It IS fall!

Just thought it might help the part of our family who need to be reminded what season it REALLY is!  Those of you in California and Africa just might forget!

The tomato plants are done!
But we enjoyed what we had this summer!

Everything looks drab.  But in its own way,
it is very beautiful!

When you look down at the ground, there are
many different colors!

A turtleneck and hat shows you it is cooler!

And pumpkins are seen everywhere!
This one is from the Medford's Harvest party. 

Some trees tenaciously hang on to
their leaves.

Like our big maple tree.  It is always
one of the last to go.  It will turn
brilliant yellow before the leaves fall.

Apple Orchard Day

Before Rebecca and Esther left from their visit, we went to the Pine Tree Apple Orchard.  We got there late in the day, so not much was going on.  But you should have seen the traffic leaving!  On Highway 96 way before the orchard, it was like rush hour!  No kidding! And when we got there, it was still packed with people!  Wow!  And this was a small family outfit when it started out when Dad was young!  Here are some photos from our short time there.

You can see that it was a beautiful fall day!

Then that night we celebrated Rebecca and Joseph's birthdays early, just because we were together!  

One more photo!!

When I saw this photo, I knew it had to be added to the last post.  Way to go, John!!

Congratulations John and Jeff!!

 Yesterday John and his friend Jeff ran in (and completed!) the Twin Cities Marathon!

Very early morning preparation.
They wore long underarmour because
it was VERY cold outside!

They got dropped off near the metrodome in Minneapolis at 7 a.m., and the race started at 8 a.m.
John finished at 11:19, which was 20 minutes faster than his last marathon, but not quite hitting the Boston Marathon requirement which he would have liked.  Nevertheless, he felt good about the run, and was glad that he finished! Jeff finished I think right around noon, which also was amazing if you knew how little preparation he did for it.  

This is known to be "the most beautiful marathon in the U.S.," running along both sides of the Mississippi River and around all the beautiful lakes in Minneapolis.  The race ended at the State Capitol in St. Paul. 

I drove around for 1 1/2 hours to try to pick them up.  The
traffic was crazy!  I finally snatched a spot by the curb
when a car pulled away right in front of me.  Then John and Jeff
walked over to SEARS where I was.  It was only a couple of
blocks away.  You can see the capitol building in the background.  

They are acting very victorious here. 

But this is how they really felt!

Joseph is 18!!

Happy  Birthday, Joseph!
    It is hard to believe that
    that cute little boy is already 

18 !!

     We love you! 

             

Happy Birthday, Rebecca!

                         Happy Birthday, Rebecca!!
We love you!  We are SO thankful that we could celebrate in person with you!!