Picking Stevenson Strawberries

Over the 4th of July weekend we went strawberry picking with "the cousins" (Dan and his friends John and Kerri, Emily, and Josh). Leah had lots of fun picking and eating, but it was hot so after 10 or 15 minutes we waited for the others from the driver's seat of the car. Driving and playing with the radio buttons was almost as fun!

John and Dan picking enough for the whole fall semester at Dartmouth!

Leah learning the basics from Dad

Finding the best berries with mom!

Yum, yum, yum - good thing she didn't get weighed on the way out!

Here's a video of Leah's strawberry picking and eating skills!

Loving the Lake!

Leah and I went straight from Glenwood Springs, Colorado to Wayne, Maine for the 4th of July weekend - one beautiful spot to another! Leah is certainly a good traveler! She did a remarkable job in transit, with the aid of huge snack variety, some favorite books, and a few new toys to discover. She also adjusted well to sleeping in different places - while getting to sleep required a little more effort than at home, once there, her routine was typical.

Enjoying a snack with Birdie on the deck

Fun with Em and Josh

Splashing!!!

Happy as a clam!

A pensive moment

Going to sit on the dock with dad

Colorado Adventures

At the end of June / beginning of July Leah and I were fortunate enough to spend a week visiting our very dear friends, Deborah, Julian, and Kate, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado! We had a fabulous time! The best part was just hanging out together, but as you'll see, we ventured out on some fun excursions, too.

Kate, Deborah, and Leah on a walk

Kate with shades and a gorilla (what was his name?)

Leah adored Big Man - the most kid-friendly cat I've ever met!

Bath time fun times two!!!

Celebrating Leah's 1.5 birthday (I'll admit I realized this after the fact...)

Kate enjoying mint chocolate chip ice cream - this one is for the alumnae magazine!

Leah didn't leave much for mom!

Grocery shopping has never been so much fun (and easy for the moms!)

View of Mt. Sopris from Red Bluffs

We visited a local fish hatchery and the girls had fun feeding the fish. This video is cute - notice the matching outfits!

Feeding the fish was fun, but Leah really wanted to get in the water herself! This summer we can't keep her out of puddles, pools, fountains, and the lake - we love it!

We were so lucky to get the chance to hang out with Shawn and her daughter Quinn during our visit, too. We are so appreciative that they made the trip over the mountains from Loveland! Leah is just 3 months older than Quinn, and they had lots of fun together on a hike up to Hanging Lake. They burned some energy walking to the trail head, babbled to each other (and themselves) from their packs, enjoyed lunch and wading in the lake at the top, slept much of the way down, and shared a post-hike snack of graham crackers and goldfish!

Leah on a mission to get to the trail head

Quinn and Shawn on the trail

Leah looking like she hiked up herself!

Quinn and Leah watching Shawn skinny dip! (Just kidding...)

Leah wading and taking in the view

The three girls!

Gorgeous view from Deborah and Julian's deck

If you can't get enough and want to see all of the pictures from our trip, click here!

Out with the Old, In with the New

Our first summer project (back in June - I've got a lot of catching up to do with the blog...) was to replace our backyard fence. It was certainly in need - there were missing and broken slats and it was leaning way back in some sections. Our work happened to coincide with some other neighborhood work - new windows and siding on the house directly behind us and a new deck for the neighbors next to us. Needless to say, we got to know our neighbors a bit better throughout the process!

The old fence coming down (further...)

No fence at all!

Leah loved climbing on the newly delivered fence sections. She's quite a good little climber - maybe I'll have a partner (and can get back into it) in a couple of years!

The new fence is coming along - great entertainment for Leah's dinner on the deck!

Here's Erik working to get the back panels up. This project certainly tested our practical math abilities. Are the posts in line, exactly 8 feet apart, set deep enough, and level? (In our learning phase(s), we replanted a few...). We also pondered whether or not the fence should be level, staggered, or follow the terrain. Take a look at fences as you drive around - we now have a whole new appreciation!

DaDa Day

We celebrated Father's Day at "camp" with Birdie and Grumps. My dad has finally migrated north, and this was the first time we were really able to spend time with him since he arrived and the busy school year ended. Here's a cute photo of "the dads" wearing their matching shirts. Ha!

The weather wasn't great on Sunday - overcast and off and on showers - and unfortunately there wasn't enough wind for Erik to get out on the windsurfer. But, we did a lot of playing on the beach! Leah (a little nap deprived) was content to lounge in Erik's lap on the swing.

Celebrating Summer!

Just a few cute pics! Summer has arrived, both in terms of the weather and our schedule. For me, classes ended last week. Meetings and professional development are wrapping up this week, and then it will be official! We're looking forward to lots of sunny days to chase bubbles and eat yummy yogurt popsicles!

After hearing so many people recommend it, we finally made it to Wolfe's Neck Farm! We met Cathy and Michael Kirby there on Sunday morning... before the heat was too oppressive. Leah certainly "fit" in this farm (see the "Fitting in the Farm" post below if this doesn't make sense). In fact, she was a bit intimidated by some of the animals - the sights and sounds are not quite like the books you read!

Checking out the goat.

Cathy and MK with a sheep.

Leah petting an Angora rabbit - so soft!

Dad might like the goats, but I couldn't be convienced to pet the Pigme. As you can see below, MK's used to furry, four-legged animals!

Walking with Dad, and headed for the puddle!

Cathy snapped this nice family photo!

Owen's Garden

Owen and Leah are good buddies from day care. Two weekends ago now (yikes... I'm a bit behind on blogging), we visited Owen, Katye, and John at their home for some play time. Fun was had by all exploring the gardens, eating some yummy banana bread and berries, and blowing bubbles!

Fitting in the Farm

Leah is REALLY into animal noises, so it is no surprise that she loves playing with this little farm and the animals that live there. She loves it so much that she wants to do what the animals can! In the first photo she's trying to fit inside the barn - she tried so intently and really felt frustrated that she couldn't fit in all the way. Part of the farm roof acts as a slide for the animals - what will Fisher Price come up with next? Anyway, Leah loves slides and she couldn't resist trying it herself. Again, it didn't occur to her that she was too big. We were really fascinated by her play and the way she related to the space and characters. That sounds very child-psychologist-like.... mostly we thought she was pretty darn cute and funny!

P.S. Don't worry.... the silo was designed to detach!