Apple Picking ion the East Coast is so lovely

We went apple picking with our little girls and some friends of ours last weekend.  It was lovely!  The weather was actually hot!  Last year it was super frigid and rainy.  We gathered apples in the orchard and met all the farmyard animals.  We even climbed hay stacks.  The girls had a great time, and that's what it's all about!  I am planning on making apple dumplings and an apple pie this week with the orchard apples we picked!!

My Baby is Walking

Isabelle has been learning to stand without holding on to anything and taking 4-10 steps at a time since September 1st.  She would dart from object to object reaching out and grasping for dear life.  She made friends with anything and everything that would hold her as she tried to steady herself.  She of course too danced, as M. did, as soon as she was steady on two feet.  Over the last threes weeks it has been a joy watching her become stronger and more confident.  Now, she cruises around the house without any assistance.  She turns her nose up at those items that once saved her from falling, the couch, chairs, our legs, Foxy, and laughs at them as she passes them and leaves them in her dust.  Go baby girl!!!!

My First Triathlon: Williamsburg, VA

I trained for 12 weeks, 6 days a week, alternating between swimming, biking, and running.  It was a great way to get back into shape after the girls.  It was both mentally and physically challenging.  I trained at various times of the day.  Mostly in 90-98 degree humid weather.  Sometimes pushing the girls while running and sometimes pulling the girls on the bike.  I learned a lot about myself and was able to obtain my goals in each category on race day.  The day itself was gloomy.  It was "wet suit" legal because the water temperature was so chilly.  The ride was slippery because of the rain and surprisingly there was active traffic driving down the center of the cyclers.  That stunk! The rain was most appreciated during the run when there was a constant misting on my face during the 5K.  Our family in Williamsburg, VA was very hospitable and even came super early in the morning to cheer me on along side N. and the girls.  Thanks N. for all you support!!!!!!!!!  

We now have a 2 year old and a 1 year old...craziness!

We planned getting photos of the girls' year milestones, M.'s 2 year and I. 's 1 year.  The professional photographer's cost too much so we were going to borrow a "fancy" camera from a friend.  The week we were planning on borrowing it it broke, sad.  So we resorted to using our camera which works well but misses many facial expressions on our children since smiles and giggles are intermixed with screams and cries.  We did the best we could and the following images are our top picks.