Frosty Morning with Millie

 Millie is a year old. She LOVES chasing her ball in the yard. 

We are trying to get as many play times in as possible this fall - the winter months can be long. 

WELL....I'd say this is about as late as I can wait to harvest beets. The books say to wait until through some frost. 

Kale Pretty with frost

Do it again, do it again, Mom!

Finally, Fall Festival

We headed out for Pyrah's festival again - THIS TIME WITH PRE-PURCHASED TICKETS! In thinking over the difference in last years' experience and this, we realized we had gone on the day for families with special needs members. We were guests of Krista through the school. Now we KNOW it's not always a relaxing stroll through the farm. LOL  

Michael stayed home to work on "the wood and trees at KC's."  Nolan and Alex are at work. Grandpa didn't want to come - sadly, this is happening more often. The girls and I met up with CyRi at Pyrah's. This turned out best anyway as Carrie was able to join us this week. LOL 

That snow is coming down the mountain 

I don't remember who won! 

These four enjoyed a "game" of volleyball

Livie, Allie, Stacia, Cy

The air was crisp as we sauntered around the farm...hot apple cider, caramel corn, plywood mazes, hay rides, mini car races, carnival games, cake in a jar...it was a great day at the festival. 

We had plans for CoRielle to stop by this afternoon. Remember, they'd done the festival last week.  BreZaak stopped by to drop something off with Michael. We'd not seen them in a long time. I invited them to stay and have spaghetti with us. 

Liv, Allie, Gideon, Danny, Arielle, Bre, Jojo
G Dog and Bella 

Of COURSE dinner means a campfire and s'mores in the fall. We were happy BreZaak stopped by. It was a good chance to catch up with everyone. 

G Dog, Carrie, Cy, Izaak, Michael, Jojo and Bre

Allie and Stacia with Bella and Annie

I love this picture. 

Fall Mornings

Nature has added a bit of white to our fall colors. We wake up to a dusting of snow most mornings. By afternoon it has melted. Fall is full of fun, anticipation and work in Alaska. Will we be ready for winter this year? 

I have always loved fall. I found myself dreading fall the last two years as it meant a LONG WINTER was on it's way. I am making a conscious choice to embrace each season this year, much as I embraced every assignment location during our military ministry.  I determined NOT to be the spouse that incessantly compares her bad current location to the glories of past locations. In the same way...I have chosen to embrace each season this year....and that has freed me to find the joy in fall again...rather than dreading the long winter nights. 

We are learning to prioritize what needs to be done as we will probably not get everything done before winter arrives to stay.  This year we WILL have yard furniture put away. 

This is a great phase of fall. We sense the anticipation of winter's approach but are enjoying fall walks and cool evenings around the campfire. The best of both worlds. 

A Lovely Dinner Invite

We received a lovely invitation to Luke and Krista's for dinner. This is our first dinner invite since their wedding. As we pulled on to base and drove around looking for their housing area, we noted CoRielle behind us. We hadn't realized they'd arranged a family party. CyRi arrived shortly after us. They had been a bit delayed due to a tire situation.  It was fun to have dinner and relax with these two newlywed couples we all love so much. 

Danny and GG

Krista giving a tour

Danny's new tricks

Danny and Cory

 Danny discovers stairs...

Hmm...I could probably climb this.

Yeah, let's try it! 

Stacia wasn't as convinced in Danny's ability. Thankfully, he didn't see her reaction. LOL 

Piece of cake 

New uncles are great things! 

Obviously catching the blur of Livie was a challenge! LOL 

Livie, Cy and Carrie

Reno and Livie entertain us

It was a great evening. We are so blessed Krista's first assignment is just up the road. Thanks, Krista and Luke, we had a great evening. 

First Snow

 

The first snow has hit our yard. It won't last...but it's here. Millie does not approve of the snow. 

 The chickens weren't thrilled either. 

Benny was excited for the snow.  Arielle didn't mention snow. They got into the car began driving to our house. Arielle said there was no snow in town or on the drive over. The snow began when you turned onto Baachan's street. How fun is that? 

The girls had very different responses to the snow. Allie was excited, "It's SNOWING!"  Stacia came up with tears in her eyes and said, "It's SnOOOWWWing." 

Danny is itching to get out into the snow. 

Stacia and Benny found just enough snow to make a little snowman. 

This won't last, however, whether one is filled with glee or dread, winter is fast approaching.

Baachan's Garden

Benny loves to help in Baachan's garden. After all the slug picking, weeding and watering its finally time to pick some food.  I knew with the frost yesterday it's about time to harvest what we can. Bennie was excited to get the first cucumber. That sweet face is what I feel every time I get to pick something from the garden. 

I'm going to leave the Kale for now until I'm ready to deal with it. I've heard it will do o.k. with the cool weather. 

Danny loves the grass and fall leaves. 

We threw the green cucumber plants into the lasagna bed and then added a brown layer of straw. 

Still hoping for Brussel Sprouts

Aspargus - it's a start

Gardening makes Millie tired