"This was one of those perfect New England days in late summer...

...where the spirit of autumn takes a first stealing flight, like a spy, through the ripening country-side, and, with feigned sympathy for those who droop with August heat, puts her cool cloak of bracing air about leaf and flower and human shoulders." Sarah Orne Jewett.

 

To all our friends and family, near and far...

Twenty twelve wasn't the best year for us.  Mainly because we spent the first half of the year anticipating a new addition to the family, only to spend the second half of the year grieving the unexpected loss of a little boy that we didn't get a chance to know.  It was a rough year.  Which made it easy to procrastinate putting together our annual slide show.  But the girls (and Jacob, for that matter) were persistent.  I also found the perfect music.  So 2012 found it's way into our archives.

DahleFamily2012 853x480 24fps 8Mbps from Heather Dahle on Vimeo.


It was surprisingly therapeutic to go through all the photos for the year.  I still feel sad, and a little heartbroken.  But it reminded me again what incredible friends and family we have.  We will never be able to thank you enough for your support and friendship.   

Credits: 
 Kathleen of North Photography, who volunteers with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep for the photos with Levi in the hospital.
Justin Brunson, for photos at Levi's burial service. 
Songs:  "Crazy Glue," " Honcho Graham from Burmingham," and "Water in the Creek" by Josh Woodward.
"Remember Me" by Bella Ruse.

First Day of School Photos and the County Fair

School started last week.  My girls were SO excited.  Sophie's wished (loudly) every morning for 2 weeks that school would start NOW!

After last year's first day of school photo shoot,  they weren't too ecstatic when I got out the camera this year.  I managed to snag a few before the bus came. 

 

After school we headed to the Champlain Valley Fair with friends.

We were introduced to pig racing for the first time.  Sophie was chosen to cheer on one of the pigs, and her pig won!  

All-in-all it was a pretty good day. 

hyde park

On our way home from Connecticut we took the scenic route through Hyde Park, New York.  Turns out the Culinary Institute of America is in Hyde Park.  Unfortunately it was closed the day we were there, but there is also a Vanderbuilt mansion referred to as Hyde Park that we were able to tour. 

After being properly impressed by the Vanderbuilt story, family drama, and fortune we ate at possibly the best diner ever in nearby Rhinebeck. 

We might have to take the scenic route a little more often. 

connecticut (and new york) take 2

We decided to squeeze a trip to Connecticut to visit my sister one last time before they headed back west. 

We enjoyed the beautiful spring weather at the Stamford Nature Center. 

We appreciated some art, and people watching at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in NY.

We stocked up on some Moroccan and Indian spices at Kalustyan's.

We took tons of photos.

And now we're sad that our closest family is 18 hours away.