Adios Fall

We have sunk into a deep freeze that feels like mid-winter and Christmas is quickly approaching and I haven't finished telling about all our fall activities.  Wrapped up in several layers it is hard to remember so it is a good thing that I have pictures to help me remember.

One beautiful fall Saturday, we raked up all the leaves in our yard into a big pile and jumped in them.  This has always been one of Lauren's favorite activities.  Steven likes to be buried in deep.  William and Sarah like to launch themselves into the pile.  Rachel was tentative but willing to try being buried and Geral was reluctant but finally did lie down in the leaves.  She laughed until some leaves got tossed in her face and then she was out of there.  It was not a sensation she liked.  We couldn't talk her in to coming back and sitting on a siblings lap for a picture so our group shot is minus one.

Thanksgiving weekend we drove up to Connecticut to visit Kayla and Adam and their family.  Two more of Ralph's nieces, Elizabeth and Alice Smith are living in NY right now and also came.  It was so much fun to get together.  The weekend included lots of girls activities, plenty of time together in the kitchen, a little napping, a bonfire in the evening, a Mac festival, a movie, and of course, lots of food.  

Once we got past Thanksgiving, the kids were ready for Christmas.  The first thing they wanted was to put up the tree.  Geral was particularly persistent and was the first to get started on the decorating.  She had one box of ornaments up by herself before the other kids realized the tree was ready to go.  She was gracious about allowing the big kids to rehang a few of the ornaments a little higher on the tree than she can reach so they got distributed more evenly.

To wrap up fall and before the weather turned too cold, we had a last marshmallow roast.  This time though we used jumbo marshmallows.  If you haven't roasted a jumbo marshmallow yet, might I suggest that you try it.  They were the best toasted marshmallows I have ever had.  Toasted to a perfect golden brown on the outside and loads of soft, sugary goo in the center.  Marshmallow nirvana!

We had a really lovely fall full of perfectly beautiful days.  I already miss it.  The air outside now is too cold and the wind too biting.  Then again, tomorrow there is the promise of snow.