Private Nook

Papa went for a short work trip to CT last week.. And will go back this week too. It looks beautiful up there by pictures, I only wish I could have hitched a ride. Nonetheless, babe got to see his favorite Hayley and mama got to work and play Santa.

This week was slightly balmy and warm that is, until winter settled in. I was ready to be trapped indoors due a paper deadline and so I happily pushed the boys out into the snowy mess. Other than that, all was quiet…

Thanksgiving was held in the main house with our landlords hilarious family! We stayed late and played charades which was much more fun than my nervous nelly self could have anticipated. The next day, lovely Austin Lindsey came to play for an extended weekend! Hagan and the bunny were lovestruck. We traveled to friends houses with Lindsey in tow for turkey leftovers and Christmas wreath arts n crafts. Tours of the town were had and so much fun.

And somehow I managed to get zero pictures of evidence. Regardless! We were delighted to show them the town and eat everything in sight. Everything including cheesesteaks (twice!), fete sou, valley green brunch and home cooked soup. Hagan received an adorable winter hat that he refused to wear until our guests left.. By then the windchill may have been his deciding factor. We were all sad to see them go… Hagan was the most distressed. So, we all snuggled in and finished the weekend with a movie on the couch.

The band is back together! We had a full weekend despite an effort toward simplicity. That said, we got the house clean, laundry done and still had time for Morris arboretum and local kid park. Hagan is saying daddy and general mimicry… And working on a few more teeth. Despite the occasional fussiness from the pain, he is incredibly funny.

Our dear friend, Tara had an extended layover here in Philly this weekend which was fantastic! We had a wee party with tons of food and sweet folks. I’m feeling pretty lucky even though I’m missin that papa. Gratefully, he returns for good this Friday ??

Papa came and went. We squeezed in a bunch of fun- so much fun! Halloween we threw together some random outfits and helped to haunt the mansion- we scared the BEJEEEZUS outa so many kids…they all screamed and wanted more. Hagan was a robot, Papa was the inventor and mom was a monster? or some such thing… Hagan loved it and even had a piece of chocolate (i think his first?).

The backyard (and everywhere else in Philly) is absolutely stunning with leaves of every color! Hagan has enjoyed all the crunchy and colorful leaves… dang, that boy is fun.

Onto my birthday week of celebration.. Dinner parties and bday party with a Seattle visitor as best prezzie everrrrr. I’m looking forward to this papa-less week since there are so many fun plans. But really, I am more excited to have him back for good after this round!

Not much to tell about this week but we are all excited to have papa home this Tuesday even if it’s only for three days. He has one more treehouse in Ohio and then he will be back full time through the holidays.

Hagan and I took off friday night to drive across the state and join papa at the historical Summit Inn resort for the weekend. This is the location of the latest treehouse build. We arrived to the grand hotel just past midnight. The grounds are gorgeous and vast. Full of fall colored trees. They have a golf course buried on the rolling hills of the mountain, between zillions of forestry groves. We took a golf cart out to explore the grounds and hung out with the wonderful waitstaff and awesome treehouse men.

Hagan was so blissed out seeing papa that he smothered him by jumping up and down on his face. Adorbs!

We spent the last day together at the Laurel Caverns. Hagan was definitely intrigued by all the mysteriously lit crevices. We were sad to leave but papa will be home next week just in time for Halloween.

We flew into Indy on a Wednesday, had one full day and then turned around and flew home Friday. It was a whirlwind trip but oh so worthwhile. It was so good to see so many lovely faces all in the same place. We attended a beautiful service and gathered for hugs and food afterward. It was a beautiful day with lots of smiles. Hagan really enjoyed himself despite the long travel day and so many new people. He is so durable and sweet natured….and good humored. We finished up the trip with a surprise car rental as the last leg of the trip was cancelled out of NY…so, we drove and got home about when we would have had the flight worked perfectly. Monday night, Papa took off for the Summit Inn just south of Pittsburg where the next treehouse show is being filmed….. We are set to join up with him for the weekend…pictures will, of course follow 🙂