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 :/