Fall Days

It's hard to believe that we have already been in the house for almost a year! But here we are, another fall season has rolled around, which means another leaf-raking season has come :)

We have a magnificent oak tree in our front yard {and several other trees in our backyard and surrounding our property}. It's actually one of the historic trees in the neighborhood, as it was one of the original ones from before the neighborhood was built. It's massive and absolutely beautiful. 

Earlier this year, it secreted a sticky substance that coated our cars and driveway, that we later learned was the excretion of aphids chewing on the leaves {gross}. But it eventually stopped and thankfully is as healthy as ever. Then starting in early September, it starting throwing acorns at us haha. We had a mass amount of acorns littering our yard, and we had to be careful walking under it, because otherwise we would get pelted. And then all the leaves began to change colors, which is such a sight to behold, and makes me wonder how I ever lived without real seasons before. 

But then the leaves fall. And fall, and fall, and fall. And we basically rake leaves endlessly for weeks haha. So it is an all-family affair! Thankfully, we have had some good advice on all the right tools to help make the job a little easier, and it really has become a fun family event. It's still hard work, but we try to make it as fun as possible, and when you have hulk hands to pick up the leaves, and you get to jump in the leaf pile every now and then, it's not so bad ;)

Maddie Grace has become our expert helper! She gets right in there, holds the lawn bag, is ready to get more supplies when we need it, and even uses her strong muscles to carry the leaf bag! She's such a fantastic helper :)

And sometimes Daddy rewards the kiddos with a fun fire pit after an afternoon of hard work. I love these fall days and the memories that we are making as a family. Growing up, I remember Saturdays when my dad would mow the lawn, and we would have tuna fish sandwiches for lunch, without fail. I'm sure I complained about having to "do yard work, again?!?!" haha. But I don't look back on those memories with frustration, but rather with sweetness, knowing that I was with my family, and there was consistency in spending time together. I wonder what my kids will remember from these fall clean up days...because there's definitely a lot of them. We raked twice this past weekend. And then it rained, and the ground was covered again haha.