A Few Days

"Um, where are my skis?"

"Where's your belly button, Kye?", says Momma

 "I found it!" :)

 Playing in the yard in new outfit and shoes.

Checking out Gold Creek Pond, before the snow comes.

Day's end, tired, Kye buries himself under his books.

September Came Late

In the Northwest, September is a necessary month of transition, when you prepare yourself for months of cold, dark, and wet. So when it rained for most of September and the fall colors didn't change over, I felt a bit depressed, knowing we were already in the cold, dark, and wet months; we had missed our chance to say 'goodbye' to summer and sun.

Then October came and it has been stunning. I am now ready to embrace winter, having spent the last few weekends hiking, climbing, and playing in the crisp fall weather. Here are some pics from our recent adventures, big & small. First, a trip to the pier in Seattle to visit the Aquarium.

 Kye feeds the seagulls @ Ivar's.

We hiked to Snow Lake with Barb and her dog, Kona. Everyone had a relatively good time. Both Barb and Kye thought the hike a bit too far. ;)

After work, I enjoyed a hike up Little Si with friends Anne, Isabel (with 3-week old Lily), and Dawn. These Betties are awesome and I'm so grateful to have them!

Today, Kye and I met up with Isabel and Lily again, and also Joanne for some climbing.

 Kye studies the route.

 Kye waves a leaf while looking over Baby Lily, content in layers of puffies.

Isabel climbing, Joanne belaying

Stylin'

Motor noises and pointing as a truck goes by...

Every-day Life

We haven't done anything too exciting lately but have enjoyed the fall season, now fully upon us, and we're starting to think about winter, with the first dump of snow in the mountains (and even at our house!).

We camped on a rainy weekend to close out the huckleberry season. The rain let up long enough for us to get a few more berries, which were definitely on their way out.

Even in the rain, we make an attempt to get outside every day. With Kye running around on his own now, we can have a good amount of fun running up and down the driveway, picking up sticks and rocks, etc.

Yesterday, we had a rare 'Colorado' day...that's what I call it when you get the combination of blue skies, bright sunshine, brilliant fall colors, and snow-capped peaks. It was stunning. Kye and I hiked to Source Lake, enjoying the snow on the ground up high, the views, and the waterfalls coming down. In a short time, that area will be transformed into a big, white basin of snow.

I gave Kye his first snowball.

Mmmm...pretty tasty.