Just before we left the US, we had the chance to celebrate what seems like a truly American holiday with the Wren. Here are the preparations.
And the finished product!
We were in Carlisle, MA, ready to fly out of Boston the next day. A great spot for kid-friendly Halloween fun. Here's the central square under an eerie, nearly full moon.
Uncle Rob joined the treat-or-treating extravaganza.
Which actually consisted more of giving candy back rather than taking it.
The end of raking together.
Playing the tickle game.
Watching Grandpa Toby apply sunblock.
Getting kisses from Tulip.
And trying to pull her tail (!). We will miss you!!
And finally one from Conway, the first day we saw snow on Mt Washington. The photo is taking from the car, stopped at a red light. New Hampshire in its perpetual tug - natural beauty versus an ever expanding commercialism.
On our return from CA, we were met in Chocorua by Gwen Wren's godfather. It was great to see Andrew again, and so sweet to see him interact with the Wren. He was incredibly willing to join her on any level she wanted, from making goofy faces...
To searching for the best leaf piles...
To taking a cold rainy walk up Blackcap Mountain (wet but beautiful!).
Andrew introduced her to the possibility of moving enormous boulders with a little brute force.
And joined her for the evening bath (I love this photo - 3 guys with wine glasses, watching the Gwen Wren bathe).
It was really wonderful to see him again.
Our visit in California ended with a dinner party with old friends. Monica and I went to 6th and 7th grade together - it was amazing to see her again and to meet her husband and kids!
Her mom, Erika, came too, and was wonderfully exactly the same as I remember her.
Kisses for babies were in abundance, here is Max getting some love from Julie.
And Gwen Wren in Katie's lap. Julie, Katie and Jim hosted us all weekend, and it was wonderful to see them again.
But ranking particularly high in Gwendolyn's book was Jack, the Woodward's standard poodle. Surprisingly, I think the affection there was mutual.
Here we are at the end of the evening, all piled together for a family photo. We're going to miss you, the Kender-Page!!
This expression of swing-induced glee really seems the same in both girls. Okay, it could be an expression universal to all toddlers, but isn't that the same glint in the eye, the same wide-opened gape of delight? Maybe they do look a little alike after all.
Another highlight of our visit to Burbank - a communal bath of the cousins.
This picture shows four of us - this does not include me (taking the picture) and Toby, David and Jess, sticking their heads in. A record number in the Kender-Page bathroom?
Toys were (kind of) shared.
Heads were shampooed, and teeth were brushed.
Not to be outdone, Max got in on his own bath action in the kitchen sink. A houseful of naked babies!
It was amazing to see Jess and Sam and Maddie and Max this weekend, but one of the most incredible parts was watching the grace with which they handle two kids. A juggling act extraordinaire. We were amazed and moved.
David had a long overdue, and much enjoyed, margarita.
While Maddie dived full on into the chips and guacamole.
I love this picture, Max is looking slightly concerned as his sister reaches out for more chips and guac.
A great time was had by all!
On their first full day together, Maddie took her cousin under her wing and took her to one of the coolest kids water parks ever.
Gwendolyn was not sure quite what to do at first (I guess we haven't taken her to enough kid play centers!), but Maddie led the way and the Wren was quick to follow.
