Picking Apples

Fall is here, which means fall weather is here. So we are back to enjoying outdoor activities. Fall in St. Louis is just gorgeous. Blue skies, leaves changing... it's one of my favorite times of year.

So Matt ended up cutting his trip short a day due to weather. I can't lie. I wasn't too heartbroken. It meant that he had a full day off to spend with us. Yay! He usually works most Saturdays, so this was a treat.

We packed ourselves up and headed to go apple picking.

And we made it practically there before the meltdowns started.

The orchard that we went to also had lots of outdoor activities for kids. Graham was beyond thrilled that there were animals to look at and real tractors for him to climb on.

Someone was a little scared of the huge camel faces.

But he loved this little baby.

He would use the same voice as when he talks to Jackson.

And then run when one of the big ones came over...

Then he rode a pony.

We were shocked that he didn't freak out.

But he loved it!

As soon as the tractor dropped us off at the apple trees Graham went running.

He knew exactly what to do.

Thank you Sesame Street (one of his favorite episodes is about crunchy apples...)

Yes, Jackson and I were there. He slept the whole time.

Isn't that a beautiful view?

It was truly a fun trip. I didn't know until we got there that Matt had never been apple picking in his life. What a crime! He most definitely enjoyed the apple pie I made the next day...

Surf Trip

Matt took a little trip two weeks ago. A trip to surf, surf, camp, and surf some more. He met up with a long time friend (they've known each other longer than not) so they could revisit their old tradition from years ago.

I whole heartedly supported this trip for several reasons.

1. Matt needed, I mean really needed some time away.

2. Matt loves to surf. I don't surf. Therefore, I didn't need to be there.

3. Matt loves to camp. Me, not so much. Therefore, I didn't need to be there.

See? I fully supported this soul-refreshing-back-to-nature trip.

They had an amazing view from their campsite.

The other love in Matt's life.

What did I do while he was away? Well, changed about a million diapers and barely clung to sanity while wishing I could clone myself. Or grow an extra set of hands.

Totally kidding. Well, not about the diaper thing....

I'm so glad he went! He came back so rejuvenated. I think we plan to make this trip an annual thing.

It makes his soul happy. And that makes me happy.

begging for a bath

We did some more finger painting the other day.

Much more successful than the last time.

We got like 6 pictures done in less than 10 minutes.

Once he lost interest though....it was over.

He started wiping his hands on any and everything.

He did not like it when he couldn't get it off his belly.

He was so confused as to why his efforts were just making it worse, ha!

Lounging

Someone took my spot on the sofa.

He thought he was being sooo funny.

One of these things does not belong...

Graham is really, really, really into sorting and setting things in rows.

We do this all day.

Every day.

Sometimes things get crazy when "Medieval B" goes for a ride on the farm.

See, any person that isn't momma, daddy, you, or Kate is named "B." He loves uncle B.

He also likes "Charlotte's Web" and "Milo and Otis."

This is why the "mow" is eating with the pigs.

Kate pushing "Brother B."

There are many funny ones in this picture.

Why are momma, daddy, and you lying on top of his cars?

Why is "mow" in the back of B's red truck?

(all of the trucks are called "B's")

That is "Angry B" in the back of the black truck.... he is making an angry face.

And why in the world is Woody lying on the back of the fire truck?

I guess we'll never know.

sweet little boy blue

Isn't he adorable? I love him in blue. Really brings out his eyes.

Having brown eyes...along with all my siblings and nephews...

I never thought in a million years any child of mine would end up with blue.

I could stare at them all day.

Two!

This picture was taken on August 29. I need to be better about documenting things closer to their actual happening. Oh well.

I was in the kitchen getting my breakfast and I heard G saying his "tickle tickle" sound and voice which meant that he was messing with J. I went in to make sure he wasn't, you know, sitting on him or anything and I found cuteness. He was holding his foot and then while I was watching he lifted his own foot up next to Jackson's and was excited that there were "two!"

We'll let it go for now that there were actually four feet.... anything more than one of anything is automatically "two" in G's opinion.