Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Apple Picking


We lucked out with a nice, sunny day for apple picking this year. Of course, we went back to our favorite orchard that we've returned to each year since we moved here: Harvest Time Orchards. There's not too much to say about these pictures for the most part. Just enjoy!


We tried really hard to get a good picture of Archer hanging out in the baby carrier. Only problem was that Ben and Archer both kept making the same odd facial expressions when we snapped the pictures. The apples were just too good to stop eating! Take a look at these next 4 pictures as proof that Ben and Archer both kept making the same faces:







Henry invented these cool overalls out of his jacket. He's a natural farmer!


This is what Archer really wanted to do: get down and crawl in the grass...

...and find rotten apples to chew on!


The apple eating did not stop when we got home. Archer was in heaven with all of this fruit to consume!







And here is the not-so-secret reason why we love apple picking: Apple Dumplings! Henry's getting the apples all peeled and ready for our first batch.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Fall Splendor 2015

We just have to post some pictures of the beautiful fall we were treated to this year.  With Archer around, we had to make a bit more of an effort to get out, but boy was it worth it.



The scooter brigade!


This tree is across the street from our house, and has leaves that range from bright yellow to almost crimson.  We love looking at it.  This year, it lost essentially all of its leaves in one giant gust of wind, and Jenn happened to be there to snap a picture of fall literally happening.



Jenn's jogging path


Sometimes, in order to convince the boys that we need to get out to see the leaves AGAIN, we have to bribe them with Potbelly's sandwiches and shakes.  Worth it.


The Chicago Botanic Garden


One of the many giant pumpkins they grow at the Botanic Garden.  When Ellis climbed on we hurriedly told him he had to get off, but then a worker nearby was like, "Oh no, let him climb, that's what it's for."  We couldn't agree more, actually.

Saturday, December 06, 2014

Iversons Stop In

Not long after my parents game, we got a quick visit from Grandma and Grandpa Iverson!  They stopped at our house as part of a giant road trip to see all of their kids throughout the country.  

We continued our fall celebration with them by visiting the Botanic Garden and seeing how the fall color had progressed over the course of a few weeks.  

We found some gorgeous trees . . . 

and some giant pumpkins!

They had a giant gourd mountain on display.  I loved all the different colors and shapes.

All of us enjoyed the beautiful day.

We had lots of fun grandparent time, especially Grandma reading her fun Halloween books.

Since they drove from Utah, Mom and Dad I. were able to bring eight boxes full of Ben's keepsakes that have been sitting in their house.  Two months later, they are still sitting in a giant pile in our bedroom!  But we did go through several of them and found a few treasures.  This picture, drawn by Robbie Mower in high school, was among them.


Friday, December 05, 2014

Fall Soccer

This year, Ben once again got to coach Henry's soccer team.  They were the Blue Diamonds, and they had a lot of fun!

Ellis also got to start playing on a soccer team for the first time.  He totally got into it.  

I think Henry enjoys soccer and has some great soccer skills.  He has always had fun playing and is a good defender.  I might be wrong, but I dare to say that Ellis has even more fun.  He is super competitive and just wants to WIN!!!  

 He fights pretty hard and ended up scoring several goals this season on the Black Crushers team, coached by our friend Ben Severson.

And Sam is really enjoying being the soccer brother!  He gets extra snacks from all the games just by flashing this cute smile.   I think he's going to be totally ready whenever we decide we're ready to enroll three children in soccer.  It might be a while.  Our Saturdays were crazy with two!

Thursday, December 04, 2014

Latergrams . . . in which school starts, Fall is enjoyed, and much artwork ensues

Delighted to find that Chicago decided to keep having lovely whether, even after our three week trip. This week, every single day has highs in the 70's! #hardearnedsummerweather #cashingin #seventythreedegrees #happyboys

 "Mom, I'm gonna wear this costume until forever." #takemypicture #postit #instagrambydemand


 Rousing game of family kickball! We laughed so hard at Sam, who did ninja moves before every kick, and after someone tagged him out, he always tagged them back. #ilovesummer #andboys #andbackyards #andwholesomeactivities


