Young protesters

We didn't travel to DC for the big march last January, but we did make it to the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women.

New York City!

Before heading upstate for the Dill family reunion, we spent a few days in the city. Visiting the Statue of Liberty was a highlight for the kids. It may be the first time they've had the experience of seeing something in person that they know well from school, books, and other media.
 

The SeaGlass Carousel at Battery Park was terrific.

Juniper!

Dill Family Reunion

The Dill family had a big reunion last July, which was Hazel's first time meeting the extended family.

The girls had a great time swimming in the lake and playing video games with cousins.

Charlottesville adventures

Gathering eggs at a happy farm. Juniper came back from last summer's Charlottesville trip with renewed interest in vegetarianism. I suspect one of these days it might stick for her, but for now she is back to eating meat.

Arm wrestling in Amala's lap. Of course.

Lake swimming

Last summer, we spent a weekend at Lake Jackson with Mark and Luke. Aaron, Mark, and I all grew up swimming in lakes. It's fun to pass on that experience to our kids.

Such a good dad

I have loathed the grocery store car cart since I learned of its existence. When the girls were little, I would occasionally let them ride in the car cart, but I mostly objected on the grounds that it's unwieldy and difficult to steer. Aaron, on the other hand, always said yes to the car cart when they were small. These days, he mostly does the grocery shopping without kids in tow, but for some reason the whole family recently wound up at the store together. The kids were thrilled to discover that he would still say yes to the car cart. (Less thrilled to discover that it's become far less comfortable as they have gotten bigger.)

Looks like Hazel knows how lucky she is.

Baby goats!

Last summer we visited a goat farm where we saw adorable baby goats. (And got to eat goat's milk ice cream.) The youngest were just two days old.

Some of my colleagues at CDC joked about being involved in a recent salmonella outbreak investigation that was ultimately linked to a goat farm, and half kidding/half serious reminded me to practice good hand hygiene. I doubt this is what they had in mind.

There is no logical reason to let goats nibble on your fingers, and yet...

Juniper and I were both squeaking puddles of goo, overcome by the cuteness of the goats. Thomas was probably partly serious and partly enjoying playing his role when he went on at length about their deliciousness.

And while on the subject of baby animals, look who we found hiding in a tree over our driveway!