the final days of summer

 Some misc photos from the final days of summer. Here is one taken by our friend Candy during her trip through North Carolina earlier in August.

 From a recent hike at Jordan Lake near Durham.

 Hiking together at Jordan Lake

 Our cat treat through the lens of either Lena or Hazel.

 Pawpaws from the NC Pawpaw Festival in Lewisville, NC.

 Last week Paul's mom and dad were in town. Here are Lena and Gillian checking out some shell fragments in the backyard.

 Lena had a blast working on art projects with MomG. Here they are working on a book project together.

 A photo taken at the beginning of the month at the "Please touch the instruments" booth at the Appalachian Stringband Music Festival (courtesy of Gary Hamilton).

 An early birthday pie for Lena waiting to be filled with NC apples.

 Hazel and MomG snoozing on the couch.

 Working on art projects.

 Lena goofing around with Paul's dad, Alan.

 Taken by Gary Hamilton at the Appalachian string band festival.

 A photo (not sure what of) taken by either Lena or Hazel earlier in the month.

 Paul and Candy playing some.

 Another photo taken by Gary Hamilton at Clifftop.

 Lena flatfooting at Clifftop.

 One of the photos taken by Candy.

Another one taken during Candy's visit.

lena shaking a foot

Lena flatfooting at the Appalachian Stringband Music Festival in West Virginia earlier this month. Sshe was so excited to do this and had a blast. Amazing how watching her dance for ~60 seconds turned us into such little wells of emotions. Future attendees at school performances be forewarned.

morgan is older...

 ...so we baked a cake bigger than our heads.

july and early august adventures

 It has been awhile since we posted to the blog, during which we've been immersed in a slew of activities. I think these photos from the last month or so might have uploaded somewhat haphazardly so chronology be damned. Above is a photo of Lena playing with her pigs in the infirmary at the Raleigh Children's Museum.

 Hazel and Lena behind the wheel at the Raleigh Children's Museum.

 One of the great things about the Children's Museum is that kids can really build stuff! Here Lena tries her hand with the saw as she builds an owl of her own design out of wood.

 Lots of goofing around at home.

 In early August we took a trip to West Virginia to the Appalachian Stringband Music Festival. There are always tons of beautiful mushrooms scattered through the woods this time of year.

 In July, I think after our trip to the Children's Museum Lena got excited about making her own museum in her bedroom. Here is her display on what happens to an animal after it dies (complete with educational signage and wooden bones below!).

 Morgan, Lena, and Hazel (in the backpack) in West Virginia

 Lena and her friend Rebecca at the music festival in WV.

 A dancing owl at the festival.

 The kids loved seeing some of the flatfoot dancers with the animal masks!

 Making watermelon pickles right now (early August).

 Hazel visiting Lena's home museum. I think Hazel is exploring the grocery store here.

 In early July, Morgan, Lena, and Hazel went to the coast while I went to a meeting in Ottawa. They had a great time and we're already scheming about how to get there all together.

 On a small ferry headed to Hammock Beach State Park.

Lena and Hazel at the pigs, pork, peanuts, etc. regional food festival at Duke Homestead in mid-July.