Apples, Pumpkins and Kids OH MY!

Crisp autumn days are here at last!  A respite from the heat of summer.  Chilly fall nights are so great, when curled up with a book and cup of apple cider!!  Fall has always been my very favorite time of year.  Especially here in UT where the four seasons are so evident.  The mountains are a glorious riot of color.  It almost looks like they are on fire!  Brilliant Reds, vivid oranges and yellow so bright it almost hurts.  Fall is also a time of reflection for me.  The beauty of watching nature get ready for it's long winter's nap, makes me, melancholoy.  I get homesick for the south and my family there.  Soon the trees will be bare and snow will blanket the ground.  And in my mind I see green, green trees lining skinny little winding roads through the hills.  Dirt that is so red, you can never get it out of the knees of your jeans.  And lakes and rivers that actually look like lakes and rivers.  Not ponds and streams.  That is home in my head.  People talk slower and open doors for you.  They actually drive the speed limit too.  It is a place of laid back, rest your cares and let's talk over a big cold glass of tea kind of place.  There are times I really miss it.  Yet, in my heart I know that Utah is home.  With skies so blue it doesn't seem real.  Mountains so majestic it makes your heart ache.  And sunsets so beautiful...it makes you cry.  Just to be a part of this beautiful world... 

Yes, in my heart, I am home.  Crisp apples in hand, watching the sun sink into the mountains...and one by one little pinpoints of light brighten the darkness.  The milky way curving it's way across the night sky. There is a chill in the air that soon will be downright cold.  Snuggled with my kiddos under a blanket in our jammies reading, laughing and just hanging out together.  Life is so good.  So, good.  At home.  It is said that home is where the heart is.  This place stole into my heart and became home to me.

I know! I know...

It has been far too long.  I know!  It is busy here!! Come over and see.  Really!

We celebrated Sam's birthday.  Yes.  Yes, we did.  It was awesome.  With cake, a helmet and everything.  Helmet you ask?  Yup.  We got him a ski helmet for his adventures in the snow.  It is for jumping off cliffs and stuff.  On skis.  Yes, he is crazy.  

In other news... the transmission fell out of our truck.  So guess what is strung across the garage.  That is right.  Transmission stuff.  Sam is trying to rebuild it himself.  He can do it.  I am not worried!  It is so great that he has the skill, knowledge and ability to do these things!  I love that man!

Also, we took family pictures this past week.  It is unreal how much the kids have grown this past year.  Crazy.  Hopefully I can get them posted for you to enjoy as well!

Fall is totally here.  Cool nights.  Warm, Sunny days.  Ah.  My favorite time of year.  Makes me want to bake.  Pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, apple cider.  Mmmmmm, delicious!!!  We have already made some caramel to dip the fresh apples in.  We picked peaches Sunday and I hope to make a pie today!  Fall harvest, pretty much rocks.  =)