Apple Picking--Twin Hill Farms

We kicked off the fall season by going apple picking in Petaluma.  We got a little late start (our Saturdays have become very lazy these days) so we drove straight up for lunch first.  We found a great little Italian place in the downtown area that was so yummy!  And the $5 glass of wine didn't hurt either...

The kids LOVE doing "CHEERS" after we say the blessing...not sure where that little tradition started but I think it's here to stay.

We got to the farm in the afternoon and it was easily 95 degrees outside.  So hot.  But once we got picking we barely noticed the heat.  The apples were so yummy and so many varities!  The best part was picking them right off the tree and crunching into the juiciness.

Timo got distracted foraging through the chestnuts.  He collected quite a few for us to eat when we got home.  It's pretty impressive considering the chestnuts are hidden inside these very prickly outer shell. Looking at all the worms inside the apples was a special treat too!

We had one hiccup...Timo was reaching high to pick the biggest apple he had ever seen.  He pulled so hard that when it popped off the limb Timo lost his grip and the apple hit him right in the eye!  Poor fella...it looked like it hurt so bad.

He searched all over the ground for his apple that fell to make sure he got it and took it home.  It's hard to see in this picture but the apple was huge!

We could have easily picked way more but stopped at 25 pounds.  We ended up making apple sauce, apple pie, stewed apples and eating apple slices everyday for the next two weeks....25lbs is a LOT of apples

We were so hot once we finished,it only seemed logical to get some ice cream!  Timo loves how his tongue turns green from the lime sorbet...such a boy!

Pretty good sign that we had a great day apple picking!

A sampling of our apple treats...stewed apples the southern way and apple blackberry pie!  We still have a few small ones left that I think we're gonna make caramel apples this weekend.  Might need to go back and pick 25lb more....mmmmm

Heading Home--NC Trip

Because our tickets were very last minute and purchased with miles, we had very limited options for available flights coming home.  Our flight left at 6am...meaning we had to be at the airport at about 4:45, meaning we had to leave my parents house at 4am, meaning we had to wake up at 3am!!  Yes, it was very hard getting the littles out of bed at that hour.

But we got to see on of the most beautiful sunsets on our layover in Washington DC...

Unlike our flight there, our flight home didn't have any entertainment what-so-ever.  No TVs, no movies and no music.  They had headphones in the seatbacks but nothing use them for...expect entertainment.  Needless to say, it was long 5 1/2 hour flight home.  We played, ate snacks, took naps and looked at every page in the Skymall magazine.  I wasn't as prepared this flight to keep the kids entertained but we made it through.

It was only 11am when we landed in SF.  Our time clocks were completely thrown off but once we got home sweet home we forgot how tired we were and were excited to see Daddy!

Green Level Reunion--NC Trip

The whole reason for our trip back east was the Green Level reunion.  I wasn't a blood family reunion but a community family reunion.  All the kids have grown up and moved away and some families moved away but the bond of Green Level has remained.  Some of the ladies got together and decided it was time to get everyone together again...thus the reunion was planned.  I was so good to see so many folks that had an impact on my young life as well as friends I hadn't seen in years who are now parents themselves.

My brother's BBQ business did the food....such yummy brisket!!!

The party was at Mom and Dad's house and they were such great hosts to over 75 people!

There were plenty of kids running around for Timo to play with.  Cameron was a little more reserved...the ants and mosquito got the best of her.

Some of the old Green Level youth group...all grown up and parents now.  It was a special time growing up together...We definitely has lighting in a bottle!

Family Time--NC

The best part of visiting the NC is the family time. Even though we were there for a few short days, we made time to go visit Grandma and Aunt Patricia.  We spent the day with them that included lunch at my favorite, Cracker Barrel. The kids were fascinated watching Aunt Patricia come down her steps in her riding chair.

Nothing like checkers in the rocking chairs while we wait for our table...

Timo was showing off his toy gun to Grandma and was totally taken back when she wanted to hold it and show him how to shoot like a real hunter...classic!!  One of the many reasons I love my Grandma!

And when we visit, Kaylee pretty much comes over to stay for the whole time.  They all play together so well, creating new adventures along the way.  They rode bikes 98% of the time but did take a break for some snacks and a little indoor play.  I loved one afternoon Kaylee had them playing school!  She was their teacher, teaching them how to spell and write words...Timo and Cameron LOVED it.

Timo and Cameron had fun going into her class for church and then lunch after at a BBQ place.  Cameron devoured the 1000 hushpuppies along with having a little fun...she a walrus!

We saw a lot more family than this but now realize I didn't take many pictures.  Oh well, sometimes I guess I'm enjoying my family and the moments and not thinking of much else...