Firewomen

Well, not to let the cat out of the bag too early, but this year, Abby Jane is going to be a firewoman for Halloween our fall festival at church. I'm not big on Halloween at all, but the festivals and costumes are fun.  

Of course, Abby Jane's official firewoman jacket inspired two little makeshift versions from sisters who adore the big sis and were desperate to be just like her.

So on many afternoons last week, we could be found tromping up the street in rain boots, raincoats, firewoman helmets, and one "helper axe" to "help anyone who needs help getting out of their house" on Abby Jane's belt loop.

Then we wait at the top of the street to meet Daddy and get to help drive the rest of the way home! 

 Clowns, all of them.

Pumpkinned

Last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch with the grandparents- this day is one of my favorite days of the year!

Genes

It has always been said that Blythe looks like me, but I've always just said that's by default, since she doesn't look like Jake.  However, in the last several days, we've realized her hair is identical to my mom's as a child.

Then just this week, my Uncle Wayne (my dad's brother) passed along this picture.  Here is Blythe in 1904. Well, actually, it's my great-grandmother Ida Lewis. Isn't that amazing? So now we know... Blythe doesn't exactly look like me, but she definitely favors my side of the family.

Kale Chips

It's what turns this... 

into chubby little fistfuls from plastic bowls...

or teapots if that's more your style...

and is so forcefully crammed into your mouth that you end up with kale on your face.

All you have to do...

Buy pre-chopped kale in produce section (currently on sale at Publix).
Shake out a single layer onto baking sheet covered with foil.
Spray lightly with Pam (olive oil or canola).
Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Place in oven at temp of choice (I think 400 is my happy medium).
Remove when kale starts appearing crispy, you may see slight browning at edges, usually after just a couple of minutes.
Watch closely to make sure it doesn't burn- it's sort of like burned popcorn.

Kale chips also breed love and spontaneous hugs.

ALSO... Jake was amazed at how much he really liked them.  SO DON'T KNOCK IT TIL YOU'VE TRIED IT!!!!

The Roberts come to Georgia

The Roberts family came to visit us recently for five fabulous days, and it absolutely blessed our socks off.  Jake and Lesley are two of our dearest friends in LA, and little Sam has basically been betrothed to Abby Jane since birth.  Though they haven't been together since they were 13 and 18 months old, respectively, they had zero warm-up time... this was just a few minutes after they first saw each other!

Judah arrived last May, and we loved getting to love that sweet little chunk of preciousness!

 The girls supervising baby Judah...

The morning after they arrived, I organized a playdate for several of my dear local friends to meet Lesley.  I love when friends you love all immediately click and enjoy each other!!

 The six moms and eleven kids who played that morning.

 Then we took off for the north Georgia mtns to The Cabin, where we spent the remainder of their visit.  Joy and Sammy wasted no time getting into the creek.

 Uncle Jake has always had a special spot in his heart for Abby Jane.  Even when she was a reflux-y, picky little newborn and before they even had Sam, he would scoop her up and give her some love. I loved capturing this moment of him helping her with her shoes- Jake has such a servant heart for everyone.

 Judah is SUCH a smiley, happy little man, and when you spend time with that family, it's no wonder why their sons are so naturally joyful.

 This is classic.  All the kids splashing in the water.  But then...

 Joy started getting everyone else as wet as she was, and they all moved en masse to the other end of the dock.

I don't think her feelings were hurt.

 With my precious friend, whose presence refreshes, blesses, and delights.

 Jake  Sam and Abby Jane did the dishes.  Check Sam's hairbow (sorry for the expose, Sammy!) You never know what might be funny to you when you spend too much time with girls!

 Jake blew out his second set of candles for his birthday week, but this time on his apple crisp made with fresh Mercier Orchard apples that we grabbed on our way in town.

 Porch time on a crisp morning.

 Going on a hike.

 The buddies.

 Jake G swinging Judah while...

 Jake R hauled around these two monkeys.  Look at those smiles!!!! They played together beautifully the whole weekend, and it was precious to hear their little conversations, things they wanted to show each other, tell each other about, and just lots and lots of laughter.

 Speaking of monkeys, this is how the twins do Greek yogurt.

 Fires and s'more time!  It got down to upper 30s and low 40s at night!

 Apple picking at Mercier orchard.  I L.O.V.E. Mercier- not crazy crowded, tractor ride out to the picking areas, fabulous apples, fun store, and about 10 min from the cabin!  Joy hearts apple picking, too.  I think she had to have fully consumed at least six apples in a two hour period, ending with at least one cup of apple drool soaked into her hoodie.  Totally Joy, totally joyful.

 Boo is not as messy, but she probably ate just as many as Joy did! My sweet girl.

 Sam looks like an ad here.

 Me and my babes.

 These, friends, are pink ladies. They are not ripe until after the first frost, so we still have a few more weeks before they should be picked.  Pink ladies are my very favorite apple, but I met my second favorite that weekend- Limbertwig.  Mind-blowingly delicious.

 Look at this: now...

and then!

  

 Brilliant Uncle Jake R made them a little footbath when their feet were cold after playing outside in 30 something weather!

 The whole crew right before heading out.

 We stayed up late every night and were still not finished talking when they left five days later- we are so grateful to the Lord for the Roberts' friendship, and we look forward to walking through life with them, even if it's from afar!