Chilly camping

We had big plans for our Fall camping trip, but most of them fell through -- cousin Pearce couldn't make it, neighbor Sienna backed out, and then the girls got sick. But we went anyway! We inaugurated our new-to-us minivan by heading to Greenbelt National Park (can't believe it's so close) for a crisp night of stars & s'mores. It was chilly (40 degrees ) but fun. Robin and Miriam hogged the sleeping pads and slept better than their parents. Some highlights:

Miri teaches Robin the ways of fire-blowing

S'mores! S'mores! S'mores!

Oatmeal by the fireside with Lamb...what could be better?

Sukkot tradition

We started a new family tradition for Sukkot: going to the pumpkin patch! Actually, it's more like combining a fall tradition we love (pumpkins!) with one that, well, needs some improving (Sukkot). Somehow, we manage to pick a rainy day each time we go to this particular patch, but that just means that we get the whole place to ourselves.

Miri at the patch two years ago

Miri in 2011

Robin in 2011 -- we couldn't get her to strike the pose!

KIAP! (Yeah, we don't know why she's kicking either...)

Rabbi Mommy

Q: Who are the rabbis at Temple Sinai?

Miriam: Rabbi Roos, Rabbi Oleon, and Rabbi Mommy!

The past couple weeks have been hectic times for Rabbi Mommy -- a grand slam sermon on Rosh Hashanah, all day service on Yom Kippur, bar/bat mitzvah kids, a retreat with teenagers, Sukkot, ...this time of year is exhausting for clergy! But she loves being a rabbi and she's great at it. We love you, Rabbi Mommy!

Books, Books, Books

It's no secret that the Asch girls love to read -- that's pretty much the go-to activity when all else fails. Yesterday, we were lucky enough to have a real-live children's author (and wonderful family friend), Mark Pett, come to Miri's pre-school class as the first stop on his nationwide book tour. Yup, before he hit Politics & Prose and the best bookstores around the country, he came to Temple Sinai Nursery School to read his hilarious and heart-warming new book, The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes. Miri was so proud to have "Millie's daddy" come to class!