Weekend. I love.

This past weekend was just us.  The Johnsons, nuclear.

Saturday morning, sharply at 7 am, Bear and I started the day volunteering at the third annual Hartley Nature Trax.  She was an amazing cheerleader, despite the chilly temps and having to stay in one spot for over two hours!  (Can you imagine?)

After the race, we packed up the fur siblings to meet Pete at the cabin, where the colors are in a glorious display.  

Berit looking chubby in layers

Beautiful afternoon sun - heading up the trail

That's right, Berit thinks she can walk there on her own

Such a happy girl

It is hard to believe how much a kid changes that first year.  From one week old to running up a trail in the woods. Laughing, playing with dogs and endearing herself to just about everyone who crosses her path.

Getting a ride in the ergo

 And here's what we saw when we got to the cabin: a real live cabin!  Considering that Pete works full time, takes care of Bear every week day that he's off, and has continued his involvement in local politics, his progress is incredible.  The Bear and I are lucky and blessed to have such a hard working, capable and motivated man in our lives.

Rafters for one of two sleeping lofts 

Bear stole one of her papa's peanut butter cups, and...

...headed for home

You can see she had good company -- free peanut butter cups can do that

 Fortunately I was able to get her turned around; after all, we brought papa that snack.  Then it was right to work cleaning up the site. 

Berit helped me pick up scraps

She was surprisingly capable and helpful!

That smirky smile is our favorite

Then she learned how to get on her soapbox

The view from our front "window" -- pretty amazing

Berit thinks she's pretty big stuff -- and she is.

Teetering totter on the tree stump

Getting up all by herself

This was a game she came up with on her own. I showed her the log cut and sat her on it, but all she wanted to do was stand on it.  Berit is into pushing the limits: she stands on the seat of her push toy giraffe, she tries to climb her gate/highchair/windowsill, and the log cut was just another example.  Over and over again.  Getting down was trickier, and a helpful hand made it easier.

Our wonderful protectors kept a close watch

Throwing and eating sawdust -- why not?

I'll have more pictures to share later -- there was wood to stack, dogs to wrassle and more walks.  It was one of those perfect fall weekends, the kind that is blissfully perfect because you know it is fleeting and grey November will be upon us soon.  (Of course, the snow that follows is always welcome -- we can't wait for the little Bear to build snowmen and learn to ski.)