Apples with a view: Cole's Field Trip to Carters Mountain

Cole started preschool this month and had done... okay. He never really wants to go in the morning ("I don't have time!" "I don't want to go to school!"), but when I pick him up, he usually says he had a good time. I'm hoping he'll continue to learn to like it and by the time he starts Kindergarten next year, he'll actually enjoy school. Fingers crossed.

On September 22nd, Cole had his first field trip! The class went to Carter's Mountain, a local orchard, and George, Lily, Lexi, and I got to come along for the ride.

This picture sums up how he feels about school perfectly. Cole didn't want to sit with his class for a picture. So Lily kept him company.

Apple school! Cole and Lily really liked learning about the life cycle of the apple.

Lexi was a good sport! 

If you look close, Cole and Lily are holding hands. No matter how much they fight, these two love each other.

It was so fun to have George there!

I love coming to Carter's Mountain. Look at that view! (See that large white building on the mid-left of the picture? That's UVa's hospital.)

Still holding hands.

Next we took a hay ride! Someone was pretty excited.

And of course we got to pick some apples.

I love this sweet boy!

Lexi's Baby Blessing

September 18th found us in Ashburn, surrounded by family and celebrating a special event. Lexi's baby blessing.

Each time a baby is born, George has the opportunity to give them a father's blessing. It's a beautiful tradition, and one that has been in our family for generations.

Little Lexi dressed in white:

She had a beautiful little bracelet Grandma Brewer gave to her, but with everything going on, I forgot to put it on. Sorry, Grandma!

This little girl has such a fun personality.

Big brother love!

Most people bless their babies at church, but we usually do it at home. I love it.

Grandma and Mom

George gave a beautiful blessing. (I have to admit, I only heard about half of it since I was chasing Lily and Cole around, trying to get them to be quiet. Oh well. Thank goodness for cell phones and recordings.)

Tyler Calderwood, Glenn Schiraldi, George Glass Jr., George Glass III, Stephen Allred, and Bro. Fairholm who presided.

Lexi and her namesake! Lexi's middle name is Rae after Rachel Brewer.

Four Generations!

This was our attempt at a family picture. Most of the kids were cooperating, but for some reason, Cole decided he didn't want to take a picture and refused to come or smile.

This was the best we got! (I might have cried in the library afterwards--fatigue and stress will do that to you.)

This little girl is so loved.

Oh good, Cole is finally smiling. Probably because Grandmom brought her amazing dumplings.

Fun conversations.

I'm so glad we were able to be with much of our family to celebrate little Lexi. It was a special day, made even better by Grandma Brewer. I'm so grateful she was able to be there, I only wish we could have seen her a bit more before he had to go back to Charlottesville.