What to do on a Sunday evening when there is still an hour left before bedtime?

Make a tent, of course.



Close the blinds, turn out the lights, and turn on the flashlight!



Turn somersaults while Daddy reads stories.



And after those 5 minutes are up...well, that's all I have. The next 55 minutes are going to be difficult.

Lydia and I took a walk in the mountains today. There was lots to be excited about.

• All the rocks to climb and climb and climb

• The open space to run and run and run
  
  

• The leaves to collect and carry as treasures
  
  
  

• The discovery of a back pocket
  
  

• The wonderful fall weather!
  

Happy Autumn!

We love fall for the perfect weather, the changing leaves, the approaching holidays, and the comfort food.

Today is the official first day of fall. So, since we are who we are, we're celebrating! (any excuse for a celebration!)

We're wearing fall colors, spending time outside without either roasting or wearing 10 layers, feeding ducks, and cooking chili in the crockpot. Oh, and I also must mention the donuts and apple cider that awaits our mouths for dessert.

What a perfect day!

Peek-a-boo

I love how kids love to play peek-a-boo. It's so funny to hear their laughs as you question out loud, "Where's Lydia? Wheeeeerrrreeeee did she go????" And then to see their ecstatically happy faces popping out at you when they finally decide to reveal themselves- it's priceless isn't it?

We had another great (albeit incredibly short) visit to California this weekend. Lydia and her cousin Zack truly are two peas in a pod.

More pictures to come once I get life organized again!

Fountains and Lampposts

Last week, Lydia and I spent a day in downtown Salt Lake, visiting an art gallery. The train is free in certain areas downtown, so once we were done at the gallery, we hopped aboard and road to The Gateway, an outdoor mall with a fountain area.

Whenever we go to fountains or other splash parks, Lydia starts out very enthusiastic.



Once she gets her first spray, however, she becomes skeptical.




She then spends her time sticking her hands in safe puddles or small streams of water. Very often, those hands then go into her mouth where she deposits disgusting recycled water. Oh my.




These fountains are a little bit more hardcore than most fountains Lydia has been to. You can't see the spray in any of the pictures, but it comes out pretty strong. She got tired of it pretty quick.



And wandered off to cuddle and flirt with a lamppost.

Lydia and I happened to be sitting right next to each other while Ryan had the camera out. Perfect, I thought! We were both wearing dresses, Lydia was sitting still for a minute- it would be a great mother/daughter picture.

By the time Ryan had the camera on, the moment was lost. Here is the evolution (or backwards evolution?) of Lydia's attention span for cameras.

Starting to run away.



Ran away and Mommy picked her back up

Just about gone

Sigh. Will she ever sit still for a picture?