Georgia (and some South Carolina) Mountains

We drove up to Demorest, Toccoa, and Clayton, GA and even into South Carolina last weekend to see the leaves. I love the colors of fall and always relish the opportunity to ride through the mountains gazing at the changing leaves and usually listening to bluegrass. The only difference this time is that we were listening to the Eagles, and had two talkative (and sometimes fussy) kids in the back. We visited my grandparents and went to lunch. Then Joseph, me, Sam, Eli, Emily, my Uncle Clay, Aunt Pam and cousin Lauren all headed out to take a walk and go apple picking. We first went to "hike" (I use that term loosely since it wasn't really a hike) to see the falls. The water is usually clear but because of the rain it looked a little muddy. Then we went over to the Bryce Apple Orchard and had a great time.

I love Fall. But I think I love the change of the seasons the best. I know people (like my Dad) who would rather live in one type of weather. In his case, Summer all the time! Like on an island in the Caribbean in shorts on the sand. But me, I love the change, especially the change here in GA. I would be happy in GA, north AL, TN, SC or NC and maybe even KY cause they all have about the same weather. A mild winter, with a possibility of snow, a cool fall with beautiful changing leaves, a wet spring with flowers and a hot summer great for swimming! Thank you God for putting me in the South! I am fortunate to love where I live and can appreciate God's miracles in nature. Enjoy the pics!

Sampling the apples

Don't even ask what is up with my hair :(

The Clay Townsend Fam, complete with dog, Tebow!

Sam kept picking up the rotten ones and putting them in his bucket,

I guess it was easier than picking the ones from the trees!

The only decent family pic of the entire day!

The boys aren't looking and I look haggard...

It's sad that this was the best one! haha

Tebow stopped digging long enough for me to take pic :)

I think this is the Chatooga River (not sure though)

Aunt Em, Sam and Tebow

Getting ready to hike!

Pumpkin Patch

Went to the pumpkin patch yesterday. I needed a pumpkin for Sam's birthday party Saturday. Last year my sis, Jenny, carved Elmo for his b-day, and then I carved a Georgia "G" for our Church's trunk-or-treat. So this year, his b-day theme is Tractors. I'm going to attempt to carve something John Deere, we'll see what happens. Here are some pics from our pumpkin-scouting outing! We were the only ones there, but I think it was because it had rained all day and the smart ones stayed at home until everything dried out! Enjoy!

Daddy and Eli

Sam stood still for 2 seconds but never would look at the camera! haha

Sam and Eli

(we had to bribe Sam to stay in the wheel barrow with Eli!)

looking for a pumpkin