Fall

Well....where do I begin. This has been the hardest time of my life since losing my dad so suddenly on Aug 31st. I have no idea how I'm functioning but it's only through the grace of God that I am. Words can not express how sad we all are and we will miss him so very much. Jack keeps looking up toward the sky and saying "Come back Grandpa"...literally breaks my heart into pieces. Our lives will never be the same and I so thankful that my kids got to spend so much time with him during their short little lives. I love you and miss you so much Dad!
Despite the tragedy we have had to keep going and we have done lots of fun Fall adventures to keep our minds off of it. We have been to Ditmers Orchard, Nebraska City and Fontenelle Forest over the past few weeks. We are heading to Vala's next week! I love Fall and it is absolutely my favorite time of the year with so many fun traditions. Unfortunately it will always be a little bit of a sad time now but I know that my dad is watching down on us every minute of the day and loving watching us be together as a family.

This pic is very deceiving! Probably the only time he was smiling instead of crying!

Jack and Henry at Mud Pies at Fontenelle Forest

Jack and his teacher Ms Julie at Open House

Corn maze at Ditmer's Orchard

Corn pit at Ditmer's Orchard

Corn pit at Ditmer's Orchard

Cute kiddos!

Hayrack ride

Since the apple orchard didn't have apples we picked pumpkins!

Sept 2012

Cider slushies in NE City

NE City

We took a carriage ride in NE CIty

Riding the carriage

Arbor Lodge in NE City

Picking apples at Kimmel Orchard

Apple picking in NE City

Hayrack ride with our apples

Beautiful Fall day at Fontenelle Forest

We hiked all the way down to the rr tracks and Missouri river at Fontenelle Forest--love that place!

Our Fall schedule has been really nice with only gymnastics and soccer for Ellie and soccer for Jack. Soccer for Jack didn't really go so well and all he did during the games was cry and refuse to participate. We decided he is just not ready for team sports so we opted to end his soccer season a little early :) Maybe we'll try baseball in the Spring---not such a "contact" sport!! Here are some pics to sum up the last few weeks with the West family: