Kenosha Pass: Take 2

Last year our trip to see the leaves at Kenosha Pass was about a week too late and when we got up there, we saw no leaves, no colors. The forest of naked trees had nothing to show us except disappointment.

We vowed to make it by the last week of September this year.  And we did it! And we did it with friends!

He may be standing like a flamingo, but at least Max didn't refuse the picture.  I hope these kids stay friends forever.

Jack only lasted about 5 minutes in the Ergo, which really just makes me sad.  Don't be surprised to find me still trying to force him in it when he's 14 so I can hand him snacks and call him my baby.

I just can't get over the beauty of this earth.  Really. The color palette of nature is perfection. 

Mother Nature is my homegirl.  I can't say we've met, but we are really, really good friends.

From Instagram: 

I just wanted to publicly commend Mother Nature on her excellent work and achievements, year after year, season after season. No one does it better. #eARTh #nofilter

Grapes of Happiness

From Instagram:

So there we were, playing in the backyard. Dan had the kids squealing on the trampoline while Luke and I were throwing the football. And in between tosses, a most delectable scent graced my nose and I followed it, only to discover a freaking vineyard! I can't say I didn't know we had a grapevine because I did. It's just that the past few summers only yielded a few bitter bunches. But this year I hadn't noticed it nearly tripling in size and these smelled so good, I couldn't resist a taste. Aside from the annoying little seeds inside, they were so yummy. So I enlisted my little helpers and we spent the next 20 minutes pulling back leaves to find bunch after bunch after bunch. I think we're going to make some juice. I've just gotta figure out the right way to do it because right now I'm resisting the very strong urge to put them in a bucket in the backyard and stomp them with my bare feet. #sweetsurprise

We really had a great time picking all the grapes, but then I was left to figure out what to do with them.  In my heart, I do things like make homemade grape juice and can it.  But in reality, I buy grape juice at the store and have never canned anything in my life.

After a little research, encouragement from my mom, and some canning supplies loaned by my friend, Emily, we embarked on our maiden grape juice voyage.

Luke and Max were at school, but Ava and Finn were more than willing to help.  We washed and squished the grapes with a potato masher.  Then we cooked it all on the stove.

We strained it through a paint filter from Sherwin Williams because I couldn't get a hold of any cheesecloth.  

At this point it tasted alright but the pea-soup green color was less than appetizing.

We let it rest and settle in the fridge for about 24 hours.

And after a day or so we poured off the top and discarded the pulpy stuff on the bottom, and the color became much more palatable.  I boiled it and then canned it, turning out some mighty tasty grape juice, like the domestic goddess I've always dreamed I was.

The Baby's Birthday

He may have had a birthday, but Jack is a baby.  He will always be a baby.  I will change his name to Peter Pan if I have to.  Because what would I do without a baby?  I've had a baby for more than 11 years.  Babies are my jam. 

So seriously, don't tell me he's not a baby anymore or I'll cry.  Let me live in denial.  It's the right thing to do.

I will not allow him to grow up, but I couldn't deny him a celebration now, could I?

He's really obsessed with trains right now, so Thomas was a hit.

And I think he loved the stuffed Curious George from Grandma Linda and Grandpa Don just as much.

My Little Baby Jack

I can't help but picture God chuckling to himself as He sent Jack to our family 2 years ago. Not because He was amused to ruin our false belief we were actually in charge of our family planning, not because, despite my pleading prayers to send me the easiest baby on earth because I was already in way over my head, He wasn't going to oblige. I don't think He was laughing because He knew we would spend the better part of the first year in Colic Hell, and not because He enjoyed seeing us overwhelmed. No, I picture Him laughing because while He knew our life was going to be kicked into a whole new gear, He also knew how a baby can heal the aching heart of a sibling, He knew that camping and hiking were about to turn into real adventures, He knew a hole would be filled that we didn't realize was empty, He knew that Jack and Finn were about to be reunited, He knew that Jack would cinch us closer together as a family and cause us to pull into a true team, He knew how much we would love his laugh and his face and his hugs, He knew that Jack would keep us on our toes and that because of him we would be doing an awful lot more laughing ourselves. 2 years might be the limit for some folks, but I'm not sure I'll ever stop referring to him as my baby. Always, always my little baby Jack. And I know now, better than ever, that God was never laughing at us, but He is, no doubt, laughing with us. #happybirthdayjack  #two

Luke is 9

Luke really wanted to wear athletic clothes for his pictures but I insisted on a shirt with buttons. At 9 years old he is still so himself--smart, quiet, and good. I wouldn't mind if that never changed.