43/52, 44/52, 45/52 and 46/52

I know, I know! I was so good and each week on time and right at the end this happens....but life happened too! We had a few eventful weeks, from boring work stuff that got in the way to fun stuff, like our 10 year anniversary and my folks visiting for several weeks. These weeks were filled with a Halloween party (we traditionally host one every year), celebration of our anniversary, many many hikes and outings with Siena and Reed's baka and deda. We were desperately trying to get out as much before winter came- and winter is here now with all its might, so I am so glad we did.

So here it is- superbly late: A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014. As always joining in with Jodi over at practisingsimplicity.blogspot.com

43/52: First there was an early Halloween party. Lot os gory food, stuffing the straw man, apple bobbing, three legged races and other fun...

44/52: after baka and deda arrived there were all sorts of hikes and of course actual Halloween (Reed no longer wanted to be spiderman, so we switched his costume to Bob the Builder- kids nowadays I swear!) I also helped host the Halloween party in Siena's school. 

45/52 and then came more hikes- Lake McBride. 

46/52 And more beautiful hikes (Harvest Preserve)- this was the very last nice day of the year that it was in the upper 60s (18C) and since then it has been bitterly cold and today we got SNOW- lots and lots of snow (not pictured- I am boycotting snow!)

There was also a little 10 year anniversary - with the love of my life. I could not be more in love!

There was also so much more fun that was had: 

42/52 A walk in the woods

Fall is most certainly here- can't believe we had already had to break out our winter jackets. Then again our tomatoes are still ripening and there are still some days when you can play outside in a t-shirt, but they are getting few and far between. Lot of excitement over here in the next few weeks- grandparents coming for an almost month-long visit, Halloween parties, our 10 year anniversary and numerous other things to look forward to. Somewhere in there we'll need to find sometime for work as well:)

A portait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014.
As always joining in with Jodi over at practicingsimplicity.com. 

41/52

 It often seem to me like a child's innocence is reflected in their skin and their wisdom in their eyes.

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014.
as always joining in with Jodi over at practisingsimplicity.com

40/52- Siblings

A portait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014.
As Always joining in with Jodi over at practisingsimplicity.com

These two- love hanging out. Siena is the most patient sister and very forgiving (both of Reed and of us). Reed is the wild man- but he is also the most loving, cuddly kid ever. And those two types of personality apparently work very well...and yes, Reed is a giant 2 year old who still sometimes drinks from the bottle (water).

Autumn is here

39/52

A portait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014.
As always joining in with Jodi over at practisingsimplicity.com

These two love doing pretty much everything together. When we had them almost 4 years apart and a boy and a girl I guess I just assumed they would not be as close as kids who are less far apart in age or same gender. I am glad to say I was absolutely wrong. These two love playing together almost all the time, they rarely ever get into conflicts and when they do Siena is very good at dealing with them. Recently Siena was sad about not having a best friend at school (she has loads of friends, but she only goes for 2h so it is not a great surprise other kids are closer), and as she started crying Reed came over and said "Reed Yena's best friend." I mean seriously!!! Heart melted on the spot!
The benefit of only going to school for 2h pictured:) We have been going to the local apple orchard almost every week, sometimes we only pick a few apples and then after our hike through the orchard kids like to reward themselves with some amazing freshly made apple turnovers.

37/52 and 38/52

The computer was on the fritz for a few weeks, and so glad to have it back and so lucky to have all the images and data and work saved not having backed up for months! What a dummy!

First set of images is from a lovely forest walk on a first autumn like day....
The second set is from our local apple orchard. Although the fall is not officially here yet - it sure feels like it is- we've had to turn on the heat already a few times, unpack the winter clothes, wear wool sweaters in the mornings. Not ready for it yet. Usually I love the fall, but last winter was almost traumatizing in its length...so I'll take as much summer as I can get. We have been homeschooling and working pretty hard over the last few weeks- life seems to be speeding up- like it always does in the fall, and we are trying hard to make sure we are finding time to be present when we are together. Getting out helps us do that.

Sunday Morning Walk

36/52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014.
As always joining in with Jodi over at practisingsimplicity.com

This last week most all of us were sick, Siena the most. Finally a pleasant day and all of us on the mend we enjoyed a lovely walk in our favorite Harvest Preserve.