Autumn Outing

A few weeks ago we took a trip out with our friends, the Greens. First stop: Holy Hill. We saw this church:

Hiked this tower:Saw this view:

And tried not to look down that windy steep staircase (too much):

Next stop: Jim's pumpkin farm

Where DeAnn took that new picture at the top of the blog.

Where we lost two children:

And chose the pumpkins that became these Jack-O-Lanterns:

r.e.s.p.e.c.t

I gained a new level of respect from my kids tonight as I beat the reigning champion of Lake Michigan Ward hula-hooping. Abby, amazed, admitted to me twice (after the fact) that she didn't think I would win. Andrew was proud and thought it was so cool that I was the winner. All thanks to Emily, who "goofed up" on purpose. See, she knew that we could keep the hoops going forever, but without any tricks up our sleeves we just might bore our audience to pieces. I owe my newfound respect to her. Thanks.

Flu Shot?

Family and friends,

Do you get the flu shot? Do your kids? Why or why not? I don't think I did growing up but now it seems to be the thing to do! Do they really work? Please, share your wisdom.

the Mom

Toothless!

Nothin' says growing up like losing your first tooth.



The next morning, off to show the kids at school!

Apples and pumpkins

After our bounteous apple picking we enjoyed apple crisp, apple pie, and I tried my hand at home pressed apple cider for the first time. Yum! It's easy and fun to decorate for Halloween when I already have black accents around the house. This is my new (from a rummage) "window" over the kitchen table. That's an old pumpkin there I painted at an enrichment meeting way back when we lived in Colorado.

I love the pumpkins on the candlesticks.

Sigh. Is this showing off? Next time I will show you my most pathetic decoration and my dessert that looked awful. :)

Yes girl

You know how kids just hear "no, no, no" all day? Eliza and I were playing house a few weeks ago and doggonit, she was going to say YES and live all her dreams. She's the Mom and I'm the kid. As we started playing we determined it was the child's birthday...

K--What's for breakfast?
E--Cake!
K--For breakfast?
E--YES! (with enthusiasm!)
K--Right now?
E--YES!! (Big saucer eyes...this is fun!)
K--Can I have a princess cake?
E--YES!
K--Who's on it?
E--ALL of the princesses! Asleep on a bed! Kissing each other! (Ok, so some princesses are on beds/coffins and have to be kissed. This can be easily confused and jumbled up during an exciting "yes" game of house, right?)
Abby--Which piece can I have? Can I have Cinderella?
E--Yes!
K--Can I have Snow White?
E--YES!

Then we moved on to what to do during the birthday...another favorite...movies!
E--You can watch Swan Lake!
K--Mom, can I watch 3 movies? (pushing the envelope, seeing how much she'll let me have since we got birthday cake for breakfast!)
E--(big eyes, thoughtful pause) You can watch a HUNDRED movies!!