Summer ended with a big bang and reluctant kids to see it go.
Grandpa Doug flew all his grandsons to Stehekin along Lake Chelan where they crammed into his plane and spent a night exploring, swimming and eating like grown men. With Charlie gone and Miss Bee on a visit, I then took the older girls on a lunch date to The Mill and explored a little of downtown together.
Our family, along with many other family and friends, surprised Nana with a back yard party celebrating her 60th birthday with burgers and cupcakes.
We also braved the heat and spent all day at The Northwest Washington Fair. We ended up splitting the group as Tim took the older ones on rides and I took the melted young ones home.
Charlie spent time on the boat fishing, catching crab, hiking and enjoying his time with Papa, Nana & Auntie Traci. There were last of the season sleepovers, school shopping trips and BBQ's all before the rush of shelving our exposed toe shoes for tall boots.
{ Cousins & a cool uncle by the campfire. }
{ Mommy Daughter lunch date. }
{ Papa & Nana getting into the birthday spirit. }
{ Fair food, rides, animals & sore feet = summer fun. }
{ Crabbing with Papa.}
And as soon as we blinked, so did the leaves change color and the temptation to turn the furnace on become a real struggle. (Tim caved the first of October. Last year was closer to November. ) We were blessed by the Community Outreach Day as a couple families from NCCTK came to pull ivy, play in the dirt and clear a larger space to create a more equipped sensory playground. Such a huge blessing to our family to have this space free of tangled vines!
Between rainy days and doing the school dance getting kids here and there, I've been able to plant some spring bulbs and do a little fall clean-up myself. We also took to the corn fields after a few days of rain to accomplish the maze. Charlie and Myriam did the maze twice as they enjoyed stomping through the mud. Now to locate a new pumpkin patch and enjoy the fall
sips of caramel apple spice.
The leaves continue to fall and the kids await a massive pile to jump in. I'd attempt to wash my car, but it would just rain hours later, so I'll wait for a stretch of sunny days. And don't be mistaken...
I love everything about fall including the rain that forces you to bundle up under bulky sweaters, eat warm soups, smell cozy candle scents and sit a little closer to the ones you love to stay warm.
Happy Fall Ya' All.
{ FFA Corn Maze }
{ Project success. }
{ 80 Tulips, 80 Daffodils. }
{ When the neighbors cut their apple tree, we pick for free. }
{ Crock pot applesauce yummy-ness. }
Fill your crock pot full with 2-3 different varieties of apples (I used about 15 small to medium size apples)
Place on top 1-2 cinnamon sticks...depends how strong of a cinnamon flavor you prefer
Sprinkle over apples 5T of brown sugar and 1-2tsp of cinnamon
Cut 1 lemon peel and then squeeze juice from lemon over mixture
Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
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