Hail to the Victors!

I was working upstairs when I heard a cute little voice singing a certain song.   Naturally, I had to go downstairs and record it...




Kaitlyn decided to get in on the fun...

Our Backyard Makeover Continued...

In addition to laying sod in our backyard, we decided to build a shed.  As I told the Lowe's guys, I check out the aesthetics and Dave deals with the construction.  

Thankfully, Pa Mark agreed to help us with building it.  Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate as it rained all day for three days in a row.  

Here are Dave and Mark prepping the ground for the shed and getting ready to put some joists in place.  It rained the entire time.  They joked that it made digging easier.  

The next morning, a friend of ours came out to help carry the base of the shed from our garage to the spot.  

They made it look easy.  Oh, and it is still raining...

About one hour after our friend left, I took Dave to a medical clinic b/c he was down and out.  We hopefully staved off a bout of acute bronchitis.  Sweet Pa Mark worked the next two days in the garage (still raining outside) building the walls, floor, roof, etc.

On the third day of construction, Dave was bound and determined to build the shed with his dad.  He keeps telling us he felt fine...

Kaitlyn and Madelyn decided to check things out...

This is the first time the girls got to run around in the new grass.  

The girls provide a quality assurance check.  Actually, they're secretly scoping some space out for a play area.  I think they might be disappointed when they see how quickly we fill it up with stuff from the garage.  

Kaitlyn wanted to help, so she started sweeping it clean on the inside.  

We have a shed with a door!  

 

Here are the workers with the shed completely assembled.  Dave and I plan to paint it and add some shelves another weekend.   

The two of them make a great team.  It wiped them out, but they got it up.  Thank you Mark and Dave!!

Here is our 

Mark A. Xxxxxxx Worker Bee Shed

Now Dave - get some rest!!  I have a feeling Dave's going to sleep all day Tuesday to get over 'the crud'.

Wall Climbing

Kaitlyn expressed an interest in wall climbing one day after tennis.  I knew she had a friend who tried it before, so the other mom and I made a 'play' date for the girls to wall climb after school one day.  

Kaitlyn looked forward to trying this new endeavor.  She took it slow, studied the wall, and calculated each move she made.  

She's getting higher...

 And higher...

She made it to the top and rang the bell!!

 Several times Kaitlyn and her friend were able to climb the wall together.  They both had fun!

Apple Picking

Last year we tried to go apple picking in October and we did not find one edible apple left on the trees.  This year, we made sure to go at the end of September when Macintosh apples were ripe for picking.  

We tried a new orchard this year and really liked it.  They had a large selection of apples (Golden delicious, Red delicious, Jonathon, Empire, Macintosh, etc.), a small market with honey, fresh bread, cider and donuts and picnic tables.  

 The first two apples we picked - Empire apples.  They tasted fine, but did not 'wow' us.  

We eagerly trekked toward the Macintosh apple trees.  Score!!  Two happy girls up in a tree.  

 Okay, so in addition to picking apples, we climbed the trees too!

 Madelyn tried to use the apple picker by herself.  It was a little heavy.  

 Our delicious bounty of apples.  You can do it Madelyn - lift!!

 Okay Kaitlyn - give it a try!!

She got it!!

I think team work might make it easier to carry.  

 Nothing like our two cutie pies working together.  I think Madelyn got the easier job.  

 Our homemade picnie lunch with cider and donuts for dessert.  

 Kaitlyn and Madelyn wanted to make homemade apple pie.  We tried something new...we made mini-apple pies in a cupcake pan.  The girls really liked eating it this way.  We could share it with friends too!

A small apple pie in a 6" pan.  

I love this time of year!  Hooray for fall!!