Memories | For my children

Harvest 2013

2013 was the first harvest that Jackson was given a tool for removing the grapes! He was very excited.

This was the first year that Abigail was able to use the tool (refractometer) for checking the sugar within the grapes.
The grape juice is squeezed on the screen. You hold it to the light and look in the opposite end to read the sugar content.

Isabela was happy to just be in the field.

We harvested for two weekends. Once for personal consumption and once for the market. The grapes hung on the vines until the second week in September this year, a couple of weeks later than normal. A rough year getting the sugar where we wanted it because of the rainy cloudy days without the sun’s nourishment.

My girl helping me

Sweet as sugar. She usually is just happy to be

Jackson truly is one of the hardest workers I know!

Jackson with one of our favorite blessings…Janice…our vineyard neighbor.

We decided to make our own grape juice for the children.

We loaded up the truck with our grapes to take home

Jackson emptied about 400 pounds into the crusher.

The grapes were crushed and then added to our press. We took the juice and canned it. Our first big canning project!

Isabela tried to take a bite of the leftover skins!

The community sign that announces we are open for business!

Harvesting with Nana

And Aunt Amy Jo

This day is our hardest all year but because of family, one of the most blessed ones!

Isabela picked the grapes one by one

Happy to put her grapes and juice in a holiday bucket

Love our help

Nana and Jayden

Brooke joined our day of work

Elijah enjoyed using the tool to cut the grapes

We love our cousins!

We love harvesting our grapes.

Papaw really does enjoy carrying all of those buckets, especially with Jackson helping.

Bins ready to roll out….

Additional bins ready to roll out . . .

Papaw ready to roll out too . . .

Morning of delivery . . .

Jackson watching out for yellow jackets . . .

Too much fun!

We were happy to have Nana join us for this experience.

1/2 ton macrobins dumping into the crusher/destemmer . . .

We were able to watch the entire process. About 10,000 pounds of grapes were unloaded, emptied, de-stemmed, crushed into juice, and put into the containers for the waiting. It’s an awesome thing to watch start to finish…especially if you’ve babied the vines and grapes ALL year!

Thankful Papaw was able to help us for our early morning delivery.

Thank you three sweet birds for helping us work in the vines all year long. You were always helpful in everything we did and humble to be in the field with your family. Each of you are a tremendous blessing!

Just like your Daddy, always try to be extraordinary with something special…

September 22, 2013
Categories: Memories, Vineyard . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Log Cutting

Jackson has been super excited all summer.

We have been able to watch this heavy equipment daily work to remove select trees from Papaw’s property.

As quick as the logs were cut from the forest they were brought out, stripped down, and then carefully loaded. Here is one loaded and another backing in for his pickup.

Headed for a long trip to the factory.

One of the unexpected good things from the logging is the great trails that have been created on our land.

The bad things have been the snakes and of course the black bear!

A long way from home!

What a fun journey hiking.

Not only could we see the mountains all the way around us, we could see the lake, and were even able to identify what part of the lake the vineyard was on.

You never know where you might see the shape of a heart! Keep your eyes open!

I love to be a part of their real life nature study.

May you soar as tall as the trees.

We do feel some sadness watching the massive pieces of timber leave our property. We are hopeful they will be used to build strong creative structures!

September 10, 2013
Categories: Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

So Much Fun

Sweet Isabela, we love your smile.
We felt great joy watching you have fun in the cold creek.

Boy were you brave, yet careless this year! You found a big slippery rock to slide off into the water.

You girls liked to collect the smooth rocks.

Future rock climber…doubt it.

Even though it was a hot day, the rushing water was freezing.

Thanks for a fun afternoon.

Summer means harvesting our fresh corn. Aunt Fran even came to help.

Summer evening skies!

Harvesting our yummy rasberries.

Born in the middle, you are a wonderful little and big sister!

Peek a boo, taking a break from the sprinkler, they had the truck turned on it’s side for repairing.

Seeking shade of the great trees.

Hooray, we just celebrated our dear friends Ras and Janice’s 50th wedding anniversary!

This cracks us up! The cause of their facial reactions were due to a huge crack of thunder. Fear from Isabela, confusion from Abigail, and frustration from Jackson that I was asking them to pose even in a threat of a storm.

