Hot Fall

After a few years in East Texas, I feel like fall could be divided into "Hot Fall" and "Cool Fall".  I'd say part one lasts through September and October.  Finally, by the start of November, there is a crispness in the air and the leaves are really turning.  Part 2 lasts until Christmas.  These are some of our activities from "Hot Fall" - 

The kids were excited to see pumpkins for sale at last.  Mom - can we get this ($69) pumpkin?!?  No, well, can you at least take our pictures on these?

Our CC group took some great field trips this semester.  A traveling dinosaur exhibit came through Longview.  Here's Isaiah's CC class.  I continue to be incredibly thankful for the dear friends he is making at CC.  He has such a ball with them!

I got to have a date night with this handsome 9 year old!  The theme of mother-son date night this year was Ninja Turtles / Armor of God.  Maybe a bit of a stretch... but none the less, I pray that this little man will grow into his Armor of God and that he will be a man who puts it on every day.

Our CC group also went to see the BFG at LeTourenau.  We read it ahead of time, so the kids knew that the storyline is about giants that eat children.  I was glad we'd read it - some families didn't and it was a bit of a scary shocker for them!  The book and play left quite an impression on Lucy, especially.  She wasn't scared, but she can tell you quite a bit about the story.  I'm wondering if the BFG will be one of her earliest memories...  She did put "BFG" down on one of her Thankful leaves this year! 

We got one coolish morning for a hike at Daingerfield.  Why don't we do this more often?  Luke and the kids LOVE it so much.  I do, too, but I don't think it has quite the same effect on me.

Lucy was our fearless leader this time.  She wanted to be in the front the whole way around the lake. 

Noelle walked with me and kept saying, "Mom!  I LOVE hiking!!"

I might look back at these pictures and remember the girls holding hands regularly.  Truth be told, they can drive each other a little bit c-r-a-z-y and don't actually hold hands very often.  I tried to snap a few quick shots when they were holding hands while I could -  

We also took a field trip back to the Dixie Maze farm for the 3rd year.  It's feeling like a well established tradition now!  We especially enjoyed time with the Masons and Caldwells.  This year, the corn bin was Lucy's favorite.  She could have stayed in there all day - 

The run through the corn maze was a quick one this year.  We could not keep up very well with Isaiah and his friends!  They were clearly not needing as much mamma-assurance this year, and they'd hardly slow down for a picture!

It was easier to catch a shot of the girls on the horse -    

Barn swing!  

Noelle was brave and ready this year  -

Whew!  This definitely epitomizes a "Hot Fall" day.  It was well over 90 degrees -  

We had a quick visit from Roxanne and Uncle Randy for their uncle's funeral in Tyler.  It was good to see them for a few meals, a visit to LeTu, and a rousing game of checkers at Cracker Barrel.