the weekender

As is the tradition of all families in the fall, we went to the orchard this weekend to buy pumpkins to carve, eat kettle corn, and take home way more apple butter than we will probably ever eat.  Also, apple cider donuts, duh.  Read on for more photos of our weekend trip to Eckert's!  

I mean, that is pure happiness right there.  

This face just kills me.  

Isn't that row of trees picturesque?  I had plans to do family photos there for our potential Christmas cards, but sadly the apples that had fallen to the ground made the air reek of vinegar and Claire picked this moment to throw a tantrum AND the sun was in a really inconvenient spot so...another day?  

Playing in the stacks of pumpkins pretty much made her life though, I think.  

Then two of our dearest friends got married this weekend and threw a fantastic bash, as expected!  We had so much fun and are SO SO happy for you Jake & Cori!  

(Also, doesn't my mom look like a total babe??  Her dress was everything, and I wish you could see it better in this photo!)  

Ending on a rare photo of the two of us.  Autumn status report, ovvvvvver and out!  

the weekender/easter egg-citement at eckert's farms

As a parent, you get told a lot (especially when you have a baby) "enjoy these moments!  These days go by so fast!"  And sometimes, it's hard to take that advice to heart - like when you're grocery shopping and the cart is filled in the checkout line and suddenly you realize your baby's diaper has leaked in the carrier (yes, that happened to me last week) and really you have nothing else to do but let the checkout worker finish up and wait until you get out to the car to change the baby.  Bonus, you're covered in poo, the whole drive home.  

Moments like those I sometimes want to smack the well-meaning older ladies who say "enjoy this time!  Don't blink!"  

But then, THEN there are magical days like yesterday where I remember their advice and I truly get it.  Yesterday we woke up early to get dressed in some springy clothes, head out into the sunshine and drive to Eckert's Farm not far outside the city for Easter Egg-citement, and it was one of those days I know I'll be siphoning happiness from for a long time.  When Claire is 12 and sassing me I'll be thinking of yesterday, these memories, and how good that day was.  I must have taken 500 photos in an attempt to capture everything, every sweet smile, but I'll refrain (reluctantly) from posting ALL of them here.  These are a few of my favorites!  

 

 This is how excited Claire was when I told her we were going to Eckert's!  Actually, she just learned how to clap and so EVERYTHING gets a standing ovation from Claire!  She's our biggest (tiny) fan!