The Annual Picking of the Apples

It's such a shame to wake a sleeping baby, even if you are in the middle of an apple orchard.  :)  Steve and I hung around outside the car for awhile, until our excitement for apples got the better of us.

Stephen, for the first time, actually LIKED the backpack carrier.  He seems to finally fit into it well, and he babbled away as Steve walked him into the orchard. 

This has to be one of my all-time favorite pictures of Stephen.  Sometimes he takes a picture where I think to myself, "Where on earth has my little baby gone?  And who is this boy?"  His unadulterated excitement about everything--apples included-- is so much fun to watch.  

"Whoa!  An APPLE!"

After he picked his apple, Stephen was very pleased with himself.  He was content to hold the apple, turn it, lick it, bite it, poke it, and inspect every inch of it while Steve and I filled up our bushel with Braeburns and Honeycrisps.

We packed a picnic, and found a tiny shady spot by the pond to spread out and enjoy lunch.  It was one of those moments where you catch yourself and realize how idyllic and precious the moment is.   I am so grateful to God for a year of moments like this: 

                                                                           And this:

                                                                         And this.

 :) ~ CEM.