Apple Orchard & Arboretum Outings

Every week we plan a family outing that allows us to share time as a family, typically outdoors to take in God's beauty. This past weekend we visited the Minnesota Harvest apple orchard in Jordan, MN. We had an absolute blast and the weather couldn't have been more perfect - lots of sunshine and warmth. We knew we were in for a treat the moment we drove up the picture-perfect drive leading into the orchard. Not only did we get to pet the beautiful full-size horses the moment we got out of our car (used for trail rides), but we thoroughly enjoyed the tractor ride leading out to the apples, picked our own delicious apples (which the munchkins took full control of), taste-tested the fruit which was allowed, LTD rode the ponies (more their size), and we topped off the afternoon by eating freshly baked apple dumplings with caramel sauce and homemade wild rice soup while we listened to polka/accordian music outside (LTD LOVE the accordian thanks to Grandma Good).Truly a grand time and will now be an annual trip for Camp Clark.

We also had time to check out the U of MN Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen earlier this month, once with the Erickson children & Mommy Nicole and a week later as a family with Dave. Both days were absolutely lovely and the grounds were bursting with flowers in full bloom. Dylan happened to casually take a poop on the grounds right in full view of the children's education building. He thought that was ok since we were "in the woods" and he equated that to camping. So here I am, picking up a big turd much like I would have done for Shaq - what a riot!! On the family play date, Dave had initially intended to take our Christmas portrait photos but Taylor got stung by a bee early on which put a damper on the "smiling". Oh well, maybe one more try when the fall leaves come out in full color?

Please check out our KodakGallery link located on the right hand side of this blog page for our September 2008 album. Lots of GREAT photos from the entire month.

More adorable sayings from LTD:
Lindsey:

"Dylan, you're driving me nuts!" (as he jokes around yet once again)

"Listen to me, I say!" ("I say" follows many of her commands)

"Hey Dyl, let's do 'nastics!" (Dylan's abbreviated nickname, short for gymnastics)

"Taylor, you're beautiful today!"

Taylor:

"I'm not 'diculous!" (short for ridiculous, Dylan's accusation of her at the moment)

Dylan says "Jesus is mad at you". Taylor rebuts "HA AH! Jesus died on the cross cuz he yuvs (loves) us so!"

"I want my butter straight up, mommy!" (vs. spread on her toast)

Dylan:
"I wanna buy that!" (pointing to almost every sports car or big truck that drives by)

"No I not!" (meaning, no I didn't)

"You've GOT to be kiddin' me!" (to Lindsey)

"I'm really disappointed in you!" (to Taylor after she had a "baby" accident in her underwear)

(BIG yawn) "I'm too tired for church today." (on way to church, which he just had to repeat to his Sunday School teacher - she was impressed)

It's like living with comedians - so many laughs!!!