What a Beautiful Day!!!

Today was such a pretty day, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get some fall pictures of the kids. They cooperated very well, for the most part. Of course, we got off to a little bit of a rocky start - you know, the "squinty-eye smiles", to which I replied (frustrated), "What are you doing?? Nobody smiles like that! Don't scrunch your nose so much!" - you know, all those things that I can say that will keep me from winning "Mother of the Year"? (Don't act like you've never said them yourself!!!):)
Anyway, after a few of those, we ended up with some great shots!!! Here are some of my favs. of the kids by themselves:
Here are some of my favs. of them together (notice the comic relief in some - my attempt at an apology for the aforementioned statements):

I will admit that I am NOT sad that "planned photo shoots" only happen once a year. Maybe I'll even get Mark in on them next year - a WHOLE can of issues, in and of itself!!! Let's just put it this way - "squinty-eye smiles" would be the LEAST of my worries....;)

Leaves, leaves, and MORE leaves!!!

Okay - I know how we have all been posting about how beautiful all the fall leaves are, and they ARE, but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! We have so many leaves, we could dress a forest full of unclothed trees and still have enough left over to cover our entire yard twice! I know that God did a wonderful thing in designing trees the way he did - how the leaves grow in the spring, are full and green in the summer, turn beautiful colors of red, yellow, & orange in the fall, and then cover our yards and turn brown and go nowhere alone (I have to believe he's laughing at that last part!). Mark worked all day long on Saturday (Parker and I even helped some - Kinlee was at a friend's house - lucky duck!) and we STILL have some. I don't know if they'll ever all go away, but maybe we'll leave some behind to remind us of God's creation. Maybe we'll just leave some of them there to humble us and remind us that He (and His leaves) are greater than any of us!!!

The Smells of Fall.....YUM!

I don't know about you, but I absolutely LOVE the smells of fall! You know what I'm talkin' about - apple, cinnamon, spices..... So, the other day, I mixed up some "yummy-smelling" brew, and I thought I'd share for those of you who love it as much as I do. Here's what you need:

apple slices, orange (or lemon) slices, spices (I used cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and a bay leaf), and water. Put it all in a small saucepan, mix it together, put it on a low setting on your stove, let it simmer, and smell away! It is wonderful. Enjoy!!