Fall Travels

Last week, we took advantage of some days off from school to make the rounds and visit with friends and family. Our first stop was Rosendale, NY where our good friend's Tim, Sophia, Beckett, and baby Iris live. Cally and Beckett (almost 3 years old) have met several times, but this was our first introduction to Iris (4 months old). It was such a treat to see this family-- ever generous with home cooked meals and adventures.






We spent Thursday afternoon in Darien, visiting Bumpa and Grandma. It was a gorgeous afternoon and we visited a great playground at the beach.





Friday, these country mice, made their way into the Big Apple. We were lucky enough to find street parking within a block of my friend Pixie's apartment and spent the afternoon at the Central Park Zoo. This was Cally's first experience at a zoo. She was pretty fired up to see polar bears, seals, penguins, and a snow leopard:





Finally, Cally got to meet her "red headed soul sister", Skylar. Sklyar's mom, Pixie, is one of my dear friends from college and it was such a treat to get to see her and her family. Without any red heads in either of our own families, we were both totally surprised to have our own and couldn't wait to introduce the girls (Skylar is 16 months and her brother Jasper is 4 years old).



Next stop was Brooklyn where we were fortunate to park ourselves for most of the weekend. John's good friend Michael and his wife Elizabeth have a son Dean, who is a couple of months younger than Cally. They have a gorgeous brownstone and made us feel so at home there. Having never really spent much time in Brooklyn, we were both amazed with how "liveable" it is there........ tree lined streets, great playgrounds, grass, funky flea market, delicious food, etc.






Cally loved it all! She hasn't stopped talking about all the people and animals that she saw during our travels. We feel so lucky to have so many friends who are willing to open their heart and homes to us. Please know that visitors are always welcome in Jericho!

First Snow and Wedding Dances

Saturday, Cally attended her second wedding. We had mixed feelings about bringing her to this wedding........ it's never a whole lot of fun for the parents to chase a 22 month old around and try to keep a chatterbox from talking during a bilingual ceremony, but Cally did a great job and the dancing made it all worthwhile:



We also got record snowfall in the mountains this weekend (18 inches at the stake on Mt. Mansfield). And so, yesterday, the Abbott family packed up the car with dog, child, skis, backpack, etc. in the hopes of getting some early season turns in (while some of us still can). The turns didn't actually happen...... most of the snow down low had melted. But, Cally was all fired up about the snow and the chairlift and couldn't stop talking about "kiing" (skiing without the s).





We're pretty pumped that Cally's even talking about skiing. Is two too early to make some turns?

Apples, Pumpkins, Cousins, Hayrides, and more

There really isn't a whole lot more to love about Vermont than this time of year......... It's been all about eating apples on your own, checking out pumpkins:



Riding ponies and tractors:


Jumping in inflatable bouncy houses:


Apple picking:


Checking out farm animals:


Hanging out with cousins:


and eating blueberry pancakes.


It's been an amazing fall. Cally is more and more fun everyday. She's talking about her wants and needs ("I do it myself", "Dad, I need help"), taking on "big girl" responsibility and skills (she actually feeds the animals, is drinking with some success out of a real cup, and putting on her own boots), giving unsolicited hugs and kisses, singing songs, counting to five or six, and insisting on climbing in and out of her car seat on her own.


Who could imagine this little red head throwing a tantrum at the grocery store the other night?