Where Did September Go?

I mean to blog every day. I tell myself I will. I will make the time. And then I am laying my weary body into bed and remember I forgot to blog. And then it gets to the point that I don't know where to start. So many things to say, and so little time. Do I go backwards from now till I last blogged, or start where I left off? And how in the world will I upload all those pics?

The details are what makes the story. The story of our lives. I will try. Try to remember details, events, and pieces so you can see it through my eyes, or their eyes, or better yet, like you are standing there with us. Close enough you could reach out and grab and camera and take a pic yourself.

Its autumn. How did that happen? Most mornings I go walking. I slip the halti over Dukes nose, and we leave the house just while the sun is rising. Somehow, without realizing it, I've gone from shorts to pants, and tanks to a zippered jacket. A few times this week I had to take my mitts!  Every morning I see how the leaves are changes from green to yellow, red, and brown. I use that time to myself to count my blessings, and work things out in my head. I wave to passing neighbors also walking pets, who have also gone from shorts to pants with a jacket.

With a month thats gone by, it leads to changes everywhere. Not just outside, but inside.

Without really realizing what was happening, we welcomed a new four legged family member into our home.

cautious yet curious about him. he follows duke, watches duke, and even mimics duke, but arches his back and hisses a mean song as soon as duke turns around. (trying to get a picture of the arch!)

He has stolen out hearts and brought many smiles to our faces. I struggle a bit with the guilt over how much I luv him, with it being such a short time since Bob left us. And with the colors being so similar, sometime I think I see a bit of Bob in him. Maybe I imagine it. Who knows.
He is sweet, and playful, and cuddly, and sometime a bit wild. When he first came home he was shy, and scared and stayed in one room. But quickly, within a week, he has the house figured out. He has special spots where he sleeps, places he runs for cover, and he knows who feeds him, and when its bedtime.

And ever Goran admits to liking him.

As the cool weather forces us inside, we find time to make things in the kitchen together. The hurry seems to be gone. In the summer it was always a hurry to get though meals so we could go outside. There seemed to be no time to teach little hands new things, or allow big girls to try new recipes they found. But suddenly there is time. The pride shows on their faces over new accomplishments. And funny enough, more gets eaten ;)

But before it got too cold, we had a few great outdoor adventures.

The fair was a hit!

And the ferris wheel. I admit to shaking, sweaty palms up there, but for them I pretended to have a wonderful time. Although wee Grace stayed with 2 feet on the ground.

She tried a few other rides though and after a few circles I could see her face relax and she began to enjoy.

Great Wolf Lodge and dinner out now has become a yearly tradition.

The wee ones tried new slides and had a blast.

And it would never be complete without a stop by the falls. Amazing really, the water thundering over, standing in the mist, seeing the rainbows, and breathing it all in. The wonder of this corner of the earth that has been here for millions of year? A wonder of the world that has seen people from all places of the world. All the wee ones, take a moment to look and see and wonder. The smaller ones not so long, and the bigger ones accompanied with many questions.

this little guy has  a funny story :) We chose to go 'behind the falls' this year. down under the tunnels Bryan exclaims "I saw a lizard." crowds pushed us on and i nodded in agreement, not really believing him. a few meters further, he exclaims again and i did have a moment to look and take a pic. indeed! he did see a lizard! those ytunnels being just the right place for a 'lizard' to hang out.

Its been a good month. A busy month. I tiny scare with Baby-Luv, but a quick stop at the midwives and listen with the doppler, was all that was needed to put my heart at easy. And as the month has gone on, Baby-Luvs kicks and swirls and turns have become strong enough for me to feel many of them. Its comforting. Moments I treasure and stack away in my heat. Whether I'm walking early in the morning, or laying in bed late a night, moments I stop and close my eyes and just feel. Feel the movement, the luv, the reassurance. And I think to myself every time, "Grow Baby, grow!"

As autumn steels summer away, we slip back into the school year routines.

The weeish one joins them reading and pointing and saying new words. She knows where her books are at the library and runs back and forth from the bookshelf stacking up her books to take home.

see them in the corner?

A field trip to a pioneer village! It rained that day, and I almost didn't go. But friends waiting urged us to put on raincoats and sweaters and rain boots. The rain pooled in puddles up and the down the soggy trails, drip drip dripping off the autumn leaves. The wee ones ran ahead from one house to another, seeing cool things, asking questions and learning.

trying on pioneer costumes!

Now I'm off to keep my wee ones busy, hopefully tired them out, and tuck a few in early tonight, as swimming yesterday seems to have made those few very tired.

Have a great weekend.

P.S. I promise to blog more in October. Cross my fingers!!