fall bits

over the last few weeks,

as we have entered this new season,

everytime i tell the kids

"put your coat on, it's winter"

"you can't wear shorts, it's winter"

"you need a hat, it's winter"

i get the immediate

"it isn't winter yet, moooooommmmm!"

well today that game is over.

winter is officially here.

mom is always right, but now mom is officially right.

so here on the first day of winter, 

i thought i'd share the last of our fall bits.

also, because my phone is about to 

blow-up with christmas pics, so time to put these 

in the bits and bobs memory bank.

bundle up friends, it's winter.

fall hike

blankets of leaves

doing the dab...all.the.time.

golden hour backyard campfire

shoes and bag that match the pretty leaves

handsome boy who also matches the laves

coffee sipping and photo taking on the dreamy swing 

monkey bar graduate with the blisters to prove it

homework routines in full swing

warming up by the fire in between wood stacking and leaf blowing

putting the leftover halloween candy to good use

the tumble bus visits the farm for some birthday fun 

janie's 4th birthday

a friday night proposal to his mom

the last of the garden harvest

cowboys on a roll 

pumpkin carving

scarecrow stuffing

scarecrow snuggling

chili cook-off tasting

ballot casting

morning chores on the farm

sister playing a tune

a friend sharing her cranberry harvest

leaf pile jumping

golden grass trekking

fall family hiking

advent calendar

a little look into this year's advent calendar.

oh how we look forward to preparing our hearts

and making these memories together each year.

a bit more about our tradition here, here & here 

day 1: isaiah 41:5 /christmas lights walk @ fatima shrine

day 2: isaiah 52: 7-10 / go out for donuts before school

day 3: isaiah 40: 9-11 / mail letters to santa

day 4: genesis 3:15-18 / food pantry & shelter donations

day 5: genesis 15: 1-6 / make ugly sweater cookies

day 6: deuteronomy 18: 15-19 / decorate bedroom doors for christmas

day 7: psalm 89: 1-4 / christmas crafternoon

day 8: isiah 11: 1-10 / sing silent night by candle light

day 9: zechariah 6: 12-13 / listen to christmas music really loud

day 10: michah 5: 2-4 / watch home alone

day 11: malachi 3: 1-6 / go to christmas concert @ church

day 12: john 1: 1-8 / go christmas shopping for each other

day 13: john 1: 9-18 / wear pajamas and drive around to see the christmas lights

day 14: mark 1: 1-3 /wrap presents

day 15: luke 1: 5-13 / make cards for teachers

day 16: luke 1: 14-17 / go to jane's christmas concert

day 17: luke 1: 18-25 / make gingerbread houses

day 18: luke 1: 39-45 / caroling

day 19: luke 1: 46-56 / make treats & deliver to neighbors

day 20: luke 1: 57-66 / open one present

day 21: luke 1: 67-80 / cookie decorating with friends after school

day 22: luke 7: 10-14 / christmas movie marathon & sleepover in the living room

day 23: luke 1: 26-45 / start the 1,000 piece christmas puzzle

day 24: isaiah 9: 2-7 / christmas eve open house

day 25: matthew 1: 18-25 / celebrate jesus' birthday