Happy Halloween!

We had a ton of fun dressing up this year. On Friday, my mom brought Eli to school for the Beach Halloween Parade. Eli had no fear and got in with all the kids during the parade. She loved walking with Miriam, our babysitter's daughter, and her friends.

On Saturday, we cruised down to Michael and Kristin's for an open house. It was super cute and totally hectic with all the munchkins cruising around. I loved it! Darcy's little one, Hazel, was completely intrigued with my costume and spent most of the afternoon following me around. I hope she isn't too let down the next time she sees me and I don't have a green face.

Sunday evening was another chance to get dressed up so that we could greet the trick-or-treaters. I didn't feel like doing the green face thing again, but Greg can't get enough of being a flying monkey. He and Eli had a blast opening the door for kids. Eli would squeal when she heard a knock at the door and would go running through the house yelling, "Niños! Niños!".

We are already planning next year's costumes!

Before Michael and Kristin's party
Halloween night on the porch with Dad-o
Oh no, Dorothy! The flying monkey has you!

Post candy anger. This was after we discovered that she was biting through the candy wrappers trying to get to the chocolate.

It's October?

To say that I'm behind on blogging would be an understatement. September was a whirlwind and it kicked my butt. School is in full swing and life is starting to get back to a predictable routine, but I miss summer.

I'm just going to put up a pile of pics here and try to catch-up on the adventures of Team Stiles over the last few weeks.

We went to the zoo

We raced bikes

I spent my first weekend away from Eli with my BFF, Tanya. We went camping at Timothy Lake. The company was great. The mass of dumb drunk people that kept us up until 2:00 in the morning - not so great.

Turtle and Sdunky at Little Crater Lake

Greg took Eli to a birthday party while I was gone and she had her first horseback ride.

We went to the coast

Greg's mom came to visit for a week and she's lucky we let her leave. She is such a huge help! I don't know how we managed to not get a single picture of her while she was here, but it happened. bummer.

It was a great month and now we are counting the days until it snows!

A Dress from Nana

The Maine Nana sent this dress awhile back. Eli grabbed it out of her closet this afternoon and tried to put it on over her head. I helped her out and she's been wearing it all afternoon. We went outside and to look at flowers and she tried to grab bees. You may also notice a red bump appearing on her left forehead from a tumble she took down the porch stairs. So, I guess she only LOOKS like a graceful little creature. Oh well.

Tamanawas Falls

On our way home from camping we stopped for a hike at Tamanawas Falls. Greg took Eli in the backpack on the way up. It was a two mile hike that felt much longer because Eli was not happy to be in the backpack again. She yelled in Greg's ear most of the way up. But, we persevered and she settled down once we made it to the falls. It was well worth it - the falls were impressive. There was a ton of water cascading down and mist blowing everywhere. It was nice and cool after the hike up.

I took Eli in the pack on the way down and she was super content. Once we got to the car she fell asleep quickly and slept most of the way home.

Sounds like you can do this hike in the winter with snowshoes. I'm up for it! Check out the snow photo on this page.

Bridge at the trailhead
Cold Spring Creek
Pine tree growing out of a boulder
Tamanawas Falls
Carrying Eli through the field of boulders

Camping at Timothy Lake

Last weekend we embarked on our first camping trip with Eliana. She had a great time and it warmed my heart to watch her race around, collect pinecones and eat dirt. We camped on Timothy Lake in the Pine Point Campground. It was a little obnoxious, but at least we didn't have to worry about our crying kid bothering people. In fact, she was quieter and cuter than the rest of our neighbors.

Next summer, we'll look for more private places to camp. I'm sure we can find spots that require only a short hike in and will reward us with a more tranquil setting.

Checking out the sailboat

Warming up by the fire
Being initiated into the smores club
Fireside snugglin'
Hot cocoa and dirt all over her, but looking good in her USMA hoodie!
Chillin' at Meditation Point. So pretty.
Good Morning
Yep. Hanging her head first over the lake while balancing on a log. Every time he'd pull her up she'd ask for more. Daredevil.

Timothy Lake in the morning

Agua at Irving Park

Eliana loves the water. She went back and forth at least 20 times in this fountain. Everyone around her was cracking up. She'd run straight through and then laugh, squeal and turn around to do it again. Freakin' hilarious. Her lips turned blue and she shivered, but she still didn't want to leave. She cried from the time I pulled her out of the fountain to change her clothes until I distracted her with Annie's Cheddar Bunny Snacks. So. Much. FUN!

A Hike in the Gorge

With the heat coming on strong in Portland, Tanya and I headed out to do a morning hike in the Gorge. We opted for a mellow 2 mile hike to see both Elowah and McCord Falls. We had much to talk about and as always, it was fantastic to see my lovely friend.

I had Eli on my back and by the end of things, I was really glad we only did two miles. Next summer Eli will need to be hiking her own self along. She seemed to enjoy the vistas of the Gorge and repeatedly pointed out agua for us. During a couple of grumpy moments she was easily side-tracked and happied-up by carrying a stick, rock or pinecone.

I'd like to do this hike again in the spring or late fall. There wasn't much water left this late in the summer.

Elowah Falls
View from the trail heading up to McCord FallsMcCord Falls - when there is more water this is a double waterfall. Boo. We were too late this year.

Fun with Auntie Turtle

Hooray! Happy to be out of the backpack