Pickers...

... of APPLES!!!!!!!

Just. Can't. Stop.  


Dave and I have been apple picking now for 5  consecutive falls.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  I love apples.  And apple pies, apple crisp, apple cake, apple cider donuts, apple sauce, apple pie moonshine, apple fritters.......  You get the idea.  

After doing this for a few years now you'd think we would grasp the idea of ONLY picking what we need/can use within a short period of time. Um....no.  This year's bounty:  44lbs of apples and 6 pounds of Italian plums.  Seriously?!  

So, the apple pie moonshine making commenced pronto and a sack of apples and a handful of plums went to one neighbor = down 10 lbs!  :)  

Ellie had a blast and it was fun having her help pick this year too.  She absolutely loved the plums and probably had about 5 of them....oops.  Anyway, here are some pictures from today's annual trip to the orchard.  Enjoy!!!!

Saying hi to the chickens before we got started

Me and my girl

Running through the orchard

Her "Cheese!" face

Until next year!

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal

Labor Day Weekend - 2013

My husband's parents passed away 15 years ago.  His mother in June, his father this very weekend.  It's always a somber reminder of how fragile life is and how important it is to share-and to love-and to just enjoy every experience with your loved ones,  never knowing when the last time might be.

So, we ventured into Philly for another visit.  It's hard.  Real hard.  It's never comfortable.  But it's very necessary as the grieving process is continual.  I know K and H would be so proud of the man my husband has become:  the husband, father, military man, the good hearted, dedicated man.  NO DOUBT they are smiling down on him every day and enjoying the view.

I just wish with all my heart the little one had another set of grandparents, that I got to meet them.  That they could be here so we could selfishly enjoy our life's milestones and experiences with them.  But I know they are smiling down....

Oh, you know...

Nothing too exciting going on here lately.  Daddy Dave has been traveling....A LOT!  So Ellie and I have been holding down the fort.  Here's a little taste of things we've been doing:

You know...snacking like a lady in mom's car

You know...working like a crazy woman to get that sign (finally!!!)

You know...taking our  4 mile walk past this beauty of a view (amidst the sterile, dusty, concrete, brown buildings typical of military bases)

You know...climbing up this rock gym like a champ!

OH to be a kid again....

This weekend we had our fabulous friends from Cape Cod down for a kiddie reunion at Sesame Place. It is always entertaining to have Bella and Ellie together.  I, unfortunately, did not get a single picture of us at Sesame Place!  We were too busy running from water ride to amusement ride with a group of 11 to even bother with phones or cameras.  But, there's always next year!  Here are a few that I was able to capture.

Together again!  Love these two girls.  

Two little monkeys ready for a sleepover

Getting ready together ;)

Hanging with the big Rodriguez kids

Such sweet and helpful children

My pretty girl

Looks like trouble for the future.....

Not too enthusiastic

Happy birthday Isabel!

Wet noodles and self-grooming

 :)  I really don't want her to grow out of this stage....

Have a great weekend!

Touch-A-Truck

Perfect timing for a gorgeous summer night.

Normally I would be afraid to take Ellie out in the evenings, because let's face it, the girl needs her sleep.  But tonight was the annual Touch-A-Truck National Night Out and our favorite Coastie was there showing the kids the Strike Team's mobile command center (aka Nascar trailer), robots, and one of their boats.

To say Ellie had a good time is an understatement.  She had a freakin' blast!  The girl loves cars, trucks...basically anything with a wheel that she can "drive".  Added bonus:  bouncy house. "Mommy, jump? jump? jump?"   She'd never done it before but saw some boys doing it and just had to join.  (Okay.... STOP. GROWING. UP. SO. FAST!)

My handsome hubby and little El-bug.

Can't get enough of that smile! ;)

Happy Birthday Coast Guard!!!

Fun Fact to Know and Tell:  The Coast Guard is 223 years old.  Bet most of you didn't know that!  :)

Every year various units put on a fun picnic for all the members and family to enjoy.  Here are some pictures from this year's CG Day at the Atlantic Strike Team.  They do things right....kids LOVE water!!!

Island girls ;)

"Cheeeese!"

Girlfriends

The biggest slip and slide I've ever seen

First time around a clown....wasn't so sure how this was going to go.

But then she decided she wanted the clown's purple nose....and a butterfly on her cheek...and a lady bug tattoo.

Riding with a cutie

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Proud of my Coastie....11 years in.
Happy Birthday Coast Guard!!!