Indian Summer Fun

We had a full fall weekend. 

Grandma came to visit.

And we discovered a local pumpkin patch. Complete with cows

A hayride

And of course, pumpkins.

We really enjoyed the 80 degree weather. Some of us enjoy catching wildlife.

What a great weekend to get us ready for the winter to come.
We hope you all enjoyed your weekend too!

An update for the Grandparents: Linnea

Linnea came home with an award.

 "Look!  I got an award for doing NOTHING" she says.  "Nothing?" we ask.

"Were you nice, helpful and did you work hard?"...."Yes" she says.

"That's why you got an award. Congratulations Linnea!".  She proceeds to line it up with her basketball and soccer participation medals.  "Look....I can't wait to get more!"...and so the next lesson begins.

 

Continuing on her update....

Linnea has started taking gymnastics....here she is demonstrating her new found balance.

 

And head stand....

 

I wonder if she'll help me repaint these walls?

It's as easy as riding a bike

This morning was a terrific morning for a walk.  As Joe and I walked, the girls rode their scooter and bicycle.

And looked for every girls best friend, the grasshopper.  Note we also saw a snake, which Linnea still doesn't understand why I didn't take a picture. Some day she'll understand.

As we were walking, I mentioned to Joe that it may be time to see how Natalie would do riding a two wheeler (no training wheels).  He mentioned that she might still be too young, maybe next spring.

We stopped at a park and Joe decided to try with Natalie.  She is our child that won't do what you want her to until she is completely ready. Sigh, I remember potty training. At first, it appeared that she may not be ready.

 But then, once she decides she's ready, there is no doubt she'll accomplish the task.  Here she is 5 minutes later.

 

Good bye scooter and training wheels.

Just a few more practice starts and Papa's hands won't be necessary.

Sigh.

Destiny of the Apples

Today we set out to make something with our apples. 

The product of choice = applesauce.

 Natalie volunteered to be the sous chef, she also volunteered to 'play' with the applesauce when I wasn't looking.  Maybe we should explain the differences in a toy kitchen and a real kitchen.

Natalie with the cinnamon 'twirls'

Linnea jumped in to help.

Amazing how little applesauce 2 large pots make.

And finally, a picture of the new house, for those who have not see it yet....

With nicely sodded backyard.

Now we're making apple butter....an experiment to try out on the next helpless visitor, and we still have apples to spare - perhaps for an apple pie?

Apple, Jack and Me

Today we opted to take advantage of the great fall weather and went out in search of an apple orchard. 

We found one called AppleJack, and it brought the idea of an apple orchard to a whole new level.  It was stocked with a corn maze, straw hill, live music, a restaurant, moon bounce field (permanent), sheriff to assist you across the road, giant pumpkins....

And apples....

All of the apple trees were dwarf size, which was great for picking....now, to figure out exactly what I am going to do with 25 lbs of apples, after all of the craziness.

Natalie's chosen pose for the photo with Erika

 

 

 

The First One

I've thought about doing this for years, but have remained hesitant for a few reasons, the main reason being time.  

Our life, like others, tends to get very busy and so I felt doing something along these lines inconsistently would be worse than not actually doing it.

Well, I've overcome this fear as I watch our two girls grow up and watch our location move farther and farther away from family and friends.  

First day of school

Now, we are the most Northern of the Norman clan (I think...there may be a cousin or two more northern - although it would be difficult to be more northern in the lower 48), and so I felt something was needed to keep us linked to those we know and love.  Here goes - I'm not promising amazing pictures or consistent posts, but I'll do my best to keep everyone updated.  For better or worse, this is the first post ;)