the lost dwarf

autumn

Painted pumpkins.
Picking up leaves.
Bare branches at the neighborhood pond.

preparing

This is our coffee table set up for Mass by Joseph. The accessories vary slightly, but he always uses our throw blanket as the altar cloth, the chalice is a cup Jude's mom gave us for our wedding (the two pieces form one cup), candles, a book and a display easel. He also has a red candle he puts on the mantel for the tabernacle. He calls the Eucharist a chip, even though he knows that it is really Jesus. When asked what he wants to be, he consistently responds a dad and a police officer, so I am not sure that this indicates a future vocation to the priesthood, but it is neat to see how much he loves our priests!

workin'

pop!

Leo-in-a-box!

duck races

...with cousin Sam.

pickin' pumpkins

After the first snowfall, we decided it was time to harvest Joseph's renegade pumpkins. I neglected to take a photo before we trimmed back the vines, but they had taken over the entire walkway and posed a hazard to all visitors!
Joseph was quite proud of the crop, these are just the biggest two.
20 and 22 lbs.! Pretty good for a flower bed!

one small step

Leo took his first step today! It was a tentative cruise at our neighbor's house from their rocking chair to the chest.