Soaking in the Season

I love Fall.  It's like nature's grande finale to summer, don't you think?  Like when you are watching a fireworks show, and they save all the big, awesome ones for the end, right?  That's Fall...all the beautiful, vibrant colors finally burst forth in a magnificent display.  The air is crisp and new, and as the days grow shorter the feeling of warmth and cozying up inside the home becomes easier.  It's just a magical time of the year. 

We've been soaking up what the season has to offer us.  One of my favorite things is visiting cider mills, and enjoying being outside for the last few days of the year before the weather finally relents to old man winter. 

The girls and I went to Leaman's Apple Barn in Freeland on their first day off from school earlier in September, but we decided to go again with Mark on a Saturday in October.  I think we all really fell in love with this place!!

We also made a trip down to Livonia for (what I'm hoping becomes a new tradition!) SOUP NIGHT at the Griswold's.  Erin and Mom both made different soups, and Erin made homemade pizza rolls.  It was delicious and so festive.  We also enjoyed cider floats (HELLO! Where has this recipe been all my life?!?), and donuts.  It was so fun!  The next day we hit the cider mill in Northville.  This has become one of my favorites because it is small enough that there aren't huge, crazy crowds.  The cider is seriously delicious!  And there are still fun things for everyone to enjoy.  The older girls liked browsing the vendor booths and getting inspiration for jewelry and crafts.  Parker enjoyed climbing on toys and feeding the ducks.  It's a win-win. 

Midland also has a "Free Day" at the beginning of October where many of the local businesses open their doors for residents to explore and get lots of free swag.  Unfortunately this was the same weekend as General Conference, so we had to really pick and choose what we could do.  We settled on painting pumpkins and hearing a storyteller at Creative 360 which is a cool, artsy studio.  They had this neat display of woven fibers that looked like spooky cool forest.  I can tell I'm gonna like this place. We also got free cupcakes at a gourmet cupcake shoppe...once again, awesome!

Of course, this past weekend was the Ward Trunk or Treat.  Unfortunately, the night turned south when Parker got sick shortly after arriving.  She and I had to leave early, which means I did not get a single picture the entire night!  So disappointed!  The girls all looked darling in their costumes, but Parker was DEVASTATED she missed it.  I have promised her that we will go trick-or-treating on Thursday.  Keep your fingers crossed nothing happens in the meantime. 

Hope you are all enjoying this wonderful season as well!!!!

First Day of School (A Month Late)

Maryn and Avery started Middle school here in Midland on September 4, 2013...the day after Labor Day.

That means they were out of school from before Memorial Day until Labor Day, folks!! Yes, indeed, it was the LONGEST summer of our LIVES!!  LOL!!

They were excited, nervous, and chomping at the bit to get out of the house and MEET some new PEOPLE!

Avery is in 6th grade this year, and I really love how they do it at this school.  They keep the 6th graders all in one hall where their lockers are straight across from their only 2 classrooms.  It makes it less complicated as it is a really BIG school.  The cafeteria and gym are also on the same floor.

Maryn is in 7th grade, and is mostly contained to a couple halls upstairs and downstairs though.  She has had some work to do remembering where to go and trying to get there ON TIME!

Since starting school, they have both joined some clubs in an effort to meet people. Avery chose "Viking Leadership", which is like a student council.  She will be required to do 15 hours of community service this year.  Wow!

Maryn has joined "Art Honors Club", where she will get to work on some school murals, and help teachers decorate their rooms with some cool art projects.

Here's hoping the school year goes great!!

A Place to Hang Our Hearts and Our Hats

So here is our new HOME!!  I introduce you to: 2703 Gary Street!!

It's tiny, but it's cute and cozy.  We have really tried to maximize every inch, and make it as comfortable as we can for the time that we will be here.  It's nothing fancy, but it works. 

The kitchen has some cute new tile backsplash! That shelf to the right of the pic is where I have to keep all of my dishes because there is no pantry for food.  I keep all my food in those upper cabinets to the right.

Parker's room is also functioning as her playroom with pretty much all of her toy storage in her closet to the left.  There is also some space for toys and crafts down in the basement, but she has never really taken to playing down there by herself, even in our old house.

Maryn and Avery's room is pretty much bursting at the seams. I know they are feeling a little cramped in these quarters.  To the right is the rest of their desk, and a bookshelf.  We had to put a lot of their books on our living room bookshelf because space is at a premium.

I love the quiet neighborhood, we have sidewalks again!!  I have been out trying to teach Parker to ride her bigwheel and toddler bike when the weather is nice.
 

We have a nice sized backyard.  It only takes 30-45 minutes of push mower time for Mark now...that's really saying something!!

The only downside about this house is this blasted crab-apple tree!  It makes such a mess, and is such a pain in the butt to clean up!

Home, Sweet, Home!!