{Fall} is Here

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."

-Elizabeth Lawrence

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year...the cooler temperatures means cozy sweaters and boots...pumpkin patches and apple orchards...Trick-or-Treating...and seeing all the leaves change such vibrant colors!  It is definitely a great time of year to leave the chores for a day and get out and enjoy all that nature has to offer!

So we did just that...and spent a beautiful afternoon at Brown County State Park...hiking, riding horses and exploring! 

First, Alex and Emily wanted to ride the horses...while Ellie was taking a little snooze in the car.

Emily wanted to ride this horse...so she was all ready to go...

...except the horse was not!  He would not budge...so she decided to try his more cooperative neighbor...

...okay...now we're in business!

I couldn't capture it, but I thought this horse had such pretty blue eyes...he was being camera shy!

...just a few wild turkeys running across the pasture as we were leaving the saddlebarn...

After Elizabeth was able to snag a few zzz's...we hiked around Ogle Lake...where the kids love throwing rocks into the water, searching for sticks and leaves and finding any tree they can climb!


"Let's go!"

"AAAAAH! A snake!"  screams Emily moments after this picture!

"Look, a leaf!"

"Alex was here."

Alex was always several steps ahead of us...but he made sure to leave his mark to show that he was there...all along the trail!

Alex throwing a stick for a dog who loved jumping in after it and retrieving it!  He said, "Can we get a dog like that when Skipper's gone?" 

"How tall am I?"  {growing up way too fast!}

It was such a gorgeous Fall day... and I love watching the kids explore and enjoy nature.  They truly teach me everyday how to enjoy the simple things in life.  It makes my heart happy to see them having fun and enjoying life!

We also picked a few pumpkins and planted mums this weekend...

 

...flew kites...

 

...and ate potato soup all week...

Yep...I'd say that Fall is officially here...

...and I couldn't be happier!