Apple picking

It's not fall until we've been apple picking (usually 2 or 3 times).  Our first apple picking outing was with a group from David's work on a gorgeous fall day.  Mr. 10 had a chance to spend the afternoon with a friend (and how can you pass up the chance to spend time with a 10 year old who loves programming as much as you do, especially when there's also pizza and time on the Wii) so it was just the 3 younger brothers with us.  After filling up on hot apple cider and cider donuts, we headed out into the orchard.  Mr. 8 loved climbing the trees...  until we were told that wasn't allowed.  There were still plenty lower down so we filled our bag up before nap time caught up with Mr. 2.

Celebrating Mr. 2

Mr. 2 turned 2 in late August but due to all the craziness around here we waited to celebrate until mid-September.  It was a beautiful fall day and we spent the first half of the party at Mr. 2's favorite place.  His favorite friend, who he calls "Ba-Ba" was there and the two had a great time racing around together.  Then it was inside for pizza and apple caramel cupcakes (the other boys wanted chocolate but I thought apple caramel went better for a fall day).

The best part of the day was just having the opportunity to celebrate our Mr. 2.  It was fun to watch him realize that the day was really all about him.

Hiking with friends

And they're off...

On the move

Family Camp

One of the highlights of our summer every year is Family Camp with our church.  It's such an incredibly special time with friends.  Last year we gave the older boys walkie-talkies and a bit more freedom to enjoy the time with friends but this year we let them roam and off they went.  Mr. 10 went down the zip line.  Mr. 8 and Mr. 4 climbed the rock wall.  Mr. 1 headed out in a kayak.  We loved the time together - especially hanging out at the campfire with friends irresponsibly late after tucking our kids in bed.

The first night we were there Mr. 10 and Mr. 8 ran off with walkie-talkies and flashlights and Mr. 4 went right along with them.  A little later we discovered that they had wandered off with friends and Mr. 4 was nowhere to be found.  In most places we would be worried but we soon found him hanging out with another family back in Kennebago (our campus of 8 years).  Mr. 8 spent as much time as possible at the slip-and-slide helping one of his favorite people (and sliding down over and over again of course).  Even Mr. 1 went down the slip and slide.  He would reach the bottom and tell Mommy or Daddy "all done" but then would happily head back up to the top.  He seemed to have mixed feelings about the whole adventure.  Mr. 10 brought along Settlers of Catan and recruited some special friends to play with him after the activities of the day were done.

We stayed up too late, had lots of fun with friends, and already can't wait for next year!

Visiting Nana and Papa

We reached a milestone last week.  Mr. 10 hopped a plane by himself to visit Nana and Papa for 5 days.  It sounds like it's been a pretty amazing time - to have the attention of two grown-ups to yourself is pretty amazing when you're the oldest of four brothers.  We miss him terribly and can't wait to see him tomorrow but are so glad he had this time with Nana and Papa!