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Fall Fun!

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I think this October has been the most beautiful I can ever recall. We've had a record setting dry spell and beautiful golden sunshine all day long. Weather like this is just one reason Autumn is my favorite season of all. In addition to the weather, I love this season for the many seasonal-specific activities we can enjoy. 

First, there is a trip to the Pumpkin Patch. Jeff and Nate made this trip as a pair this year as Andrew was just a few days old. Not expecting this amazing weather to stick around for so long, I didn't want to stop the boys from enjoying this experience, even if I was a little disappointed to miss out!

Nathan as King of the Hay Stack

Bouncing along for a Hay Ride...one of Nathan's favorite parts of the day.

Pumpkin Patch Rule: One must be able to carry the pumpkin one has selected.

Jeff was inspired by the fall decor available at the Patch. We also received a few pumpkins from his mom & dad's own garden. 

Just last week, I read about a local mill that invites the public to come participate in Apple Pressing to make delicious, fresh cider. The mill uses only water and human power, operating as it did after its initial construction in 1876. In addition to apple cider, the mill also grinds a couple varieties of flour and corn on a french stone burr. The mill itself was smaller than I expected and quite chaotic but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and definitely the cider. Kids are welcome to operate the machines and I can see how our boys would love this when they are older!

We waited in line along this covered bridge.

Cedar Creek Grist Mill

Anxious to taste the cider!

Apple "guts" post pressing. These smelled SO good!



Enjoying the fall sunshine. 

Then, Monday night, I decided it was time to carve one of our pumpkins with Nathan. I let him pick one from the porch, carefully directing him away from the biggest one that Jeff had bought. Jeff doesn't like to touch slimy things, so as much as I imagine this to be a family project, I knew I was on my own. I just didn't realize that Nate would back out too! He also refused to reach into the pumpkin to pull out the seeds and guts. Instead, he happily buzzed around the kitchen, directing me to focus on my work and "open the putt-putt (pumpkin)". 

Don't let this picture fool you...Mom had to do all the work. 

Our finished Jack-O-Lantern, with a friendly smile. 
Today's project will be making pumpkin shaped sugar cookies to share with Nathan's classmates during their Harvest Party tomorrow at school. I haven't made sugar cookies in more than a decade but wanted to help, as I'm in stay-at-home-mom phase and I have more time. 

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