Pumpkin Patch

 It was the perfect fall day for a trip to the pumpkin patch...

so that's exactly what we did.  Happy Fall!

The beauty of creation

The weather last night was just right for eating dinner outside with some good friends.  You know that perfect temperature where it doesn't feel warm or cold?  Just perfect.  I'm so glad we were outside to watch the sun set.  Sunsets like the one we watched last night (captured by my friend, and talented photographer, Michelle) remind me of one of my favorite songs, Cannons, by Phil Wickham. 

It's falling from the clouds
A strange and lovely sound
I hear it in the thunder and rain
It's ringing in the skies
Like cannons in the night
The music of the universe plays

You are holy great and mighty
The moon and the stars declare who You are
I'm so unworthy, but still You love me
Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

Beautiful and free
Song of Galaxies
It's reaching far beyond the milky way
Lets join in with the sound
C'mon let's sing it loud
As the music of the universe plays

All glory, honor, power is Yours amen
All glory, honor, power is Yours amen
All glory, honor, power is Yours forever amen

Potty Training

I've been wanting to write this post for awhile now, but held off just in case what I was experiencing was a fluke.  Well, it wasn't a fluke and in fact, Elliana is potty training herself.  You may remember this post from July when Elliana had started to tell me as soon as she went poo-poo.  Well, that quickly progressed into telling me before she went poo-poo and running to use the bathroom.  I had never sat her on a potty or explained any aspect of potty-training to her (17 months old at the time). Honestly, I felt like I just finished potty training Noah (though it's been 8 months!!).  Well, apparently she was ready and decided to take matters into her own hands.  I couldn't believe the first time that she told me she had to go poo-poo and proceeded to run to the bathroom.  Really?  You're going to go potty?  I put her on the potty and sure enough, she went.  It started as 3-4 times a week and has progressed to about 3 times a day.  I'm letting her take it at her own pace...not forcing anything on her, not bothered at all when she goes in her diaper, but praising her when she does use the potty.  She is my very independent little girl, wanting to do everything by herself.  I must admit, I don't mind her potty training herself...what a nice surprise!

Apple Picking

Getting ready to pick some apples!

We loved taking little detours along the way...so fun!

Tim and Noah did a great job picking the apples

Elliana had so much fun!

We LOVE Tim and Amanda!

Elliana couldn't wait to eat an apple

He did a great job picking!

We were all very tired...

sooooo tired

pretending to be tired. :)

We came home, took naps and made some delicious apple crisp with our fresh picked apples.  DELICIOUS!  The kids and I actually went back up to the apple farm for a fun picnic this afternoon and picked up some more apples.  I guess I'll have to make some Holiday Morning French Toast  tomorrow!

Fall Reunion

Every year our church has an all church "fall reunion". We all go up to Forest Home and spend the afternoon/evening playing on the lakeshore, canoeing, blobing, zip-lining, eating, chatting and watching baptisms. I love it. Yesterday we had so much fun being up in the mountains, just relaxing and spending time together. Here are a couple pictures my friend snapped of Hylke and Noah on the canoe.

Lake Arrowhead

Today the kids and I spent the morning up in Lake Arrowhead with my good friend, Michelle and her adorable daughters, Meleah and Sydney. Sydney and Noah are great friends and have so much fun together. They are two peas in a pod for sure! We had so much fun watching the kids feed the ducks, go on some carnival rides, eat candy, and just have fun. Here are some pictures capturing our time (thanks for taking these, Michelle!).

Elliana wanted to taste the food before giving it to the ducks :)

Such good friends
Swings!

Cooking Club

A few weeks ago my friend invited me to be a part of a cooking club. How could I resist a night out dedicated to fun time with friends and good food?! The concepts are.... (1) no husbands allowed, (2) kids are allowed, (3) hostess makes an entree dish to serve the ladies, (4) everyone else brings one thing... a bottle of wine, an appetizer, a salad, a dessert, or kid-friendly food. And the last, most important concept is that you have to share the recipe! (Thanks, Michelle...you put it so nicely. :) ) Last night I brought the dessert, Chocolate Addiction Cake. We all had so much fun eating, chatting, laughing and well...eating. Our Summer Harvest menu featured the following yummy food:


I'm already looking forward to next month and more opportunities to hang out with some of my new girlfriends.