It's Fall

It is feeling a lot like fall here (and somewhat like winter). This past weekend we decided it was time to pick apples and pumpkins.

Unfortunately, the place we went to didn't have pumpkins left in the patch so we had to settle for pre-picked pumpkins on the wagon. (we also missed out on a hayride)
Henry did like sitting on the wagon. We're thinking of heading to a farm this weekend for a tour and hayride.

It was very cold and windy on Sunday but Henry didn't seem to mind it as he ran around the apple trees, tripped over the apples on the ground and was covered with apple parts by the time we left.

Picking his own apple!

Tonight it was time to start processing. Here Henry and Derek are working on prepping the apples for drying.

Henry was very excited (and focused) when it was his turn to operate the apple peeler. He just kept singing "peel, peel, peel" over and over again. Now we just have to wait a few days and put the next batch on the dehydrator.

'Eating Dinner'

So this has become a common occurrence around the house. Henry singing while eating, playing, etc... His repertoire of songs are ABC's, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Row Row Row Your Boat. He can't actually make it through one of these in its entirety and as you can see/hear from the video below, he often will create a bit of a 'mix' of two or more . Enjoy, we sure do.

Friends near and far

This is Henry with his friends Ben and Levi while they were playing last Friday. Then that evening we headed to a friends house to meet up with my college friends for a weekend.

Here are the "older" kids playing together in the morning. (Emerson, Noah and Henry)

We decided to go visit our old stomping grounds at the college while we were in town. Here we all are Amy, Minda, Mandy, Jessica, Tara (in front), Lisa and me (plus Emerson and Henry's legs--he fell asleep on the walk).

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Henry's favorite things that is...
He loves to play with Daddy's toy tractor. He pushes it around, makes noise, picks it up and my favorite is he puts it to bed some times.


He suddenly likes to interact with Zoe. Here he is taking her leash and collar to her. He also likes to chase her sometimes with push toys. Poor Zoe...she's such a good sport.



Legos--duplo blocks. This is a farm set so he spends most of the time playing with the doors, animals, etc. but does like to try to put blocks together if he's being patient.


Henry still loves books. Every day we hear the phrase "that book now" multiple times as he toddles toward us book in tow. He also has specific ideas about where to read the books too--"right there" and points to the spot. It's quite funny. Here he is with one of his favorites Richard Scary's Cars and Trucks and Things that go. He'll look at some of the cars like the hammer car and say "that funny." Lastly, the PJs he has on have become quite a favorite as well. He calls them his "doggies" and one morning I couldn't convince him to change out of them until mid-morning.

Camping

Every fall our church has a campout weekend. This year the weather was gorgeous, the mosquitoes virtually non-existent and the sleeping was as expected (not much).


Derek enjoying his morning coffee and Henry decided to join him with his empty mug.


This depicts what Henry was doing all weekend. Walking around--everywhere. This was a bit tense for me since there were very large roots, it was not level ground and there was a campfire, chairs and other nice things to injure yourself on. Luckily, we made it without any large injuries and Henry's walking on uneven surfaces is greatly improved.


We went on a short hike Sunday morning. Here are Henry and I at the lake destination. Henry didn't make it far into the walk and cashed out. (The little hood over his head keeps it from flopping around while I walk)


While Derek and I unpacked Henry inspected the broom and rested on the floor (followed by nap number 2 for the day) with dear Zoe who didn't get to go camping this time. (but did get to go swimming later) We're hoping to go camping again before it gets too cold. Henry just had too much fun and we forgot until this weekend how much we enjoy camping. And it's actually quite a nice toddler-friendly family thing to do.

The Hat...

Henry loves to play with the hat I (Tina) wear in the field for work. It's very large and does a nice job of shielding me from the sun. It also does a nice job of keeping him from seeing where he's walking.

Mobility and Vocabulary

So the last 2 weekends we've taken Saturday morning to go up to the farmer's market buy some good food and hang out in the grass. The following video was shot yesterday (you may not have needed the subtitles).


We also snapped a couple of decent pictures while we were there. Tina and Henry posing in the grass. This is Henry's 'smile for the camera' pose.


Henry was having a snack while in the grass but really was doing laps between where we were sitting and this tree.


This carrier is awesome, very comfortable, versatile and not all that bulky. Problem is, I don't think Henry can see all that well when I (Derek) am carrying him.