Fran, Erin, and I visited a new apple orchard this year on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Many other families had the same idea, so the people watching was easier than the apple picking. We had a great time for the second year in a row. More orchard pics to come...
It's been awhile since we posted, so I threw in some random pictures to give you a sense of our fall goings-on. This one struck me as funny, a turtle race (like the sign says)! I'm not sure how their turtle did but with a polygon for a starting line, who knows? That was at the Camp Odayin 5K in September.
The backyard is a favorite of Erin's. We put in a swingset and slide earlier this year and now there are piles and piles of leaves. With a raspberry patch a few steps away, how can you lose? Grandma Jan has been hard at work on the gardens and landscaping in preparation for putting our duplex on the market this upcoming spring-- thank you!! We've been living here about 8 years and it will be tough to leave.
Back to the apple orchard... here's Erin the goat whisperer.
Erin seemed really interested in this little kid train pulled by a big tractor at the orchard. We waited in line for ~45 minutes for a ride, got her settled in to car #4, and then as the tractor started up we get a look of pure panic. Despite our best reassurance, she wanted out. We'll have to try again next year in Seattle.
Back home, Erin has really started asserting her will on the day-to-day routine. She always has an opinion about wardrobe, and the cooler it gets outside, the harder it seems to keep the clothes on inside. Here's a blue skirt and winter boots. Papa Joe got her this wooden dog on a string when she was just a baby. She rediscovered it the other day, named it Chewy, and they have been inseparable since.
For all you mandatory CPS reporters, this is NOT where Erin sleeps! Before we read books at night, Erin likes to take a turn brushing her teeth in the "boat" in the living room. Duncan likes to supervise. Fran's a wonderfully consistent parent and over the past year we've got a nice bedtime routine and a little girl who sleeps well.
With Grandma Jan doing a great job in the yard, Fran and I finally tackled a DIY bathroom remodel. The first few days were a blur of trip after trip to the hardware store, dust, putting personal hygiene on the back burner, and wearing funny glasses.
As we started gutting the bathroom, we found lathe & plaster behind the plastic tub surround.
Frances is a tiling machine. We saved many quiet jobs like laying tile until after Erin was asleep, as her bed is right on the other side of the bathroom wall.
We picked a "classic" looking floor tile pattern, and I think it turned out really well. The pedestal sink below replaces a wood vanity and makes the small room seem a little roomier. Fran had the idea of adding wainscot which we'll keep white. Next up is sanding the walls, painting, new lighting, and a new medicine cabinet. The plumbing was the most challenging part, so far no leaks! A big thanks to Grandpa Deanie for his advice and help along the way.
