Reston Zoo

We went out to enjoy one of the last few warm and sunny days outside at the Reston Zoo after a solid week of rain. We saw zebras, camels, kangaroos (roos), an owl that flew right at our heads (but was luckily behind cage bars), a turkey (that truly said 'gobble gobble'), ostriches, emus, spider monkeys, goats and sheep, among others. More exciting, Nickolas went on a donkey ride and thought it was pretty cool.

Nickolas and Greta being silly.

Lucy is 8 months

and had a chat with daddy to discuss it.

Fall Festival at Cox Farms

Nickolas went to Cox Farms with Greta. Since Halloween has passed, they offer a pumpkin drop if you bring your own pumpkin. Greta and Nickolas brought theirs even though Nickolas grew quite fond of his (it was beginning to get moldy, anyway). We didn't even cover half the farm including the hayride, so we'll definitely go back next year. Cox Farms is just too much fun (can you tell mommy likes the Fall?).

We're here! With pumpkins and firetruck in tow.

Honoring the Wisco heritage.

No, the cow doesn't really care about the fire truck.

Checking out the pumpkin drop as it goes up even higher.

Whoa, look at our pumpkins go up!

Lucy and Henry hanging out taking it all in.

A cozy Lucy with Nickolas in the background going down the slide.

Weeee!!! Giant barn slide with mommy, Nickolas, and Greta.

Picking out their parting baby pumpkins.

Leaf Pile!

Happy Halloween!

Nickolas and Lucy had a fun Halloween at Sue and Wayne's; however, oddly enough, it was so warm outside, the outfits they were ready to wear were too heavy. Lucy got as far as her pants for her little bunny outfit from Aunt Linda and Nickolas's fireman coat was too warm. He was also too busy having a wild time passing out Halloween candy and playing with pumpkins. He especially enjoyed the coolest purple birthday cake ever and helped Patricia blow (spit) out the candles.

Trick or Treat!

Happy Fall

We (mommy) carved a pumpkin and roasted (burnt) pumpkins seeds. We've been enjoying the fall temperatures and Nickolas is getting eager for trick-o-treating in 2 days. One thing nice about the D.C. area is that Fall lasts a long time and all of the various trees are ever-changing.

We're just about at peak for fall colors.

Nickolas a few days ago pre-carving.

Burnt pumpkin seeds -- good thing for Penzey's Seasoned Salt!

The kiddies with their Jack-o-lantern

Fire Safety Week

Nickolas participated in Fire Safety Week a few weeks ago and visited a few fire stations (or Fire Truck Houses, as Nickolas calls them) in Arlington County, Virginia. All ten fire stations had open houses and we hit three of them: a historic one engine one nearby, the newest, biggest, and most modern one near the Pentagon, and the one up the big hill from our house. Arlington's bravest were so kind to Nickolas and let him sit in the driver's seat, turn the lights on, sit in the back of a rescue ambulance, answered all of our questions, gave him cookies and other goodies, and they weren't mad when Nickolas accidentally pressed the garage door button. The fire fighters were particularly impressed with Nickolas's firetruck and could clearly see that it does go everywhere with him. We had a very fun and educational day!


Nickolas likes to buil fire truck houses for his fire trucks, including his baby fire trucks.

Known as "the Little House", this one engine station was built in 1940 and is so small, the fire fighters sleep below the garage. They were one of the first to respond on 9/11.

Nickolas with his truck,

Where's my fire fighter hat? (In the driver's seat)

How did Lucy get it?

This hat is too big and HEAVY!

This fire fighter showed us what his outfit consists of. Nickolas got a little frighten when he put his oxygen mask on.

On to the shiny new station with the huge ladder truck! (Before Nickolas closed the middle door)

This friendly firefighter up the street from our home showed Nickolas the back of the ambulance.

THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS!

Little Packer

Nickolas is his new Aaron Roger #12 jersey.

Official Baptism Portraits

Lucy's baptismal dress is a very special one. It was made with material from Lucy's great-grandmother Felicia's wedding dress worn in 1947. Grandma Julie discovered the dress a year ago and surprised Aimee and Dan with the dress for Christmas. Lucy looked like a little angel in it for her baptism on September 27th.