Fallin' into Winter

Can't you tell she's having fun playing in Aunt Mindy's leaves. Last weekend, we left winter at our house (were the ground was already freezing) and managed to get a little more of Fall while we were in Anchorage.

We don't have any deciduous trees around our property so my kids haven't gotten the privilege of raking leaves and running and jumping in the piles. I remember having piles of leaves almost five feet tall when I was growing up in the Midwest. I would make mazes in the mounds of maple and oak leaves. Our little aspen and birch leaves don't create the same affect.

This is a happy man. He had his nap and was outside playing in the warm sun. He wasn't so crazy about the leaves but enjoyed crawling over to the slide.

Little man is on the count-down to his first birthday. He's just started being brave and taking three and four steps at a time. It's not a regular thing yet, but he's getting there.

Can't you just see the mischief in that smile! It's all him! He is one ornery kid. From hitting and pulling hair to throwing food and climbing onto the rocking chair and standing with no hands. He's the little terror that will keep his big sisters on their toes.

(Sorry Jess, I ran out of space to get a picture of you in here. I'll have to find a good one.)