Fall favorites

This beauty (a treat from one of my students) is not just a carmel apple, but a carmel, chocolate, cinnamon covered apple.   My very favorite treat.  It's downright sinful and oh so good.   I was just going to eat half of it, but ended up eating the whole thing in one sitting.  (I had some help from Jason, as he was the only kiddo home at the time--which was probably good timing on my part!  ;)

Last weekend, we went to Grandad's and Grandma's property and had a fun afternoon of 4 wheel riding and campfire cooking.

And the light was perfect.   I love the fall, with its golden light and beautiful colors.

 Happy, happy kids.  (safety disclaimer- we had helmets)

Sharing a blanket with Granddad.  Sarah loves her grandparents, especially her grandpas.  Even when we first came home from China, she would happily sit on grandpa's lap.  I think it might be because her sweet foster parents in China were older.  She remembers that first bond.  We're so grateful for that.   

 Evan goes for a ride.

The campfire.  Jason and Sarah (city slickers who have limited experiences with campfires) were frustrated when the smoke changed directions and got in their eyes.  

A fun day and a much needed break.

Pumpkin time!

We have been going to the same pumpkin patch for many years.  It's a fun fall tradition. 

 Jason doesn't seem to get the joke.

 Choosing just the right pumpkins

Our "big boys" were there, too.  I was expecting to meet with a little resistance from them (they often have other plans on the weekend), but they came along quite happily.  This is the only shot I got of them, since they have developed "camera shyness" in recent years.  I asked Justin to help Logan carry his pumpkin to the car and this is how he did it.  

10 on 10/10!

Logan is now *ten* years old!

 And our soccer star was excited to have a game on his birthday!

Logan is our third son, and after some serious complications with my second pregnancy, we were blessed and overjoyed to welcome this healthy, bouncing baby boy (all 8 pounds, 5 ounces of him!!) to our family ten years ago.  

Logan was a very "easy" baby and a continues to be a joyful, sensitive, and kind young man. 

Happy birthday, Logan!  We love you very much!

(P.S.  No, I did not make the cake.  I wish...but I'm grateful for a talented friend who does an amazing job!)

School picture day (double take)

I'll let you in on a little secret... teachers are not usually fond of school picture day. 

Now don't get me wrong, it's fun to see the kids all dressed up, and I especially love the little boys' hair on picture day-- all slick and shiny.  It may be the only day of the school year when little boys' hair is completely tamed.  ;)

But here's the thing.  Lif*touch (portrait company) provides teachers with a portrait package free of charge every year.   

While this is a nice gesture, I often ask myself, what am I going to do with 28 wallet photos of myself (let alone the rest of the packet)?  

My family loves me, but at a certain age, it seems odd to hand out pictures of yourself. 

Just sayin'

So every year I get a new picture packet of me.   And every year I get to see first hand, in clear digital 8 x 10 sharpness, what I look like a year older.  

Awesome.   One of the only professions where you get a chronological progression of your aging.  Heh.  :)

So, when I got my stack of pictures this year, I was a little surprised to find this at the bottom of the pile:

Yes, my friends... this year I get TWO complete picture packets.   Lucky me!

The other teachers thought it was hilarious.   

Maybe I should pass them out around school?  (just like the good ol' days)  ;)