 This has been our Friday night babysitting co-op group for the past year. These twelve kids are starting to think they're cousins! So sad to be losing the Halls this week... :( #saddayforchicago #wewillmissyou@chelsearhall

 Nothing like a rainy summer day, imagining a Star Wars adventure with at least three boys who have no idea what Star Wars is actually about! Savoring our last few hours with the Hall boys before they leave for Toronto. #saddayforchicago #hatesayinggoodbye @chelsearhall

 Can this be true? Please? #littleboys #lovethem #andcloroxwipes


 Someone should remind me to go to the library every week. #buriedinbooks #bookheaven #quiethouse #allthreeofthem

He came into our room at 6:00am and whispered, "Dad, I woke up, and the Tooth Fairy brought me a dollar, so I went in the bathroom, locked the door so everyone would think I was going potty, and I pulled my other tooth out!" #moneymaker #twoteethtwodays


It was sure quiet in our house with these two gone today...until they got home! Henry has never given me details about school. Ellis couldn't stop talking, singing, etc. It's going to be a fun year! #firstdayofschool #madeforkindergarten #lovetheseboys

 How long do you think this will last? #legosort #minifigureparadise #aplaceforeverything #legomomsfantasy


 Found: seven bags of Cheerios in the bottom of the church bag. #yearlybagcleanout #seriously #confessionsofanhonestmom #keepingitreal


 All along, Sam has been denying the fact that he is starting preschool this year. This morning, he insisted, "I will ONLY go to preschool if they don't have a dog!" A little phone call with the teacher, who promised the dog will stay outside, and we're in business! #firstdayofschool #samo #dogphobia


Spotted this at curriculum night and instantly knew it was one of mine. Kind of like how I always know it's my baby when they hold it up in the hospital. #ithinkitsthenose #kindergartenart #myellis


 First masterpiece of the preschool year! He told Ben, "and it looks like a Jackson Pollock!" #preschoolboy #littleartist #proudascanbe


Sometimes life totally rules. Like when you not only win the cake walk, but when you win the one and only hamburger cake at the cake walk. #nobrainerdecision #fallfest #lincolnwoodschool #newkindergartenBFF

 Nothing short of a miracle, right here. #littlesammywenttotown #ridingonapony #afterhavingsecondthoughts #animalphobia #proudascanbe


 This is how we feel about Dad going to The Netherlands without us. #itsaparty #butkindofaboringone @beniverson

 Tried to sit calmly and watch the big brothers' soccer practices with this one. Then I finally realized that I was either going to have to full-on wrestle with him or give him his own soccer practice. #samsfirstsoccerpractice #hewasdelighted #typicalboy #unlikehisbrothers


 Our 12-year-old neighbor was ready to pass on this suitcase, and he had a feeling someone in our house would appreciate it! #ellisgetslucky


 Looks like everyone in our house had some art projects they had been meaning to get to! This is what happens when Dad is gone on a rainy Saturday. #samsselfportrait #elliscolorbynumber



 Henry spends time at recess collecting these valuable treasures. He dreamed up how he could make his found objects into little guys, each with hats and weapons. #foundart #daydreamer #creativeboy



 Passing the torch. #dadsturn #longawaitedmoment #jubilationforall


 A modern art take on our fall tradition. #firstdayofFALL #cookietradition #likemostofourtraditions #rothkopumpkin


 After after-school snack treat. #firstdayofFALL


 Don't fancy charts fix everything? #prettyplease happinessproblem #happypoints #graspingatstraws


 Sam's first color by number makes me smile. #coloredthenumbers #soproud


 Check out that girl in the window, finally the owner of a bike that is the right size. (!!!!!!!!!) #eraofthecomfortbike #happyhappyday


 Going to miss our sweetest ever Sister Olejniczak who is getting transferred this week and the incredible Elder Alvey too. We have such amazing missionaries right now. They have filled our home with light. #ldsmissionaries #iamamormon

 Try Henry's t-shirt hood game. It's good times. #latenightlaughs #afterlittlekidbedtime #thingsgetalittletwisted


 Doing sit-ups with this view is my new favorite. #autumnsky #goodformysoul #joggingtrail


And here's what I appreciate: a boy who shares my enthusiasm over finding the perfect little leaf. #perfectsize #fallthings #mybuddy #samo