Happy Fall

Another year has come and gone, and once again I find myself looking out at this ancient apricot tree with its abundance of lemon- yellow leaves, just waiting for someone to come play, and we accepted the challenge! We all played hookie from stake conference and spent the day at home together.  The weather couldn't have been finer-  a perfect Fall day.  It is so rare that Randy is home on a weekend day, that when these opportunities come, I take them and savor every moment, tucking away memories for the future.  Dixon, Jackson and Kasen had fun playing in the leaves and riding the 4-wheeler.  My joy came in watching them enjoy the lovely day.  The best part was just having Randy around.  I'd catch glimpses of him with the boys or by himself out the window or listen for the different sounds that would tell me what he was doing out there.  Every now and then he'd come in the house or I'd go out to check up on him.  I love having him here, busy doing things that he enjoys.  Later in the afternoon Shane, Alycia and the kids came for a visit.  Shane helped us put the patio furniture away for the winter.  It was sad to have to do it, but the snow on the Wellsville mountains and the bite in the air says that it is time.
Cooper liked to make big piles of leaves, then run through them, scattering leaves everywhere.
Kasen enjoyed carrying handfuls of leaves from one place to another.

Jackson is more interested in sticks.  His imagination is boundless when it comes to a stick.
Dixon is a big boy now and can actually be very helpful in all kinds of tasks. He was good at raking and very dependable in dragging the tarp filled with leaves over to the burning spot.

Kennedy delighted in tossing handfuls of leaves up into the air and hiding monkey inside a pile of leaves.

A big milestone was reached today.  Randy had his first horse ride since breaking his back last April.  Poor Bandit has been left behind on every ride all summer, but today he finally got to go.  Kevin had ridden and worked the kinks out of Bandit before Pa got on.  The ride was short and without kids- just to be safe.  Randy had a good time and now he is looking forward to doing more riding.  He has plans for a ride out to Pilot to look for elk.  That will give him a good excuse to use his new horse trailer. I was nervous about him riding, but very grateful that he was able to do it and that he found it enjoyable once again.