Apple Hill

Even though we’ve only lived up here for seven years, I can hardly remember a fall that we didn’t go to Apple Hill. Daddy & I used to go up all the time, to pick up fresh fruit & go wine tasting. Then…kids came along! Now we make sure to make up there at least once a year, every fall (along with every other Sacramentan!).

This year, Mama & I took all three kids…an adventure in itself! We started off at Abel’s, for lunch & a bit of fun in the pumpkin patch. We then tried to go out to High Hill Ranch, near our old stomping ground at Madrona Vineyards. But the parking was CRAZY and I knew it wasn’t going to be worth the walk. So we went back to our favorite stop, Boa Vista Orchards. We enjoyed apple dumplings ala mode, and lots of apple samples! Olivia discovered the yummy “pink” Galas (a surefire hit!). Both kids had fun running around in the pumpkin patch on the side of the road too. Abbie wasn’t too thrilled with my attempts to get her out of the stroller or sling & onto the ground for some photo ops, but you only have a first pumpkin patch trip once, right?
All in all, we had a fabulous time, and I know we’ll be back again next year

Play (02.07.08)

Barely a day could go by that I wouldn’t find you two out in the gutter, playing in the run-off. Probably not the cleanest water! But between that muck, the broken twigs from our maple tree, and the rocks in Daddy’s parking spot, you were as happy as could be. It was as perfect an afternoon as two toddlers could ask for.

Bishop's

(First of all, thank you Kristen for the "inspiration" for this layout. I'm shameless, I fully copied. But I am giving her credit.)

It just doesn’t feel like fall if we don’t make it out to bishop’s. I love their pumpkin muffins, train ride, petting zoo, cider press (and cider! Yum!), and beauty for fall pictures. This year we went with our playgroup in early October and again two weeks later with Brandon’s preschool class. We had fun experiencing some new things this time, like the hayride out to the pumpkin patch where we got to pick some pumpkins, the corn slide, and the pig races. So much fun!

A few days late...

February

Olivia's 10th month, completed now almost two years later :)

Inseparable

You're only 14 months apart & have shared a room for as long as you can remember. In our old house, it was because of space; in our "big boy house" it's because you wanted to.

You share a bed when you can & play together all day...which is great for me! Recently, you found a Pottery Barn Kids catalog & discovered a bunk bed. Brandon said I should get it for you so he could sleep on the top & Olivia could sleep on the bottom "because she's still little." When I asked about her sharing a room with Abbie, the reply was, "But then I'll be by myself" (with near tears in your eyes).

Then the other night Mama cautioned Olivia against putting marbles in her mouth because she might die. To which Brandon replied, then I'll have to put them in my mouth & choke so I can die too because I'll miss you (okay, please, neither of you die!).

Don't worry. I won't separate you.