{ Trip to the Farm }

We enjoyed a family outing to the local U-Pick apple orchard and pumpkin patch this past weekend. It really was a wonderful time together and the weather was beautiful!

{ Thanksgiving }

 

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 This year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house.  My parents came up for the day and over night.  I am so thankful to have them so close by.  It is easy to take it for granted, however.  I found myself responding, when someone would ask about our Thanksgiving plans this year, that it would "just" be our family and my parents.  I was convicted that yes, it may not be as "big" a deal as it would be if they had a travel a long way.  I realized just how blessed I am that it is this way instead.  I am also really thankful that we have all been very purposeful about making our times together very special, not just routine.

 My mom did these appetizers.  Aren't they cute!

 

 Putting the finishing touches on the meal.  

I made all the sides the day before so all we had to do was bake them 

and the turkey on Thanksgiving day.  Soooo glad I did it this way.  

I actually got to sit down and enjoy just being with my family!

 Tim and The Bird

 Grandpa Time.... not sure who was having more fun :)

 The best part: The Meal

 It was a great day, eating and eating, enjoying Apple Cranberry Pie, playing Apples to Apples, watching the Macy's Parade, and visiting around the fire after the littles we were in bed.

{ Three Little Pumpkins }

 ~ First there was one ~

 ~ Then there were two ~

 ~ Then he counted 1, 2, 3 ~

 ~ And she counted 1, 2, 3 ~

 ~ The secret was out ~

 ~ How excited we are! ~

Baby Number Three

April 2013

{ Family Time }

On one hand we can count the weekends we've had off to do nothing but what we feel like doing since May, when the project of replacing our furnace began.  But then it was always still hanging over our heads, that feeling that rather than relaxing we really should be accomplishing something.  Well, last week, all glory to God, we had the final hook up!  We cannot describe the feeling of relief and humble thanksgiving that has come over us with having this done and seeing how God has carried us every step of the way.  Last weekend, we pushed the button on that thermostat, packed a picnic lunch, bundled up in warm clothes and walked away from it all and just spent two days as a family, doing nothing but what we felt like.  Amazing!

First stop, coffee.  What is a morning without it, especially a lazy Saturday?  We got them to go and then walked down to the farmer's market.  I had been told by a friend that I had to try this particular coffee shop's Pumpkin Spice Latte, which I was more than happy to do.  Every bit amazing, and can I just say, good both hot and cold?  I only ordered an 8 oz., but between pushing the stroller, calming a fussy toddler, and helping Oliver play on the playground, it didn't stay hot all that time!  Pumpkin lattes, I've decided, are basically a fall festival in the mouth.

{ Katy Grace was charming everyone while we waited for our drinks }

Because we got a rather late start that morning, we ended up eating our picnic at the Market.  It was also homecoming weekend for the university, so there were WAY more people and activity than we were expecting.  It was fun and festive, though, just not so easy to park and get around.  We had planned to go hiking after these stops, but naps became much more of a priority, so we came home.  It was just the right amount of busy for one day.

 Sunday afternoon we headed out to Red Barn Farms for their annual fall festival.  My mom met us there, which was lots of fun.  It was a lot more low-key than what it was last year, but still fun.  The kids enjoyed playing in a Pea-instead-of-sand box, taking a hay ride and playing with pumpkins in the pumpkin patch.

 { Baby Girl Kisses }

 Oliver took the job of sorting and loading all of those pumpkins very seriously.  Definitely good exercise anyway!

 { Gotta love the little straw bottom }

 Then Tim and I ventured into the Corn Maze, with the company of our little adventuress.  She was beyond thrilled to be above all those corn stalks and pulling on my hair, which is why I look like I'm in pain!  Soooo thankful for my husband who effectively read the map and got us out of there.  It was lots of fun, but not something I'd want to get lost in. 

 { The bridge that was our way out }