Tahoe in October

We spent the last two days of Chris's paternity leave in Tahoe. 

My dearest oldest friend, Katie, joined us with her fiance, Tim. 

We toasted them with champagne and spent a fun 24 hours with them. 

Katie holding the miniature Tula Saville! (This is such a work of photographic genius; the girl is real!)

More dear friends joined us for the weekend: Adam, Yve, Tula (4 years), and Jude (2 years).

They made great climbing companions.

Singing for fruit

Yve and the boys at the waterfall

Can you find the heart shape?

Avery and Jude

The dip

Yve and nude Jude

Dancing to the Wheels of the Bus

A crying babe and Lake Tahoe

Windy! 

Just the 3 of Us

There is something magical about removing the toddler and just hanging out with the new baby. 

For three days, Chris, Zeal, and I spent time at home while Avery went to school. 

We realized that this was rare and worth savoring. 

Basil's second Zeal approach. Zeal actually felt the soft fur with what seemed like intention.

The garden is still blooming, but the summer veggies are winding down.
Soon we'll be transplanting the winter veggies and seeding a cover crop.

The happy Zeal [squeal]!

More From Nantucket

There are just some more moments from Nantucket worth sharing and then we'll post about the rest of Chris's memorable paternity leave.

The last rose of the summer is perched on Avery's head.

Very cautious tree climbing in a town park.

Lord Voldemort

Mom and I returned from a walk to town to this charming sight. 

Clutching his mermaid figurine, he waded in the Atlantic.

Mama picking at cradle cap

The gorgeous Mimi 

And the Yacht Club Vice Commodore, Opa!
For those interested, this spiffy outfit can be found on www.commodore.com

This is the "I love you" sleeping sign. It also grants us up to 10 hours of solid sleep!

Uncle Peter and Zeal

Wake up call

Katie, Peter, and kids. Check out the pre-teen staredown.

Avery and Katie on Hinckley Lane 

Return of the Snow Leopard!

March 2011 sighting!

Avery: 2 month old cub

October 2013 sighting!

Zeal: 2 month old cub

Nantucket in Fall

We just spent 10 days in our favorite place: Nantucket, MA. Chris took his paternity leave of 2 weeks. Zeal met his Uncle Peter for the first time. And Mimi and Opa babysat eagerly. 

Our favorite little pedestrian town, Sconset. It was so quiet, it was surprising to see anyone.

This house seemed all closed up for winter but had left some fall decor in the window boxes. 

The early morning view from my parents' new house!

We made a huge cranberry tart with ginger and orange zest. It is cranberry season.

Avery loves getting cozy. He spent much time in this giant sleepsack from Astrid.

A fountain in the front yard that Avery played in daily. Once he even sat up on the rock in the cold pool of water.

I think our kid is redhead! Somehow he is more closely related to honorary cousin, Jules Gray, than we realized.

Rooster riding!

At Pumpkin Pond Farm

Avery is wearing the puzzled face I would have if I had never seen a windmill before.

Up in the old windmill for a tour.

Snapping Turtle Pond

We couldn't find any turtles.

Parent Helper, Anya, played with Avery one afternoon. He was in awe of her tree skills.

A beautiful moment my godfather, Porter, captured.