Dear Fall,

My calendar says you arrived today, but I just won't believe it until I see you and your bags on my doorstep.

Though we do have quite a bit of leaves in our yard that go crunch, crunch when we walk outside, they are brown and dry. And the 90-degree temperatures do not make us excited about raking them up.

These pictures are from your visit last year. Remember what a good time we had? We hope you get here all dolled up and ready to party, perhaps in something red:



Please come back and visit us soon, won't you?

Sincerely,
Your Favorite Leaf-Pile Jumpers

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Walks with Waterfowl

The past several weeks we've seen some glorious fall weather.



To take advantage of these beautiful, blustery days, we have been taking walks near the pond at our apartment complex.



Usually, we go on Thursdays after handing out cookies to the school kids. Cookie Days interrupt our usual naptime, but I know these apartment events will be ending soon, so I like to think I am finding ways to enjoy them as a family rather than rush through and just get the job done.

One day, I finally remembered to bring some bread.

Quite a gaggle of geese have occupied our little patch of water, competing with the dozen or so ducks who can usually be found here year-round.



Once the bread ran out, Jacob shared his Goldfish crackers. He can be so thoughtful.



Last Thursday, the ducks and geese avoided us, though we came bearing a boutiful harvest of old bread. The birds were probably just full from someone else feeding them earlier in the day, but I secretly wondered if they despised us for the pervious week's meager offering.

This time, will they remember how we cast the bread out even when they didn't swim our way? Gentle reader, we shall keep you informed.

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Better Late Than Never

So, we didn't exactly celebrate ON Halloween this year.



Jacob fell asleep before 6 p.m. on All Hallows' Eve, due to a fun visit with his Aunt Amy and Uncle Mike, so we stayed in from the trick-or-treating.

Ethan DID manage to partake of some costume fun:



And enjoyed some GT football with his dad:



The costume didn't have legs, so he was soon extricated:



And then proceeded to try to eat the pumpkin that Nana and Papa had brought us:



Failing at that, he did manage to remove the stem!



Then, the day after, since it was such a beautiful fall afternoon on All Saints' Day, we carved the pumpkin.



Only one day late, right? I wonder what the neighbors thought: had Daylight Savings Time gotten us REALLY confused?

At least Jacob didn't seem to notice the discrepancy.



We removed the yucky insides.



As Jacob would say, "I smell something."



Daddy helped carve the face that Mommy and Jacob drew.



Jacob was very proud to use his "scooper" all by himself.



At least Jacob got to wear his $1.72 Old Navy 2009 celebratory shirt. I bought it BEFORE Halloween. Really, I did!

Ethan watched safely from inside, free from pumpkin innards and sharp knives.



The closest Jacob got to wearing a costume:



Jacob pointing at the gorgeous full moon:



Apparently, full moons make Daddy go crazy...



Enjoying our belated holiday family fun!





We even roasted the pumpkin seeds using this Martha sweet 'n spicy recipe. Not too shabby, but I think next time I would use more cinnamon and less cumin.

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the autumn leaves and the falling love

This past blustery Saturday morning we went to help some friends with their pumpkin carving contest...



Jacob always had keys at the ready in case something needed to be "locked"...




We tossed around the pigskin while setting up...



Jacob found a "very hungry caterpillar"...



and Ethan fell asleep on his Momma's chest...



We cheered on the Yellow Jackets...

Gratuitous picture of our happy Ethan (maybe he heard we won the game?!):




All the while hosting a Fall Fest at our apartment complex, complete with free food, free DJ, and decorative leftover pumpkins graciously provided by our friends...



I heart October.

On the docket tonight...pumpkin carving!

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November Adventures

Because I am lazy and never got around to turning these into actual posts, here are some Jacob highlights of the month in pictures:

First ride on a plastic dinosaur.

Second year to see glorious fall leaves.

First opportunity to see a live-action musical: "Goodnight Moon," here with friend Judah after the show.

First haircut (!)
Before...

During...

After...

Feeding the ducks! (Again.)

Second trip to the Georgia Aquarium. Mommy & Me tickets are good through the end of the year!

First perfectly pronounced three syllable word: "bicycle"
(Sorry, no video yet. But here's an extra photo for ya.)



Have a happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Book reviews, general zaniness, possible profundity, and hopefully a celebratory football-related post are all forthcoming after the holiday.

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