Catching Up

We started back to school almost a month ago now, so life has gotten a bit busier again.  That's ok.  I just wish somebody would tell the baby that napping longer would be a great idea.  Oh wait...I did tell her.  She just likes short naps better.

We visited PA over Labor Day and did a photo shoot with my up-and-coming-photographer cousin.  I can't wait to see more of the pictures.  We've had a few previews, and I loved them.  We did the pictures at the New Germantown covered bridge which is located just a hop, skip, and a jump from property that was owned by my grandfather (and my earliest Smith ancestors who settled in Perry County lived nearby too), so it has some history for us.  

We were also there for the Murphy reunion which always happens on Labor Day, so we got to introduce Miss Caroline to her great-grandfather, Pappy.  

Pappy with great-grandchild #20
(#21 and #22 are on the way!!)

We had a quick visit from Uncle Dan and Aunt Kelli over the weekend, too.  There was lots of deer and bear talk, and we even discovered a "wild" animal in our own backyard - like it or not! 

A black widow spider - ugh!!
We only caught it to determine what it was.

Dan is planning to take Luke deer hunting this fall, so he brought some camo-coveralls for Luke to wear.  Elsa took a liking to them, and she was pretending to hunt, too.  It'll be a few years before she gets a turn, though.

This week the weather cooled off significantly, and we made our first outing to the park since Caroline joined the family.  Yes, three and a half months is a long time, but it was too hot.  The kids were thrilled to see the park again.

Luke is a blur!

And yesterday, we visited the zoo.  The kids have renewed their interest in animals in a big way recently, and we'd been talking about making a zoo field trip soon.  So when a friend asked if anyone was interested in taking advantage of the great weather with a trip to the zoo, we jumped on it.  A zoo trip is great, but a zoo trip with friends is even better!

I was leery of managing all four of them on my own at the zoo, but it honestly went really well.  The boys were exuberant and full of energy, but they were also obedient and helpful.  Elsa, once she had lunch, was cooperative and sweet.  And Caroline was a trooper.  I even came home without a headache...which is a tell-tale sign that it was a good day!

Some pictures to share...

Luke the Lion!

cheetah cubs born a week before Caroline

We found the eagle statue where my family had a picture taken when I was about Luke or Cade's age!  So we did a kid picture there too.