Fall In Upstate

Well, it's been awhile since I wrote last--especially considering the fact that I felt like leaves were changing for a solid month here, and then didn't really actually fall off the trees until last week--crazy that the last time I wrote they hadn't even started changing yet! The thought of fall coming before it actually came was far more ominous than happy for me. However, as the weather cooled, I noticed something.

 Breathing in fall air is different than any other season; you take a deep breath of fall air, and it has a freshness to it that somehow reaches the very bottom of your lungs--parts of your lungs that seem not to have even known air could reach them.  Fall smells fresh, feels fresh, and seems to actually refresh every part of you (which is funny...because technically plants are dying ;). From replacing whatever air was in your lungs with that crisp, happy, air-- to being just the temperature to require a jacket, but never being cold enough make you second guess going outside--I've decided fall is magical.

Don't get me wrong, summer will probably always be my favorite. There's nothing I love more than walking outside and having it be just as warm (or warmer) outdoors as it is inside. That being said, I think this year I've really gained a greater appreciation for another season. In fact, here are a few (ha)pictures. Don't get me wrong, none of these pictures do fall here justice. But, without filters or editing, they are as close as I can come, (in addition to the above explanation), to conveying fall's 'wonderfullness'. I've always had fall, growing up in a state with four seasons. But New York has quite a few more trees than Colorado or Utah; I think it's been eye-opening to see what the east coast is like in the fall.


 

These two pictures (above and below this text) were taken at the very beginning of fall. That one tree in red got brighter and brighter every day to where it honestly looked neon. I mentioned it every day for about two weeks to Matthew

And...a few weeks later..

Will you look at that sky?

 

 

 

We went on atLEAST six car rides simply to look at the leaves. These next few are from a rainy day (obviously). But one of my favorite things about fall here is that, for the most part, it is....wait for it....

SUNNY!

Yes, SUNNY!

Not every day, as you'll notice from my pictures, but for the most part, it really was/is.

I've been pleasantly surprised by how much of this past year has been sunny. When we moved here, Matthew mentally prepared me for the worst, not wanting me to be surprised/letdown/depressed by a lack of sunshine; I've been pleasantly surprised in every (yes, EVERY) season by how much sunshine there is here. 

Okay, gorgeous, right?

 

When parking lots are beautiful...

lol.

But, really. Take a moment to take in those reds!

 

 

 

 

 

Anthon and I's first pumpkin patch/picking experience.

(Or...what I think was my first...sorry mom, for not remembering if it wasn't :P

I took more of these epic pictures...but, sadly...due to my phone's memory (per usual) being maxed out, a bunch of them didn't save :(

ummm....and a random Halloween picture.

But check out those leaves!

If you don't yet agree with me about how magical fall is here, one of two things is true:

1. You scrolled way to quickly through these bajillion pictures.

2. You didn't read my beautiful explanation about fall air and lungs.

Okay, nevermind the two, make that three..

3. You don't have a soul.  

 

Okay, not so much on that last one.

 

Moral of the story: I am SO grateful to have experienced other seasons here. Last winter was long (albeit sunny at times) and COLD. But the bright greens of the spring, rich greens of the summer, fun (not-too-often) downpours of rain, and gorgeous falls might just make me a believer yet.

 

Love my husband, love our baby, love my life! 

 

P.S. In case you were wondering....

Month 10  for Anthon brought the word 'ducky', self-directed pick-a-boo, two more teeth (for a total of six), more graham crackers, MANDARIN ORANGES GALORE, standing from a seated position--first using us or other things, and eventually barely using anything to assist him., wanting to feed himself, rather than be fed, kicking nap #3 to the curb, a LOVE of looking out our sliding glass window to see ducks and geese, stopping to touch cars and/or look at his reflection in them as we walk by. Also, his personality exploded. Basically, in one week a switch flipped and he is just the happiest little interactive baby you've ever seen. He was happy before, but its suddenly about times five that; I notice it most when we go shopping and he goes out of his way to interact with people--smiling hugely at them and then turning around to make sure I'm catching it all; it's adorable. 

 

CRAZY that little man turns 12 Months...I.E. A YEAR in less than five days...

 

Whaaaaaaaa???!

I thought I could make a post without flooding you all with pictures of Anthon...
But that is clearly not possible.
So, here are a few of his 10th month.
By a few, I, of course, mean 50...

With our adorable friend from church. I've watched her a few times and enjoy painting her nails while little man sleeps :P

Heeeeeehehe. I love this expression.

Sometimes I do my hair and makeup.
Sometimes, I don't...

 

 Shortly after his 10 month mark..

What walks looked like during this month:
Lots of stopping to touch mailboxes, cars, flowers, and leaves..

 

 Meeting a caterpillar...

Waking up early means breakfast with dad..
Anthon LOVES it :)

Anthon's (and my) first time to an apple orchard

Also, his first hayride. You can tell by how he's sitting that he was a HUGE fan of touching the hay ;)

 

 One of Anthon and Matthew's favorite things to do..

Again, I LOVE warm weather! We sometimes walk outside down our drive waiting for Matthew to get home and greet him as he does :)

He still loves books! Don't let this picture deceive you...he still for the most part is only given board books... haha

Anthon's thing this month was raising up his sippy cup just after I gave it to him and looking at Matthew as if to say, 'cheers, dad! I've got my apple juice and all is right in the world!'

These. Two. Next. Pictures. KILLLLL. Me.

 

 hehe. Our little elf!

Everytime the music starts on his walker, he'll look at me to confirm I'm dancing and join in too. It's adorable.

 

 Still a newspaper fan..

Anthon's first General Conference..

And a walk between sessions with a hat that is definitely getting too small. . .

FHE at a park watching dad kick around the soccer ball..

 

 

Hanging out in the kitchen getting into things :)

It was so weird to find him standing up on his own!

 

 And, of course...We've got to have some bathtime pictures..or...post bathtime, since technically the water is already out...

And...another family walk. . .

Happy baby at the post office. I love his face (shocker) here. He was smiling at everyone in line and then with the postal worker.

 

 Anthon's never happier than when he's watching geese/ducks, be it indoors or outdoors..

 

 

 And...swinging with dad at the park :)

Again, we're doing great!

Thanks for reading/skimming/caring.

Lots of love from ours to yours!