Five months old.

Elsa is 5 months old today! The last few days have been filled with adventures while my parents were visiting. More posts on that later. In the meantime, everyone is a little cranky today since our source of fun and entertainment has left.

Elsa breaks into a smile whenever we look at her and she has the cutest laugh when she gets tickled.


She adores her big sister.



She has discovered how to pick things up and puts everything straight into her mouth. It's fun to watch her explore and observe everything.

Autumn on the farm.

Yesterday we headed to a beautiful farm just over the river in Maryland called Oxon Hill Farm. Amelia loved seeing the animals and running around with her friend Kaylee. It was actually really hot outside but the beautiful scenery made up for it.




Catching leaves.



Throwing leaves.


Strolling with the turkey.


Chatting with the horse.





Yes, Elsa was there too. Happy to be outside.

Last night, my mom watched the girls so Ben and I could go out. We had a delicious dinner at the Chart House in Old Town and then enjoyed a stroll along the pier.


They have a heavenly Dark Chocolate Lava Cake. So good.


We sat in the "lighthouse" part of the restaurant (as seen above) and had a beautiful view of the water.

October = crisp air, fall colors, apple cider...

...and crazy work hours for Ben. There were only a few Ben sightings this last week since he's been busy at work for the World Bank/IMF Annual meetings this weekend. He finally packed a bag on Friday and has been staying at a hotel near his office. Amelia has been going crazy missing her dad and continually asking if his meeting is over yet. Every time she hears a noise outside, she races to the window to see if dad is coming home. Yesterday she brought her penguin to me and told me this long story about how the penguin was sad because his dad didn't come home. Sad. Thankfully my parents arrive tomorrow so someone else can show these girls some attention.

The last few days:

Hanging out at home.



A trip to the zoo.



Our weekly nature walk. This time we collected leaves and talked about seeds and spiders.



Conversation of the day:
Me: What letter does "mom" start with?
Amelia: M
Me: What letter does "Elsa" start with?
Amelia: H
Me: H? Are you sure?
Amelia: Yes, H...Helsa.

Has she really been calling her Helsa all this time?

The essence of Elsa. (I am an equal opportunity parent)

Elsa doesn't seem to get as much face time on the blog as Amelia. Lately, she is most often seen doing the following:

Finger sucking.


Kicking (right leg only).


Laughing.

Hoopla.

My most recent project has been creating wall hangings using embroidery hoops, fabric scraps, and my sewing machine. I stole the idea from someone else and played around with it. After I made a few wall hangings, I decided to experiment a bit more. I have a tendency to turn various items into clocks and the hoops were no exception.

Hoopla.

My most recent project has been creating wall hangings using embroidery hoops, fabric scraps, and my sewing machine. I stole the idea from someone else and played around with it. After I made a few wall hangings, I decided to experiment a bit more. I have a tendency to turn various items into clocks and the hoops were no exception.

The essence of Amelia.

My friend Jill did another photo shoot with Amelia and I thought she captured Amelia's personality so perfectly. Check out more of Jill's fabulous photography here.

The Salt Lake adventures.

We had a great time with Ben's family and enjoyed some fun family gatherings, including an engagement party for Ben's brother Matt. We are so excited for Matt and Amanda and are looking forward to the wedding next summer.




Ben's parents treated us to an exciting evening at the circus. It was a really fun show.


The brothers with their daughters. Grace was Elsa's newest cousin (up until Isaac was born a few days ago!) and it was great to finally meet her.


The sisters-in-law (representing all the stages of baby).


We enjoyed a picnic at Sugar House park after a fun trip to the Discovery Children's Museum at the Gateway.


Amelia loved playing in the water with her cousins.




All the cousins loved trying out the helicopter.




Amelia loved the mini grocery store at the children's museum.


Ian and Amelia.


Elsa with Grandma Black.