Refreshed and returned

I am resting up from my visit with my son and his family.    Recovering meaning, wow, a Damma can get exhausted when she is in demand all day long....and now I am in need of catching up on emails, blog comments, laundry and pulling down all the jack-o-lanterns and Halloween stitchy stuff.  

Let's see, while there, we played games and read stories, made turkeys by tracing our hands on construction paper, giggled, had delicious meals and watched Frozen 2 a time or two.  It was good to get away and leave my worries behind.   

Daddy was being silly and spiked Will's hair.   

Little Miss is such a happy little baby.   She knows "so big" and can wave bye and clap her hands and......from the way she is traveling around the coffee table, she will be walking in no  time!

Each day we picked a location to hike.   One day was at Raystown Lake in Trough Creek State Park.   Raystown Lake is a 28 mile long lake that was created in 1973 by the Army Corp of Engineers when the river was dammed and the valley was flooded.  There were no crowds and almost no other hikers while we were there making it a safe outing.   The weather was gorgeous and it was wonderful to hear the sounds of nature and nothing else.    

 Of course my son has to go off the path with a toddler in hand and a baby strapped on his chest.

This is Balanced Rock from the parking lot.

This is Balanced Rock from the top.  It was a super easy climb to the top.

Afterwards, we went to the Overlook by the dam on the lake.   I just love how you can see forever.

 We were on a narrow peninsula that offered spectacular views.  Turning around 180 degrees, this was the view behind us. 

Following the path down from the other side of the parking area we found another awesome overlook.

Someone was very tired even though she did none of the walking!

On Sunday we explored Penn Roosevelt State Park and took a more level-ground hike.  

It was so good to visit and make memories.  We have FaceTimed twice each day since I got home because Will misses his 'best friend'.  

So enough of me and my blathering on about my kiddos, I do have a teeny tiny bit of stitching progress to share.   I have been able to stitch most of the lamb since I got home.   I need to get my needle back in gear to finish the stitching and get this assembled and ready to mail to Little Miss.  I set it aside on purpose while I was doing Coming to America but that ship has landed and everyone disembarked. 

Once the stocking is done, I want to concentrate on finishing my Blackwork SAL.  I know both can be completed pretty quickly and perhaps a third or even a forth WIP can be completed as well before the end of the year.   Since we seem to be going back into another period of isolation here's hoping stitchy progress can be made.  

Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy, thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.