Playing in the Leaves...

I have to ask you to forgive my gloomy tone in this post...It comes after a week with H1N1 in our house and feeling like I already have a month of winter under my belt...all in October...it is going to be a loooonnng winter!!

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We have had a really short fall this year. Of course, that follows the shortest summer that I can ever remember! No, the months have not gotten shorter in SD, but the amount of nice, warm, sunny weather has! Summer did not start until the end of June this year and our winter started the end of the first week in October!

I have never been ultra fond of weather in the Midwest, but this year by far, has to have the fewest number of days above 70 degrees. We have been stuck in cold (30-40 degrees), rainy and cloudy weather since the beginning of October. Yes, not to be all doom and gloom, we did have about 3 days mixed in there around 60 degrees, but that is about it. Caleb even had his field trip to the pumpkin patch cancelled...twice! So, when we had a sunny and warm (55 degree) day on Monday, Josh and I had to get out and take a long walk to pick Caleb up from school. We arrived early so that Josh could play on the playground equipment with the other 3 year olds of mother's who had the same idea as me. LETS GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! :) Our main topic of discussion was the terrible weather and our strategy for making it through the long winter with H1N1 spreading like wildfire.
When we got home, I raked some leaves in a pile and the boys played and ate their snack in the leaves. They loved it and so did I! It is amazing what a few hours outdoors in the sun can do to the spirit!

Last Soccer Game!

Caleb had his final soccer game this Saturday. He had a fun season and scored 3 goals (all in one game)! He says that he likes baseball better than soccer but we figure as long as he wants to play soccer and has fun we will keep with it!

Enjoying some popcorn during his time to be out in the rotation! It was a cool day as you can tell...gloves and sweats.

Hugs from big brother Caleb!

And, hugs from Daddy!

All the kids get a medal at the final game and an armload of snacks! Caleb was kind and shared some with Josh!

Apple Sauce...

Josh and Grandma Miller picked apples at the farm and Jon brought home a big bag for us to enjoy! I have never made applesauce and thought this was a good time to try!

Caleb made applesauce at school in a crock pot and he said it was really yummy. I searched the Internet and found a recipe. So, while Caleb was at school, Josh and I made applesauce. Josh loves apples and ate quite a few during the process...I had to tell him to stop eating all my peeled apples!
We took 10 apples, 1/2 c brown sugar and some cinnamon and 8 hours later we had applesauce!
So easy!

I chose to cook it on low for 8 hours so that I could enjoy the lovely smell longer!

Caleb got home and tried some and loved it...Josh did not. I guess we will stick to fresh apples for him! He did like it stirred in with his oatmeal though!

I hope to get more apples from Grandma Miller and I will try my hand at apple butter...maybe Josh will like that better!

Bear Hug

Josh went to the farm this last week with Jon to work and spent a few days in heaven (I mean the farm)! He found Gpa Miller's beloved 4-wheeler and had to give it a hug after being away for a few months. Time and distance does make the heart grow fonder...right!?

A few of his fun events...watching Nathan play football, watching Katrina play volleyball, riding in the tractor with Gpa Miller, picking apples and playing with Gma, riding 4-wheeler with Dad/Gpa and riding in the tractor while Dad did some field work. All in all, a huge success for Josh! The farm is just a taste of heaven on earth for him!

Thank you to Gma & Gpa Miller for watching him for a few days...he did NOT want to come home on Thursday and Jon told me that he didn't think that he missed me at all!

I never thought the day would come that Josh would go anywhere without me...so I'll take the good with the bad...I guess?! Gulp...he is growing up way too fast!