The past few months

James enjoys my Minion costume in October.

James enjoys my Minion costume in October.

He likes the taste of this book in January.

He likes the taste of this book in January.

He rides on (and naps in) the sled in February. 

He rides on (and naps in) the sled in February.

 

He grows frustrated by all the gear required to stay warm in March.

He grows frustrated by all the gear required to stay warm in March.

He sees a bear at the Minnesota Zoo in April.

He sees a bear at the Minnesota Zoo in April.

He gets tickled by Gramps while Nana reads him a story in May.

He gets tickled by Gramps while Nana reads him a story in May.

He slouches during a piggyback ride in June.

He slouches during a piggyback ride in June.

He frolics around the yard with berry juice on his face in July.

He frolics around the yard with berry juice on his face in July.

How I spent my autumn vacation

I had the extremely good fortune to take a long vacation in the beginning of October. I stayed in a rented lake house with my wife's extended family in Mukwonago, WI. Here are a few pictures from the vacation.

My son James (left) plays with his first cousin once removed Sebastian. They're only a month apart and had some pretty fun times together.

My son James (left) plays with his first cousin once removed Sebastian. They're only a month apart and had some pretty fun times together.

My wife Katie holds James while they look out on a field at the Boerner Botanical Gardens outside Milwaukee. Katie's grandparents died this year, and some of their ashes were spread at the gardens.

My wife Katie holds James while they look out on a field at the Boerner Botanical Gardens outside Milwaukee. Katie's grandparents died this year, and some of their ashes were spread at the gardens.

James enjoys a rib bone during a family dinner at a lodge. 

James enjoys a rib bone during a family dinner at a lodge. 

James objects to being removed from a swing. He loves loves loves swinging, and he was finally removed after falling asleep in it.

James objects to being removed from a swing. He loves loves loves swinging, and he was finally removed after falling asleep in it.

James visits with a cow at Green Meadows Farm petting zoo in East Troy, WI. It was an excellent place with lots of happy, healthy animals.

James visits with a cow at Green Meadows Farm petting zoo in East Troy, WI. It was an excellent place with lots of happy, healthy animals.

The petting zoo also has an oversized Adirondack chair.

The petting zoo also has an oversized Adirondack chair.

James is caught mid-laugh while I'm caught mid-smile and mid-yawn. 

James is caught mid-laugh while I'm caught mid-smile and mid-yawn. 

Park of the petting zoo admission included a pumpkin from their patch. James attempts to pick the camera instead.

Park of the petting zoo admission included a pumpkin from their patch. James attempts to pick the camera instead.

We pose in front of a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The museum has a great collection. One of my favorites was Eduard von Grützner's The Catastrophe.

We pose in front of a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The museum has a great collection. One of my favorites was Eduard von Grützner's The Catastrophe.

We spent the final days of our vacation touring the Swiss village of New Glarus, WI. Here we tour the New Glarus Brewery. It was a whirlwind self-guided tour, but their new facility overlooks gorgeous hillsides and their beer is stupendously good.

We spent the final days of our vacation touring the Swiss village of New Glarus, WI. Here we tour the New Glarus Brewery. It was a whirlwind self-guided tour, but their new facility overlooks gorgeous hillsides and their beer is stupendously good.

 (photos by Heidi Kressin, Katie's mom)