Our little man lost tooth number three and four so we are singing, “All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth”
Also, following his six year old well check at the pediatrician, there was concern from his vision screening. We followed up with a very long appointment with an optometrist. He did in fact require glasses to be used during school time. “Professor Jackson” as he calls himself now.

August 25, 2013
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Early August

Daddy’s sweet innocent girls
It is hard to tell but Isabela has a black eye. She ran into a table at The Mast General Store.

Happy to play at the lake.

I turned my back and she was climbing on the step stool, our little monkey.
As you can see behind her, the heavy vines and heavy winds broke a couple of our post in the vineyard. We were trying to get the plants off of the grass and up on their wires.

Thank you for smiling at your sister.

A couple of cool afternoons for a picnic

Sitting on our favorite rock in the mountains

Jackson always acting silly…

Our three little birds happy, who could ask for more?

Healthy, happy, and loved!

August 14, 2013
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos, Vineyard . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Dollywood/Chuck E Cheese with Nana, Papaw, and the Cousins

Elijah, Abigail, and Jackson pictured with Papaw. The location is on the Dollywood Train. Jackson said a couple of months ago that he wasn’t going to ride the train until he turned seven. Papaw asked him if he would consider sitting with him. He thought about it and decided to do it for Papaw.

Never before, he also agreed to ride the swings with him.
Nana and Elijah are behind them.

Abigail even agreed to ride with Nana and Jayden

The boys on the scrambler. My mother told me later that my daddy said that the exact memory riding with them and watching their joy was one of the happiest moments of his life!

Keeping cool, enjoying our favorite popcorn and slushy.
After this photo heavy rains and thunder came closing down the rides and causing us to run frantically to the tram…they loved getting soaked!

We went back the next week on a much hotter but dryer day.

Oink, oink, little piggy

Jaydie and Jackson are in the front. So funny seeing Papaw crammed in this ride with Elijah.

Elijah and I on the flying elephants.

Nana with her four year olds, Elijah and Abigail

Papaw gave ALL five grandchildren and ALL of the parents season passes! We have really enjoyed this gift and their time to enjoy it with us. Great memories!

Chuck E Cheese for an early lunch.

Elijah on the steam engine.

Isabela wouldn’t go near this big mouse!

One of our favorites!

We had such a fun morning playing games, counting tickets, and riding rides!

Isabela absolutely did not want to sit for this quick photo!

Can you see the mischievousness in their eyes? These boys had a blast!

Too many silly faces and pizza. Thanks for treating us Nana and Papaw.

August 6, 2013
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos, Uncategorized . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Nature Growing

We found a baby bird under the vines early one morning. It was obvious it was frightened because of it’s loud panicky chirp. We learned from one of our library readings that it was fine to touch and rescue the bird, and the mother would continue to care for it.

We carefully returned the bird to its nest. A perfect place to live, under the canopy of the vines, surrounded by a cluster of grapes.

Abigail’s single blooming sunflower towering over her zinnias.

We found a butterfly

We all had to touch it

I like this photo. All three of my little hands which are growing right in front of my eyes.

We were able to harvest blueberries many times from our five thriving bushes!

Yummy!
They really enjoyed picking these tiny berries. This harvester pictured here dropped her full bucket twice. Many of her blueberries were left behind for the birds.

Abigail’s sunflower a couple of weeks later. The butterfly’s and goldfinch are loving this spot!

Jackson regularly carries a mop or broom outside while playing.
For the memory, he pretends it is a weed eater and is pretty much obsessed with keeping the yard and flower beds trimmed.

We harvested beans, peppers, beets, and everyone’s favorite…carrots.

Papaw’s favorite photo.

The consequence of not using pesticides…sometimes critters enjoy our veggies as well.

More beets for pickling.

Summertime in the vines!

If I hadn’t seen it, I might not believe it! Isabela was sitting in this chair moments before I captured the photo. They were screaming…not out of fear but excitement! After the snake spent some time eyeing us, it slithered out of the chair and up into the tree above us and disappeared!

Isabela wants to be just like Abigail and Jackson. Her feet can finally touch the ground. All three have grown enough to swing alone. Three swinging babies playing together.
Memories I will cherish always!

