Though I will start with saying that those moments have been fewer and further between than any of us would prefer. Dan and I have both been working some insane hours (I sadly calculated ~10-13 of my 16-18 waking hours are spent at work as of late) ::sigh::
SO in the other hours, we've been living it up with our girls!
SEPT 12-END OF SEPTEMBER: soaking up the last days of summer sun, staying up late, celebrating Dad's birthday, ice cream treats, and get togethers with great friends
this was still summer fun!
see - even hit up a carnival in DT Wayzata, and it was HOT
couldn't get this girl away from the cars though..
Dad was prompting her to pick her ducks VERY strategically...
oh and I had a work trip in between - leaving Claire overnight for the first time
willing it to be summer with some ice cream treats DT Wayzata - but it was a little chilly...
enjoying good eats with good friends at one of our get togethers
enjoying sunshine, warm drinks, and the change to fall (sweaters, scarves, cute boots)
but not before heading to the Apple Orchard in Minnetonka - again, Adi loved 'driving'
and scouting out where to go next
Claire wasn't as sure about the whole thing..
I can hear it now.."oh, mom, do we have to..."
Claire Bear at 7 months (give or take)...still eating like a champ and on the move constantly! LOVES playing with her big sister - or really just watching or looking at Adi
I sent Dan away on a surprise boys' hunting trip to celebrate his 30th, and then got hit by a bit of a cold - so the girls and I snuggled and spent a little time entertaining ourselves...
thanks to help from a VERY loving big Sister
OCTOBER: transition from summer to Fall - Apple Orchards, Pumpkin picking, BUSY working, adult only get away to Tahoe/Wedding celebration, Halloween, work trip, indoor fun/adventures
Claire cuddles kept us going through October craziness
so did the weather - sunny fall days!
Adi had to mow the lawn (for about 30 minutes)
as the weather turned a little cooler, we had to hit up the mall - Adi is so adventurous!
Claire - always so happy and exploring new things, like a spoon.
pile on Dad!! I just love the candor of this picture - I have a feeling he'll be doing the same thing in about 10 years, but the girls will probably be causing it for different reasons :)
Then...Dan and I took a trip! To Lake Tahoe, CA. We were able to stay at the Ritz Carlton (below) and it was AMAZING!
Sunny and got to about 60-70 degrees in the afternoon. Surrounded by beautiful views everywhere we went
I even went exploring...in the wilderness, well on paths, but in State Parks while on vacation!
taking in Lake Tahoe
Sand Harbor Beach - one of the places to see before you die, that's what they say anyway
but the real reason we went was to celebrate Cousin Christopher's marriage to Lynn! SO thrilled to be there on their big day - and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful venue!
then we went home...
Claire Bear at eight months - still as active as ever/ eating whenever she gets a chance (but we did cut out rice cereal and it seemed to help her tummy issues)/ laid back disposition - ready for anything (including her Sister tackling her)/ always FULL of smiles!
even though the trip was incredible, we were so glad to be back with these two!
and as the weather turned even cooler, we had to get our pumpkins
Adi loved painting hers - and enjoys watching a squirrel friend come eat it now that she's done with it
NOVEMBER: snowfall, start of the Holidays, all things pumpkin (mostly to eat/drink), mischievous sister fun, DUPI Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, 3rd Thanksgiving, first virus passed around -- to recovery
November brought our first snowfall of the 2013-2014 WINTER season (I know it's confusing because we still had snow in April/May of 2013, but that wasn't supposed to happen)...
the girls just LOVE playing with each other, and seem to get in just as much mischief as if there were more (but there aren't)
November 24, 2013 - we hosted our 7th annual DUPI Thanksgiving feast. There was great food, lots of laughter, and the chaos of 18 adults + 15 little ones under the age of 5 to fill the house!
can never have too many Claire bear smiles
or learning new tricks with Dad
Thanksgiving Day 2013 - so much fun Cousin time!
{{not pictured here - the start of a virus that passed through the entire household over the course of the next few days}}
Adi all tuckered out after an exiting Thanksgiving Day celebration (holding Dad's football for some reason)....
they came up with this one on their own, and Claire loved it
she's definitely not afraid to take some risks
tunnel time
plane prep - for our trip to Orlando to visit Grandpa Art over Christmas (not sure what we're going to do with 2 on a plane)...
now as we sit inside while the 1st big winter storm of the season passes through, we are thankful for a warm home, loving family and friends, and Grace from God to enjoy all of it! I'm guessing it may not be until after Christmas that I'm able to post again - but who knows, so until next time...
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