updates!

I know there haven't been any updates this month, it's hard when you have to go to the library to use the computer and try doing that with an active baby who is also very loud! I'm planning on putting some posts soon once the comptuers are up and running in our new office space.

First Hair Cut

We took Autumn to get her hair trimmed. It was 5 inches long! Now it's about 4.5 inches long, when its stretched out at any rate. She was fine until the scissors came near her head. Then she let the whole world know how she felt about this new form of torture. She stood in my lap while I wore a cape and she wore a cape. We tried sitting her in my lap but that was worse. At least standing up there was less arching of her back.

Bed Swimming

This is the newest Olympic sport and Autumn is getting an early start at it. Bed swimming works best if the cover of you bed is fleece or micro-fiber (softer textures). The blue color lends authenticity to the sport (looks like water). Autumn loves to wiggle and squiggle and roll and flop and swim and pet and just wallow in the soft feel of our bedspread.

Another Reader in the Family

Literacy is important and it is good to introduce books to children at a young age. We've been reading to Autumn since she came home with us and she has always been very interested in the books. (ok, I'm off my soapbox now) She's really into reading lately.

Our Little Cook

Autumn has learned the joys of wooden spoons and tupperware. No loud noisy metal pots and pans yet. I'll let her find those on her own when she's on the move...which may be sooner than we are ready for! So you want to hire her Shawn?

New Beau

Here is my sister's new boyfriend. She goes for the brainy sort. His name is Ben and he likes to play with kites in the rain.

Strawberry Pickin'

We went to pick some strawberries. Yummmmmmm! Autumn is a good leaf picker. Here are a couple of pictures, the guy holding her is Marc, Kurt's cousin's husband. She's too young for the shortcake so we ate her piece for her. It was delicious!

Play Time

It's been nice outside so I've been playing in the grass. I should warn you that it doesn't taste too good.

Autum's Adventures

We've started new things this month. Holding her own bottle, eating from a spoon, rolling down the hall, and weaving at Mommy's loom to name a few. Here are some pictures.

D.C. Trip Cont.....

This is the WWII Memorial. It was completed 3 years ago. Each piller has a wreath on it and below that is inscribed the name of a state or U.S. territory. At each end is a taller structure inscribed either Atlantic or Pacific for the two theaters. There are quotes inscribed all around by different generals and the President. At one end of the Mall you can see the Lincoln Memorial and behind us on the other end is the Washington Monument. It is really quite breathtaking. There is also a wall with 100 golden stars on it. A tribute to all the men and women who fell in the war.

This is the Viking Lander that landed on Mars on the day I was born. How Exciting!

Here is a dinosaur kit. Some assembly required. Tools needed: glue, chisle, soft brush, picks in assorted sizes.

The Korean War Memorial was a little erie. The faces of the men are so real and full of expression that it feels like they are looking right at you as you walk by. There are two men joking around in the middle of the formation and you can see the laughter on their faces and in their eyes.

At the Vietnam Memorial we walked along reading all the letters written by school kids. Apparently as they were studying this war they had an assignment to write to the family of a soldier (fallen or not) who had their same birthday. The letters were poignant and tear jerking. The kids did a really nice job with the letters. We found out that at the end of the week all the tributes are gathered up and stored in a warehouse.

Kurt did a good job with this picture of the Washington Monument. The pillar looks like it is splitting the clouds as well as the reflecting pool.

Mommy bought me this Panda. He sure is soft. It's mine, you can't have it, besides the ears are really slimy 'cause I like to chew on them. So you probably don't want it anyway. Which is good, because I'm starting to not like to share.

Ok, I give up, I can't seem to get all the pictures and text to line up quite right. So you'll just have to figure out which captions go where.

Trip to D.C.

We had a great time in Washington D.C. We stayed with a friend of mine and had a great time catching up. My sister went with us and we all had a blast navigating the metro system. We feel like pros now! The flight went well and Autumn did great. She slept most of the way but managed to charm the flight attendants just the same. We visited lots and lots of sights: WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War Memorials, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Library of Congress, Natural History Museum, Air & Space Museum, Postal Museum, National Zoo, and the Navy Memorial. We'd have gone to more but ran out of time. There is so much to see and do and experience and absorb in that city. We could spend a month there and not see everything we had on our list! Here are a few picutres some with people and some without.




On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial



This is the Lone Sailor.











Autumn and Daddy driving the big semi at the US Postal Museum.









Checking out the statue of the panda. It was too hot to sit on since the sun had been shining on it all day.