13th Annual Apple Picking Sleepover

Last weekend was one that we all enjoy!  It warmed my heart when Bec and Tor informed me that they will never be too old for our annual ‘Apple Picking Sleepover!’

Now that they’re 14 and 15 this year I wasn’t sure if they would still want to come but it was them who announced shortly after we got together that they have no plans of these yearly celebrations stopping so keep the invitations coming.  Yay!! 
It was an absolutely beautiful day!
Once in the orchard the girls knew our first picture would be them walking down one of the rows of apples.  We slid under a rope to get to an empty row and then went back to the ones that were ready for picking.  Our fall is busy this year so our adventure was earlier than normal.  Not many apples were ready but we made out just fine and the apples were beautiful and delicious!

My girls. 
Hannah (4 1/2)
Bec (14)
Tor (15)
Precious moments….precious memories!
The girls are SO good at playing with Hannah.  First there was school
and then ‘Trouble’.  I’m sure there was some Princess time too.
Special memories created for all of us!

The Tradition Continues

After apple picking we headed to one of our favourite sushi restaurants.  Mmm!

When we arrived home it was time to make apple crisp.  We pulled out our apple peeler and set to work.  Even though I don’t use it often it’s a great little tool, especially at times like this when we were making 5 apple crisps.  Sorry no pics – we ate them and gave them away before I thought to take pics.  Oops!

After our traditional supper of pancakes for the girls (dog bone shaped for Tor and Bec and Mickey Mouse shaped for Hannah) the girls played together.  I love to see them together and the older girls are amazing with her in spite of the age difference between them. 

At one point Hannah decided to teach the girls a Sunday School class.  So cool!  I’d never seen her do this and was excited to see her play school.

Included in this video is Hannah’s very first memory verse.  Oh how I love to hear her say it!

Sunday morning the girls were a big help and Hannah loved having her older cousins take care of her.

Our weekend ended with our weekly Sunday lunch at Nana and Papa’s before it was time to take the girls home.

We love you Bec Bec and Tor!  Let’s do this again soon!

12th Annual Apple Picking Adventure

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 12 years that we’ve enjoyed this event together!  The very first time I ventured into the apple orchard with 2 little ones in tow Victoria was 2 and Rebecca was 1.  Ever since then it’s been an annual tradition and Hannah loves it too.  The older girls begin checking their calendars early in August to ensure we find a weekend that works for all of us.

After riding the wagon back to the orchards the girls humoured me with our annual ‘walking through the apple orchard’ picture.  This one was for Mommy.

This was the one Hannah preferred!

I had heard that our warmer than usual spring had played havoc with the apple orchards and that there were not as many apples but the trees were heavy with them. 

While the girls picked the apples I captured some pictures of my beautiful daughter and nieces.

Rebecca

Victoria

Hannah

I cannot tell you how thankful I am for the beautiful friendship that these girls share.  Truly their friendship is a gift from God.

The love of my life and me.

Can you hear her saying, ‘I do it myself!’

Once our bag was full to overflowing we enjoyed a few yummy apples. 

Mmmm…juicy!!

Another fun apple picking adventure it behind us and we’ve already talked about how much fun we’ll have next year.  Oh how I love these girls!

Weekend Visitors

Hannah and I were privileged to have 2 guests this weekend! Her cousin Rebecca came Friday and the party began! We went out for dinner with my parents and Aunt and Uncle to a delicious Chinese food buffet. Hannah learned that jell-o is an oh so delicious, wiggly treat!

Saturday Victoria joined in on the fun and it was wonderful to realize that finally all 3 girls were here together!! I've had Rebecca and Victoria over for sleepovers since they were just 2 and 3 years old and for almost 5 years they talked about how fun it would be when Hannah was here to join them! Look how little they were!



Here are some pics of the 3 girls that I took this weekend wearing their Chinese dresses.





What a treat it was to share the weekend together. The first of many I'm sure!

9th Annual Apple Picking Sleepover

Every fall Rebecca and Victoria look forward to our annual 'Apple Picking Sleepover' and the requests to find a date often begin as early as July or August. This year life is a little more busy than normal (wonder why?) but this was one event I knew I needed to book on the calendar. The girls love this time together and so do I!

We began our time together Friday night when we dined at McDonalds - is there anyplace else? We made it a family affair and brought along Brook and we picked up Grandpa too from the hospital to enjoy some time out with us. The girls entertained him with singing much of the evening and he really enjoyed himself. I have a feeling though that he was happy to get back to quieter times when we took him home after supper and some shopping.

Rebecca and Victoria stayed over Friday night. They chatted late into the night... ummm...early into the morning so I woke them in time to get to the orchards early. We were there when they opened and took the first wagon ride into the orchards. I love that the girls have such a wonderful, carefree friendship. They called one another earlier in the week to coordinate their clothes. I think they did a great job and they looked cute together!!

Each year we take a traditional picture of the girls walking through the orchard. Here's our first trip in 2001 and...

now in 2009. I told them they didn't need to hold hands anymore but they said, 'We want to! We're friends...and it's tradition.'






Friday night Grandpa gave each of the girls a little gift from he and Grandma. We went shopping and it was neat to see that the girls chose to purchase paint and bristol board to make Welcome Home signs for Hannah. Too cute!!
I love you so much girls and am so thankful for this weekend we spent together.

Guess what? Next year Hannah will be joining our Apple Picking Sleepover for sure!!!!