My Most Favorite Time of Year!

The kids have been waiting anxiously for the time when the leaves begin to fall. Oh how they look forward to playing in the leaves! We've been watching the tree in the corner of the yard for a few weeks now as it slowly turns into a thing of incredible beauty.  It is one of the reasons I love Fall. About this time every year I can't walk by the window without pausing to admire its loveliness.

 This tree in the other corner of the yard is a bit slower in turning, and it turns a bright yellow eventually.

 Its just starting to get there.

The other thing I love, besides the brilliant colors of fall that are so cheerful and refreshing, is the joyous sights I see each day when I glance out the window. I am constantly wanting to grab my camera and snap some pictures. Obviously I've done that plenty.   I can't seem to help myself. :) Here is Fall overdose. :) 

Note: Maybe I enjoy this so much because in Oregon, DRY, crispy,crunchy, fluttery, leaves don't exist. :D

Leaves!!! Wonderful, crispy, crunchy, fluttery, leaves!!!

 You can haul 'em in your dump truck....or your wagon.

 You can rake 'em into a great big pile and jump into it.

You can just shuffle your feet through them and listen to them whispering and rustling as you meander along, kicking some up every now and then to watch them flutter around in little whirlwinds.

 But best of all you can throw armfuls at each other and watch them float and flutter all around, clinging to hair and clothes!

Or even just above your own head...again...and again...and again!  Such fun!!!

All together now!

 

 And then its time to rake them up again...

(You'll notice at the end of the video Aubrey didn't want me to feel left out. Yes, I got a faceful! :D)

I  could sit outside all day, watching them play in the leaves, and enjoying the crisp fall air!  It's so refreshing!  Happy Fall ya'all.

A Saturday with Daddy...

...well, sort of.  :)  A few weeks ago Mr. Wise Guy had to do a few hours worth of work over at Priest Rapids Dam and thought we might enjoy coming along and spending some time at the recreation area near there. So we packed a picnic lunch and made the 1 1/2 hour drive along with him this, almost rainy, Saturday morning. :) We started it off with The Boy getting carsick right before we arrived at our destination. As I bailed over the seat and into the back of the Yukon, casting about for something to catch the excess in, my eyes landed briefly on Mr. Wise Guy's hard hat...but ultimately came to rest upon a nice sturdy apple box we had brought along to use for apple picking on our way home.  It did its job but that was the end of that apple box. :) 

After leaving Mr. Wise Guy at the Dam we made the short jaunt over to the recreation area in the wee village of Desert Aire. The kids watched the boats that were coming and going, while I unpacked bikes and strollers and collected everything we needed, and finally donned my inline skates.

 At last we were on our way down the paved trail that wound around and down along the Columbia River.

 Pleased to have made it to their destination, and anxious to head back the other way to stop at one of the many picnic areas we had passed.

Low flying planes, usually for spraying, are not an uncommon sight.

 Destination discovered!

 Along with a great climbing tree that they each had to take a turn at.

 Playing peek-a-boo between the tree trunks with the remains of her PB&J still in her hand.

 We played on the little beach for a while...

 Threw rocks in the water...

 Collected tiny white shells...

 And then ate our lunch, before finally heading back to the Yukon.

Here's my 6 1/2 month belly, thanks to Kate. :)

 Then we headed over to a fun park across the road.

 My sweet monkeys! :)

 The picnic tables there were all set up like this in different colored, covered canoe structures.

She has spied a pirate ship!

The Pirate spotted her too, and began steering  violently in her direction!

 The kids really enjoyed the not-so-common-any-more merry-go-round. I don't know of any other ones around here.  After much fun was had by all we went to collect Daddy and headed out to the apple orchard to glean 5 boxes of apples from the trees there. Mr. Wise Guy has since picked several more boxes on his way home from work.  He has also invested several hours of his weekends to applesauce making. All I have to do is run it through the canner. Last week he even washed up ALL of the mountain of dishes and applesauce equipment after the fact.  What can I say.  I LOVE MY MAN. He could obviously tell I was in way over my head with the workload.  We still have a large box of apples that I need to run on the dryer and maybe make a little more apple topping with, and a box of plums that needs making into jam. Then maybe I will get a break from RUNNING the treadmill of life.  I could really use a slow walk.  Then again, I would be happy with just bumping the speed down a notch or two so I could catch my breath a minute. I guess I need to clean for company this weekend, and prepare for my Sunday School class, before I start thinking about slowing down.
Note: This post was done over a week ago now. I did get the plum jam made, the apples on the dryer, the house ready for company,  all the food  made, and the S.S. stuff done. We enjoyed our visitors and hope they don't wait too long to come again. :)