Apple Picking w/the Fam

Today was apple picking day @ Apple Hill Orchard in Morganton.  Pops, Grandma, Mick, Rye & Mel joined us.  It was a beautiful, sunny fall day......perfect for apple picking!  And let me tell you, we filled our baskets FULL.  Some for baking & some for eating.  Of course we also enjoyed some fresh apple cinnamon donuts & cider.  It was a great day!!

4 ft tall!

Our apple picking crew

Horse on the orchard

Hard worker!!

Filling her basket

Abby & Daddy

Some trees were so full!!

Me & my sweetie

Rye & Mel

Horsey loved the apples!

Kinda a messy eater

Josh & Pops off to find the Pink Lady apples

Goofy Josh throwing apples!

Pretty girl!

The girls & two of their uncles

Taking the easy way out Ab!

On our way for donuts

I think we got enough apples!!!

Love this girl!!!

Our friends the McKinley's were there too!!!

Fall Yard Pictures

A few random pictures.......

Sunrise last week

Hibiscus bloom

This patio tree just keeps blooming....love it!!

Mums for the fall

Pansies, Violas & Lantana

Full bloom Lantana.....love these!!

First Big Middle School Project

Sophia was excited to work on her first big project for middle school - timeline 11 years before she was born and 11 years after her birth.  It required research of events such as scientific, literary, educational, arts, personal (and a few more) - one before her birth & one after.  Thank goodness for the internet!!  She typed them up, used clip art & glued them all on.  And when she was all done, a big sigh of relief!  Final product looked great.....now just waiting on the grade.....I think it will earn her 100%.

Fall Conferences for Abby

Our fall conference for Abby's class was Wednesday afternoon.  How elated we were to learn how well she is doing.  The Dibels assessment score - off the charts, according to Mrs. Lingle.  Way to go Ab!  I was not surprised about her reading level being above what is required at this time, but her math.....wow!  They have a new curriculum and with math do not send any homework home, rather just focus on teaching it in class.  So, to see she has scored 100 makes us so happy!  Her teacher is delighted to have Abby in her class.  It is nice to hear such compliments from someone that has just gotten to know Abby.  

We are so proud of you Abigail!!  Keep up the great work, you are learning lots and expanding your world. 

Annual Meeting October 2013

Last Sunday was a meeting to remember!  All English congregations (in the United States as well as some other areas of the world) were invited to the Annual Meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses (via tie-in with New York).  We were excited to be a part of this event!!  

And then, after 29 years, we received The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Revised 2013).  The features in this new revision are amazing!  The modern English is so easy to understand, helping us to draw closer to Jehovah and benefit from his message given to all people.

Abby & Sophia were beaming (as we all were really)!  They both commented on how special to have this new copy.  This will be an event in history that we will recall & appreciate.    

Josh & Sophia with their Bible's

Abby & Me with ours

So happy!!

Sophia's Informance

Thursday evening was NCMS's 6th Grade Band Informance.  Informance you say, what is that?  Well, basically "informing" families of the band students what they have been working on for the first weeks.  Sophia is a diligent, determined girl, especially when it comes to her flute playing/practicing.  It was fun to see all the students together!  

Pops, Grandma & Mick attended as well.  And what a sweet surprise when Mick arrived with flowers for Sophia.  Her first experience as a performer and the flowers made her feel so special.  

Then it was to Udderly Delicious for ice cream after.....YUM!!!

Keep up the good work Sophia!  We look forward to upcoming performances!!

Daddy & Sophia

Beautiful bouquet from Mick!

Slide about one of the band teachers

Slide about the other one

And why we were there....

Resting position - listening to Mr. Smith 

Playing!!

All the flutes! (Sophia on the far left)

She just received her flowers from Mick!!  So happy

With Grandma & Pops

Aliah & Sophia - both flute players

Ice Cream for all!!