Blades, necks, rings, teeth, and chocolate

The last couple of weeks have brought a successful trip to the skate pond (I could do it all by myself) ...

... and Finn's newfound ability to remain upright

independently. He's not too keen on scooting or really moving much at all, preferring instead to just sit and laugh at me as I zoom by.Mom took Finn and I to a new local "nasticks" center during her day off last week and we had a ton of fun!

Around the house, I've been busy taking pictures (about 75 a day or so) with my new camera.

A favorite subject has become Finn's nightly "blader" or, in this instance, his "necker."

(Yep, that means his poop reached all the way up to his neck! Gross!)

Last weekend we bundled up and waited for the #4 ...

... and got off at the Museum stop. I kept busy window painting and project-making ...
... while the Finnster thoroughly enjoyed the pizza-making room.
We spent our last minutes playing together on the soft mat ...

... before heading home for some sledding and my all-important job: cookie baking clean-up.

December

If it's Xmastime, it's smiles for the one who is not old yet old enough to know why his big sister is so excited ...

... and the beginning of a lot of yummy eating ...
... and cookie baking and decorating...
... and cousins visiting on their way to Grammy and Grampa's ...
... and then it's us heading up north to GDO's and GMO's house in the snowy woods. While Finn nap'd on Xmas eve ...
... I helped decorate the mantle ...
... and then, because the house is pretty much situated in the biggest tree farm I've ever seen, we slip'd into our fancy shoes ...
... and headed out into the woods in search of the perfect tree.

GDO eventually cut down a balsam ...

... and Dad carried it home ...
... and I helped make sure GDO didn't put it up crooked.
After lighting and decorating, we opened a few gifts and I left a personal note and some snacks (since eaten) for our late-night visitor.

We woke up super early Xmas morning and were on the road well before 6 for our long drive over and down to celebrate with all my cousins at Grammy and Grampa's in Michigan.

We spent a few napless days and largely sleepless nights playing, eating, tooth-sprouting (Finn), hot pooling ...
... and heading out to the Boondocks for our traditional trip for folk music and dessert.

After a few days of lot more fun than sleep, we left my grandparents and cousins but took our time leaving Michigan, first stopping to check out my friend Mo's new digs ...

... before rushing over to Jane and Larry's farm in time to help with the early morning chores.

Hooray for Santa! Hooray for cousins! Hooray for Xmas! Hooray for fresh eggs on the farm!

Big catch-up: #3 edition

While I was up at GDO's and GMO's house in the woods Baby Belle watched my every move while my great-"uncle" Larry helped roll an un-indomitable snowman.

As soon as I returned home we packed up and choo-choo'd our way to "Cago" ...

... where I spent a couple days swimming, eating, playing, and birthday-celebrating with my Michigan relatives.

(Here are a couple Finn fotos from the trip)

Back home Finn and I spent some quality time together ...

... before I headed outside to the sledding hill for a few runs and angels with my friend Jacinda.

Early December meant heading out in search of a Blue Spruce (which featured a run-in with Santa and a popcorn finale with my friend Jonah) ...

... and, of course, my birthday! My big weekend involved prepping a few dozen cookies for my party and candles, cake, and cupcakes!