My favorite place

"How long will these people try to make me smile for photos?" - Eli

And now I realize my sunglasses are too big for my face.

Mom & me and the back of Eli's head

Can we try to get Eli's face? I'll move over, you move in, and.....we tried.

Eli's "new" highchair, without the pad.

Eli is suspicious of the number of photos I've taken that are exactly the same.

Eli and I ventured out on a special mid-week trip to Iowa City to see family. I stayed with my mom at her place, she took half a day off, and we visited my favorite place in the world, Wilson's orchard outside of Iowa City.

I truly wished the rest of my little family could've been there to enjoy the day, but since it wasn't possible, my mom bought the girls & Eli little Wilson's orchard t-shirts. And for Steve? A bundle of frozen apple turnovers. The orchard is famous for them, served hot with Heyn's ice cream on top (a local favorite).

We've had lots of great memories at Wilson's. It's more beautiful than any place I've ever seen, and it's right here in Iowa! It's funny how sometimes we miss how truly beautiful things are around us, right here where we live. The leaves are changing, the colors are astounding. On my drive up, I'd arrive at the top of a hill overlooking a valley and little gasp, "Wow." under my breath, outloud...because I just couldn't help it. What a beautiful place.

Mom and I had a wonderful time sitting on a blanket overlooking the valley of the orchard, eating hot apple turnovers and watching Eli smile. Made me remember the year before when we took these: