Apples 'n Stuff

We made it out to Oak Glen this year for apple picking!  It was earlier in the season than other years we've done it, so there were actually apples on the trees.  That said, we spent most of the time attempting to pick raspberries.  It sounded like such a good idea, but the rows of raspberry plants were infiltrated with weeds that Evan called "pokey bushes." Our socks and clothes quickly got covered with sharp, thorny burrs.  Eventually, all the kids dropped out, and Ryan had to finish filling our carton all alone.  The apples were good, though, and of course we had to stop for cider doughnuts!  
  

The day was hot, and the raspberries were very ripe.

The ones we ate right away were good, but the rest fermented on the way home!

Eating Apples

Corinne found some wind-fallen apples in the grass.  (We let her eat them.)

On the way home, we stopped at Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga just to look around.  Corinne wanted all these pop-guns for herself.  
  

  
On the way out of Rancho, Ryan saw a "famous cars" car show in a strip mall parking lot, and had to jump out and get some pictures.  Only Elise was game enough to go with him!
  

  
The second week of Joy School was at our house, and it went pretty well.  The kids finger-painted with pudding and we did a bunch of stories and activities related to the five senses.  I did discover, though, that three-year-olds can't concentrate with my older kids around, so I've decided to banish Connor and Elise to my bedroom on Joy School days.
   

I went to check on her during Joy School . . 

Elise started ballet!  She did a class at this same studio a couple years ago and loved it, so we switched back for this school year (instead of gymnastics.)  She gets to be with her best friend, Sarah (although they talk a lot more than they should.)  Connor picked basketball class for his activity this year, but I still haven't gotten any pictures (sorry Connor!)
  

  
I found these August pictures on Ryan's phone the other day, so I'm just going to throw them in here.  Corinne went swimming in our pool for the first time, and loved it!  She even liked the baby floaty (yes, it's actually Lincoln's, but we stole it!)  Unfortunately, like all our kids, she liked to climb out and tip it over, so we didn't leave her in for very long.
  

    
And some other stuff..
  

"Downtown"

The Ward Newsletter guy got this picture during Elder's Quorum