Apple Picking

Why is it that I am always so ready for summer, but at the first hint of cool morning air, I am dying to get the jeans and sweatshirts back out. And I never grow tired of it - I guess this is a hint that I always need to live somewhere that the seasons change.

We went apple picking this morning at an orchard in Belleville, IL and actually had to wear long sleeve shirts. Amazing. Nate loved the picking part, almost too much - I didn't want to leave there with $50 worth of apples that I will never use. I am planning to make caramel apples with Nate - wish us luck or wish me patience, or something like that.

Riding on an old tractor - this was his favorite part.

Tidbits

A few tidbits from our weekend...I'm trying to embrace the fact that Nate no longer looks at the camera when I'm trying to take a picture. Maybe it is because I still take about a gillion pictures of him on weekly basis. Oh well.

At the zoo on Friday afternoon...great STL weather this weekend. It is this time of year when we start to "get our zoo back" as Nate calls it. When the weather gets cooler through about March, we don't see as many people there. I have to admit, I like it better then too.

Our beautiful goddaughter's birthday is this week. We will miss her party because we will be in New York visiting Scott's family and celebrating Grandma Boyle's 90th birthday. We had a mini party for her this weekend.

Sweet Megan is turning 4!

Opening presents with her sister, Avery.

Proudly sporting her first designer purse - a Vera Bradley. Isn't she sweet?!!

Wednesday in the Park

Our neighborhood park has music once a month in the summer and we walked down for a picnic tonight. For some reason, I thought I needed to make a gourmet picnic, so in Betty Crocker fashion, I made slider hamburgers with bleu cheese, smoked gouda, and cheddar cheese. I have to say they were pretty good and they used up some leftovers in my fridge...a win-win. Scott was impressed! Couldn't get Nate to eat any sliders, but of course his standard PB&J was on hand as backup.

Nate relaxing looking at the clouds...

Groovin out

Oh, he loves his mom...today, or at least that minute.

Chillaxin on Dad, concentrating on the music...

Good night and great weather. We are definitely getting spoiled with this cool weather in August. I hope it sticks around 75 until November.

First Day of Pre-school

Nate's first day of pre-school was today! He was being kind of a pill (what's new) when I tried to take his picture this morning, so they aren't very good - but I had to mark the day nonetheless.

We are very excited about this year - he is really ready for all they are going to teach him, including how to operate a computer by himself. I think he sort of already knows how to - but at least it won't be my computer he is banging on.

An Interesting Outing...

My parents were in town this weekend and on Sunday morning we went to the Bellefontaine Cemetery. Wow - so interesting, and I can't believe that none of us have ever been there. There are many "famous" people buried there and the architecture and gardens are beautiful. Here are a few of the notables...

Thomas Hart Benton

Captain Eads, as in the Eads Bridge.

Adolphus & Lilly Anheuser Busch - they are inside the building and their children and Lilly's parents (Eberhard & Dorothea Anheuser - for those of you that go to Grant's Farm!) are buried behind.

You can't see it very well, but Adolphus has "I came, I saw, I conquered" on his grave. I'd say he did.

Susan Elizabeth Blow - brought the idea of Kindergarten from Germany

William Clark's son, as in Lewis & Clark, named after his partner in crime, Meriwether Lewis.

Last but not least, William Clark. So interesting!

Tree Climber

Nate loves to climb this tree - it is really the only tree we have that he can climb. I bet he was up there for 45 minutes on Friday afternoon. I sat in a chair next to the tree, enjoyed an adult beverage, and had a great talk with my little boy. Who is not so little anymore.

Swimming with Elena

Last Sunday night we went swimming with Evan, Olga & Elena at the Crestwood Pool. Despite Scott's falls/belly flops from the diving board, fun was had by all.