Dinosaur eggs

Norah has been taking a class each week at the botanical gardens.  She loves it and I think the teacher is amazing.  Each week they bring their bags full of things they found in nature and they get to get up and share with the class what they brought. 

Norah was so excited for this past week to bring her dinosaur eggs.  A few weeks ago we were at fun forest with Elsie. Another girl had one of these seed/nut things and convinced Norah it was a dinosaur egg and any minute a dinosaur would hatch.  Elsie didn't believe them at all but each time we go Norah collects them and tries to watch one hatch.

Norah got up in class, pulled out her dinosaur eggs and proudly told the teacher they were indeed dinosaur eggs.  All the kids were amazed and Norah just beamed.  The teacher was amazing and made sure that each kid got to touch a dinosaur egg and then just commented that they look just like
a seed off a tree but couldn't remember and praised Norah for her dinosaur eggs.

Well young college girl who worked at the gardens happened to be observing the class that day.  She said she knew exactly what those were and walked over and picked a seed off this evergreen type tree.  She then walked over to Norah and made sure Norah knew it was the EXACT same thing as her dinosaur egg. Thankfully Norah didn't say a word. But if looks could kill that poor girl would be gone! 

Pumpkins

Apple picking

This weekend we drove to Carters Mountain to go apple picking. The kids have been asking for weeks when we were going to go. They love it. It always takes forever to get up the mountain but once we do it's worth the wait.

The rule was you had to be able to carry your bag of apples. Except for Norah - she would've brusied all her apples very quick. We picked close to 70 lbs all together. Yesterday I made 6 batches of applesauce and we made a gluten free apple pie that was really good. We've also had apple waffles for breakfast. And Brent has requeted a non-gluten free apple pie

 

Joel carried Norah around for a little while leading her to branches so her highness could reach and pick them.  He can be so sweet sometimes.

Then we went to the farm to spend the night.  When we were planning this weekend we had always planned on stopping by the farm. We didn't realize that on  Friday papers would be signed selling the last of the farm.  It was a nice stop to begin to say goodbye to the farm. 

We have one month before the closing date and plan to get back to the farm for one more weekend.

Its going to be hard to say goodbye to this place.

Funeral

 We made it out of our neighborhood in time for the funeral. 

 I took tons of pictures because we aren't always together. And when your family from Japan is here its extra special.  Angela was taking a ton of pictures so James could be apart of it

 This was so cute.  Isaiah wanted to sit next to Colin and Norah and during the whole service he was whispering to Norah asking questions.  They were so cute.  This moment Isaiah asked "whose that" and Norah said "that's uncle david"

 Sam was a huge hit and favorite with the kids.  I told him he needs to move in with me and watch the kids for me.  He took them all outside and they played and ran around.

 All the cake you can eat, time with my cousins, running around for hours outside on the playground.  Norah thinks funerals are awesome.

 The church had a lot of great food after the funeral.  The kids were running around and I have no idea what or when they ate.   One of the church ladies came up to my mom and said she just had to take a picture of Joel enjoying his food.  He had every cake and bread and cupcake on his plate - but he did get a piece of chicken. He was just enjoying his food so much and she loved seeing that.  Hahaha my mom didn't tell her that Joel is on a gluten free diet so when his mom wasn't watching he was going to make the most of this funeral.  I don't blame him - a homemade piece of cake that is not gluten free is really really good.

Angela is amazing. She is such a good mother and her boys are adorable.  I am constantly in awe of her and how she handles all the crazy things life throws at them.

 We walked down to the beach after the funeral.  It was fun to watch the kids laugh and their joy at being allowed in the water. A great release after a sad afternoon.

 Except for Norah.  She didn't want to get wet. 

 The boys had no problem getting in.  Joel was the first one and Isaiah followed his cousin. Colin was tall enough that he just rolled up his pants and didn't get too wet.

 Isaiah really wanted to climb up on the sticks

 Cousins

 Sisters

 We were married in this church 13 years ago. Its always been one of my favorite places. We spent a lot of time with my grandparents here growing up.