3 Years, 1 Month, 1 Week, and 2 Days

Ruby & Charlotte are 3 years, 1 month, 1 week, and 2 days old today. We went to the most spectacular place I can recall on Sunday, Starved Rock State Park. We spent hours there, and only left because we did not pack dinner and needed to drive 2 hours to get back home. It has everything that the kids love - sticks, rocks, dirt, mud, sand, water, leaves, trees, and adventure. We will definitely be returning, repeatedly. Enjoy the photos!

Family photo with Grandpa Jay & Grandma Peggy:

Ruby & Charlotte sitting in leaves:

At the beginning of our hike:

Ruby & Bob led the way on the trail together at first:

Charlotte decided she wanted to climb for a more challenging hike (she made it just fine):

We spent the majority of our hike here, at what was left of a stream so they could splash and investigate:

Ruby and one of her trusty sticks:

With Bob's help, Charlotte walked along a fallen tree:

We continued onward, further on the trail where cell phone reception was lost:

We paused to marvel at the beauty of it all:

Ruby wandered ahead to find the trail end, what used to be a waterfall and is now just a stagnant pond until spring arrives and snow melts:

Charlotte took longer getting to the end, as she was distracted by a pile of fine, white sand mixed with the leaves against a cliff and wanted to make a sand castle:

Ruby sat down in some mud and leaves:

Once we were all at the end, they had more fun splashing and tossing rocks into the water:

Charlotte thought is was hilarious to sprinkle some water on Ruby's head with her stick (Ruby was not amused):

On our walk back, they paused briefly to hold hands for a photo:

While no where near as exciting as the state park, we did go to Monkey Joe's earlier in the week so they could jump to their hearts' content:

Charlotte has no fear when it comes to climbing:

3 Years, 1 Month, and 2 Days

Ruby & Charlotte are 3 years, 1 month, and 2 days old today. Crazy Uncle Trevor and his girlfriend Marissa are here for a visit. Since they live in Hawaii, we are doing our best to give them fond memories of autumn in the Midwest. Enjoy the photos!

Ruby made a leaf angel near our home last week (she called it a "snow leaf angel"):

At a park on the river, Ruby & Charlotte found a love for playing in fallen leaves:

Ruby found a large stick:

Uncle Trevor helped Charlotte carry a branch (best stick yet):

At a farm, we climbed a tractor tire mountain:

We went into our first corn maze:

Uncle Trevor gave Ruby an ear of corn to carry while we tried to find our way out:

In addition to her corn, Charlotte also carried a rock and corn stalk:

Charlotte loved this tire horse swing:

She was having so much fun that Uncle Trevor joined her:

Ruby with her first picked apple at the orchard:

Charlotte ate more apples than she put in the bag:

Ruby helped fill the bag with apples:

Uncle Trevor & Charlotte search for apples to pick (most were on the upper branches of the trees):

Enjoying the apples we picked:

Ruby and Uncle Trevor played a quick game of catch with an old apple in the pumpkin field near the apple trees:

37 Months Old!

Ruby at 37 months old:

Charlotte (not cooperating) at 37 months old:

3 Years, 3 Weeks, and 4 Days

Charlotte & Ruby are 3 years, 3 weeks, and 4 days old today. We continue to go outside as much as possible, even if it is only for 20 minutes. Every bit counts right now, as winter nears. Enjoy the photos!

Holding hands and running towards home:

It's autumn here, and the trees are giving a beautiful show:

In the rock patch:

Walking to a park near Ava's house:

Making sand soup with Ava:

Ruby pushed Charlotte on the swings for a bit:

Leaving the park:

Charlotte gathered many sticks to carry along the way back:

Ruby only needed a stick for each hand:

3 Years, 2 Weeks, and 4 Days

Charlotte & Ruby are 3 years, 2 weeks, and 4 days old today. We spend as much time as possible outside right now, since we know winter is coming and it won't be so easy to get out and run around. They both like to pretend they are playing jump rope with anything long enough to swing back & forth, despite not having the skills to actually play yet. Charlotte's favorite toy is a stuffed horse from the apple farm gift shop that she named "Parties". Ruby still loves any small figures she can use to act out her imaginative scenarios. Enjoy the photos!

Outside our home under a crisp, fall sky:

Looking at their reflections in the camera lens:

Finding just the right stick:

Charlotte pulls dead leaves off of a stick:

Ruby uses her stick to touch the leaves above her:

Using sticks to sweep the outside clean:

Late afternoon sunlight: