Before the Last Leaf Falls

Every year, when the leaves begin their color change, we head off to Caesar's Creek Lake for a hike through woods. Thank god. At this time of year it's about the only thing for which we slow down. It's always therapeutic. I've got dozens of pictures I've wanted to post for the last two months, but these were my top priority. Looking back at them again is a small dose of much needed medicine.

"I'm free to roam? Really?"

"I'm an old pro."

"Maybe Mom will walk faster if I shove a leaf in her ear."

Sprouted acorns. I don't think I had ever seen one before.

Sprouted acorn. Again. For effect.

All orangey and stuff.

Leaf hunters.

Group shot.

"Thanks for including me in the group shot. Dicks."

Definitely a fall girl.

Teaching? Protecting? Threatening?

Our fearless leader.

And now back to your regularly scheduled madness...

Julieta

As with nearly every aspect of her life, Julie made Mother's Day more about her children than about herself. I guess that's kind of the mother's calling -- putting their children first. It starts when they give up their body just to grow that little creature inside of them and I doubt that the giving ever really ends.

When we are out with all of the kids, it's not uncommon for people to compliment Julie on how wonderful her children are and how great of a mother she is. Those people have no idea just how great.

And There Will I Keep You Forever

When I look at pictures like this, it still blows my mind that this is my family. Seven short years ago, this did not exist. Not even a glimmer in my mind. Not perceptible -- or even believable. But here it is. Wow. To say that I am fortunate is wholly inadequate. I am beyond fortunate... I am burdened. Burdened with a blessing of which I can never be worthy.

The Children's Hour - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupations,
That is known as the Children's Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper, and then a silence:
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
O'er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!

They Don't Tell You in Art School

The best time to take pictures of people... is when they're playing charades.

[Click on any image for the full Flickr gallery.]

All Your Base Are Belong to Us

The Shorter They Are, the Harder They Knock Down the Christmas Tree

Julie was adding decorations to the tree and knocked it over. Instead of grabbing the camera, my dumb ass grabbed the tree off of Julie.

Amazingly, only two ornaments perished. Here is one of the victims.

Eliana Quinn

The only time I was separated from Julie was when they wheeled her into the operating room.
It only lasted a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity.

I thought regular deliveries were intense. They're nothing compared to a c-section.

Moments after delivery. Eliana has never been louder.

I LOVE that, much like a Taco Bell drive thru,
the hospital has instructional posters hung in the operating room.

Eliana may be our most chill baby, yet. Julie, are you sure you don't want more?

This is Amelia's life calling. And even the phlegmatic Truman can't hide his fascination.

There is no prouder big brother on the planet.

Good friends of ours were two doors down with their new son Dominic.
With nurses visiting every three minutes, smuggling beer into the room was no easy task.

So sweet. So calm.

Eliana has fully claimed her mum.

You'd think we'd brought home a puppy or something...