My Little Deacon!

This weekend has been one of many exciting moments! The weekend was preceeded with the arrival of the Apple Farmer's parents!! It's been so wonderful to have Grammie and Papa with us!

This weekend is our Stake Conference weekend. Because our Stake presidency was also reorganized, the weekend became quite unique. It has been filled with great adoration for the three men who have served these many years in this capacity! We have reflected on memories of the many ways they have shown their love for the Lord, as well as for us as members. As a new Stake President is called, we have the honor of a visit from one of the Apostles. For us, it was Elder Nelson who came to speak and to call the new stake presidency. Part of this calling process involves a personal interview with all of the stake's Bishops and Branch Presidents within the Stake. This meant that the Apple Farmer had the very unique opportunity to be interviewed by an Apostle of Jesus Christ!

Since Human Resources turned 12 and is worthy of the priesthood, today's very special event took place at our good friends', the Hanson's home. Mason was ordained to the office of a Deacon. The ordinance was performed by his Dad, his Grandpa, Bishop Hanson and his Deacon Advisor, Brother Lichfield.

We are all so excited for him.

Hmmmm. Some little stow-aways were found hanging out in Cody's room!

Best $5.00 Ever Spent!!

$2.00 in gas to get to the Thrift Store and home again.

$3.00 for a suit he's been begging for, for well over a year. The look on his face when he wears it.... PRICELESS!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Human Resources: Um. Do you use shampoo or soap on your bald spot?

Apple Farmer: .....

Director of Human Resources should know that he can be sued for discriminating

against people who are Folically Challenged.

Happy Birthday Apple Farmer!

To my Apple Farmer - wishing you many, many more happy birthdays! I love you!!

And to my Mom and Dad by choice - Thank you!!!!

Farewell to Summer and Fall...

Farewell to sunny picnics

and yummy melons to share with friends!

Farewell to the flower garden and catnaps at the well.


Farewell to camping in old Nauvoo until the warm weather returns!

Farewell to orchard tours.

Farewell to the employee parking lot until next harvest time!

Farewell to barefeet and sundresses!

Farewell to creepy spiders too!

Farewell to beautiful suprise apple pies from neighbors who care!

Farewell to super swing rides until the weather turns nice and fair!

Farewell to harvest parties until next harvest year!

Farewell to carmel apple boats



Farewell to crispy apples too!



Farewell to Aunt Michelle until you can come to stay again!




Farewell to halloween!







Farewell to summer and fall!

Lookin' forward to you again next year!!

Happy Halloween!

Ya'll might be wondering how we celebrate halloween when you live on a farm in the middle of nowhere! Here's how:

We dress up...

We hop in the truck...




and we find a good party to sneak in on!

The boys all enjoyed coming up with their own costumes! The two older boys had a great time rummaging through stuff at our local thrift store. For between .65 and 1.00 they managed to be very creative in their choice of costumes! The president was so excited to use his hand-me down Lion from his cousin Evrhett! Her Royalness was tickled when her mama squeezed in a little costume making time and came up with her own take on Strawberry Shortcake (yup - she even has a Custard the Cat...)

I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to pull this one off. Something that I always enjoyed doing was sewing up a costume for my kids when they are so little. So you can imagine my own excitement when I did manage to create this little costume and dress her up!! Of course, as soon as I finished dressing her up, she turned to her brother, Avery, and said, "Come on Appo Dumpwing (translation: Apple Dumplin')!" She tried to pick him up as if the costume came included with the strength to do so, and when she found she couldn't she exclaimed, "Ooooh! Appo Dumpwing! You so heavy!" It was priceless to watch, however, what was even more priceless was the look on her brother's face when he realized she had transformed him into her baby sister Apple Dumplin!! I wish I could have a picture of that!!

Interview With a Twelve Year Old

Me: So your 12th birthday has finally arrived! How does it feel to be 12?

12 yr old: I don't know how to describe it. But all I know is I'm one year closer to 100.

Me: Wow! I've never heard 12 described in quite that manner. You really have a way with words!

12 yr old: Thank you!





Me: So have you noticed much change in technology in the last 12 years?

12 yr old: Yes. For example, Wii's have replaced game cube and nintendo 64. Hybrid cars are a less expensive car to run. Text messaging on playstation 3s and palm pilots.

Me: Wow! That is pretty phenomenal progress. Did you know that TV used to be only in black and white?

12 yr old: Kinda. Ya, I guess so.

Me: So what does it mean to you to be 12 years old?

12 yr old: I get to pass the sacrament on Sundays, and attend Young Men's on Wednesday and Boy Scouts.

Me: Cool! What do you enjoy most in scouts?

12 yr old: Hiking and camp outs!

Me: I hear the scouts like to camp in the snow.

12 yr old: What?!?

Me: Does this concern you?

12 yr old: Uh, Ya!

Me: Why would this be a concern?

12 yr old: I don't sleep well in the cold...

Me: You are supposed to sleep on camp outs? I didn't know that!

12 yr old: They aren't called camp outs for nothing.

Me: What would you like to be when you grow up?

12 yr old: video game creator

Me:What kind of education do you need to be successful as a video game creator?

12 yr old: Electronics, Computers, and maybe a little bit of math.

Me: What is the first video game you want to create?

12 yr old: An adventure type game that happens during the medieval times.

Me: Sounds exciting! Did you know that in only two years you will be able to go to church dances and dance with cute girls?

12 yr old: GRRROOOOSSSSSS!

Me: And did you know that in only four years you will be able to drive?

12 yr old: I already know how to drive.

Me: Oh. That's right! I almost forgot... So what kind of great things do you hope to accomplish during your 12th year?

12 yr old: Learn how to track animals using my field guide that I got for my birthday. Eat lots of shrimp flavored Ramen. Learn to swim better. Build a kayak with my Dad. And play baseball.

Me: Thank you, 12 year old, for your precious time! The minutes are just ticking away and before you know it you will have your 13th birthday. Happy Birthday baby boy!