pumpkin carving

Here are our pumpkins this year. First Ryan's and then mine.
Lizzie asked specifically for a smiley face, and this is what Ryan carved for her.

In unrelated news, I have never seen such a large egg. I was wondering what the chickens were carrying on about on this day - now I know!!

Pumpkins

We have been fighting sickness here (ok, well I have been sick and so far Lizzie and Ryan are trying not to get my cold). In spite of that, we have been getting ready for Halloween. Ryan's Dad (Timber to Lizzie) has been staying with us while he works in our area and he was here to watch the pumpkin carving this year. I think he has his phone out in this picture so Lizzie can talk to Mimi while she is cleaning out a (ok my) pumpkin.

Earlier in the week, we went to the farm for the day and were able to help Ryan get one of his greenhouses moved. Lizzie was a big help (as you can tell).

We are looking forward to a nice weekend - I don't think Lizzie remembers much of Halloween last year, but she has been practicing her "trick or treat" all week!

Last CSA share

Happy Friday! Today represents Ryan's last CSA share of the season. It was a race to the finish and we are all exhausted and looking forward to more family time together as winter comes closer. Here are Ryan and Brittany cleaning today's harvest in the rain.
In anticipation of more family time, we spent all of Tuesday together. Here are a few pictures from our quick day trip.

Lizzie was in rare form on this day (which is why we only did a few of the things we hoped to do on this day). The below picture is a good example - this was in response to us saying "smile!" (we think Uncle Dan would especially appreciate this picture).

As many know, we have been working towards adoption #2. We had been matched for awhile now with a birthmom in another state. We got the news on Monday that she has decided to parent her baby. While disappointing news, we understand the enormity of the decision she had to make and are relieved that she made her decision before the baby was born. So, the door is open again and we are looking forward to whatever adoption situation presents itself next (kind of exciting to think about!). Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Common ground

Last weekend was the common ground fair. We had such a nice time! It was a mini heatwave here and we have since had a cool down (at least a 30 degree swing). That weekend may have been the last of the t-shirts for awhile. Here is Lizzie petting a calf (or about to) - they had all kinds of animals to look at and some to pet. She enjoyed the cows, rabbits, chickens, sheep, etc.

We have been away from phone and email this weekend as a squirrel apparently chewed through the wire and it broke away from our house. Luckily we are up and running again as of last night. Lizzie is helping me write this post and is really enjoying the bunny picture. We are getting anxious for mid October and have our fingers crossed about our next adoption - nothing new to report here!

September 24

Here are a few quick pictures. Lizzie got this balloon crown when we went to Burlington Coat Factory - it provided hours of entertainment.
Danny was home for a wedding last weekend, so we took the opportunity to celebrate Kate's birthday.

We decided to go apple picking again this afternoon. It was cold and rainy, but we had a nice time just the same.

We are headed to the Common Ground Fair tomorrow - should be a nice family day.

Apple season

Last weekend was our first round of apple picking. We have at least one more round before the apple season ends, but really enjoyed round 1. We had a nice time visiting with Emily, Casey and Jonas & Ryan, Joanne and Alison (yes, each couple shares one of our names - we make it work). Here is Lizzie with her fresh-from-the-tree apple.
Unrelated to apple season, Lizzie has her Halloween costume picked out. She will likely either wear this (cookie monster of course) or a similar Elmo costume. She really likes the costumes and they were a great yard sale find (thanks Mom and Kate!)

We have decided to start rolling some of our change (our own form of adoption fundraising). Ryan and I haven't rolled change in at least 5 years, so it is fun to see what has accumulated. We are about halfway done rolling - we can only roll a little at a time with our helper.

More Apple pictures!

September 11 take 2

I had this post all written and ready to go but for some reason the draft didn't save - so, here is take 2. Last weekend, Bob, Laura and Rosa came to camp for a nice visit. We met these three late last winter and have been enjoying their company on a regular basis ever since. We had a nice relaxing day and they got some great photos. Lizzie is such a ham!
I was able to hold baby Rosa for awhile and Lizzie joined her on my lap (sorry, no cute pictures of Rosa's face until I ask her parents permission). It was fun to hold (and smell!) a baby again - it had been awhile! Lizzie was very loving of Rosa and tried her best to help feed and change her - a good sign for baby #2!

Lizzie loves to help cook in the kitchen. Yesterday, she helped me make cream puffs and she spent a good deal of time mixing flour and water into a paste and spreading it on her hand - a great way for her to spend the time waiting for the food to finish cooking.

Today we are headed to town for the duck race fundraiser and then hopefully some apple picking at our favorite orchard. I am really enjoying this changed weather!