Fall {Photos} & Fun!

Okay...I'll just tell you right now...lots & lots of photos!

And lots & lots of fun too!

This weekend brought beautiful, gorgeous sunny fall weather...so I wanted to take the kids out for a little photo shoot on the train tracks!  I've always wanted to try it...and Alex wasn't so sure it was a good idea...he's my cautious one!

But once we were there...they had so much fun!  Emily was so cute...she and Ellie played with the rocks and of course Emily...my rock collector...had to bring some of her collection home! 

They said it was a fun adventure...and I got some fun shots of them! 

Alex is such a good sport.  He really doesn't like getting his picture taken...and then I made him wear jeans on top of that!  He is getting so big...I think he just looks like a handsome little guy in these pictures...but makes me a little sad at how grown-up he's getting.

He likes to play photographer for me too...

They are all getting so big.

And they are the best kids I could ever ask for...and more than I ever feel I deserve! 

They adore Ellie so much and they are her world!  They give her so much attention and affection and it makes my heart happy when I get to witness every little moment!

She was loving Alex during these photos!  She kept putting her head on his shoulder and giving him kisses! 

I always get a little nervous when I say photoshoot because everyone groans and my expectations of good pictures can get the best of me...

but this time having it at the park gave everyone a little break and made it fun too!

{and I'm sure some of these will be good for Christmas card photos!  How can it be time to start thinking about that, anyway?!}

{fishing for leaves!}

I really try not to make every moment into a photo...but I just can't help myself!

The time is so short...and I want them to be able to have these memories forever!

...because it seems as though they grow and change literally over night!

...and before I know it... they will be snapping pictures of their own kids and saying, "Mom was right...it sure does go fast!"  ha!

I know that was tons of photos! 

But I absolutely love the fall...and it is a great excuse to get outside, plan an impromptu photo shoot, have fun, and always have the memories that go along with it!

Dan is home from business meetings in California and Arizona...and I always keep us busy while he's gone too!  Emily couldn't wait to show Daddy her rocks from the train tracks!  She is going to give them to him...but only after she takes them to school and shares them with everyone else first!

Yesterday we got more pumpkins and went to the park for a hike...but I'll share more photos later!

But I'll leave you with a tender moment I don't want to forget between Emily and Ellie...

Emily loves to babysit Ellie in her room when I'm getting ready or need to take care of a few chores...

...yesterday morning when I was getting ready for our day she and Ellie were playing in her room and I peeked in without them knowing where I found both of them lying in the crib watching Ellie's little projector on the ceiling and reading books.  I heard Emily tell her,  "I won't be able to do this tomorrow, y'know." because she has to go to school.  And she kept calling Ellie her pal all day!  She told me she asked Ellie if she was her pal and that she said "yeah."  ha!

I love these kids so much!