This Is Just To Say... We're Plum Tickled & Plum Grateful!

Three HUGE boxes of plums!!  What a blessing!  My sweet friend let us come pick from her tree.  The kids were in heaven playing in their fun yard and picking... and EATING lots of plums.

Check out their view!  Is it any wonder we love the beautiful Palouse?!

 

 

Their favorite part was shaking the tree over the tarp so the ripe plums would drop.  They were very good at it, and I was thinking, I should have brought a hard-hat. :)

Finally- a place to dig.
Stick+Dirt=Happy Little Boy! (Who needs a belt... or some new pants. :)
 

They shared some apples too.  We juiced them and it was divine! 

 

 

 

Can you tell I worked hard?  I have proof!

While I was picking, I kept hearing "Kill the Chickens Farwell" (a song by my brothers band about William Carlos William's Poem.)  It made me smile. :)

This Is Just to Say

I have eaten 
the plums 
that were in 
the icebox 

and which 
you were probably 
saving 
for breakfast 

Forgive me 
they were delicious 
so sweet 
and so cold  

And they really were delicious... so sweet and so cold!  I've made three plum pies, two batches of jam, and we froze the rest for smoothies.  I served them up with dinner that night, and before I knew it, Seth had 9 seeds sitting next to his plate... and counting.  He's a big fan.

 

How does that saying go?  "One bad apple spoils the barrel?"  Hmmmm...

What a blessing to have sweet friends and neighbors and fresh fruit.  YUM!

"...But Most of All, We Love the Fall" Photo Shoot

Oh- I love autumn time!  The leaves and trees were so beautiful last week, that I had to take the kids out to the park for a little Fall Photo Shoot.  It was also inspired by Brigham's cute puffy vest-- I just thought it was so cute!  But as you can see, he isn't as fond of it as I am. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brigham has a built in dog radar-- he sees one and he is off... even if it is CLEAR across the park.  He found a new best friend that day (and DID NOT want to be parted).
An abrupt end to the photo shoot. :)
 

Then on our way home, we had to run to the grocery for something, and ended up finding another "pumpkin perfect" back-drop.  I know people thought I was a little crazy, but it was worth the funny looks. :)  Too good to miss.  We couldn't resisted picking out a couple pumpkins for the front door, too.
 

 

 

 

Happy Autumn Time!!!

What a Doll...

So, as if Autumn didn't have enough "Birthday" with her party the night before, I walked out to empty the trash the next morning to find these dolls on the doorstep (from a sweet neighbor girl).  Autumn was thrilled, but it about gave me a heart-attack. :)  I thought it was just in movies, people dropping babies off on the doorstep.  Apparently not.

We got to listen to conference (always a treat!) and have a pizza party that night.

I found a pair of tap shoes at goodwill, and knew I had hit a home ran.  She just can't understand why I won't let her wear them to church.  It made us late.  Apparently she had big plans. :)

Classic of these two...

Check out that filthy face!  Who is his mother? :)

 

 

I had a cute teenage girl tend the boys the other day, and this is what Doug came back to.  I thought it was hilarious.  :)
 

I was walking down the hall and I just had to run and get the camera... I know it's kind of scandalous, but why did this picture just tickle me pink.
"Hmmmm... what to wear?" with their cute little bottoms. :)
 

These two have become such good buddies.  They love to play together... and make REALLY BIG MESSES together. :) Double Trouble!
 

Autumn's Pumpkin Party...

THIS...

...IS MY PARTY GIRL.  

This morning she asked me if it was her birthday again.  

I said, "Oh honey, not for another year.  Wouldn't you love it if it was every day?"  

And she responded, "Oh please... CAN WE?!"

This whole experience reminded me a lot of Ramona Quimby's "Party" except of course I wasn't totally surprised.  I WAS planning on it, but we had a big croud.  For a week straight, it was ALL she could think about.  She told anyone and EVERYONE about it and to come.  And I've always had a guilt problem with exclusion, so the doors were open to several unnamed children. :)  I had the whole neighborhood "helping" me set up, and I finally shooed them out the door, so I could ACTUALLY get ready. :)  Despite the chaos, and invited "acquaintances," we had a blast!!!  I love a good party theme... goes a long way!  The costumes were so fun!

 

We made "mummies." (Hot dogs wrapped in dough with ketchup eyes.  They did the work... am I smart or what?)
 

 

 The pumpkin cupcakes... that I forgot to pass out amid the chaos.  I might just do that again next birthday.  More for me. :)

 

Making "Monster Mouths." (Apple slices, spread peanut butter on two slices and put mini marshmallows between for teeth.  They were cute- I didn't get a good picture though.)

How's this "bloody spider bath" for festive? :)  I think this was their favorite.

   

 

  

 

Games:

Floating Spirits (keeping the balloons afloat without touching the ground. I find that this is always a good icebreaker.)

Ghost in the Grave Yard (Their definite favorite- someone just hit in the backroom while we counted to 12 o'clock, called "Ghost in the grave-yard, if you're there, make a noise." Listened, went to find, and all ran screaming away from the ghost, who tags the next person.  They could have played that all night and miracle of miracles, no one was injured. :)

Spider Walk: We caught bugs on the web for points.

Pin the Spider on the Web.

And Dead Man Dead Man- classic. :)

  

 

I think this spooky princess had a good time! :)