Domestic Kate

Earlier in October we took off for a few days and headed up north to Superior's South Shore. We spent a couple of days up there, soaking in the serenity, and then headed back home with a quick stop to see Grahamcracker. This was a much needed break for us. Tom's schedule in the summer is beyond busy so we have been looking forward to this fall when we were able to get about 3 days off to spend time together as a family. Apparently, the South Shore happened to pretty much close down shop for the season the weekend before our trip, but we enjoyed the peacefulness and had fun feeling like we were all alone up there. Our cell phones didn't work and there was no land line so it was an unheard of vacation away from technology. And so funny because the "mom" in me was slightly worried that something would happen to the baby and we'd be without communication with anyone and have no idea where a hospital was....I don't know how we survived before cell phones, ...

We've got a fun filled weekend planned with pumpkins, friends, family, and costumes! We had fun playing with Hans in the backyard during the warmer weather we had last week. Now, the temps have fallen and it's actually feeling like the fall season that it is! Look for more of our weekend pics coming soon.

We took another trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin farm, only this time we went to an all time favorite. I think it was my brother and sister-in-law that discovered this place first, but after it had been discovered it was quickly a favorite and host to birthday parties and family trips. It was a fabulous day (as most of our fall days have turned out to be this year) so we decided to head to the golf course, meet with tom, and cruise on over to the farm for a great afternoon together. It really was an absolute blast. We went on Monday afternoon so there were maybe 4-5 other families there- it felt like we had the place to ourselves! We saw animals, fed animals, went on a wagon ride and picked our own ears of pop corn (we just need to let it dry and then around Christmas time we will be able to take off the kernels, put them in an air popper and we've got pop corn, folks!) and gourds! Sometime soon I will post pictures of our trip to the South Shore that we took about a week...

I just wanted to share a few recent pictures of our trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch with some friends. The day was perfect for it! It was beautiful, sunny, and just the right temperature to enjoy the day outside but still savor the hot apple treats and soup that were available. Mommy and Hans having some good conversation...and snuggles. Playing with daddy Hans and his buddy playing in the pumpkins. Little stinker... Hans, striking a pose. Bye pumpkins and apples! See you again next year! Hans decided to drive the tractor home. =-) Looks like he needs to get a REAL tractor ride in at his grahamcracker's house soon! Before we go, Hans wanted to let you all know that he did NOT like the outcome of last nights game against the Yankees. We're still hopeful though!!

A sugar maple tree by my parents house turned quite early this year and we were able to hold Hans up against the colors one afternoon. In one picture he's not smiling and in the other picture he's smiling, but blurry, however I still love the color's and the object! =-) His uncle and tia gave Hans a special blessings for baby calendar. This is the verse for today, Sept. 29th: You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:15-16 NLT The fall weather, the colors of the leaves on the trees, the crying of my baby as he is trying to fall asleep right now (oops, maybe not that last one...), these pictures, and this verse are all reminding me today how Awesome our God truly is!

It's weird to think that I'm not going to start school today. Through the years, with being a student and teacher, I think this is my second only time that I haven't been there, bright and cheery, on the "first day" of school. The first time was a year break that I took after I graduated from college and spent the year working at the golf course, traveling, and subbing here and there. And now here I am. Instead of going to bed with butterflies in my stomach as I anxiously anticipate the starting of the new year, I fell asleep reading a 34 cent American Girl book I bought at the thrift store the other day ('Kirsten's Surprise' for those of you who are wondering,..). Instead of waking up early, grabbing my class list and last minute made name tags for my students, and running out the door with my bag lunch; I woke up, had coffee with my man, and crawled around on the floor with my little man, met my mom at the church I grew up in and helped her with ...