How do ya like THOSE apples?

It really blows my mind to think this was our fourth trip to the Apple Orchard. It has become a favorite fall activity. The drive isn't bad, a little less than 2 hours, and once you pass Boise it is mostly all farmland and pretty to see.

When you have your own kids, you don't see the passage of the time until you look back at old pictures. Collin and stayed up late last night doing just that, and we were stunned at how much they all had changed.

Here is Kaitlynn, a month AFTER we got to Idaho, and a month BEFORE we leave Idaho, a span of just a little bit over three years.

Good grief.

Here is Kaebrie, and these pictures have only been 2 years different. She didn't go the first year because she WASN'T EVEN WALKING YET!

She has basically grown up here. She has had all four birthdays here, all her Thanksgivings and Christmas's, she learned to crawl, walk, talk and run here. Her first EVERYTHING was here. I realizing I am entering the "nostalgia" phase of our move. Seeing the "last" in all the things that are going on right now. Recognizing that Idaho will always be an important part of our family history. Sam's job, all that the kids have done, the way God has changed my life, no matter where we ever have lived, it is always sad to move.

Now, I DO remember crying for weeks (if not months) before we came here. I remember a wise and great friend in Louisville saying that this is where God wanted us to go, and if we let Him use us, I would cry again when it would finally be time for us to leave. She was right. 25 days left and I feel myself starting to panic a bit. Not only with all the work this month is going to require, but all the emotions that are going to come with it. And wondering where the energy is going to come from to start all over in putting together another home, making new  friends, supporting Sam in a BIG job change, ect. But I am assured that we are going to where God wants us. So this time, there aren't any tears about going somewhere new. There is excitement mixed in with the nerves. The tears will be for an end to an era, for the loss of what has become beloved and comfortable.

Now, how in the world did a post about going to pick apples turn into this? Back to the point!

Well, sort of, had to share more "changing" pictures.  :)

Kaitlynn and Collin  - 2005

2006

2007

Yesterday - 2008

 

Now for more pictures of yesterday!

Kaebrie, let us say, likes apples. She likes to eat apples. And eat she does at the orchard, ALL DAY LONG.

I told the owner to weight her when we got there and then again before we left.

Think I am kidding? Here are a FEW examples:

Tiff was big enough this year to use the picker and he even climbed a few trees to reach some when Collin had the picker.

 

 

 

 

Some group shots:

 

Odds and Ends pictures:

Notice the apple in the picker is already eaten.  :)

The "who got the biggest apple" contest.

Her three perfect apples.

Other friends:

Here are the "sisters" (and the mom) to "the boy" I wrote about last week.

I couldn't resist this one. I walked by and here he was, they left him in the box because he is now crawling and this was a safe place.

Daddy has been gone for 5 months and will be home NEXT WEEK! They want a COMPLETE family picture after he gets back. I can't wait to do that one!

Kaebrie will very much miss Emily.

One that I really liked.

I ended up photographing 5 other families. I spent all day taking pictures and the kids spent all day running around in the beautiful outdoors, picking apples, throwing a football, climbing trees, picnic lunching, and we all had a fabulous time!

:)