September already?

It has been a busy few weeks! I can't believe how fast September  is flying by; how can it be the middle of September already?! Our lives have definitely become a little more hectic with me working, at least I am definitely more stressed out trying to keep up with everything. I feel that I am already behind in most of my classes, but really, I'm just behind in grading - which is always the case.

We did have some visitors at the end of August. Wendy, Rick, Sophie, and Lucas came to visit CA! They stopped by the Bay Area for just a couple days, but it was a great visit. We really enjoyed watching the kids play together. They really picked up just where they left back in MN with Sophie taking Colin under her wing and Lucas joining in when it suits him. It was really one of those bittersweet visits where we really do wish that we lived closer to family. At least the time between the next visit is shorter as we will see them over the December holidays.

Cousins!

We're mostly busy with everyday items such as getting dinner on the table, keeping our toddler entertained, and trying to keep the baby fed and happy. It is always a bonus if we get the house picked up or the laundry done. Bob and Colin even got some repairs done on the house. The back deck stairs were rotting out and one stair was splitting, so our landlord allowed Bob to fix it. Colin had a ton of fun 'helping' Dad and now asks to help Dad every time Bob goes outside without him.

View of the rotted stringer

Carpenters at work

We've also had some fun just hanging around the house. Colin often helps with baby Piper or simply ignores her while she tries desperately to get his attention with her biggest smiles. He often likes to help her play, whether on her play mat or her jumper. It will be nice when they can really play together.

He asks for her to face certain directions to play with what he wants to play with

Got them both looking at me!

Ah, sibling love

We've also had some fun outings. We went to Happy Hollow last weekend. Colin went on the carousel twice, a lady bug ride, the dragon train, and got to pet some animals. He was a little skittish around the goats (see the video below), but he did really well and had fun.

I'll end with some fun new accomplishments. First, Piper has rolled over a couple times from back to front (over her right side)! She is now attempting to roll over her left side, but hasn't yet succeeded. She's also had some giggle fits, mostly while watching her brother being silly, but also whenever something or someone catches her interest. Her belly laugh is really cute, though it often goes back to her happy squeaks shortly after they begin. She is crazy ticklish, so that is always another way to get her laughing. The photo below is a new trick of hers where she tries to look at whatever is in her mouth, this time it was her pacifier. Makes her look really intelligent ;P