Happy Halloween

To my favorite little rebel rockstar, toothfairy, and cheerleader.

Stay tuned to see them in full character and costume. 

But in the meantime, say hello to our little friends the jack-0-laterns.

and so it begins

The festivites of Halloween start early.  This year the spooktacular season was ushered in with a "pumpkin day" for the first graders.  I volunteered to help with the different stations throughtout the day.   I was assigned to the art station... the messy but fun table.  This year has been different for me because I haven't been volunteering as much as usual.  I think the whole "house on the market thing" has thrown me for a loop.  So it felt nice to be back in the mix of 6 year olds.  I love first graders! 

Gosh, I love it.

Suddenly I am thinking about all the things I love about Nebraska. I am big fan of Omaha... even when it's not cool to love Nebraska. I'll tell ya, it's not the humidity, or the lack of beauty (although, I have a strange love of cornfields). Nope.  It's not the icy winter wind. It all stems from the community.  And, family.  Most of all, the goodness that comes from being together. The midwest instills this notion and even encourages it in the hearts of the people here.

Fall happens to be our prized season. The sun shines bright and ignites the heartland.
There are so many family community activites to focus on the beauty of a simple life. This is the goodness.

 Kimmel Apple Orchard is among my favorites.  I love it.  How can you resist a day of  fresh apple cider, hot donuts, bags of packed apples, hayrack ride, and a huge pumpkin patch.   It just may be on my top 10!
                                These hot donuts are so delish.  We all craved  them from last year.

Just Chillin' on the hayrack ride

  Zachary was very choosy.  He wouldn't keep any apple with even the slightest imperfection.  He also ate many along the way.

 And, to this six year old catching butterflies was every bit as fun as picking apples.

  The fruit of our labors.                        

                               
 Lots of goofin' off.  Avery is always willing to capture us on camera.

On to the pumpkin patch.  Just a quick hayrack ride over.

 Here's a beauty

Until next year...  And, yes I hope to make it next year.  I don't think 3 hours is to far to drive for this kind of a day!