"May the Memories Wrap Their Arms Around You..."

"...May your childhood take you by the hand. May what you remember find healing when it hurts, so the memories will protect you when they can." -Tom Hunter, Bev Bos, and Michael Leeman

Tiny Teddy sporting his new finger-knitted scarf.

November is a time for reflection.  A time for traditions. A time for making memories. Last weekend we ventured to Apple Hill. Our sister-in law arranged for the family to meet up at High Hill and the weather was fantastic.  We made it in time for carmel apples for lunch.

Fall Favorites: Carmel Apple, festive fall fashion, and family time.  Oh and yes that is Pooh Bear on the table.  He had a visit to Dr. Ellie and received a bandage for his Onyx inflicted nose injury and wore his hospital gown all day.

Attempting to steal a bite...a must.

Before eating Mason tried to get us to let him ride the carousel, but I felt like that wasn't the Apple Hill experience.  It was more of a mall sort of thing.  As we walked away from it I realized that we typically distract and blow by them at the mall too, so would the world end if it made it into our Apple Hill experience?  Probably not, so giddy up!

Mason: "Can we ride the merry-go-round?" Me: "No, we could do that at the mall. Let's see what else they have." Then while walking around I realized, wait we always say no at the mall so live it up.  Me: "Alright guys here's some quarters hop on."

Next Ellie's request to ride the pony was on the agenda. That girl loves her animals.

Ellie our animal lover and thrill seeker.

We then went in search of the train ride. The conductor tried to fool the kids that if we waited for our relatives to arrive he'd be taking a break and we'd miss out.  Ellie saw right through his act and laughed saying, "NO!" You'd have thought that man never smiled.  Leave it to Ellie to see through that jokester's tough exterior. It takes one to know one.

Waiting for our train ride.

See, I told you: Thrill Seeker.  Entering the tunnel on the train.

The day continued with the Hay Maze at Abel's and then we headed back down the hill on home.

Getting Taller

This weekend we headed south for a Pre-Thanksgiving celebration with our family and friends. On Thursday evening Mason was SO eager to get going on our trip.  He had fallen asleep on the way home from a busy day and woke up, scurried around the house and packed his own suitcase and backpack.  It was hard falling asleep that night knowing we had to wait another day before we could go.

He had been talking about the trip and telling us how he would bring the tiny gas truck back and play with the plane when he arrived. He had borrowed the truck over the summer and had kept it safe through many adventures.  He would play and then feast on "toast with butter, because Grandma always has toast at her house."

I love these little memories. It got me thinking of the little things I remember from visiting my grandparents.  The little parts of their home that was different than mine.  The rectangular faucet in the bathroom, the staircases where we played and pretended, the walks we took in their neighborhoods.  Whether it was Oregon or Idaho, the magic was always there. The bits of magic that you carry with you, "protect you", fill your heart.  Friday evening we set out on our trip to spend 4 hours in the car to be back home sleeping in our beds until the accident on I-5 could be cleared.  We woke up rested and ready for our adventure.

Brunch at the Tower Cafe and we were off.

Spoon noses

No Traffic and Beautiful Fall Leaves out our window...We are on our TRIP!!!

Ellie and her bear took a nap to pass the time.

When we arrived Mason instantly found the toys, unpacked the gas truck, and danced to the music of the clock.  As he danced I thought of how that clock is one of his memories.  One he'll hold close to his heart like the flashlight adventures he played with Ellie, Dakota and all the "wild animals" (grown-up monsters) last night.