What were you for Halloween?

This post is weeks old, but still worth posting.  We did our traditional patience pinata this October and attempted a trendy fall owl.  While the owl was in construction Tim and I wondered if our design would turn out.  Thankfully when we put the final touches on it actually looked alright.  The girls had a blast hitting the owl and discoving the "goods" inside.  This year both of them got slipper socks, Leah got a Halloween shirt, and Elizabeth got a soft sweatshirt (just because I didn't like any of the Halloween shirts in her size). 

On Halloween they had a 1/2 day of school while I held parent-teacher conferences.  Tim made the trip to pick them up and get them ready for trick-or-treating.  Leah dressed up as Minnie Mouse and Elizabeth was a red crayon.  After a few photos we all drove downtown to Grand Haven.  The girls had a fun time seeing all the different costumes and collecting candy from the local stores.  After our time downtown the girls were able to hit a few neighborhood houses.  All in all it was a fun night!

How much does your pumpkin weigh?

Earlier this month we met my sister and her 3 kids at Klackle in Greenville.  It was a SUPER windy and chilly Saturday so we bundled up in winter gear.  We paid the unusually high fee to get into the orchard, but once we were in the cousins all had a blast.  They enjoyed playing on the wooden playground, petting the animals in the barn (especially the bunnies), and driving the different pedal bikes.  There was also a self-spinning apple, a rope ladder, and a maze to maneuver through.  Leah attempted to stick herself on a Velcro wall while Elizabeth rode in a barrel train pulled by a tractor.  We all took a ride out to the pumpkin patch to choose our pumpkins and as an added bonus took a different train to pick some Jonagold and Ida red apples.  Of course we could not leave until we bought 2 dozen donuts and apple cider.  After 4 hours we were whipped, windburned, and ready to leave.

What kind of apples did you pick?

To celebrate the start of fall, my favorite season, we made a trip to Crane's Apple Orchard.  When we were there we picked mostly Honey Crisp, a personal favorite, but we also picked some Cortland and Golden Delicious.  The place was packed so we basically drove in, picked apples, paid for them, and then drove out.  Our adventure took less than an hour.  While the trip was short, the delicious taste and smell of autumn's apples will linger for awhile.

Did you have a good first day of school?

Every year after taking their pictures on the first day of school.  I ask the girls about their dreams for their lives.  The questions are always the same, but their answers change as they grow and mature.  This is what they each said this year.

What would you like to learn this year?
E:  How to talk to animals
L:  Cursive

What job would you like to have when you are older?
E:  Coach
L:  Work at a zoo

Will you get married?  If so, how many children will you have?
E:  Yes, 2 (twins)
L:  Yes, 4

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
E: Where kangaroos live
L: Scuba diving in the ocean

What's one thing you wish you could do?
E:  Fly
L:  Whatever I want

Did you enjoy your party?

Last week Sunday was Elizabeth's 6th birthday (I'm only a week late posting this).  She had to have a dog themed party complete with stuffed dogs all over the house.  My mom wondered if having a dog party meant we were getting another dog.  To Elizabeth's dismay we did NOT get another dog.  However, she had a tail wagging good time celebrating and everyone enjoyed chowing down on her dog shaped cupcake cake! 

Could this picture be any more adorable?

Obviously I am biased when it comes to my children, but I absolutely LOVE this picture of Leah and Elizabeth.  I can't wait to get it printed in a 12 X 12 and frame it so I can look at it all the time!

How was the trip west?

For 10 days Tim and I had the chance to explore and enjoy nature in Seattle and the surrounding area.  We took in the sights of downtown including Pike's Place Market where the fish are famously thrown around.  We also watched the Blue Angels perform over Lake Washington, observed the ships go in and out of the locks between that lake and Puget Sound, and went up 520 feet to the top of the Space Needle.  The main part of our journey was spent backpacking near Mt. Rainier.  For 6 days we hiked up and down trails with gear strapped to our backs.  While many of the paths were covered in snow pack which resulted in alternate routes, we still enjoyed all the beauty.  I took literally hundreds of pictures, but these are some of my favorites.

Kerry Park - overlooking downtown Seattle

Near Glacier Basin - the location of our first campground

Crossing the waterfall on a day hike to Sunset

Close to the river on the way to Summerland

Mt. Rainier at Relflection Lakes

The view from our tent at Snow Lake

After finishing the last hike from Camp Paradise

High above Seattle from the top of the Space Needle