The Apple Orchard!

We love going to the apple orchard in the fall!

The children look forward to it all year long!

They get to ride ponies and do so many other fun things!

However I do think it is interesting that we do not get to pick apples at the apple orchard.

This year they said it was because of the late April frost, that wiped out half their apples...could be. BUT I am thinking they probably don't want hundreds of eager children climbing the apple trees and picking apples!

I know this is redundant....

Pic after pic of our sweeties riding a pony!

BUT, to them it was so so exciting!

Some of them remember it from last year AND the others have never been on a pony/horse!

Like this little guy!

He could not stop talking about it!

It was such a highlight to him!

Thank you Jesus- for this incredible little boy!!

They had other animals at the apple orchard farm!

The goats will eat anything!

Including any leaves, branches or left over feed on the ground!

Do you need any help?

I bet the branches are hard to get off the shrub!

After the farm animals and the hay maze we went to the tractor ride!

Are they happy heifers or what!

Bye, bye children come back soon!

And here they are!

What I love most are the simple pleasures!

This is a for real smile on Emma's face!

Thank you God for this wonderful day!

This is Anna pre surgery.

She is really doing well right now- post surgery!

Her nose is adorable and we think she will be speaking much more clearly!

(She is a bit congested right now so we will have to evaluate in a couple weeks!)

Next was the pillow jump!

Our crew really got into the extra large trampoline!

And then... they found the sand... AND I knew right then and there...

it was bath night!

Next we picked raspberries!

EVERYONE loved picking raspberries!

I was a supervisor AND consumer of the raspberry picking!

It was a really great job!

The raspberries were wonderful!

Shhhhh, don't tell!

Well...

I was also in charge of photography!

So I wasn't a complete deadbeat Mom!

They also had a store where we could buy our apples, caramel, ready to bake pies, apple fritter bread, homemade jams and so much more!

It was just the best day!

So thankful to you dear LORD for these blessed family times!

What's really bugging me!

It's the boxelder bugs!!

I really don't like bugs of any kind!

But I especially don't like these bugs because these little critters are all over the house AND they are making their way inside...

We find about 50 plus a day inside...

The laundry room seems to be the point of entrance.

I am guessing through the dryer vents?

The pest control people cam today and sprayed for a second time.

Plus I have my own exterminator team!

They report to me throughout the day how many they have found.

I think they are enjoying themselves!

So thankful there is no audio with these pics!

Because it would be of me screaming!

He is such a climber, they don't stand a chance against him!

Thank you Ellie and Sam!

For a job well done!

Autumn Garland

Here's another great DIY project for fall that can really be adapted to any season or decor. I actually got the idea for this from my daughter's Highlights magazine. Go figure!

I adapted it somewhat and this is what I and my daughter created. Start out with these supplies that you probably have already.

Supplies: one piece of craft foam in color of your choice • tissue paper in a variety of colors • yarn, sisal, jute or any type of string of your choice (not shown) • craft glue (not shown)

Start by tracing circles across the entire piece of foam and cutting them out. I used (the inner circle) a roll of masking tape for mine.

Then cut your tissue paper into 1 inch squares.

Crinkle up the tissue paper as small as you can.

And glue them on to your circles in any shape you want. Since we were planning on hanging this in honor of Sukkot, we made fruits and vegetables on each circle.

You can use any other type of embellishments to enhance each circle.

We used pipe cleaners for the stems on many of ours.

After you've created the designs on each of the circles, use a hole-puncher to make a hole at the top of each one. Then string the sisal (or whatever you chose) and tie a knot after each circle so they stay in place.

Then hang it up wherever you'd like! Here it is hanging over our mantel-less fireplace.

And outside in our sukkah:

All in all, a great, easy project that even a seven-year-old can do did it!

Happy Fall!

p.s. See you after Sukkot!

Linking up:
A Bowl Full of Lemons | House on the Way | DIY Showoff | House of Hepworths |