Fall at Midland City Forest

Midland City Forest

'Sup, players.

So Kris has been harpin' on me lately to go take the kids out to check out fall leaves, seeing how they're comin' in pretty 'flamboyant' right now.  She wanted to go driving down some rural road up north, or walk around somewhere, and finally determined we were going to take the kids - and the dog - up to Midland City Forest to check out the changing foliage.

And then she decided I was going to take my new camera and take some pictures of the kids.

And then Ella invited herself along.

And that's how we ended up with today's blog post, folks.

I'm not going to bother captioning a bunch of these - they basically speak for themselves.  We parked, walked about a mile into the forest, then turned around because I had to leave by 12:15pm.  See, my good friend Trevor - an old buddy of mine from high school - was practically raised by his grandmother during our high school days, and she recently passed away.  I had to be at the memorial service in Clare, which started at 1pm today, which explains why a.) we were only there for, like, a half an hour, and b.) why I'm dressed up in a suit for these pictures.

So yeah, here's some pictures of my family walking around the woods, with Watson and Ella in tow, and with Yours Truly rocking a suit.

Enjoy.

I'd like to try running these paths at some point, but it's always so awkward when you bump into people on these trails.  Plus I don't have the paths memorized yet, so I'd have to stop at every one of these map things in order to assess where I'm at.  Honestly, I'll probably just run on my treadmill at home.  Where I can watch Netflix and not get lost or have to engage in awkward small talk with passersby.

Having the time of her life.

The answer is 'no.'  No, they never stopped running.

Kris asked if she could take my picture, more or less to make fun of me for being dressed so ridiculously out-of-place in Midland City Forest.  I guess you don't see many guys in full suits strolling around the woods.  Whatever.

Who got to walk the dog next was always hotly-contested.

That's Kris.  Picking up Watson's shit.  You're damn right I needed a picture of this.

Striking a pose.  Always have to be ready for the camera in this family.

When the dog ultimately dies I may have to frame this one and give to Alayna - these two are pretty close.

Once and awhile we came across these giant mud patches we'd have to walk around - we've gotten a crap-load of rain around here lately.  Not the kind of thing I was wanting to walk through in a suit and dress shoes, I can tell you that much.

Some creepy-ass tree.

Alayna requested her picture taken on top of this hill along the side of the pathway.  Whatever you say, kid.

Taking a break.

How is it that Abby's the one who's not messing this picture up?  She's usually the toughest one to photograph these days.

Of course you always have to get yourself a few of these. . .

Trail markers of some kind.  I don't know, I don't know how to read these things.

At the first bridge.  We had to wait a couple minutes for a family - with a far-less impressive camera, mind you - to wrap up taking their lack-luster pictures.

The dog never sat still for long.

Heading back towards the car, after about a half an hour or so.  We more or less walked to the bridge, snapped some pics, then started back.  I was running short on time, but Kris wanted to hang out on the trails with the kids (and dog) a little longer.

Alayna took this picture of the two of us, hence the bizarre framing job.  I took off right after this was taken, as I was going hard-pressed in order to make it to Clare in time to catch the memorial service's start time (I ended up walking in ten minutes into the service, but was able to grab a seat in the back without having my tardiness noticed.)

After I left, Kris snapped a few selfies.  Of course.

One last picture on their way out.

- Brian

Snippets from October

Hi folks.

We have a ridiculous amount of trees on our new property.

As you can probably tell from all the many Halloween-esque posts, we've been pretty busy with the holiday this month (parties, outings, etc.)  I love this time of year, ranks right up there with the Christmas season, just more leaf-y.  Lots of time-occupying stuff outside of work, but it's a good time.

Anyway, here's this month's installment of random day-to-day crap from around the house.

Enjoy.

This is the kind of stuff Alayna takes pictures of.  We find a lot of this on her camera.

This kid's weird.

Falling asleep to Return of the Jedi.  Business as usual.

Trying on some pirate accessories at the Halloween Store in preparation for our costume party. . .

Kris and the girls' girl scout troop went out to a local apple orchard one Wednesday this month, and asked that I meet them out there on my way home from work.  Not sure if I mentioned this before, but she co-leads Abby's troop, and when they do stuff like this she usually brings Alayna along for the ride.

That dude there is Eric, the other co-leader's (Courtney's) husband.

I didn't realize they had so many different local varieties of apples growing in Michigan.  I figured there was just 'red' and 'Granny Smith,' but, then again, I'm not an apple-ologist.

The kids loved doing this.

Posing on a tractor.  Always fun.

The troop.

I really, really want one of these.

No idea where this was taken - I took off after a half-hour or so.  I think they went inside a kitchen or something on the Orchard property and the kids got snacks or something.  Who knows.  Ask Kris.

The girls frequently dress up in gymnastic suits and attempt breaking their necks throughout the house. It's a grand ol' time. 

This has been an eerily warm fall.  Thanks a lot, Global Warming.

Playing with Shopkins in Abby's room in a rare display of sisterly tolerance.

The Hough House, Fall Edition (note: Kris' Fall-ish display - she was very excited about that.)

The Study, all set up and primed for Halloween.

Yes, that's Abby sleeping under the kitchen table, the night before our Halloween party.  Just 'cause.

Alayna holds an impromptu dance party in the kitchen while her mom scouts Pinterest for last-minute party ideas.

Alayna and her BFF, Maddie, had a sleepover planned for awhile, and in preparation worked together on a list of possible things to do during the sleepover.  Maddie's mom sent us this picture of the list she found in Maddie's room.  Seems legit. 

This is where Watson hides out after I leave for work and the girls are all finishing up getting ready for school.  He's a lazy bastard.

Star Wars buddies.

- Brian