Link to more pictures from our Columbus Day trip

As you can see below, we took a family vacation back to Ohio for the Columbus Day weekend. It was a lot of fun and included Sam helping his dad install a new roof on his shed, a quick trip to visit friends in Pennsylvania, and - best of all - time with family. We took a big group trip up to the Cider Mill and the Fruit Farm and got pumpkins, cider, apples, and far too many donuts. We watched the cider-making process at the mill where Sam's grandparent's used to take their cider.

You can click on the title of this post to see more pics from the trip.

All is Good

We are all doing well in Washington. Arlo has been having a lot of fun lately. We have gone to the park regularly where he climbs up and goes down the slide and through the tunnels. He likes to climb on anything on which he can get a foothold. He's taken a few falls, nothing serious, and keeps on going. We also went to the zoo where he saw lots of animals. The cows and fish seemed to be his favorites (videos to come soon). We've been going to the library for story and music time. He now has a venue to show off his killer dance moves.

Yesterday we were at the National Arboretum where he smelled lots of flowers, picked up rocks and walked in the grass. He knows what a helicopter is and now calls any loud machine a helicopter (truck, train, airplane, etc). And he is still loving to communicate with sign language, even with strangers at the supermarket. He can tell us about his needs and ask what things are. It's really great that he enjoys "talking" so much. His real words are at a minimum right now, but I suspect he'll start using real words in due course. For now, he'll just babble and sign.

Around the House and New Jersey

More Michigan Vacation Photo's

Vacationing

Torch Lake Vacation

We're enjoying our vacation up on Torch Lake - visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Waara and the new puppy Cooper, lots of long walks, and playing on the beach and even a quick swim. The lake is a little cold this year but we're hoping for a warm-up. Alyssa and John (friends from K College) and Beatrice (who's now five weeks old!) are also visiting and we are having a great time just hanging out and watching our kiddos.

Arlo and Cooper are fast friends. Also of note - Arlo got to try sausage and pork loin. He's learned how to snap (for real) and he's saying "dog" consistently.

More than a week to go and pics to come!