October 30

We received a great Halloween package earlier this week from Mimi and Timber - including Lizzie's own special cookie! She thought it was pretty special, as you can tell.
The weekend before that, we went on a hayride to the pumpkin patch. Lizzie did a great job picking out pumpkins and lugging them to the wagon. She has lots of practice as she helps Grampy with his squash deliveries most weeks this fall.

Dan and Rachel were in Maine for a concert two weeks ago. Rachel and Dan spent some time teaching Lizzie how to do handstands and back bends. It was great kite flying weather too!

Ryan spent much of that weekend moving his greenhouses. Here are the beds, all prepped and ready for their new winter crop. Since we had snow last night, I am extra glad he was able to get these moved!

Here is Indie, one of our enormous pigs (he is older and bigger than those that we plan to put in the freezer later this year - we are planning to keep him through the winter and with his help are hoping for piglets come spring).

I was wearing Martin in a backpack for most of the pictures above, so he didn't make many of the photos. He loved the ride, though!

We had a nice family breakfast - here is Mom making the bacon. I don't remember it coming up at this time, but quite often we are reminded to cook bacon on a low heat slowly (which I believe was my grandfathers trick for yummy bacon) - it seems to work as this was delicious!

Turning to fall

These past few weeks have been so full for us! Here is a quick update. Martin is now 6 months old and continuing to grow like crazy! He loves his solid food and we continue to add new food all the time. He usually wakes up once in the night, but he falls asleep so easily around 7, that we are in no hurry to change things. He is such a happy and relaxed baby, but so full of personality!
I have been trying to get a few photos of his little baby feet, but thought this was so sweet of his face, I had to include it here.

I love these toes too! We are just about at the end of sandbox season around here, but we will enjoy it as long as it lasts!

Two weeks ago, we met Dan and Rachel in Camden atop Mount Battie. We had a nice visit with them on the mountain and then out to dinner at the Whale's Tooth. What a beautiful day!

We have not had great luck getting a family photo these days. So far we have lots with Martin looking off into the distance and Lizzie making funny faces, though Ryan and I have the same expression and pose each time - just in case both of the kids look forward for the same split second. Here are a few outtakes from our most recent attempt.

This is the best one so far - we will keep trying!

Last CSA delivery of the season!

Today is the last CSA delivery of the season. Though the hard work around the farm doesn't end, a certain pressure is lifted, and that, combined with the first frost of the season means more time together for our family. As we have arranged our lives so that when one of us works, the other stays home with the kids, this should especially mean more time with Ryan and I home together. Here are a few pics from today. We celebrated at the end of the day with take out Thai food and UMaine hockey on tv (go blue!).

Last weekend

Last Saturday we spent a good part of the day at the Common Ground Fair. As it was misting and a little cold to start, it was not as crowded as it often is, so we were able to get around pretty well. Ryan attended a few classes while the kids and I did several loops around the fair. Our constant meeting place was the energy tent where John and Kate spent the weekend. Here is a piece of their display.
Here is Lizzie just as we get started near the dog display.

My boys!

As an aside - look at these carrots! Lizzie's hand makes a great size comparison. Nice growing Ryan!