to cover, which I find very sweet.  He continues to like all sorts of foods and is really interested in stacking.  Hersh also LOVES his cousin Lewes and is working really hard on figuring out the proper way to play with other children.  Similarly, we are working really hard reminding him that we do not push and to be gentle.

Hersh still remains a pleasure to do all sorts of things with, like take out for Mexican food or go for a hike in the woods.  Yesterday we went on our annual Fall Foliage Hike, and let me tell you, it was the shortest hike of our lives.  This is because Hersh walked most of the way (which is great!)..  The hike was probably a 1/4 mile round trip, but took us an 1 1/2 hours.  I gave Hersh a bag to carry and collect treasures and we all had a really nice time!

I have been practicing yoga at the YMCA and am loving it!  It is so nice to be in a routine.  Over the next few weeks we will be having visitors and taking some weekend trips to see friends that we haven't seen since being back from Vienna.  And, as today is Halloween, we will be joining with the other neighborhood kids this evening and give trick-or-treating a try for the first time.  To be honest, I'm not really looking forward to it, but I am pretty sure Hersh will love all of the jack-o-lanterns!

October 30, 2011--Seneca Creek State Park

November 1, 2010--Linzer Tiergarten, Austria

18th months old!

Hilarious and happy!

Classic Family Shot.

Uncle Lowell and the boys.

Lewes isn't so sure about being in the basket.

Exploring.

Foliage.

What's in the bag?

Coming down the path.

The Lake.

Crystal Clear.

Showing me what is in his bag.

Climbing a tree with Abba.