Apple picking

With the gorgeous fall weather this past weekend, we went on (what is becoming) our yearly pilgrimage to Eckerts in search of apples and a glance at some pumpkins.
To beat the crowds, we hit it up just as it was opening....Grandma and Grandpa came along to join in the fun as well.  Reese was game for just about everything the farm had to offer....Ryan was a bit more reserved this year.
She had this look on her face the whole 'plane' ride...
Plane rides weren't enough, she then coerced dad into riding the swings with her. And those things were fast....I was getting sick just watching them. And my photography skills aren't that advanced so this is the best shot I got.
A ride fit for our pace....
I call this one 'bored teenager and gracious grandfather'
I call this one 'little bit o'crazy'
Reese got dad out on the trampoline...
I love how she's clutching on for dear life...
Then it was time for apple picking...
Our trip came at the perfect time as last week at Ryan's school was all about apples...so she was armed with the knowledge that red and green delicious were her favorites and lo and behold, that is what they had available for picking.
No matter how heavy her bag got, or how many of us offered to carry it for her, Reese's auto-answer was 'no thank you, I can do it myself'
She was constantly checking her count...
The reds were pretty darn picked over, but Ryan was on a mission, so off we went to find some...
And with a little lift, she got a few...
My favorite part is the pumpkins shooting out of a cannon show - those puppies go far....far I tell you.
The only downfall of this place......porta potties.  Ugh.  My girls and I are too spoiled and snobby, we do not like 'em.  But thanks to the littlest Stiffler, I had no choice this year but to face my fear.   So....potty shot and bump shot all in one.   Classy, per the usual around here.
Just as the place was filling up, we had two hours under our belts (and one funnel cake) and were ready to take off....one last daddy/daughter picture attempt. Ryan's faces are basically a glimpse into life ten years from now. We have to take a picture? So lame.
I hope nobody from school sees me...
Fine. Let's do this and be done. My friends are texting, we need to roll.
Thanks grandma and grandpa for joining in the fun! We'll do it again next year.

Someone loves the camera....

Prior to our little extravaganza, Ryan helped me move the hay and pumpkins to the backyard and then oh so modestly suggested I run inside to get the camera and "take my picture mom".  This is for you Ryan.
Her sister, however, was a little less into modeling. But with some crazy hair like that, I'd be anti-camera as well.

Halloween Extravaganza!

And when you say 'extravaganza' you must do so with the exaggerated flair Phoebe from Friends would have done so.

We started our early Halloween celebration this past weekend by throwing a little party Saturday morning in lieu of the usual 'bagel day' coffee outing.  Special guest appearance by this guy:
Christopher.....5 months old and sweeter than candy corn.
I did all finger foods to keep clean-up easy: donuts, pumpkin bread, mini-quiches, blueberry muffins, clementines, 'mummy wraps' (turkey dogs wrapped in bread sticks), coffee, apple cider (hot and cold) and orange juice. Oh and of course, Bloody Mary's. How could I forget the alcohol? We were gifted some delicious cupcakes and insanely addictive gooey butter cake to add to the mix.
The mini-quiches earned rave reviews and were devoured with requests for the recipe...here it is and I added about 7 crumbled up pieces of cooked bacon to the mix.
Costumes were encouraged but not required. And no Grant, my sister and I both wearing black and white was not an excuse to call us 'cows'.
Pumpkin carving.....and/or drawing with a black sharpie ensued.
Loves
Mild biting was practiced (and oddly enough, not by my children)
Some serious conversation was a happenin' ---- complete with stuffed monkey
The newly re-engineered ghost** was relocated to the backyard for the festivities
**apparently mother nature thought my use of duct tape was utterly absurd and she laughed in my face...so back to the drawing board we went and actually followed the tutorial this time, nails, glue, and hand sewing of the eyes and nose. Mother nature = 1. Mom = 0. For now anyway.
Moving on....
This picture makes me smile and my ovaries scream.
And winner of the 'sharpie pumpkin drawing' competition:
Attempted family pic, 'attempt' being the operative word
Random party shots
The weather was fantastic, the food was yummy, the alcohol was flowing......a winning combination for any extravaganza in my book!