October 2017

It's now January and these pictures of October look so WARM! Haha.

When I look back at October, it was such a lovely month. The weather was quite warm for the fall season around here and the leaves were absolutely breathtaking. We continued to enjoy lots of activities around our home and attempted to soak in all that we could of Fall in New Hampshire.

Ian has become quite the chicken whisperer and caretaker. He lets them out each morning and often helps to put them in again at night. 

 It's impossible to see in this picture but I am holding up a large pair of snippers and tackling this mound of overgrowth. Jim and I (but mostly Jim) cleared all of the growth to the right with the plan to make this mound of ground into my herb garden! WOOOHOO! Very exciting.

 Owen loves to page through books. He's reading Jan Brett's "The Mitten" in this picture, a definite favorite of his. He calls it, "Mi-in."

 I'm not sure how many weeks pregnant I am here, but midway through first trimester. I think 8 or 9 weeks.

 Homemade peach salsa from our peach tree!

 Jim and I thought perhaps this would be how we announced our pregnancy, but we decided to wait even longer. I still love this photo of FIVE pumpkins!!

 This was the night we told the boys that there's a baby in my belly. Ian was thoughtful and serious for a bit and then his eyes traveled to my belly. When his eyes hit my belly he started giggling uncontrollably and got up and wanted to give the baby a kiss and hugs. SO SWEET and heart-melting. This baby is fortunate to have these two big brothers to look out for him/her.

 Ian and I had a special mama-son date to go on an "Owl Prowl" at a local science center. We didn't see or hear any owls, but we learned a lot and saw and heard a beaver slap his tail!

 We went to the apple orchard one more time! We just can't stay away. We are dreaming of the day when our land produces apples of our own, but until then, we load up the wagon and hit the local orchards!

 Jim and Ian spent a lot of time working on his little garden patch. This was the beginnings of one plan, but they ended up putting large branches as a border instead.

 Below you can see the beginnings of Jim's roundhausen (sp?), a woodpile that has grown substantially and will continue to be added to.

 These boys. All the heart eyes.

 Jim found a turtle sand box at the restore and the boys were so content to use it as a kiddie pool this season. Since then we've added some sand, but it's not sandbox weather anymore.

 Ian LOVES to read.

 We are so thrilled to have a small creek running through our property. That was one of the greatest surprises when we moved in. The boys and I took walks around our trail (so fun to be able to say 'our' trail and 'our' land) often during the warmer months.

 Our neighbor lets us cut across his property to get down to the "pond." This is a great place to ice skate in the colder months. We can't wait to get them out there one day!

 Library story time was all about firemen one week and it was wonderful to be able to talk with the firemen and tour their truck. What a wonderful resource we have in our library! And I am constantly blown away by the kindness of everyone in our town.

 A gorgeous day at Wagon Hill with friends and babywearing.

 It's amazing to see this picture now because our yard looks SO different. It's far more open to the left and COVERED in snow. Haha.

 Our friends, Steve & Anna, who journeyed residency with us also moved up to New Hampshire, about 45 minutes away. We had a fun afternoon of beach time, Anna attempted to teach me how to skim board and pushed me into some waves to surf, and then we had them over for dinner. Fun to have a taste of familiarity so nearby.

 We had a lot of wind one day and the next thing I knew, the ground was entirely covered with pine needles.

 There's been much to learn and figure out in our new home, but I am constantly blown away by the beauty of the beams and grateful for the large windows. This place is such a blessing and the more I live here, the more I fall in love with it.

Aunt Christine came to visit for the first time in October and we went straight to the beach!

 The weather was tricky and I bundled up the boys A LOT, but then they were too warm when we got on the beach. Of course, this one ended up completely soaked.... he's such a beach boy :)

 We drove up to the Kancamagus Highway for some "leaf peeping," as everyone calls it here. It did not disappoint.

 We spent the day hopping in and out of the car at overlooks, going on small hikes, & enjoying being together.

I think this is a new family tradition.

 That night we came home for homemade soup and dinner outside by the fire.

Oh Leifster.... the comfiest seat in the house is always claimed by this guy.

 Here Ian & Jim are adding the last of the compost to Ian's garden. Ian really loves to be included in projects outside and we try to have tools available for him to assist. I love watching him navigate his wheelbarrow and shovel right next to his papa.

 Creek walking is the best walking.

 Ardyce & Bob stopped through for a night! Such fun to see them and host them on their way to Maine.

 Aunt Erin, Uncle Russ, and Seraphina came for a weekend visit! We loved spending time with this sweet little girl and her parents.

 It was so fun to see the cousins together, laughing and playing. We went to Drowned Forest Beach, Seacoast Science Center. & Emery Farm, attempting to pack as much in as we could during their visit.

 We love this picture of those sweet cousins. Thank you for visiting!!

 Pumpkin-carving! Another family tradition. It's so fun now that Ian can be more involved with the process and have artistic choice in the making of his jack-o-lantern.

  I'm embarrassed to say that this is the best picture I got of his costume!! We went trick or treating with one of Jim's coworker's and her family/our neighbors, in two of the local neighborhoods. It was really fun and the boys LOVED it! Ian ran with the gang of kids from door to door, his first trick-or-treating experience. Owen chose to stick close to the adults and Katy, Jim's colleague, was much-obliged to carry him almost the entire time, which he preferred over his stroller.

Ian loved being a dinosaur and he was very excited that he could wear his costume to school one day, too.

 I love the hunt for seaglass and strolling along the beach. I can see many, many a day in my future spent doing just this. There's nothing more soothing or relaxing than listening to the waves and getting lost in the moment at the beach. Jim's sister snapped this during their visit and I am so grateful.

And that's a wrap for October! It's safe to say that we are enjoying life up here and are grateful for the many folks who have visited and filled our home with joy and love.