fall festival!

In the midst of all of our packing, we made it a priority to hit up Cox Farms for it's opening weekend! When we were planning our move date back in August, I made sure that we moved AFTER Cox opened for it's fall festival. It was such a highlight of autumn last year, and I knew that both kids would enjoy it mucho! And enjoy it they did!

Happy First Birthday, Warner!

One. Year. Old. My baby is one. This has been much harder for me to take in the second time around. I think with Evelyn I was always so excited for her to reach the next milestone and ready to celebrate what was ahead, that with Warner I have learned to really slow down and appreciate his current stage  at all times.

One year ago Warner was added to our family and he has brought indescribable joy to our lives. The boy radiates nothing but smiles and a cheerful attitude - except when he's teething ;) - and truly has given me a taste of divine love. I never knew I would love having a boy so incredibly much. He completely has my heart.

Since we are in the middle of packing up boxes in preparation for our move in 6 days (ahhh), we aren't celebrating all that fantastically, son, atleast not today. But when we get back to California we plan on partying with family 10 days after your birthday. I figured you would be ok with that since you are clueless as to what a birthday is, but I do love you and recognize that TODAY a year ago you changed my life forever. I love you, Warner!

Virginia is for lovers.

Twenty-four hours ago I was standing on the top of a beautiful ridge just outside the Shenandoah Valley, overlooking luscious green rolling hills, sprinkled with white silos,  and echoing with crickets and the moos of cattle. The air was crisp, the sky a light gray while stroked with shades of thunderous clouds. At my feet was Warner, picking at the reeds of grass while Jared and Evelyn stood on a boulder surveying our surroundings. I leaned against our car, gazing at my beautiful little family in the most picturesque scenery and it just hit home to me that golly, this life is amazing! I called out to Jared "i'm so happy I could cry!" It was good to just get away from the hustle and bustle of life and spend time in the quiet serenity of nature. This earth sure is magnificent.

We drove up to Hartland Orchard yesterday morning to pick some apples. The trees and apples were stunning and in perfect form. The kids both had a great time running/crawling through the rows and rows of crooked trees, reaching up through fruit-bearing limbs, and tugging down apples. Two stray chickens were out about in the fields, which was a delightful surprise for the kids as they tried to lure it in with an apple peace offering, but with no success.

Virginia really is the state for lovers. Glad my lover is so handsome, goes along with my desire to meander in the Appalachians, makes my babies giggle, and can give a stellar kiss  ;)

you can see last year's apple picking here. I can't believe Warner was just 3 weeks old when we went! time is flying. He turns one next Thursday :/