Feeling a lot more fall-ish

My apologies in advance as this time of year may start to sound repetitive from one year to the next as I highlight the changing of the seasons yet again. Fall is without a doubt my favorite season (Christmas my favorite holiday....but don't get me started on the "stores-shoving-Christmas-down-your-throat-waaaaaaay-too-early-mentality. Let us enjoy one season/holiday at a time people! ok.....enough of my soapbox). It will more than likely get said every year, but there's just something about those Friday night high school football games, the distinct crisp autumn air, the brilliant colors of leaves as they turn before falling to the ground, a little Sunday afternoon football, the hoodies coming out of hiding, the smells of cinnamon and nutmeg and pumpkin spice practically everywhere clashing with (or complimenting) the sweetly satisfying apple aroma; it all leads to one thing: Fall has arrived!!

Fall is also Austin's favorite season so he was more than happy to help with the few household decorations we have to spruce it up a little around here.

Carson got in on the action as well....the two of them did pretty good! It must be that creative gene they got from their father. ;)

 And for your viewing pleasure, a few of the other Anderson shenanigans we've been up to over the past week or so.

having fun with cousins Jovi and Aven!

Rub-a-dub-dub...3 crazies in the tub!

attempting the 'beard'

laughing at/with daddy!!!! (had to post this...love you hon!)

my little man!

Ready for an overnight camp-out with daddy!

More soccer Saturdays!! The first few pics are from when Daniel and Carson's teams played each other--it's all about the cousin-lovin'. :)

Daniel "guarding" Carson's throw-in!

Daniel #5....Carson #6

cousins & buds!

He shoots....he scores!! :)

kick-off

taking it easy (literally) on the sidelines!

oh. my. stride!

The boys have had a little fun with our new "toy" thanks to the Duran family!!! When we first got it from them, Mason was insistent that "it's Auntie Ruth's!" (side note: this is how they mow the yard, or field if you will, at my parents house and Auntie Ruth is pretty much in charge of that--and it's mostly done riding style.) The boys were ecstatic that we now had a riding lawn mower just like at the farm....hmmmm....maybe that means help is on the way in the mowing department?! :)

driver-in-training :)

Ruth--this is how I expect to see you mowing lawn next summer! ;)

big thumbs up for a VIKES win on Sunday!! :)

I think I have a hankering for some of that cinnamon, nutmeg, 'fall-ish' type baking....pumpkin bread anyone?!

Daily Living

We are 4 weeks into the school year and back into the fall routine of various activities with the start up of piano lessons, AWANA Tuesdays, and soccer Saturdays just to name a few. I'm slowly finding my new normal with having only Mason during the day and my little buddy and I seem to fill up our days together no matter what's on the schedule. 

 Making some banana bread!

Tractor puzzle!!

Our first Soccer Saturday of the season!!! We had to have red pancakes in honor of Carson's team--the Red Robins :)

 

Keeping it out of the goal!

Go CJ!

Carson scoring!!

my little goalie

 Austin has been wanting to make these "pretzel wands" and last weekend was the perfect time to make this simple and yummy treat!

movie night with Boz!!

A little inspiration brought on by some Sunday afternoon football perhaps?!

Game time! ;)

 

gotta love it :)

Due in part to now having 2 school-age boys (as well as various circumstances that have taken place over the past few days), this particular season in life has brought me to realize even more just how short life really is, and that how we live this life on earth says something about us and about WHO we are truly living for. To say that I want to make the most of these days given is no cliche. There have been countless songs with "those lyrics" that spoke directly to my heart with tears to accompany, words written on the pages of books that have brought Scripture to life in a new way and God's Word written so plainly that it's Truth is undeniable and quite convicting. The verses practically jumping off the pages at me!  
   "..If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

That's the latest verse that's been resonating through my mind as of lately. John Piper's words of explanation are just as convicting and I couldn't help but share them:
    
      "Daily Christian living is daily Christian dying. The dying I have in mind is the dying of comfort and security and reputation and health and family and friends and wealth and homeland. These may be taken from us at any time in the path of Christ-exalting obedience. To die daily the way Paul did, and to take up our cross daily the way Jesus commanded, is to embrace this life of loss for Christ's sake and count it gain. In other words, the way we honor Christ in death is to treasure Jesus above the gift of life, and the way we honor Christ in life is to treasure Jesus above life's gifts." (John Piper in Don't Waste Your Life)


As we go about our daily living, I pray that we as a family of five will abide by this Truth. And in the everyday, no matter how mundane the task or big the challenge He requires of me, my Jesus is glorified and treasured above all!!!
 

 

Labor Day weekend at Lake Tahoe

No matter how many times we are presented the opportunity to escape to the picturesque Lake Tahoe and drink in the scene of pristine blue waters with it's surrounding forest of pine trees and majestic mountains, it never disappoints. It never gets old. Breath-taking beauty every time. Lake Tahoe is one of those places to visit that really must be on everyone's bucket list.

The school bell rang it's closing ring on Thursday afternoon and the five of us headed out to "The Lake House"...courtesy of Brad and Robin Granath. :) I have been there a number of times, Andy as well, but it's been 2 years since we've been there as a family and the boys were ecstatic that we were heading back there again! 

we had to go through "Carson's city" first! :)

 We spent a lot of time at the beach just across the road from the house--playing in the sand, flipping through magazines, snacking, talking, just spending quality time together as a family!

Beautiful!

love this photo of CJ! Just wish it wasn't blurry...

lovin' the sand!

Daddy and Mason

"look at that boat! It's humungous!"

Austin loved climbing on the rocks....

...and did the retrieving of toys before they floated away.

on the beach with my mini-man!

Simply beautiful!

Loves! :)

 We spent a portion of one of our days enjoying Emerald Bay--the mile hike down to Vikingsholm "castle", a little picnic lunch, more playing on the shore, and even the drive to and from the bay was in and of itself spectacular and just as captivating as the last time we drove on highway 50. Austin kept saying "it smells sooooo good...it smells like fall." Gotta love the explosion of pine trees encompassing you from all sides!

peering over the edge

My handsome men!

Emerald Bay!

The boys looking up as they heard the "siren" of one of the boats

Carson :)

Mmmmmmmmm.....love him ;)

Mason peering in one of the castle windows

 I captured these pics. of Carson taking a break on our hike back up the mountainside from the bay.

daddy and Austin

"little Lizzie" ;)

mama and sons

Austin thought this was pretty awesome

Mason--Carson--Austin :)

Whenever a trek to Lake Tahoe is involved, it's almost uncanny how such a place can make one get lost in thought, becoming enveloped in one's own "bubble" nearly forgetting that there's existence beyond the lakeside. Granted, that's a bit harder to do with little feet and hands needing attention, but there were moments of peacefulness and with worship music playing throughout the house, it brought upon some quiet times that were rich and full. 
The boys also enjoyed exploring in and around the house...and there was a particular owl that initially brought about some serious fear, but not long after, the tears were turned from fear to gut-wrenching laughter!

Our last full day was spent with church in the morning and another afternoon at the beach and hiking the trails leading to Zephyr Cove....complete with fireworks to end our evening and four-day-family-fun-filled weekend! :)

Mama and Austin

Daddy and Austin

Carson playing in the sand

on the rocks with Mason

Mason taking a break ;)

Chillin' on the beach!!

hiding out ;)

oh. my. pinecone!

waiting for fireworks!

Gotta have glow-sitcks! :)

Good food....good laughter....fun adventures....more memories...chalk it up to yet another awesome weekend, basking in God's glorious creation with my 4 blessings!
THANK YOU Brad and Robin for allowing us to stay in your beautiful home for a family getaway!!