Moving On Up

... to the bike trails!!!  It was such a beautiful day!

We finished up our "work" this morning in time to do something else & since we've been working hard at biking but are now tired of our parking lot, I thought it would be fun to find a bike trail.  We first stopped off at this playground, also at the park we were trying out.

 Then we hit the trails.  I wasn't totally sure what it would be like, but it was PERFECT!!

We will definitely be going back!!  Its fun to think about entering this new season of being able to really ride bikes!!

By the time my kids learn to ride bikes, 

I'll be able to share all the pros and cons of a balance bike vs traditional bike.  ;)

 We looped around the biggest lake and stopped off at this pier. 

I couldn't stop emailing pics to Mike b/c it was just all so beautiful. 

I tried to get them to do a jumping pic but only Lily would participate.  :(

 Back to the trails... 

I enjoyed it as much as they did!

Then we stopped in at the nature center. :) 

I'd bought pretzels, raisins, and Capri Sun waters the day before (that were still in the van) so we were able to have a make-shift lunch that carried us over into the afternoon.  

It was good for our souls to be in the glory of a sunny fall day :)

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Scuppernong*

The kids had the best time saying that word 

and making up as many silly variations as they could think of!

Lily spent the weekend with Maw and Paw at the farm house.

Yesterday we drove down to pick her up and stopped first for a visit with Grace :)

It was a pretty fall day for a drive and fun to see lots of people we love.

Now onto pics of the search for a Scuppernong... 

Everyone sing with me now... Beyonce's Halo

I can feel your halo halo halo

I can see your halo halo halo

I can feel your halo halo halo

I can see your halo halo halo

Sweet Lil Girl

*pics courtesy of Mike's phone :)

Apple Pickin'

At just the right time, the Andrews invited us to take a trip with them to pick apples.

They were taking a homeschooling field trip to Carter Mountain so we got to join in :)

We are hoping we can join them for more weekday field trips this year :)

Pickin' is all done.  We are heading back down.

But not before we get pics :)  Aren't they a cute family of 3 boys?!?!

Joy gets to share my girl and I get to share her 3rd child... works out well :)  

Thank you, Lord, for friends that are like family :)

Lots O Kids Pics

Lily, Peter, Isaac, Luke & Micah

Then lots of running and playing

Sweet Micah

the L kids... Luke chasing Lily

Having fun!

Luke likes to tackle Peter & I think Peter likes it just as much!

Dog Pile!

side note- I have to brag on my brother a little.  

He lives in CO and got this ELK this week!!

Go Will!!!

More Bike Races

We brought Mike along to ride bikes on Sunday.

 Daddy joined in on the races.

Go!  Uh Oh, Daddy is trailing behind ;)

 Not too fast for a picture of some pretty :)

 I soaked in some of those late afternoon rays before they elude me all winter... 

Can't remember if I've already documented this but a few bike trips ago Lily came up with "Kid Races"... they just run up and down this hill.  I LOVE it.  Call it something else other than running so it sounds more appealing.  :)

God, help me!

Peter's sleep has always been hard on all of us.  He is our early riser (in the 5 o clock hour).  NO ONE else in our house is a morning person, at all.  We've tried everything we can think of.  Nothing works.  Last week we were having friends over so we skipped naps.  (Be assured, we've tried this before.)  The next morning, he slept til 6:30.  Then got in bed with us (noisy breathing and all) and stayed til 7am.  So we decided.  We'd try to give up naps.  (Peter NEEDS his naps.  But the rest of the house also wants to sleep to a reasonable hour!  Generally, I know a lot of kids have given up theirs by now and I count myself blessed that he hasn't.)  So we've been going at it for 5 days.  Then, we napped yesterday.  Everyone was at their whits end and exhausted.  Last night, it was wake up off and on from 3:40 on.  I ended up sleeping with him til 5:45am, when he was raring to go!  (I do NOT care for this... I need my time next to my husband to rejuvenate )  So today (day 7), with the addition of a field trip, and no naps, I am not a happy camper.  I feel like this is going to kill me.  I feel like we are back in the throws of a newborn for the first time with feelings of "what on earth am I going to do with this child?!"  I have no idea where this will land.  But its making me more Cr@Zy than normal in the meantime.  I can't handle the lack of break (yes, we've done short times in rooms).  God, help us all.  We are desperate and crazy... And we like our sleep!!!  And this mom likes nap time!!!

Oct Weekend Phone Pics

according to Mike's phone :)
Picture Day for Soccer

Mike took the kids to one of the Home Depot Build Workshops... thank you, babe!

I love Lily's expression in this one.... she is so animated in learning, discovering, getting to do new things.  I love it.

getting a pin on her apron

I think it was also a fall festival b/c there was a firetruck too.

of course, love this one... look at those smiles!

 and love this one... they are a sweet little pair.

We went to visit Mike's grandparents/ Goo's parents/ or Big Peter and Great Grandma :)

(wish these were better quality)

 They are so kind and we are so thankful for them.

 a blast from the past for them... Peter's favorite nursery "toy"... a firetruck that's in the room I was in this week for duty.  They are clearly a little bigger now.  ;)

Happy Monday!!