10.30.2018

Apple Picking

Honeycrisp apples are my favorite fruit ever. So at the end of September when the ward playgroup met at the local orchard and I found out we could pick our very own apples for cheaper than the grocery store I just about died!
Then naturally I had to take the big kids back a few days later to pick apples for their first time.
The weather was warm and it was the perfect after school activity.
Goll, I love them all. When they're all standing close together they don't look like nearly as many!
The best part is there are so many apples in our bags (for cheaper than the grocery store) that the kids all eat at least a couple while we're picking.
And then naturally we could not let David miss out on this experience before the season was over. So one of the last Saturdays before the frost hit we all went again. 
It was so helpful having him there to get us to the highest apples that hadn't been touched yet!
That was one of our first really cold days here in MN where it was windy and below freezing and boy did we feel the change!
Having a bowl of apples like this on my counter every week this fall was just heavenly! 

10.24.2018

Rachel Turns 3

 Oh my goodness this girl has been a little ball of energy and sass since she started walking. She knows what she wants all the time and has no trouble bossing around people 5x her age to get what she wants. I love how articulate and self sufficient she is. On the morning of her birthday she woke up early and opened this doll from her grandparents.
 Then she and Scotty helped make her cake. 
 When all the siblings got home it was present time.
 I love pictures of all the kids gathered around watching siblings open presents. I know there are sparks of jealousy as they check out all the goods but these are the pictures I think they'll all look back on and like to see their interactions.
She has been "borrowing" Lucy's music box for months so she was thrilled to get her own.
 Is this picture a classic? Mallie has been Rachel's mini mom since Hattie was born. It solidified their bond and Mallie is probably the only one who could keep her from blowing out the candles without getting bitten.
 Even though she is crazy independent I adore that about her. I find her personality fascinating and love to just observe what she comes up with.
 Happy Birthday Rachel Grace!! Here's to 3 going on 13!!