Apple Picking- well, sort of

Last weekend we took a drive up to Oak Glen for some good ol' fashioned apple picking. We were waiting in line to pay for our bag, which would then be filled with apples we picked when a man came and let everyone in the line know the apples were gone- the entire orchard had been picked. Hmm. The only other options were to pick pumpkins to add to the ones we already had at home, and glean the left raspberries on the bushes. It was still wonderful. The scenery is gorgeous up there, the air was cool, and the orchards were amazing.

I found one apple, I just couldn't reach it!

Kaiden thought it was torture. There are bees there. I'm sharing a grumpy picture. It was great fun. Then he realized the size of the pumpkins in the carving patch. Do you see any change in disposition?

Don't you love fall?

I adore crunchy leaves and warm soup, blankets, and walks in the crisp air. Nothing is quite as comforting as fall, and nothing quite gets me in fall mode like general conference. We stay home and eat breakfast that doesn't consist of protein powder and milk, this year I made soup and homemade bread, we curl up on the couch, and take a walk. I love it all!

Here's a little of our fall fun for you to share.

We went to a carnival. Have you noticed how parents hate those things and kids love 'em? Kaden's favorite part was the pony ride.

The rodeo was good family fun. Kelsey got to bring a friend. So did I (wink- it was Tony).

Kelsey and growing up

What a beautiful daughter I have! I can't believe how fast she is growing. So far this year we were introduced to junior high drama, learned how to juggle two different school schedules (they start and end over an hour apart), figured out weekend practices are the only way to get in two full hours for band each week, have gone to the dark side- ripped up acid washed jeans- if you can believe that's back, decided shopping is fun, and... the drum roll please... asked to get rid of all the purple and butterflies. Her room is officially in transition from little girl to very chic. This means right now I have turned her room into a big mess and am covered in paint. I'm expecting it to take a couple of weeks to finish, but will be posting pictures for you when it's ready.


I must admit I found a designer I love and pulled an HGTV move. Yes, I am officially a copycat. That's what you learn in business school. Too bad I didn't just go to design school and then I could have figured it out on my own!

When they are playing fair

Last week we thought we would be troopers and pay off our car. So I went to the bank and got a friendly cashier's check and took myself down to the post office and sent a certified letter to Wachovia Dealer Services, to the address they requested I send the payment to. The next day a person by the name of R. Quinonez stamped their Wachovia stamp with their name and took my payment who knows where. Interestingly enough, the payment got itself lost somehow between their signing for it and when it was supposed to post to my account. I keep getting calls from their collection department telling me they are going to report me to the credit bureaus. I keep telling them I have proof they received my cashiers check and proof of the amount. I told them to contact the post office if they needed to, sent them copies of everything, and now they are disappearing. No one is available to talk. Go figure. Last night Tony filed a complaint with the attorney general. They are demanding payment. Does the 5 figure check I sent them count? They don't seem to think so, but the law is just not doing it's part to agree with them. Wow. It's just one of those weeks.