Us Jr. Rudnicks got Christmas off to a proper start with our traditional Christmas tree cutting expedition. This year we visited West Galway, NY. We enjoyed traipsing through the trees with our friends until the rain came at which time the photos abruptly ended.

So many trees, so little time,...

With [play]saw in hand
With Sylvie and an awesome tractor!!!!
With Sylvie in the tractor bucket but not with his saw nor his left mitten (both of which we doubled back for)

Our sweet Evangeline is 4 months old now. She's 14.2 lb's and 25 inches long. We seem to grow them big in this house. She sleeps well, falling asleep on her own in her crib or drifting off in our arms, for 4-5 naps a day and for the most part is up only once in the night. Verbal and physically active she lets us know she's in the room or if we've left her alone too long in another room. I'm seeing a roll over in her near future as she pushes up on her belly well and twist and turns her hips like it's nobody's business! She grabs at anything nearby and holds onto my hair, face, and arms with quite a tug! It's hard to catch a glimpse of the real Eva in photos but these come close:

Sweet
Crazy
Serious
Goofy

Rowan really just wants to be like everyone else. I'm pretty sure he's over this "being a kid" thing and is diving into grown up world head first. A couple of those moments caught on camera include:

Sending his own car down the driveway,getting those pesky projects done around the house, and having his morning coffee. On this morning, Rowan heard me say I was going to make my daily morning latte and he insisted that he make my coffee. He brought over his coffee maker and two cups, waited for his to brew, poured some in both cups and handed me a cup.
Oh, what will you do next Rowan?

Halloween isn't just any weekend for us. We have the fortune of celebrating Rowan's and Alan's birthdays! Happy 2nd birthday to our baby boy and happy 29th to the handsome husband of the house. Our incredible family came to celebrate with us as well as some dear friends to join in the fun with Rowan.

@ Sunnyside Farms in Saratoga Springs
Every birthday party needs a little fun, so the kids (read parents) created happy hay people!Tractor Cake!Memme and Little Brown Cow
and the after parties...

Fall is a quick season up here and we're enjoying making the most of every day. Anticipating a cold winter we're outside everyday no matter the forecast! A family trip to the corn maze, playing in the leaves, daily walks, and a still-to-be-had trip to the pumpkin patch are some of these activities that keep our little ones in the fresh air and worn out by days end.

Evangeline is really loving these hands she found!

A blustery week in New Jersey! I traveled solo down to USR for Mom's garage sale and of course Rowan and Evangeline were along for the ride as well. I don't recommend traveling without a co-pilot during these early car seat days! I was able to help go through my belongings in the attic and put some things aside for the children but when it came to helping with much more than coffee and dishes it was I who needed the help! Rowan is very busy and very awake lately! Eva is a sweet girl but loves to be held, as she should. My slings, some new toys at Lolly's, and Pops attention smoothed out the trip.Eva, 10 weeks
Rowan, 23 months

Had to say goodbye last night to Audrey who visited from Maryland for a nice long weekend! It was great to have her for "a day in the life" of our new family of 4. Rowan misses her already saying, "Audrey go airport?" And each time I told him we were going to the laundry room he kept wanting to head for Audrey's room! It was wonderful to create new memories of Audrey and Eva just as we have so many memories of Audrey helping us welcome Rowan to the family.