We got very lucky and H recovered from his semi-cold within 24 hours.  Over the weekend we had a nice, but as always, too short, visit with Oma and Grandpa.  We visited the Burlington Farmer’s Market, got some hot chocolate, went out for breakfast, and took a stroll to North Beach, where Holden got to use one of the playground swings for the first time.  He’s still kind of little to be using the swings (it clearly states on the back of the swing that it is intended for infants no younger than 9 months and must be used with adult “super vision.”)  Holden wears 9 month onesies and I wear corrective lenses, so I think we meet the criteria required for responsible use of the playground swings.

Here’s H looking coy:

And as always, garnering much adoration from Oma and Grandpa (and Papa too):

On Saturday night we had dinner with our pals Adam & Sue.  After dinner, we took our beer and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies outside.  We gathered around the chiminea to enjoy the warmth of the fire and catch occasional glimpses of the stars through the patchwork of clouds above us.  It was as close to camping as Holden will get this season.  We are contemplating a wintertime camping trip in one of the cabins owned by an outing club to which I used to have a membership.  The cabins typically sleep at least 10 people and are often located near snowshoe/hiking trails.  A few years ago, Rob and I stayed at this cabin: 

We ended up leaving early because we both got sick after our first night in the cabin.  Hopefully we’ll have better luck with camping this next click around.

Other than thoroughly enjoying the fall, we have been focused on the move that our family will likely make within the next 6-12 months.  Not only have we made our peace with this, but I think we are actually looking forward to it.  I think that it is a good time for us, personally and professionally, to move onto new things.  It is looking more and more likely that we will end up in Boston, and we are getting really excited by the prospect of living close to the subway and still being able to get away with only having one car.  And while the housing market may make it a little more difficult for us to unload our condo, it will make it a little easier for us to find a home in Boston.  We are excited about the prospect of having a little yard where we can garden instead of having to drive to a community garden, a process that has become increasingly complicated with an infant.  We are excited about not having to manage a condo association anymore, and mostly not having to deal with the noise and commotion that seems to be almost constantly emanating from our downstairs neighbor.  And a dishwasher.  I am excited about having a dishwasher.  That will be the real deal breaker.  I’m not worried about making friends in Boston.  One of my former college roommates lives in Boston, and she has been giving us some expert advice on the good places to look for housing.  Plus we know this guy from our days of frequenting the Half Lounge on Church Street in Burlington.  Plus, I’m sure we’ll meet people in our neighborhood and people geeks from my new, hypothetical job.  I am hopeful, optimistic, excited, ready, and overdue for this change and I am confident that I can do at least a decent job with a job talk if I can get my foot in the door for an interview.  My fingers are crossed like they never have been before.