Apple Picking

Last week we ventured up north to go apple picking, hang out with the Price family, and see Caleb's grandmother who unfortunately found herself in CICU for a couple of nights.  The weather was absolutely perfect!  It felt so much like fall and I loved it.

Emmy was so excited the who day and kept telling everyone she was going "apple pickin."  It was so cute.  We started off by eating dinner at Crissy's parents' house with her entire family!  It was jam packed and glorious.  I love a full house!  I think Emmy played herself into a delirium because she immediately fell asleep as we started driving to Hendersonville.  By the time we made it to Sky Top Orchard, Emmy was in a deep sleep and it took a bit to get her awake and excited again.

Once she figured out how to the apple picking was going to work she was running everywhere.  We had to keep her from picking up every apple off of the ground and either eating it or putting it in our basket.  Finally, Uncle Brandon came to the rescue since my back was hurting and Caleb was pulling the wagon, and showed her how to get the apples from the tops of the trees.

 

Then Brandon showed her that eating the apples was so much fun so that's pretty much all she did the rest of the time.

 

...and eat them

 

...and eat them.

 

...And eat some more!

 

In between picking, I admired the scenery and found a great place to snap a few photos.  So, as requested by Crissy's sister in law, I shot a vertical photo of Brandon, Crissy, and their baking bun.

 We got a family photo too...With Emmy eating an apple of course!

 

So this photo is a little out of focus, but I'm absolutely in love with it!

 

After picking some apples Emmy started to get cold and needed some snuggles from daddy.

 

Finally we found some more sun and Emmy was off picking more apples.  Caleb taught her which ones were best to pick because she started saying "nope, that's too little" when Crissy would point to some for her to pick.  

 

I'm so glad we went this year.  I'm so in love with the area and had so much fun with friends and my little girl (who grows up in many ways daily!)

The South Carolina State Fair

Every year I look forward to the fair.  It is kind of my own official sign that it is fall.  I remember getting out from school in middle school and piling in one of my friend's mom's cars and carpooling all the way to the fair for the rest of the afternoon.  I remember Caleb taking me when we were dating and him pressuring me into riding a particular ride that I DID NOT want to ride, eventually giving in, rushing to a near by trash can to throw up once it was over, and now all these years later still blaming Caleb for that embarrassing episode.  However, I still love going to the fair and this was the first year that Emmy could really enjoy it, plus, Caleb is home now and can experience all the fall activities with us this year.

We decided to start off with the animal exhibits.  Emmy loved the petting zoo.

 

Just like last year there was an elephant to ride.  Emmy and Caleb got to ride it together and Emmy still loves to talk about riding the elephant.

 

And she asked to ride a pony after the elephant.  Girl was all smiles!

 

After riding animals Emmy was ready for the flashy rides.  I will admit that I was a bit nervous letting her ride all on her own, but she did great and wanted to ride more!

 

We wanted to ride on the chair lift, but they wouldn't let all three of us on at one time so momma said NO WAY to that.  We rode the ferris wheel instead.

 

Afterwards, the smells of fatty fair food got to us so we stopped for some mushrooms and an elephant ear.

 

I'm so happy all three of us got to go together this year and make autumn memories as a family!

If You Really Knew Me...

My friend Ashley wrote a post on things you'd know if you really knew her, so I thought I'd link up!  So here goes...

If you really knew me...

You'd know I  had my appendix removed when I was 14.

You'd know I danced in a classical ballet company in high school.

I was on the yearbook staff in high school.

I was proposed to at an ice skating rink, by my high school sweetheart, whom I had been dating for 6 years.  Now happily married for 5 years.

 

I'm a cleaning fanatic.  I'm talking Monica Gellar clean freak!

You'd know I'm a complete klutz (just shows why the love of ballet never went anywhere)

You'd know I went through a period in high school when I was obsessed with Celine Dion

 

You'd know that I've moved 8 times in 6 years.  It goes without saying that I DO NOT like moving.

I got my first gray hair at 16.  Thank God my mother is a cosmetologist.

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I love getting to know Him more and understanding the person that I am supposed to be as His child.

The Gamecocks and best friends

Our family had a blast this weekend.  My best friend, Ashley, came to visit.  I actually went out with some girls from college on Friday night.  We caught up on what we've all been doing the past few years and reminisced about college and old funny stories.  It was good for me to get out and let loose for a couple of hours.

 

On Saturday we all ventured downtown to tailgate for the USC vs. GA game.  Emmy was so good the whole time and Caleb and I received lots of compliments about her.  As superficial as it may be, I enjoy having a cute, well-behaved baby girl.  Let's just hope she passes it on to any siblings that may come in the future (not an announcement fyi).

 

I love these two!

 

She's so cute!

 

After four hours of tailgating, we did our regular game day ritual by watching the game at the Skelly's place, where Emmy and Ashley bonded over some sugary treats!

 

Our night ended with a win from our alma mater and a very clear realization that we are getting old in our post-college days by our repeated yawns as we rode home after the game.

 

A Bittersweet Weekend

This weekend will be a bittersweet, busy one.

Today I'll be attending the funeral of a very sweet little girl named Braelyn.  Her parents are dear friends to Caleb and me and honestly attending the funeral is the least that we can during such a senseless time.  We have been praying so hard as a family for them, but also praising God knowing that little Braelyn is singing and dancing with Him. 

One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 
Luke 18: 15-17

 
Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.  Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 18: 2-4

After we celebrate the short, but touching life of sweet Braelyn, I'll be spending some girl time with one of my besties, Ashley.  I can hardly wait to see her and catch up.  Whenever we get together we do all the girly stuff that Caleb just rolls his eyes at.  We shop, watch chick flicks, read blogs, talk about our skin care and new found fashion obsessions.  I'm so blessed to have this wonderful woman in my life and can't wait to make more memories this weekend.

On Saturday, we will be cheering on our Gamecocks as they play against the Georgia Bulldogs.  I'm excited and a teensy bit nervous!

Then it is photo shoot central on Sunday.  My photo sessions always pick up in October and they have been going so well lately.  I just wonder when I'll have time to get my own family's photos done?!

So while I ponder over that one, check out Carrie's session on the photography blog!