It was a great time at a pumpkin patch

It was one of those perfect California fall days. Her unruly but completely adorable hair was blowing all over the place. She rolled around in a pile of hay. We invited our neighbors to join us for some traditional pumpkin patching, animal petting, and hay eating (<--not so traditional). Dear Emma did what Emma does best - organize the entire pumpkin patch. Well, she attempted to organize the pumpkins. She made friends with a few goats. (Well, she attempted to give great bear hugs to some rather apathetic goats.) 

Oh what a day. 

42/52

House mouse in the making.

I hope I am enriching her days. I hope I am providing enough attention. I hope I am filling her belly with nutritious food. I hope she is learning and growing. I hope she is getting everything she deserves. I hope I am doing enough for her.

I hope I am enough.

Awkward and awesome

Awkward
- Ants. The bloody ants. I hate them in my kitchen, in my apartment, in my liiiiife. Stay outside please.
- A local intersection where cars are too fast and a late night crash makes me jump out of my skin.
- Me: *vacuums the apartment and admire my handiwork*
Emma: *dumps risotto on the floor two seconds later*
Me: 
- The biggest body flop right onto my sleeping head at 6:23am by one wide-awake toddler.
- Vibrant and colorful crayon drawings... on the wood floor.

Awesome
- The Ikea children's section. Oh my goodness, it's like heaven. I may or may not have picked up a few things today. 
- The language lightbulb that appears to have gone off in Emma's head. This week alone I have heard at least five new words and now I'm happy crying all the live long day. 
- Two words: caramel popcorn. 
- The solo movie trip I took last Friday to see The Intern and a father-daughter duo having oodles of fun at home. Sometimes we all need a little alone time. 
- Afternoon sunshine through my window and a comfortable glider chair. Mmmm. 

41/52 - Mornings and evenings

Mornings and evenings are quickly becoming my favorite times of day - when the three of us are together. We spend brisk mornings on the deck, watching the airplanes fly over head. We spend cool evenings in our living room (where the living happens). We gather, we talk, we observe, we play. 

Mornings are fluffy bead hair, puffy eyes, and colorful PJs.

Mornings are extra creamer in coffee cups, a shared bowl of cereal, and dew-covered deck chairs.

Mornings are rosaries, make-up free faces, and pointing out every bird that crosses the sky and every squirrel that rustles the giant oak.

Evenings are watching our favorite teams, cleaning up spills from our dinner, and dancing to show tunes.

Evenings are imitating everything mom and dad did that day, sharing desserts, and tucking stuffed animals into bed. 

Evenings are filled bubble baths, bedtime stories on repeat, and one last dog pile on top of dad. 

Mornings and evenings are just the best. 

Lake Tahoe, again

Our annual fall Tahoe trip is something I look forward to every year. It is the perfect time for recharging, unplugging, and relaxing with my two favorite people. Last year, Emma was barely mobile so this year was extra special because she appeared to actually appreciate the hiking, views, and general merriment much more than last year. (Where is my baby??!)

We were welcomed with this beautiful setting sun and I want to glue this view to my eyeballs. (<--eww)

We took a hike (more like a gradual trail walk) to Fallen Leaf Lake and now I want to live there.

This tree was bigger than our San Francisco apartment. 

Emma tried to take home 13 thousand rocks and pieces of tree. 

Vana Wetterholm at your service (I should be stopped).

Seriously, I want to build my house right there. Yup, just yonder. 

Tree posing amongst the trees (seriously, someone stop me).

I am fairly certain that the panoramic mode on iPhones was specifically invented for this moment. 

Definitely certain. 

If you're a pack mule and you know it...

Our resort had the most perfect outdoor space filled with chairs, fire pits, and...

...stowaway lady bugs. Hey there little fella. Or lady, whichever. 

Look who finally wanted to hang out with her momma. 

Apparently it was salmon spawning season so we went upstream to check it out. Emma had twelve conniptions looking at the salmon. It was adorable and a little frightening. 

Our final shindig of the trip was a dinner and dance cruise. Emma danced her heart out and we watched the most gorgeous sunset of my life. 

Thankfully, Emma took one giant nap before boarding which mad her an absolute delight for our fiesta. (Otherwise I am sure they would have tossed me overboard for one of her trademarked toddler tantrums.)

Not a tantrum in sight. Can I get an amen?

The most handsome man in all the land. I'm swooning.

Paul wasn't the only good view around... 

I mean come on! It's like God came down and grabbed a paint brush and made all my dreams come true.

Take me back to Tahoe!