Leafy

Since yesterday was Veterans Day, there was no school. While I was running in the morning, I noticed that our favorite park in town was covered in leaves. Eastside Park is probably the main reason I survive autumn in this sage brushy Yakima Valley. The park is one square city block in size and bordered by large gorgeous old trees--mostly maples. It is my sanctuary. We've been going there ever since Jay was a little one year old! It was a gorgeous sunny fall day, slightly breezy and 56 degrees--perfect for flannel shirts and leaf raking. So we invited the cousins, loaded our rakes and kids into the van and drove over to play in the leaves. I brought the good camera for fun, as evidenced by the plethora of pictures. I love it when I have as much fun as the kids when we do something together!

Little Jay at Eastside Park, fall of 2010.

Babies always look so serious and suspicious in the sunlight.

They were quite industrious little leaf gatherers. They spent more time gathering leaves than playing in them!

They did not like looking into the sun for the age-old siblings in the leaves picture...

[little Em, Shaina, and Brad, fall of 1989]

[little Jeff and little Steph, fall of 1984-ish] 

[little Jay and baby Rose at Eastside Park, fall of 2011]

If the leaves are pretty, maybe they taste good too?

This girl feels every emotion with her WHOLE SELF.

I could hardly believe that Amber laid down so calmly when Rose pushed her over to bury her. She just laid there while Jay and Rose threw leaves all over her.

"look, Mom--no hands!" of course she got all cute right when I had put away the heavy good camera. Cell phone to the rescue!

Jay gave everyone a ride on the merry go round. Amber loved it, little daredevil.

 Jay found a stick that was as tall as Grampa Charley, and I gave Amber a ride on the swing.

Cousins.

Ahhh, a golden, mellow fall day with leaves, sunshine, and happy kids.