More from October: The Cider Mill

As usual we like to kick off the fall season with a trip to Lattin's Cider Mill. This year was no different. We didn't make it into the pumpkin patch because the kids were exhausted, but we enjoyed all the animals, yummy hot cider and cider donuts, corn maze and all the other Lattin's fun!

October in Review

It's been a very long time since I've posted a blog. There's a good reason for that too...we'll there's a reason. We have had the plague. Yup, that's right Alex, Asher and I have all been sick off and on for a month. There have been a myriad of over the counter and prescription drugs for the past 4 weeks and as a result I haven't gotten a whole lot extra accomplished. I've mostly just tried to keep the sick comfortable and nurse my own sinus infection. Only Seth has been spared the month of illness, Praise Jesus for that.

So now, I'll try to catch you up on the month of October with the exception of Halloween and our trip to the Cider Mill. I'll post those events separately.

We've had a lot of fun playtime at home in jammies since we were too contagious to go out.

So we wore buckets on our head.

One sad Sunday morning when we were missing Sunday School we painted toast. We'll have to do this again as it was a real hoot!

The menu for Alex's restaurant "Eatsa Eatsa Everywhere" (I can't get it to flip upright for some reason)

We've been working our way through the alphabet with "Alphabet Days." Here are Alex and Mrs Kris on "B" Day with their "Blue Bread" Pizza.Bubble Beard

Eating spaghetti and giving Mr Paul (his favorite) high fives!

Intently watching daddy mow.

The fort we built on "F" Day

Naked baby

Asher's favorite pastime...climbing things!

Pumpkin painting!

Alex's work of art.

We got a visit from one of Mama's favorite people ever! Jill! The kids were in love with her and Alex thought she only came to see him!

Spaghetti dinner!

We were visited by this beauty and Asher wasn't sure what to do with her...

Learning to drive

One of my favorite moments this month I don't have a picture for, but Alex asked Jesus into his heart. It was one of the most precious moments for a Mama's heart ever. The next night he asked his daddy if he could ask Jesus into Asher's heart. He was concerned about him getting to Heaven with us! Such an awesome, tenderhearted boy!

Love

If I live in a house with spotless beauty with everything in its place,

but have not love--I am a housekeeper not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,

but have not love--my children learn of cleanliness, not godliness

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tear before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through trials.

Love reprimands, reproves and is responsive

As a mother there is much I must teach my child,

but the greats of all is. . . . LOVE.

An excerpt from "A Love that Multiplies" by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar.

Alex's 4th Birthday Party

I love backyard birthday parties. Since my sister and I had July birthdays we always had big rowdy backyard parties that were so much fun! I loved that this year the weather was good enough to have Alex's party outside instead of moving it inside. Here's a little sneak peak out of the 160+ pictures Lynne took of what we did to celebrate my favorite (almost) 4 year old!

The Mama's chatted.

And this donkey got his tail pinned on over and over.

Water balloons were tossed

Babies were played with

Lots of awesome presents were opened
and candles blown outThis cake was cut up

And eaten...

And lots of fun playing occurred!

Asher and His Giraffe

Last Beach Day for Summer