Fall Tradition!

We've been going to Northwoods Orchard for years.  I looked back for some memories from our past visits to reminisce.  

Memories from our family blog: 2011   2012   2013   2014

2017:

2018: Nora's kindergarten class trip, which I chaperoned

2019: 

2020

We had another great visit this weekend.  I'm grateful we were able to be outside and still enjoy the orchard experience in the midst of the pandemic.  Jace loved exploring the pumpkins, even trying to rearrange them into a line (a common practice for him with any toys).  He also really enjoyed picking the eating apples!  He is a fruit monster!

I always find it funny when Jace tries on a mask.

He doesn't keep it on, but he likes to act like us.

I especially love when I catch a genuine smile from our oldest 😍

Checking out the animals and pumpkins

The roosters regularly crowed for Jace's enjoyment

Turkey time

This is Jace's "cheese" face when asked for a picture

Exploring the orchard and corn maze

Jace has never been a fan of shoulder rides

My guys 💗

We decided on a girls' pic too

Thankful for the jogging stroller that handled the rough terrain.

Nora wore down after lots of walking in the maze.

Nora was tense because there were bees on the flowers

Picking apples

Assessing the height of the perfect apple...

Leaping/climbing to get said apple...

Getting help from Nora 😆

SO happy to have his own apple!

The apple on the left was eaten down to the remaining apple on the left in the car.

Yes, he consumed stem, core, and seeds.

A favorite parting shot of our favorite local orchard

Monday Musings

Now that we have a two year old, I probably won't post monthly updates.  So, I'm going to try weekly family updates instead.  I did this when Nora and Luke were younger before Jace joined the family.  It's fun to reminisce on the week and capture more every day memories.

The first week of school went well for the kids...and parents 😊  The kids did well with new routines, earlier bed and wake times, etc and us parents managed to remember all of the carpool times getting them to and from school!  We are extra thankful for wonderful neighbors with whom we can share driving responsibilities.

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Driving Eli and Luke to their first day at school on Tuesday

The new school year schedule also allowed for my first Tuesday off work with just Jace and I.  We visited Papa and Gma and made a trip to the park.  Tt was nice to share some one-on one-time with little man.  

Breakfast with Daddy before work

Coloring while I cooked

This is his newest "cheese" face

Not sure you can read his shirt, but it says "See you later, Excavator"

A gift from Papa and Gma Picker for our truck-loving boy!

Jace was VERY intent on lining up all the trucks he could find at the park

I wore him out

We also had the added fun of preparing for a garage sale during the first week back to school.  We had originally planned to hold a garage sale in May during Stewartville's city-wide sale, but that was cancelled due to COVID-19.  There is a smaller city-wide sale every September, which did not get cancelled, so we ramped up! My sister and her kids were over several times to help set up, my dad hauled stuff and tables for us, and my cousin Steph made a couple trips to set up too. The actual sale was Friday and Saturday and we got to share the day with Steph, her little guy, Otto, and my aunt Ruth.  It was very nice spending a couple days together and we had a successful sale with great weather!  Special thanks to Papa and Gma Picker who had Jace for the day Friday and to Brent for being parent-on-duty during the busyness of the sale.  We ended the sale weekend having Piper and Parker sleepover Saturday night.  Needless to say, we were all sleeping early after a full week! 

Nora and Otto

Luke, Otto, and Steph

Otto, Brent, Luke

My sister is the queen of baby snuggling 💓

Garage sale team!

Dinner with cousins

Playing with Piper

Reading with Bridgy

Last week also brought news that I will be working from home permanently.  I've had many people ask me how I feel about the change.  I'm glad to have an answer so I can buy an actual desk (I've been working on a card table for six months) and I'm glad to work at home 😊  I never would have requested working from home prior to the pandemic, but it's been working out really well!

Jace had a fun milestone this weekend: his first haircut!  My friend, Cindy, cuts hair in her home and she did a fabulous job with Jace!  She knows kids and she knows cuts and Jace handled it all VERY well.  I truly thought it might be a wrestling match, but he sat still and let her work!  

Before pic...it was getting long on top for sure!

Floating head 😆

Sitting like a big boy for Cindy!

After haircut treat

Whew! I'm looking forward to a little quieter week coming up 😉