More Triathloning!

I guess fall officially began on Sunday, but for us it seemed to start when we were up in New York for Christopher's last triathlon of the season two weekends ago. The air was crisp (an extra-crispy 45 degrees on race morning!), the leaves were turning, we were clothed in fleece and holding steaming cups of latte/chai/mocha.

Our friends Nat and Libbey (along with kids Madeleine and Skyler) were in town from Iowa and visiting Lib's parents up on Greenwood Lake outside of NYC. We drove up to join them so the guys could do the tri and the girls could drink coffee and talk babies. I think Mad and Millie had almost as much fun as the adults! They gave each other lots of hugs and kisses and swapped hair bows and mardi gras beads.

I think this was one of those trips that I'll always remember as just pure happiness.

In Loving Memory

Christopher's Grandmother (we all knew her only as "Boettsie") passed away last week. She was truly one of a kind. Christopher and his cousins have been swapping memories and stories this week leading up to her memorial and burial services, and there are a few themes to the stories. She was courageous in her faith and was the most godly woman any of us have every known. Every card and letter (and there were many) was signed with her catchphrase "Keep your eyes on Jesus". She was absolutely devoted to Grumpa, her husband of 62 years. Most photos of them together caught her looking longingly into his eyes. And she was devoted to her family -- all four children, eleven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and the accompanying in-laws. She traveled the country to attend soccer/football/field hockey/basketball games, school musicals, graduations, weddings, and baby showers. She managed to get the entire clan together for a Caribbean cruise and trips to Disney World (which involved matching royal blue shirts for everyone!).

We're all going to miss Boettsie. But we are all going to think of her and her faithfulness so often, especially as we raise her little great grandchildren.

Dedication

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

3 John 4

Our sweet Amelia was dedicated to the Lord on Saturday, September 8th. There was so much meaning packed into this amazing evening...I want to remember every single detail. All of her grandparents were there, plus Uncle Joshua and our dear friends (and Christopher's former boss) Jim and Jennifer McPherson. One of the sweetest details: Millie was dedicated alongside two of her friends from our Bible Study/Playgroup, Lucy and Aliyah.

Millie wore the christening dress that I wore when I was a baby. My Grandma King made it for me using the same material as my mom's wedding dress. Really amazing and touching that my Grandma could be a part of this day.

So here's a photo of the family outside of our church. Wait a minute, you say. That looks like a coffee shop, not a church. Yep, the church owns and operates a coffee shop here on the Hill and Saturday night services are held downstairs. Pretty awesome for this caffeine addict!

And here's Pastor Mark dedicating our angels.

Millie's Nine Month Photos

About a month ago a friend and semi-professional photographer took some photos of Millie. They are just breathtaking (yes, we're biased). Due to my lack of foresight, we were taking these pictures in the blazing sun of a 95 degree August afternoon. There was lots of squinting and nose-scrunching, but she held up like a champ. In the last picture she is wearing the christening dress that my grandma made for me to wear when I was just a few months old.

One Great Week

Popham Beach, Maine

We are home from an awesome family vacation. It was a full one...

We kicked off the week with lots of success at the Northeast, MD Triathlon. Christopher set a personal best (he did it under three hours!) and I survived the run portion of the relay event with my mom (swam heroically) and sister-in-law Jennie (got a killer time on the bike). The team met all our goals, so I can officially hang up the running shoes forever. Let the celebration begin!

On our drive up the coast we stopped in South Berwick, the town I lived in from fifth through eighth grades. Millie and I are pictured in front of my elementary school. It was so much fun to see our house and the beaches where we spent most of every summer when we lived here.

We stayed in Brunswick, Maine and made a day trip to Boothbay Harbor and Popham Beach. Can you almost taste the lobster roll? My ankles go numb just thinking about the cold Atlantic. It was a wonderful, relaxing summer day.

Christopher and Millie at the Portland Sea Dogs game (she has not yet inherited her mother's fear of mascots).

This trip took us to see old friends, favorite towns, baseball games, golf tournments, and half of the east coast. Best of all, it was our first big vacation as a family of three. Christopher and I worked together and enjoyed spending so much time together. And Millie was a flexible, happy, laid-back dream. I love this life we're making.

Cousins!

On the way home from Maine, we stopped in for a quick overnight visit with Christopher's sister Jennie and baby Kaitlin (husband Skip was away hiking up a mountain). They just bought a new beautiful home with lots of room for the cousins to play. These cuties are just four months apart - so fun for them to grow up together.

Kickin' it in Kaitlin's high chair: