Apples Before Pumpkins

I am nostalgic for anything autumn: colorful leaves, sweaters, pumpkin spice, cool, crisp air, the anticipation of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, etc.

Perhaps one of my new favorite autumn traditions is a hayride tour of apple orchards and juicy, sweet apples.

This is the third year of me taking the apple tour. The first year, I was pregnant, went with my friend, Jami, and her new baby Abby, and met a new friend, Amber, who was also pregnant. My second year, I again went with Jami and met up with Amber; we got delicious apple cider donuts afterwards. This year was my first year without them, which was really sad.
I was so glad, however, to be in the company of new friends.

The wagon and tractor were new and exciting for Eliza (she didn't try to climb out of the wagon like last year).

The apples were in view.

And everyone was having a good time.

We watched how the apples were picked and washed.

And got to choose some of our own. My hands still have that delicious apple scent.

We were glad to have Deborah and Brynlee join us.

As well as Sarah and Amira!

Amira was so sweet with Eliza.

They played well with some swinging.

And running!

Although we were celebrating apples today, I couldn't resist some pumpkin and fall flower pictures.

We had a beautiful time with friends and with experiencing some fall fun. And yes, we did get an apple cider donut (as well as a cinnamon roll, pumpkin donut, and handmade peanut butter truffles, yum!)

I love this gorgeous countryside and time of year!

Myrtle Beach Family Reunion: A Week in Paradise

Every few years, the Stanfield family lives on the beach for the week in one of our favorite places in the world: Garden City, South Carolina.

After hours of driving, we love pulling up to our beautiful pale green beach house for the week.

The tradition of getting to the beach as fast as we can still stands.

Oh and Philip's engaged!

We had a nice pool option when we got too sandy.

But would soon make it back to the beach.

After Eliza played too hard, she would fall asleep wherever she was sitting.

So we would snuggle her up with Uncle Philip.

Sometimes we goofed around and carried our husband.

Or stood on our head.

Or chased the seagulls.

But mostly, we relished in the beauty of the sand and water. (Eliza's very favorite part of the beach was the water. She would run and plop down in the sand and giggle as the waves rushed over her and knocked her off balance. Just adorable)

Eliza loved playing with Nana in the house.

Each night, we hosted family nights. Andrew and Hailey had the awesome idea of glowstick soccer on the beach.

Hailey and Brandon actually looked like stick people. So hilarious!

Around the middle of the week, Lauren, Ashley, and I took our babies shopping at Broadway at the Beach.

Eliza was happy to build a bunny at Build-A-Bear.

That night, we had our traditional air hockey tournament at the arcade. I tied for third may I add.

The rivals still love each other.

Nothing like games and food late at night.

Eliza and Becca liked to play under the tent.

We told Becca that the surfing was better in the water.

Lauren and I enjoyed the beautiful view from the pier.

On the second to last night, we had a big birthday party for all of the September birthdays in the family: James, Philip, Brandon, and Becca.

Cheesecake happened.

We made sure that everyone was on the beach at the same time on our last day.

We had sand toys.

Burying.

Bubbles.

Kites.

And lots of cousin fun!

We had a beautiful week with so many new memories. 

(Following six photos credit: Lauren Allred Photography)

Eliza loving the ocean made Myrtle Beach even more special to me.

Until next time.