autumn at the arboretum

Over the past 2 months, we've spent several lovely mornings at the arboretum with our dear friends. 

I can't get enough of these girls together and their joy-filled smiles!

Matilda is growing up so quickly, and what a beautiful girl she is!

best buds :)

2 years ago, my friend Joanna and I took our 2 year old girls walking in the arboretum as our first play date meet up.  Since then, we've spent countless hours at the arboretum over the past two years, in each season - to visit the trains, play in the stream, explore the grounds, for family evening picnics and we've added another two girls into the mix!  I love that we have a chronicle of memories tied to the beautiful Morris Arboretum as our children have grown and the seasons changed.

trains at the morris arboretum

We had a fun jaunt to the Morris arboretum this past week to see their holiday train display.  It was a very chilly day with a high of 22F (eeps!), but we layered up and managed to stay there about an hour. :)

Leah and her family joined us for the last half and the girls had a fun time romping in the snow together!

They were thrilled to be able to help carry some trains back to the repair shop for the kind train engineer. :)

We'll be back for another visit soon!

Christmas Tree!

Last weekend we drove northwest just over an hour to our favorite Christmas tree farm.  Erik and I discovered this sweet farm buried in the beautiful countryside when we were first married.  We've gone a few times since and this time we took the Sinclair family with us for their first tree cutting experience - yay!

It was a gorgeous day for a romp around the Frazier firs :)

 hello, crunchy snow!  

 Eliza Wren was taking it all in...

Matilda enjoyed the ride too!

We found a little one to bring home.

2013 Thanksgiving (a bit late!) :)

We had a splendid Thanksgiving this year - once again with our friends the Sinclair family, and Jane's folks and brother were in town to join in as well.  Celtic Sea salt in and on the turkey made it juicy and tender and we enjoyed a variety of delicious sides. :) 

So fun to have a full table!

Wee Matilda had her first taste of food on Thanksgiving, since it marked her 6 month point!  She loved turkey and sweet potatoes. :)

Leah kept climbing up on Meredith's Grandaddy's lap throughout the day.  So sweet... and Meredith was happy to share her Grandaddy with her friend. :)

During tea and dessert the guys had a competition with block structures - how many blocks could balance on one block before it toppled.  I think the winner broke 200!

Baby girl friends - just 6 months apart!

Singing with Leah

Reading with Leah

Meredith shares her love of reading with Leah, a good friend who lives close by.  

What naturally follows a good reading session...snuggling in bed with stuffed animals.