The leaves are falling one by one. Hurrah! Hurrah!

Afton Apple with the Madisons

Beware, this post is full of  fantastic photos (lots of them) of super cute kiddos! Thanks to Josh and Kendra! I'll skip the narrative on this particular post. Hopefully you all know the particulars of most apple orchards. Just think of this as a review in pictures!

I have about 4 more photos to upload...but...I have run into technical difficulties!

So, these pics will have to do.

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy 4th!

Sawyer - 6.5 months

McKenna - 8.5 years

Ella - 6.5 years

Me - 29!

Each year for Independence Day we have a few families over for a BBQ and fireworks. By the time we all get together, the kids out number the adults by a long shot! We grill a ton of yummy food, play games in the yard and then walk down to the park to watch the city's fireworks program. It's a ton of fun and becoming one of our family's favorite traditions. The kids look forward to it almost as much as they look forward to Christmas.

This year we were also expecting family from Alabama for the 4th. Too bad for me, my uncle is a pretty important guy when it comes to the space program and their trip has been postponed. We are still awaiting their arrival!

Sawyer's first ride in the baby swing...

Daddy and Sawyer in the bounce house!

Ella and Selma! Can we say forced smile?

My two boys

Me and my girls!

Seth the cutie!



Kjelshus Reunion

Maybe you remember the post from last year? Well, this August brought the 3rd annual Kjelshus Reunion at Lake Hanska. It was a nice day! We had lots of fun. The girls went swimming, boating and for a trolley ride! And of course, the spread of food! These pics are a little out of order, sorry!

The trolley ride

Aunt Virginia and a kitten! (One of the girls' favorite parts of visiting.)

 The Belgian horses that pulled the trolley

The cousins

Heart of Dixie Pictures, continued!

Nanny and Poppy usually take us to Chuck E Cheese. This year was no different. Ella thoroughly enjoyed the new Kentucky Derby Horse game.

She also whooped Poppy in some air hockey! =) He's a good Poppy.

We also celebrated my grandfather's birthday and had a little get-to-gether in H'ville! Kyle broke out his guitar which made me so happy. I remember family gathering as a child and my Uncle Larry used to play all the time. For some reason he stopped. Kyle seems to have picked up the tradition. I love it.

Nana and Pa have these large rock structures in their back yard. I remember climbing them as a little girl. McKenna took up the hobby this year.

We also went to Cathedral Caverns while in AL. It was wonderfully and miserably hot that day. With the humidity, you were drenched within 30 seconds of walking outdoors. The cave however, was a comfortable 61 degrees. I think McKenna really enjoyed most of it. Ella, not so much. There were parts that she liked.

McKenna has developed a new found interest in rocks, minerals and gemstones. Mostly gemstones. So, when she had the opportunity to go "panning, " she couldn't pass it up.