life by the fire

We spend lots of time hanging out by the fire these days. Griffin likes it too!

holiday sneak peak

So here is an input to my holiday crafting....

Will post the output after the holidays

And winter arrives.....

Dad, getting a tree for the tree stand

Griffin keeps an eye on things, and does a great job greeting tree customers

John and Griffin warm up by the wood stove at camp

Ok, so in defense of myself, it was COLD outside!

Griffin and Brinkley chill out together

He was not impressed

New York City

This weekend, Mom had a conference in NYC and Aunt Laurie and I tagged along!

Here we are eating at Angelo's (or is it Angelino's) which is right next to the David Letterman Studio (which our hotel was right next too)

This photo is for Trudy

Had fun at FAO, they really know how to greet their customers!

Tree at Rockefeller Plaza - now that put me in the holiday spirit!

In the crowd at the today show, we actually got on TV a few times.

Laurie on 5th avenue

The Cartier Building wrapped up like a present

We had a great time and packed every day full. Thanks for letting us tag along Mom!

Preparing for opening day at Burgess Tree Farm

Griffin is getting rested up for all the fun to come!John & I on wreath decorating duty

Mom & Dad, also on wreath decorating duty

A photo of some of the results

Thanksgiving up north

John, Griffin and I had a great thanksgiving with John's family this year. We were able to spend a few days which meant we could help in the preparations. fun! Pies, squash, soup and firewood were just a few of the things we worked on.

Shawn helps keep griffin occupied

Mike working on firewoodJohn takes a break from cutting
I get to do some hauling. I had forgotten how fun a 4-wheeler is!

Mike gives Griffin a bit of attention

Griffin had a great weekend, lots of new people and places. I am sure we all could have done without his eating an entire roll of toilet paper though!

holiday prep and a little fun with photoshop

'big' helper

Ok, so the 'helper' part is a stretch. Anyway Griffin sure has figured out that the best place to be is in the kitchen. I am not a neat cook and he is all but guaranteed to get a few droppings.

Also, he could not be bothered to move so I could do the dishes. So, this was the result. don't worry, no animal was harmed in the process of unloading the dishwasher last night:)

Nov fun

November has proven to be a great month so far. I don't know if it is the good weather or that our calendar is less jam packed than usual but it has been really nice.

Lizzie trying to decide what to do about this puddle. Avoid it? Splash and stomp in it? Throw rocks in it? In the end, Griffin decided to splash and lay in it, so Lizzie and I hightailed it outta there.

Gathering boughs for holiday decorating.

Crab apple tree

New hotwater solar collector at the farm.

Lizzie helps Em & I gather pine cones for wreath decorating. So much fun!

Yummy apple cranberry crisp

Ron was up this weekend to go hunting with John. While they actually saw quite a few deer in the woods, none were close enough to get a good shot at. So, we had lobster instead!

Griffin lounging in bed. He is out of the crate now!

fall cleaning

Lizzie and I hung out yesterday. We had a great day despite tackling a fridge that was in DESPERATE need of cleaning. Lizzie seems to be having fun though. Am I a fun aunt or what!?!

Fall fun

Well, griffin is settling right into life at the Rush household. He is now 13 weeks and well over 30 lbs. He knows how to 'sit' on command (especially if there is a treat involved) and he rings the bell to go in and out. He also loves our shoes, dirty clothes and anything we leave on the couch or coffee table within his ever expanding reach. Here John give him some much deserved belly rubbing.

Griffin under the table at the farm, he knows we are eating something good up there!

The new wood shed at camp! It is going to be so awesome to have our firewood near by, a place for a lawn mower and wheel barrow to boot! I think it is calling out for a christmas wreath too.

Emily and Griffin while playing with Lizzie.

Lizzie shows me all her pretty bling

It was grape.....

Ba da bum....

Yeah, corny, I know. Anyway, this past weekend marked the great grape harvest of 2009. It was a bumper crop. A few photos: