October Catch-Up

It's only fitting that on the last day of November, I write our October post. Oy vey! 

October was full and fun! Jim had lots of rugby games and his team has remained undefeated. We went to the wedding of one of our good college friends, David, and got to have a little reunion with old friends. And all of the grandparents visited! I tell you what, it was a busy month!

John & Kim came and saw the muddiest game of the season, so far. And then on Sunday we went apple picking and then they sent us on our way for a little dessert date night! Thank you so much!!

We picked a bunch of our own apples from a local orchard, Doe Creek, and then later in the month went and got three more bushels of seconds apples from another orchard out near Floyd, called Wades Orchard. We have a whole lot apples processed into apple sauce, apple butter, apple chips, apple pie fillings, and apple slices frozen. It's wonderful!! We love doing this as a family and hope it will be a tradition that continues throughout the years. And we hope to add apple cider to our repertoire.

 We rejoiced as the mosquitoes took their leave and outside play became more manageable in our yard! Fall is so beautiful in our yard. The maple tree's changing leaves makes it the most beautiful season of the year.

 While Mom was here we went to Wades Orchard, Chatteau Morrisette, and Floyd for pizza, window shopping, and music.

 Ian has started successfully breaking leaves on his knee, just like Papa does. He's done this before, but this is probably the first time I have documented it :)

 Owen's outside leisure of choice was to sit amongst & pick up leaves, sampling them occasionally.

Ian runs all over the yard gathering sticks, making "food", and sharing and playing with Leif and Owen. 

 These kiddos.... how grateful we are to be their parents.

 Ian's imagination is so much fun! He comes up with songs and stories and make-believe all the day long.

 Oh, to know what he's thinking here...

 I love these photos from Grumps' visit.

 And here's our future soccer player (maybe, no pressure!)!!

 This tree <3

 Leif always finds the sunniest spots.

 My dad did always have the highest pushes. Ian loved the thrill of his pushes (perhaps just as much as I always did).

 Another thing my dad did with us was pumpkin carving!! When I was younger we did this with him, too. So fun to share the experience with Ian now :)

 My view from inside :)

And that's a wrap on October. Now, to catch up with November and soon December!!!! Ahh! ;)

The Pinery '16

A couple weeks ago now, much of my family gathered on the Clarion River. My uncle who lives in Miami came with his family and my aunt and cousin and her family who live near The Pinery came and visited and camped. It was a whirlwind but it was good and full.

Owen enjoyed the attention of many different family members, and chewing on his toes.

 Ian enjoyed chatting everyone's ears off & playing with his "friends" (Kaelen, Hazel, & Heidi).

 Our first two days there were just my immediate family. My brother was there when we arrived and my sister came the next day. It was nice to have some time together.

Äma bought this fun swing and a second one for us! We can't wait to set it up under our maple tree.

 That night we had s'mores.

 Ian's always a fan of s'mores.

 I've gotten a picture of Äma pushing Ian in the swing every summer! Can't break that tradition now!

 There's a tub of many of our childhood toys from our times at The Pinery. Ian pulled out almost every one of them and had them play rugby together. "You wanna go and play rugby? Yea? Okay!"

 Every morning we took Ian swimming in the river, except for one particularly rainy day. Boy, did he love it!

Owen loved it, too. As soon as his legs hit the water, he was kicking like crazy!

 So many memories in that beautiful river bend.

 The Cardinal flowers were in bloom. So pretty.

I'm so glad my boys will get to know and love this river, too.

A permanent smile was on Ian's face for almost the whole week.

Loads of Papa time was also just what the doctor ordered. He put Ian down for ever nap and night-time. What a sweet & humorous relationship they have.

The highlight of Leif's life is when he spends a week on the river. We love having a water dog!

And soon everyone arrived to join us!! Such fun to be together. Grandma would have loved it.

These photos were taken on our pizza night. We had pizza from the earth oven.

Kaelen got the "Amazing Cousin" award! He wrestled with Ian, ran with Ian, joked with him, and spoke his language. It was so, so sweet. He's hired.

A stomach bug made it's way around a few family members. One day my mom wasn't feeling so well and super dad stepped in to make the pancakes & baby-wear, so that I could eat my breakfast.

Yummy pancakes! Always absolutely delicious. It wouldn't be a Pinery visit without pancakes one morning, at least.

One day everyone headed out for a float in tubes down the river. Having a newborn knocked us out of this activity this year, and the starting time was a bit late for Ian's nap. So, Jim and Ian had a nice paddle together up the river. Jim says that Ian requested to go upstream through a rapid. Jim explained that Ian would have to sit very still so that he could navigate the rapid and Jim said he became a statue, intent on getting through it. Such determination and control this kid can have, when he wants to!

Poor Leif made it about a half mile with them, but then had to be returned. He couldn't handle Jim's defiance (not herding to where Leif wanted him to go, and getting too far ahead of him). It's a hard life for a dog who just wants everyone to stay together.

I didn't get any pictures of it, but we had a small little service to remember Grandma. We sang a few of the hymns and songs they had sung to her on the day of her passing. We shared memories and my mom wrote a beautiful ABC list about her that brought back loads of memories for us all. It was special to have the service at a place where I spent so much time with her. The Pinery will always jog my mind to memories of her. 

A few whole-group choices for a few family members who I KNOW have been waiting patiently.

Owen & his Aunt Pheebs.

Sweet Papa cuddles. Someone just woke up from a marathon nap.

Photo credit goes to my mom for these last few photos. 

I love this one of four Krumich men skipping rocks. Apparently my dad hit the rock on the other side. No surprise there!!!

Ian LOVED hitching rides across the river from Leif by holding his tail! So much fun. My siblings and I used to do this with our childhood dog, Kodi, so it was so fun to see Ian enjoy this same pleasure!!

Leif really didn't seem to mind, either. 

And, after one last swim, it was time for us to say goodbye. Until next year, sweet Pinery.

And here's one for the Christmas card! The whole family in the river :)

Thank you for a wonderful week full of wonderful family time, delicious food, and fun activities, Mom & Dad! 

Thank you for the legacy you have left in our family, Grandma! 

We are forever blessed for knowing you and being loved by you.