It has been so busy since Mike arrived home! Always running here or there and trying to get him settled in here at home. The girls want every minute of his free time- poor guy is trying hard to give everyone some special time. We are going on a date tomorrow night to have dinner at a Thai restaurant a few minutes from our house! Still trying to catch up on laundry..who knew one extra person would put me behind schedule? I don't mind though - it's fun to try to keep up with everything. The girls are done with their first quarter of school. Time goes by so quickly.

We did go apple picking over the weekend but I forgot my camera! We picked a bushel of apples - approximately 45 lbs on my scale. So, I have to get moving on making some apple pies, applesauce, and maybe try a few other ideas some ladies have shared for using apples.

We had a special Welcome Home celebration at church this past Sunday. The soldiers that returned were recognized during service, special hymns were sung, and a delicious shrimp gumbo meal and a patriotic cake afterwards! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and then Christmas! Still have not made the decision as to which route to take for a family picture this year. I need to do it soon! God has been so good to us - protecting my husband and bringing him home to us. So far, we are staying healthy - trying to get fresh foods in, take our daily vitamins and then some!
What are you doing this year for the holidays? Do you take an annual family picture? I save ours from every year and one day I will have a large album of year by year pictures as our family changes!