Fall is Here!!

The weather's cooler, the leaves are all turning and, except for the bright festive pumpkins inhabiting it, our family garden is pretty much empty. I think it's safe to say that fall has officially arrived to the Inland Northwest.

Nothing quite like having leaves decorate the yard and woods...

And let's not forget the other ''decorations'' inhabiting the woods these days-boys, guns and dogs. ;)

Hope you're all having a wonderful fall season as well!! It goes by so quickly-so enjoy every minute of it!!

Apple Picking

Hot Air Balloon Rally

We wake up. The sun is shining cold and clear outside.

The pilot's gloved hand pulls the valve and fire awakens the bright colors to life.

We jump out of bed and race to get our jeans and boots on.

It happens every year. And yet somehow those balloons coming up on the horizon, in the early September morning, remain just as wondrous today as they were seven years ago the first time we saw them.

Some Highlights From The Trip

The ''Welcoming Committee'' for Jordan Hay Farm...

My aunt's creative touch to the new barn.

Always lots of kitties!!

My Grandma (also known to all the grandkids as ''Nana'' or ''Oma'')- So glad to see her again!!

Couldn't help but notice during the conversation how similar both my mother and grandmother's hands looked.

Road Trip!

Pictures from the trip down to Prosser, Wa

Poor mom...she's spent too much time with us student drivers...she was kind of freaking out when I took this since Dad was getting a bit close to the alleged truck. Still a good photo-op though!

A Tribute To One Of God's Best Creations: Coffee

Coffee reminds me of some of the nearest and dearest things in my life: morning chats with my mom, deep conversations with life-long friends and afternoons spent at my great-grandparents house. (They are now in their 80's but, being Dutch, their house continues to always smells of strong coffee and they almost always have a pot of it brewing and ready for anyone who is ready to sit down and visit).

Jenna's Senior Pictures

Just a fun practice run with Jenna's senior pictures. Lots of fun!!

Of course it wouldn't be complete without a sister!!