July 20, 2013
Categories: Memories, Photos, Vineyard . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Early Summer Fun

Soak him Abigail!

It took Isabela a lot of time to build the courage to walk in the squirting water.

Bubbles are always a favorite.

Isabela is learning to blow away from her lips rather than putting her lips on the wand.

Cooling off is such fun.

Lucky to enjoy the early summer days.

Notice the tiny water sprinkles, she played forever trying to catch them in a cup.

Abigail loves her flowers.

Scooting on the tricycle

Always mocking her brother and sister, always trying to keep up.

Library readings, same subject…trains, big trucks, or Dr. Seuss.
The Library has entertained over 100 children all month. We have learned about dinosaur fossils, ancient artifacts, zoo animals, gardening, and our favorite…rescued wildlife. Up close we have seen baby robins, a hawk, owls, a groundhog, opossum, rats, lizards, and an iguana.

I had to include this fun photo for Cousin Jaydie.

Recipe time with my girls.

Abigail was so excited that I let her be like her brother…without a shirt!

Captured quiet time

The middle child came to me to rub her achy tummy. Seconds latter child number one joined us for his tummy rub. Of course, third child, always following the lead of her siblings, joined the floor line-up to have her belly rubbed! Mommy only has two hands for massaging two babies, but how happy was I to see these three lined up in front of me needing their mommy’s touch!

July 12, 2013
Categories: Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Anniversary Blessing

WooHoo…another anniversary dear mommy and daddy…number 18!

Let’s see…nine years of dating plus eighteen years of marriage…twenty seven years together!

Our little birds were excited to join us.

EXACTLY from my heart!

“In God’s wise plan, when you married, the two of you became one person in his sight…”
Malachi 2:15

June 24, 1995

May you impress and raise this sweet young boy to be an amazing man like you…the highest quality of husband, friend, and father!

July 10, 2013
Categories: Memories, Moments of Joy, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Isabela’s Second Birthday!

I can’t believe you have been a part of this family for two years! What a blessing to our nest!

You were so excited to see the animals on your cake (theme from the story, “The Big Red Barn”) and Jackson and Abigail were as well. All three loved to see the flame of the candle, all three wanted to blow it out.

Presents, presents, presents…what better thing is there to have in front of you. My challenge, as always, is keeping the other two sets of hands of your brother and sister away from helping rip the package apart.

Smiles are always so sweet…up until the moment she sees a camera, then we get this look. I like to capture her touching those tiny toes!

Peace for the number two birthday!

Happy cousins!

She loved all of her new toys!

Blurry photo but captured my smile of celebration!

Happy for a sucker.

Most satisfied in her daddy’s arms.

Jumping for joy!

We add a new handprint to the birthday cloth at each special celebration.

Once the streamers were down, these girls had a blast playing with them!

We enjoyed celebrating your special day!

For the memory that tries my patience, I HAD to include this photo. This is an example of how the ONLY child of my three REGULARLY use this in hopes of getting their way. Isabela threw herself to the floor in protest that Jackson wouldn’t let her hold his side of the banner. After this moment was captured, we walked away…she quickly picked herself off the floor, hushed her screams, and followed us…calm, peaceful, and happy. (I’ve had to teach Jackson and Abigail the art of ignoring that less than desirable behavior.)

July 7, 2013
Categories: Memories, Moments of Joy, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Happy Summer!

Happy June 21st…Happy First Day of Summer…Happy 2nd Birthday Isabela Jolie!

We started the special day with a quick breakfast with Nana and the cousins and a quicker trip to Walmart.

The little birds were excited to purchase hoola hoops to usher in the fun of the first day of summer!

Tickle, tickle birthday girl!

After our birthday dinner we visited the opening day of “The Island” to see the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. Standing 200 feet, this is one of the tallest attractions east of the Mississippi…for sure the tallest ride our eyes have ever seen!

Destination at the arcade trying to pick up a giraffe or a pink bear by the claw…no luck!

One of our favorites, rolling the ball forcefully up the ramp to the the targets. Isabela has not figured out how to roll the ball rather than throw. We chased many of these heavy balls.