Mazing and Climbing

I took the kids out to Terhune Orchards for pumpkin picking this year and the kids loved doing the corn maze, as usual. It was muddy, of course, but we remembered to wear boots so didn't fear the mess. We found the exit after only a couple turns so had to go back in to really get lost and then find our way out, haha. They have little tractors and John Deere tricycles that the kids had a blast riding on also. A beautiful day at the farm!!

Funny how they each picked out a pumpkin appropriate to their size all on their own. Mmmm....apples!

Big J took the kids climbing at this lone boulder in the middle of the woods. Leave it to climbers to find a rock big enough to climb even with no indication there would be one this size in the proximate area! We wanted to go as a family but I was not feeling well so the kids had some Daddy time while I napped and cleaned house. Cleaning seems to always put me in a good mood these days.

Look at the size of that thing! All three kidlets made it up this side of the rock, up the largest crack in the middle.
B attempted the other side which is far more difficult with fewer and smaller holds.

Look at the size of that crimper!! She is gaining quite the technique and made it to the top!! And Big J kept his promise not to have to take anyone to the ER.

I thought this was adorable and had to capture the moment. When our bunk bed had had enough we took it apart and put the mattresses next to each other. Little Bug took this to her advantage and got Big Sis to snuggle up with her. So sweet!!

September in a Nutshell

I love fall. I love every season because there's so many fun things about each season. With fall I love the leaves changing color the most. I'm not a fan of cold winds or temperatures so early fall is great; I love the colorful world around me during the fall. I love seeing the different leaves as they fall gracefully to the ground and crunching those that have browned. I love pumpkins: the rich orange color, big & little, tall & plumpy and carving them into fun designs. We picked ours out at Terhune Orchards this year. (pics to come) We love it there in the fall, the yummy apple cider and the corn maze and animals. I love the taste of pumpkin and love making pumpkin logs and muffins. Halloween is such a fun holiday too, ignoring all the gory stuff of course. Not my style. But the fun part, the happy ghosts, and fun black cats and trying to conjure up some creativity for costumes without letting them dominate my October. I'm trying something new this year I've wanted to do for a while--can applesauce. It's so easy!! But time consuming. But made more fun to learn with a friend! I've tended to look wistfully at 'domestic' women somewhat wishing I enjoyed that stuff more. Now, I do. September was BUSY with school starting for all 3 kids and a new calling in our church to work with the 12-18 year old girls and also doing new, and old, projects. Big J has also been busy working to find job openings and applying and spending a weekend at a conference in Texas. Ah Texas. I was jealous. I'll say it. He had Texas BBQ. One of my favorite things about TX. Alright, enough talk, on to pictures!

B placed 1st in her division in the 5K race our church does every year. This was her first 5K and from how she sounded after, it won't be her last. Kudos to her!!

B receiving her award

Running the 5K as a team (B saved more at the end than I did and beat me! I take some consolation that I woke up not feeling well that morning & thought that may be the case)

Family Pic

Little A dead to the world. During quiet time she had come in telling me she wasn't tired but I wondered otherwise. 5 minutes later I go in to find this. Apparently she changed her mind.

Little A starts preschool!!! We are doing another co-op preschool between me and four other moms and this year I get to do my youngest! Now I'll have done one year for each child. So fun! We'll see if I end up with another year for her or not.