Eliza on the move...

Eliza is loving her mobility.  She got the hang of crawling very quickly.  This first video is just a day or two before she was off and giggling with pleasure at her accomplishment.  (Also, I love that our wee Wren can wear this polka dotted hoodie, since I have such fond memories of Meredith wearing it) :)

And now she is on the move!

the girl's room

I recently finished sewing up Meredith's duvet cover last week - just in time for the nippy weather!  It came together well, and she was thrilled to have a new blanket

And, a photo of M and E's room...

Excited girlie!

Philly Concert

We had a spontaneous adventure this past Wednesday - an evening at the Philadephia Orchestra for FREE!  The orchestra was scheduled for the opening concert at Carnegie Hall this season, but due to the union at the hall being on strike, the concert was cancelled.  So...they decided to offer a free and family-oriented concert in Philly instead.  The concert was announced 6 or 7 hours prior to the performance time and with twitter, facebook and emails going around like wild fire the hall was jam packed with fans!  We were thrilled to be a part of such an appreciative audience, and so excited to introduce our girls to the orchestra for the first time!  

They played excerpts of excellent works, including Bolero, Don Giovanni and more!  Meredith was enthralled and hasn't stopped talking about it.

Friends took this family photo of us right after the performance...

...8pm and these sleepy girls are ready for bed!

10 months

Wee Eliza Wren is getting close to her 1st birthday!  10 months old today and loving it!  She's on the move - in her own style...standing with her rear in the air and toes on the ground while using her hands to crawl...and then some sliding on her bum and other times crawling traditionally.  She's hilarious!  

This weekend she cut her first tooth, so there's little ridge coming through on her bottom gum.  Mama's thinking she's working on the other one too...based on her recent restless nights. 

Happy Day, sweet girlie!  We love your energy, happy squeals and sweet spirit!

Carlisle Weekend

We spent last weekend in Carlisle, and brought our dear friends from Philly with us. 

 It was a lovely time together with a good balance of rest and activity.

We hiked a few miles of the AT on Saturday.  

Our toddler girls impressed us all by walking for nearly 2 hours!

We strayed off the trail and found this beautiful field...

After church on Sunday we share a picnic with Jane's childhood friend, Sarah, and her family.  

Between our three families we had 9 kids under five years old! 

These sweet girls continue to love being together and play so sweetly with each other.  

september evening

This month has flown by for us.  We've been quite busy with some home improvements (woot!) and all the usual activities.  More posts to come on those areas...in the meantime, here are photos from a lovely September evening we spent in our back yard.

Mama forgot that we didn't have graham crackers for our s'mores...

...however, we discovered that ice cream cones are a very tasty substitute!

Refreshed

And...we are back!  Back into the blogging world again.  You've noticed, I'm sure, that our blog has been silent this summer.  It was by choice, and a good one for me.  I was able to dig deeper into all that is before me each day - these wee girlies of mine, neighborhood friends, trips to Seattle, Chicago and Carlisle, hosting meals and many guests, spending time updating our dear-to-me photo albums, and working my fingers and toes into lots of dirt.  This summer is a treasure trove of memories with my sweet family of four!

 I am grateful for the break, and now, thankful to be back.

Our summer in photo summary...

family photo!  Aleksa and Glenn's wedding, June 2013

4th of July backyard picnic with dear friends

porch visits with sweet Fran, our loved neighbor in Germantown

cousin time + water play = LOVE

late night canning dates - 100+ jars and going strong!

family beach day in August

Grandpa and Grandma Petersons visit in August!

new found treasure - sisters city park in downtown Philly!

weekend in Perry County, PA with dear friends