camping

In 9.5 years, Andy and I have both claimed to LOVE camping, but had never actually camped together until this weekend. It was so much fun. So, so much fun. Andy did most of the cooking, which is the way he likes it (and I don't mind, either!) and I played with the girls. There were worms and acorns to be found, you know, and bathrooms to be investigated. But most importantly, there was a playground. A playground with a merry-go-round!!! The playground was maybe a 1/4 mile from our campsite, and Andy could hear our screams from that far away. And, just so you know, when I say "our screams," I mean mostly Lauren's screams, with a few of Aubrey's thrown in for good measure, and exactly none from me. I'm not a screamer. It was overcast, and was supposed to rain, but didn't. And the night was so much warmer then we anticipated, we had the tent partially open most of the night because we were too hot.

We got back from camping with enough time for me to shower and get ready for church, and then Aubrey and I went to church and a baby shower for a 6 week old baby recently adopted into a family of 7 - now 8. The family consists of dad, mom, 4 biological children and 2 adopted. They are so amazing. And inspiring. And I forget how small newborns come. Funny, but I didn't get baby fever holding Isaiah, but I got nursing fever. Even though Lauren still nurses at night, nursing a newborn is so much different, and I could almost feel the milk swirling around in my breasts, just holding that sleeping newborn.

I think fall is my favorite season. The smells, the crisp air, the turning leaves and the apples. Oh, the apples. I eat more apples in fall then I do all the rest of the year combined. Honey Crisp, Empire, Cortland, Ida Red, McIntosh. I become quite the apple snob this time of year, refusing to buy apples at the grocery store. Only an orchard or farmer's market will do. If there's an apple orchard anywhere near you, or a farmer's market, I urge you to buy some apples there. Yummy!