Skyline Drive

Scenes from another great family hiking trip.  We headed out to Skyline Drive (a scenic drive through the Blue Ridge / Shenandoah Mountains which happens to be less than 30 miles from us) in search of a picnic and a walk thru the woods.  The picnic was a bit of a bust due to my thin San Diego blood...the temperatures dropped into the high 50's and there was just no way I was going to sit outside and eat in that weather.  Instead we all crammed into the back of our SUV and made the best of it.

The 'little walk', on the other hand, was a roaring success.  It was MUCH more strenuous than was advertised on the maps, but with a whole lot of cheering and encouraging, we all made it through the two mile loop.  Two keys to Millie's perseverance:  1) She got to read the "map" (trail guide) and tell us where to go; and 2) Her walking stick...made her very official and outdoorsy.  The view from the top of the climb was breathtaking, and this was even before the leaves started changing colors.   We saw lots of deer and even came right up on a bear crossing the road in front of us (we were in the car).  All in all, a really great family adventure.

A post-picnic run-around.

We saw a deer right away on the trail.  Sadly, they were very tame...see how close we are?

Walking sticks in hand, ready for the hike. 

This is how Si spent 90% of the day: on Christopher's shoulders.

View from the top...awesome.

Our Birthday Girl

Our four year old had quite a birthday celebration.  It literally went on for weeks.

First, Gamma, Gampa and Uncle Joshua visited us two weekends ago so we turned one evening into a little party for Mils.  It was a beautiful weekend and a really fun visit.

And this weekend my sister, Aunt JuJu flew into town from LA to help us celebrate the big event.  Mils decided on spaghetti for dinner and insisted on a palm tree cake.  She originally told me she wanted a rainbow cake (I think this inspiration came to her while she was studying Noah and the Ark at CBS).  She abruptly changed her mind (I'd like to know who planted the seed in her head) to the much-more-difficult-to-execute palm tree.  Oh well, it all worked out fine and she didn't hate it.  That's a total win in our family.  And yesterday, on her actual birthday, she took treats to share with her classmates at preschool and we had a small family celebration after dinner.  Whew.  We're all partied out over here.

Casey crashed out on Millie's new rain boots.

Sporting her birthday crown, the top half of her halloween costume (will eventually be a cupcake) and her new tap shoes.  Every time I look at this picture I just can't believe how tall she is.

While Jules was here we took a trip up to an apple & peach orchard at the top of the mountain.

Mils was once again showered with really wonderful gifts.  She is so excited to wake up and play with her new goodies and games and books and outfits.  Our family is so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who love us and our kids.  We are far away from almost everyone we love, but none of us feels lonely or alone.  That's something special.  

So here's to my independent, sensitive, curious, emotional, empathetic big girl...the one who made us parents and brought a whole new purpose to our lives.  I could celebrate her life every single day. 

Go Phillies!

What happens when your 'boys of summer' keep playing into the fall?

You layer up and turn your summer jammies into your playoff rally-jammies!

Go Phillies!

Picking Things

Good work, Si.

I can imagine you are all making mental notes to wash the fruit offered to you by the Greer family.  Good idea.

A few weekends ago we made a quick visit to an apple orchard/pumpkin patch not too far from our home.  We had so much fun picking (and eating) apples and tromping through the pumpkin patch to cut our pumpkins off the vines.  Seemed so authentic with the beautiful autumn leaves changing colors in the mountains and the bit of chill in the air.

Soccer Picture Day

This is just classic.  There was a lot of hilarity on this day:

1.  These uniforms are great.  They'll be wearing these into their high school years, I think...plenty of room to grow.  LOVE that they are orange (UVA colors) and say JAG across the front.

2.  Organizing two year olds for photos is a special kind of expertise that I have not yet achieved.  Although he was happy enough, he decided that there was NO WAY he was going to smile for the photographer.  Can't wait to see his picture.

3.  Millie had a bit of a 'tude on her as well.  Cute...and sassy...as ever.