Fall Has Arrived

Fall is here and we are LOVING it!  What a gorgeous weekend we just had, it was filled with swimming lessons, a baby shower, Grandma time, the return of Daddy, walking for ta ta's, the pumpkin patch and a new discovered apple orchard!

I am not sure I have mentioned Henley is taking swimming lessons at the Stoneypoint YMCA!  I have so enjoyed the past few Saturday's, waking up with excitement to get in the water.  Its the time spent together that I love the most, just her and I.

Saturday, Brandon traveled back from Denver, CO after spending a few days at the National Beer Convention.  Yeah, I know, who can call that a business trip?!  We missed him dearly, but as we waited for his return, Grandma Teri came over to play with Henley as I finished getting ready for a long awaited baby shower!  An old co-worker, but most of all dear friend of mine, is expecting twins!  We look so forward to the arrival of Baby Boy and Baby Girl Schaul!

(the old crew)

Sunday morning, before the birds woke, we bundled up and headed downtown Cedar Rapids for the 25th annual Especially For You Race!  The funds raised in this event support research for breast cancer, as well as local women who may be in need of financial assistance. 

Team King's & Queens hit the pavement in support!

After a good nap, we headed to the pumpkin patch, screeching with excitement! 

 

This family farm in Vinton is a place we visit each year. It offers animals, small crowds and most importantly a large selection of harvest goods! 

"hi goat"

And we are off to find our pumpkins!

 

We loaded up our chosen pumpkins and headed to find the apple orchard we passed along the way.  Neither of us had been before, but we followed the signs.  Two miles down the highway we pulled up along side the Apple Cart Orchard, aka creepy run down orchard!  It was like a ghost town, with shady barns, and not a person in sight so we sped away immediately!  Oh no, now what, all I wanted was a little taste of honey crisp apples?!  Thank you modern technology, a quick web browser on my phone lead us into Swisher to the Honey Creek Orchard!  What a great find!  We pulled up, and to our surprise, we ran into our good friends the Holub family who gave us a quick run down on how the apple picking went.   The orchard offered free tractor rides and although we didn't hop on board, we sure enjoyed watching!

We did however find the bales of hay right away! 

"ooohh, tractor!"

"this is my tough face"

They also make their own honey!  It was so amazing to watch how it all worked.  We left with a full sack of honey crisp apples, a warm caramel apple for the ride home and many memories!  We look forward to adding Honey Creek to our yearly tradition!