Friday, September 25, 2015

Centergrove Orchard

We spent today at one of our favorite fall places, Centergrove Orchard.  It's such a fantastic place.  So fantastic that we spent over six hours there and the kids still weren't ready to leave.  The last couple years we have celebrated Nana's birthday there and today marked another gorgeous day with spectacular weather, sweetest company, giggles, and memories made.

The whole crew!!  The little one in the middle?  He's completely stolen our hearts.
Pedal tractors...


 The good ol' corn pool...





Air time on the jumping pillow...


 The ever so popular slide...


Maleah is such a trooper.  Ruby's got it made with her rock star siblings.



What a good nana!!
The big tractors are sooooo much fun, even for the adults...



Like I said, even for the adults. :)

Eva says, "Can I play?!"


On the porch for some homemade apple cider and apple cider doughnuts...



The one room schoolhouse...


 All the nursery rhymes...




 And, you know you are in Iowa, when you race goats and pigs.  
You know you are a redneck when you cheer them on and watch them six times...





What a great day!!


While there are a lot of us (we joke that we qualify as a daycare field trip), and we like to make silly faces and look nutty, we have the best time together.  These kids are truly the best; outstanding behavior and just a genuine love and desire to be together.  I'm really grateful.

Harvest 2015

The guys got the big machine rolling this week.  While they haven't had a "go hard" day, they did officially begin on Tuesday, September 22.  Next week, I anticipate they will dig in and get after it.




It's always an exciting time!  My boys were just bopping around Tuesday morning.  As Dallas said, "The first day and the last day are so exciting.  And sometimes a few days in-between."

Charlie rode for seven hours on Wednesday.  I am so thankful that we are truly a family farm, and that Dallas and Papa are so willing to let us all be involved.  Charlie thinks he is 100% part of the operation, it's important that our nephews and nieces get a time to ride, we bring meals out, and leave them alone the rest of the time.  :)  But, a family affair it is.  Makes me grateful.

Charlie's version of Pleasant Valley Family Farms.

See little man under there?
It's an exciting time of year!