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

Fall Problems

 The afternoon was so nice yesterday. One should always roll up one's windows in the fall. I'm glad it was simply frost and not snow. 

We still haven't had snow down here, but we are having frosty mornings. I love fall. 

Driving, Shopping, Connecting

 The girls continue to get driving time in....not that they always WANT to get driving time in. 

Fall is definitely upon us. Allie needs some fall clothes. This seems like a good time to get Stacia a few things too. We hit a huge sale at a local consignment store. I force both girls to pick out a couple of fall looks and try them on. 

Slightly reluctant shoppers

Stacia ended up with the red sweater thingy and Allie purchased all three seen here...a nice wool jacket, a fun slouchy thing, and a burgundy sweater. 

Fun outing - I love these girls

Our plan after shopping was to go to Pyrah's Fall festival. We were to meet Josiah and Livie and CoRielle.  We got there and there was a huge line. We've never needed to have prior tickets, but it was obvious we weren't getting in without them.  CoRielle had tickets and stayed. Josiah and Livie stopped by our house as they were out here. Carrie's brother had a trampoline his girls don't use. When he took it down, he sent it out here.  Ours was on its last leg. It's a good solution for all. Alex loaded it directly into the garage. 

I keep trying to catch what we call golden hour. The sun comes shining through the trees and over the mountains and it is breathtaking. 

CoRielle came by after the festival. They got here during golden hour.  Fall evenings are made for campfires. We all gathered at the fire ring.  I'm telling you if you don't have a s'more kit - get one. It's very handy for drop by visitors. 

I have begun making pies with Dave's Thin Sliced power seed bread, a thinly sliced apple, cinnamon and a sugar free max mallow. 

Look at the sun in the trees! And check out "Honey" and the brothers. We love how Benny calls Arielle, "Honey." 

Passing on the roasting technique is serious father/son bonding time. 

A little dark - but yummy. 

Is there anything sweeter than family visiting around a campfire? I'm glad this is something we've carried over from our years of living in the RV. 

Precious evenings for sure.