A Walk in the Woods

With temperatures in the low 60s, clear blue skies and the sun shining brightly, Jeff, Max, Maggie and I headed out for a hike on a portion of the Natchez Trace Scenic Trail. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to enjoy a long walk among Fall's beautiful colors. The trail we hiked was wooded and crisscrossed a beautiful (very chilly) stream.

Hitting the trail.

Enjoying the scenery, refusing to look at the camera.

Crossing the stream.

My turn to carry Max.

He was very excited to play with my hair.

Letting Max stretch his legs at the end of the trail.

At the end of the trail there was a fenced in horse pasture.

The horses were very interested in us.

Max wasn't sure what to think of them.

The trail that we hiked is popular with hikers and horseback riders.

The Banta family horse.

Just in Case We Forgot That We Live in the South..

This was parked outside of a restaurant we went to last night in the sleepy little town of Leiper's Fork.

Jeff's Birthday

On Wednesday, Max and I helped Jeff celebrate his 22nd birthday (Jeff has been celebrating his 22nd birthday for many, many years now).

Helping Daddy open gifts.

Jeff's main gift was this backpack child carrier. It's been a rainy fall in Nashville, but we're hoping the weather cooperates so that we can try it out this week.

Birthday cupcakes before...

... and after.

It was a chilly day today, but the sun was finally shining. We took advantage of the perfect fall day and decided to start a fire in our fire pit, put cider on the stove and have a little wiener roast.

Playing in the backyard.

Helping Daddy roast the perfect hot dog.

Pumpkin Patch

Max and I met some of our playgroup friends at an adorable family owned farm to pick pumpkins this morning. Max loved playing in the corn trough, picking pumpkins and digging in the dirt.

Playing in the corn.

Max with playgroup friends.

He has no idea that he's so much smaller than all of them and he wants to be doing whatever they are doing!

Time to pick pumpkins!

I love these heirloom pumpkins.

These are Max's favorites

A boy and his stick.

Max with the pumpkins we picked.

Max never looks at the camera and when he does this is what I get.

Porch swing fun!

I had to include this picture. This is how Max feel asleep last night.

I have no idea how or why he does this to himself.

Little Walker

Just this weekend Max started getting really good at walking. He can now pull himself up from sitting without holding onto anything. He still trips over the carpet and loses his balance easily, but I am so fascinated at how quickly his walking abilities are progressing. Max makes little high pitched noises a lot which you can hear in this video.

Walking and Talking (sort of!)

Right now Max is trying very hard to walk and talk. He is taking steps, but not quite walking. When he tries to walk he looks like a bit like a member of a marching band who has had too much to drink! Max has quite a lot to say these days. He is constantly babbling and making noises to interact with us. His only word at the moment is "hi" and he loves to use it. This is a short clip of him saying "hi" and taking a few steps.

Labor Day Weekend

Here are some pictures from this weekend. We spent the weekend doing things around town and spending quality time at home.

Max is very proud of his stair climbing abilities!

Helping Mom in the kitchen.

Max loves opening drawers and cabinets and pulling everything out of them!

Hanging out at the Franklin Jazz Festival.

This boy knows how to relax!

The Franklin Classic with Stroller Strides.

Max and I did the 4k walk.

Watching football with Daddy.

Go Bearcats!