More Fall Fun

Hayden and Erica have been asking us for weeks now if we can have a camp fire, but it has been frigid, so we kept saying no. That is until Wednesday. It was a gorgeous fall day, and a very temperate evening, so we had a nice fire in the backyard. Just like all those good ol' summer nights....that I am missing already!

We were out of S'mores ingredients, but we improvised with homemade Chocolate cake that I had made earlier that day. Yummy!! We decided we never needed S'mores again if we had that as a substitution!

Here is Hayden acting like a "scary monster." Pretty scary, eh??

.....and Erica, looking like the Lady in Red (& Pink, but I didn't have the heart to tell her she was mis-accessorizing :))

Biking Excursions

One of the things we have most been looking forward to in our new neighborhood is getting out on our bikes and enjoying Hyland Park (which is just minutes from our home). Thanks to some beautiful fall evenings, and Hayden's new Trail-a-bike, we have been able to do just that.

Here we all are getting ready to head out on an adventure--looking like the nerdy, helmet-clad safety family. What can I say, we figured if we were going to make them wear helmets, we ought to set a good example, too.

Hayden LOVES his new trail-a-bike, and is actually a pretty strong little pedaler behind me. He thinks he's quite the big boy because this bike doesn't have training wheels.
Erica is happy in the Burley. She brings along a juice cup, a baby doll, and a few books--and just enjoys the scenery. Who wouldn't love that ride?

Hopefully we will get one more ride in before the snow flies?????

Oodles of Pumpkins, Apples & Fall Fun

This Saturday was our annual Apple Orchard get together with the Weiss and Ingvaldson crew. I can't even remember how many years this year made, but I do know that we started out with just one child per couple, and we are now officially out numbered by children, as the Ingvaldson's just welcomed their third baby girl in August. Our crew now consists of 6 adults, and 7 children. It can get a little chaotic at times, but is oh so much fun!!

A quick family photo in front of the pumpkins while everyone was still happy!!
(Don't be surprised if that ends up being our Christmas card pic this year :))

H checking out a prime pumpkin, and E posing in front of a random fall display. Gotta love that scrunched up nose smile!!

The highlight of the experience for the kids was probably the cow train ride. Hayden and Erica rode together, with Natalie ahead of them, and Paige and Breanna ahead of her. So cute!! I just LOVE this video & the photo that follows.

Here they are looking back at dad taking their photo as they zoom off into the field......smiling and having SO much fun!!



And finally a photo of our whole group. WOW, have we grown over the years! It is crazy to me to think that this friendship actually started as three young married couples getting together every summer to go on canoe trips in Wisconsin..... before even the thought of children!! Now here we are...years later, and more importantly 7 children later!!!! Oh, and I suppose we look a few years older, as well. :) The joy has been not only watching our friendships grow, but watching our children's friendships grow and blossom over the years-- they are fast friends every time see one another.

Top Row (L-R): Tammie, Jon, Breanna, Tammy, Jeff, Scott & Tanya (holding baby Addison)
Bottom Row (L-R): Hayden, half of Erica, Paige, Jocelyn & Natalie

After picking many pounds of apples & some raspberries, we all packed up and headed home--with very tired children, I might add! Such a fun fall outing with cherished friends.