Teaser...

We are part way through our West Coast trip after a great time on the East Coast visiting family. Here are a few photos from Mt. Rainier National park to whet the appetite...

Lift Off

In the "best birthday gift ever" category, Evelyn decided to take her first steps on my birthday. She took a couple of steps from the couch to the ottoman. Since then, she has taken some steps off an on and put on a show for Joshua and I in her play yard. Of course, as soon as the camera surfaced she sat down...for good...but I did manage to capture these few steps on video. She is a very fast crawler so I think it will take some convincing before she decides wobbly walking is worth it. She does seem so have a flare for occasions - she stood up for the first time on St. Patty's Day and walked for the first time on my birthday.

Inspiration Point

We've been doing some day hikes over the last several weeks and they culminated in an 8 mile, 4 hour hike in the Catskills. The girls were great and we were proud of doing a longer trail with me plus about 30lbs and Joshua plus about 45lbs respectively (he had Sydney and all of the water and snacks!)

Joshua and Inspiration Point

Snack break for the girls (back break for their parents)

Beautiful Mountain Laurels were in abundance on this hike

Me with the girls at Boulder Rock

Scenic (albeit hazy) overlook of the Hudson Valley

Joshua and Sydney at North Lake

South Lake

The home stretch through the hemlocks.

Elizabeth's Bday Weekend

We enjoyed a visit from S&E's Grandma and Grandpa, their aunt Rachel, and Team Walsh for the weekend. It rained on my birthday but that did not deter us from taking a short hike. Evelyn and Leah (6 months) enjoyed the sound of rain falling on their protective plastic bubble (so much so that they both caved). We had a lot of fun in the backyard the next day when the weather turned nice again and tested the capacity of our small inflatable pool.

The view from our car to the next car at the park. Thankfully it only rained like this for the second part of the hike!

All of the kids were good sports in the lousy weather

Aunt Rachel became a professional pusher and the swings were put to good use

The best part about the "fortress" is that you don't need to wait your turn - you can just climb up the other side!

Although Sydney is going through a bit of an over-smiling phase, she LOVES her friend Maddie - so it's very possible this one is genuine over-the-top enthusiasm which is what she experiences before and during a visit with Maddie.

See what I mean?

Evelyn got a nice cozy coupe ride from her Grandma

The pool started with two...

Then a different two...

Then three...

Then four!...

Back to two...

With one rather large ham!

Dance party before the Walshes departed

Evelyn charming Leah

Leah's reaction

Quality time with Grandpa before they headed out