Getting some sunshine

On Saturday, we took a trip to the nearest state park--really near, only about 20 minutes away. My sister and her husband have a motor home (snazzily appointed in original 70's design, wood panels and fuzzy orange chairs and all). It was just me, my kids, my brother-in-law and their kids. My sister was still recuperating from the Great November Cold and Flu and hoping to catch some sleep with the baby. My husband was hoping to watch Virginia lose another football game. So I packed some food, my brother-in-law brought a little grill, and we set out for the park.

The park provided lots of space to run around, multiple picnic areas, and miles of walking trails. The weather was warm and sunny, but not hot--70's probably. (Admittedly, sometimes we Floridians refer to that as "cool" rather than "warm"--it's all perspective.) Our enthusiastic after-lunch hike didn't get too far, as--what do you know?--two and three year olds have short legs, like to look at stuff on the ground, and are too heavy to carry very far when they inevitably ask you to pick them up. The kids had a blast, though. Outdoors is good.






When nature just isn't enough, find a playground. There were two of them within our short-legged walking route. The older kids even found another couple of kids with whom to play race-to-the-tree. It's so neat to watch them effortlessly, instantly connecting with other kids.






Two days before, we had a low key Thanksgiving at my parents' house. My brother and his girlfriend Emily were visiting, along with Emily's mom, Susan. I don't have any pictures of them, though, but I do have pictures of the new niece, though, being held by my dad. (See why I have to get my eyebrows waxed . . . it's genetic!)



I was even there . . . rare photo of Mommy . . . like my new highlights?



Many toys were played with . . . and spread out all over the floor.




Penny loves Daddy. And TV.




Penny and her cousin continued their piano duet tradition, sometimes accompanied by dancing and/or singing of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"--at least the first two lines.





I'll leave you with another look at the beautiful new niece. She smiled either right before or right after this picture, and every other one I tried to take. Can you tell?