Her Royal Higness is speechless after devouring burger and fries.
Tara's Alyssa enjoys her pink lemonade!
Cousin Mary - she lives in Tahoe and still Skis!
Some of the Great Grandchildren
Her sleepy Royal Highness
Way cute cousin crew
Cousins Annie, Barbara and Aunt Vicki (their good sides!)
Cousins Tom, Tommy John, Annie, Dudley, Barbara, Me and Ashlee
Nieces Noelle, Brianna and my Dad
Photo by Tara
Familiar since Colonial times as the "Woolly Bear," the caterpillar is often seen crossing roads and paths on warm days in late fall. According to superstition, the amount of black in the caterpillar's bristle coating forecasts the severity of the coming winter.
He shimmied right up the tree and started jumping around in the branches. Down came the nuts! If only apples could be harvested this easily! (Isn't he just amazing!?!)
And down came the tent caterpillars!
From a distance it looked like the Apple Farmer was holding up an intricate seed pod - there are a lot of intricate seed pods in Missouri, too. I turned around and wasn't paying much attention to what he was holding. He came up behind me and told me to check it out. I turned around and right in the front of my nose was this! If I was 10 years older than I am now, I would have had a heart attack that would have killed me. But instead, my heart tried to jump up my throat, along with my lunch. Being that I am quiet youthful at my advancing age and stage, I managed to control these faculties and keep all things where they were meant to stay.
Last week turned out to be a pretty grueling week in the apple business portion of our lives. Yesterday, however, a little visitor served as a great reminder to be grateful for the little things that come our way. In this case, a 'little' green frog was what it took to remind me to not let an abundance of apples get in the way of enjoying motherhood and the simple curiosity of my children!
The Attorney "You can't argue with a Frog!"
Tailgate Safety meeting: Unfortunately, the Safety Program does not include any procedures for slimey green things that hop around.
The President: "Buy a bushel of apples and get a genuine Green Frog free!"
Her Royal Highness -"What if I kissed it.....?"
This is Her Royal Highness, with Elder and Sister Christensen. These couples arrived just a couple weeks prior to Her Majesty's birth. Elder Christensen had a way with Royalty and was often found at the end of a meeting block with a sweet little pink thing curled up on his chest, sound asleep. Sister Christensen is such an inspiration and had a very quiet and gentle way in her relations with others! I really miss these wonderful people!
Now here is another wonderful couple! This is Elder and Sister Peterson. Sister Peterson just glows! Everywhere she goes she scatters sunshine. A sister in our branch once talked about 'Motherhood Heroes,' and Sister Peterson is one of mine! Never a negative word escapes her lips. Sister Peterson is also an amazing organist and her very last Sunday playing Postlude music, she played two of my favorite pieces - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and From thou Font of Every Blessing! I like to think she did it just for me!
Elder and Sister Rucker are so dynamic! Sister Rucker was always so encouraging and sweet! She is also one who goes the extra mile in her service to the church and in her family. I had the privilege of receiving some beautifully colored and laminated stories and games for FHE and church - I will treasure these forever!
Our closing hymn last Sunday was, "God be With you Till We Meet Again." I don't think there was a dry eye in the chapel when we finished. Another hymn that reflects what is in my heart is called, "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good."
Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.
What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodnes can we know
Than Christ-like Friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise they goodness, Lord above.
Speaking of The Apple Farmer's driving skills, the Attorney has some interesting driving skills of his own. I kept telling him he was just not old enough to drive the pug, but he was certain that since Human Resources could drive it, he could. Finally I gave in and gave him a driving lesson. All was going pretty well, until our second apple pick-up. The Attorney landed us in two apple trees. We were lucky that we still had our eyeballs. The trees are much lighter now, since the Attorney lightened their loads. Shaken up, I sat in awe as The Attorney plead his case on why he is still a perfectly good driver! Fortunately for him, he is still allowed to drive the Golf Cart.
Went to the produce auction today. The apples didn't do great but they did a lot better. This is some beautiful Indian corn that I won at auction, and I also won a bunch of great pumpkins! It was loads of fun decorating!
Here are some of our apples on display. I'm still working on filling up the produce tables. Can you see some of the great pumpkins and gourds up above the tables?
It's the Attorney and he is sitting next to his favorite pumpkin!! He is growing so fast!
Friday's produce auction was a flop. But I did manage to get this fun picture of the crew. 
