Real or Pretend?

Anya and Austria are pretty happy pretending our living room is a beach. They do it in style--swimming suits, snacks, towels, beach chairs. And they never get sunburned.

I'm pretty sure they are wearing their swimming gear about 50% of the time. Though our summer days are often spent at the pool, Anya and Austria have extended swimming season well into fall. John and I finally caught onto their hints and took them to the Georgia coast Saturday. The weather was fabulous--especially considering it is the end of October (and snowing on some of you).

Long live summer!

Pumpkin Art

Last weekend, John transferred his Canadian ice-sculpting skills to the Georgia equivalent: pumpkin art.

Anya was awestruck with her father's abilities . . .

But caught on quickly.

John decided Austria needed a private lesson or two.

She obviously will be the next in the family to carry on the pumpkin art tradition.

The happy pumpkin art creating family.

Beautiful Mistakes

Providence Canyon was created by poor irrigation practices . . . I bet the farmers who messed up are wishing they could collect everyone's 5 bucks who visits this park day after day.

It is a kid's paradise--a sandy/muddy mess to play in. And somewhat of a mother's nightmare--getting out that red dirt in their clothes and shoes :).

(PS: For those who inquired, John had a confernce in Norfolk VA area and will return tonight. For my break: probably fabric shopping or using my Gap Groupon!)

Feelings

Daddy,

This is how we feel about you being gone:

But Mom reminds us you will be back soon, and now we are feeling a bit better--especially since she told us that she will be giving us a break from her when you return!

Sanitation

After nearly breaking our vacuum every time we want a clean floor, we've decided there is a new rule at our house. Hair-nets for those with short hair and pillowcases for those with long hair.

Apples to Apples

We went apple picking at Georgia's wealthiest farmer's apple orchard last weekend. The girls had a great time even though it was a little hot.

Since some of the rotten apples were fermenting on the ground we all got a little tipsy. Austria is here sampling a little taste... and it isn't cider!

Anya went for the fresher side of the apple spectrum but I'm still not sure if she picked this one off a tree. She isn't the tallest person in the world you know...

Here are some of the apples which have fallen onto the ground:

Okay, there are more on the ground than in the trees, but for an interesting reason. The orchard chooses to leave them there to make visitors slightly intoxicated from the aroma so that we spend money on things like this:

and this:

and even this:

Also, we had fun with this little guy and his family, but I didn't have the heart to tell him that he is supporting a football team which loses to USUs football team. How can he sleep at night!?

Maybe he can sleep with enough apple "cider"...