Indian Summer

We took advantage of a beautiful Indian summer weekend to spend some time outside. Saturday, we walked through the park to the old water tower off of Grand and hiked to the top. Guess who was carrying Thomas for all 197 steps? Here's a hint: not Ed.

The water tower

Thomas loves the back carrier! We do too!

At the top of the tower

Looking down from the tower

Looking out toward the city (and the arch). I'd always thought that the reservoir next to the water tower was full of water. Now we know differently--it houses water, but in giant vats.

Sunday we raked leaves and plopped Thomas down in the pile. Some bog followers may be wondering if our kid ever cries, since he seems to be smiling in every picture we take. Here's an unhappy face. He didn't like the leaves and held his arms up above them to avoid touching. 

Even when we convinced him to crawl, he was still hesitant to touch the leaves.

Even with daddy "protecting" him from the leaves, he's still not sure! Ed's mom tells a story of how Mary Beth didn't like to get dirty, and if placed on a blanket in the yard, wouldn't leave it because she didn't want to touch the grass. By contrast, Ed would carry the portable playpen he was housed in with him as he moved around the yard. Even though he seems to be a bruiser, Thomas seems to be taking more after Mary Beth!