First signs of Fall

Fall has arrived and I love every cool, crisp day. Our house is littered with pumpkins and fall flowers. I have made my first batch of pumpkin bread and adorned our front entryway with straw, scarecrows, and mums. I have been soaking up the season the best I can but one thing has been missing...Daddy! Hector's three-weeks away wrapped up just in time for him to lead worship for our college ministry Fall Retreat. He was blessed to have the opportunity but having it begin the day he arrived home after 3 weeks, meant we went with him. We were thankful for awesome college minister and his wife made that possible! So we headed up to the mountains for a quick "retreat" with about 40 college students. So, this was our first Fall event as a family. The weather was rainy, but the colors were beautiful. It was fun to just get away for a day or so and stay in a little cabin. Cohen did great! He and I would listen to the music and then leave for the message. They had a HUGE couch he loved playing on. (See his "cheesy" smile below.) We hung out during the services playing with an assortment of balls or trucks. Here he is braving the rain and the mud.

Hector loves to lead worship any chance he can and especially for our college students! It was a treat for him. We took a "hay ride" (15 min, ride going 50 mph in a trailer lined with hay) up to an overlook where Hector joined the students in some caving. Cohen was anxious to go along, but instead he sat with me and waited...not so patiently at the end. It was quite the experience from what I heard.

We also tagged along to Desoto Falls. We had been here once before with some friends but it was about 20 degrees and freezing. It was beautiful to see them this time of year. Cohen was not intimidated at all by the height.

(They look a lot closer to the edge than they are...)

It was a quick trip, but the highlight was just having Daddy around again! I also got to spend some time with the college minister's wife and sweet twins. They only live around the corner but we don't spend enough time together. This was a great excuse to hang out and catch up, even if it was cold and dark on the porch of our little cabin while we waited for our babies to fall asleep. I so wish I had a picture of this! She's a sweet friend, huge encouragement and awesome example of a godly wife and mother! We were grateful for a 24-hr. escape and a chance to be a part of a weekend where God moved in the hearts of students!