Cider and Family Campout!

I do love fall; I think it's my favorite season. I attempted to enjoy it in a new way this year as I did something I've never done before---make apple cider. :) It was quite a production! We did it with Dale and Meg Koch last Tuesday, starting around 7:30 pm. Many apples, cranks of the press, and about 5 hours later, everything was cleaned up and Dale and Meg were home and there were about 20 gallons of cider made. Quite a marathon night! We had a great time, though, even though all of us were getting slaphappy near the end. Mom Beutel and Katy came over, too, to watch Max, which helped immensely! And, by the way, the cider is delicious!


(Above) About half the apples we did; Me washing the apples,
(Below) Dale and Meg cutting apples into chunks for the grinder; the press we used (from U. Marv and A. Paula)



It was a busy week at our house, as Greg mowed, raked, and baled his dad's hay while Dad is in Germany for business. We didn't slow down at all headed into the weekend, though, because it was the annual Rassi Family Campout! Yes, we did camp out again. In a tent. Even though it was much colder than it was Labor Day. The result: Max didn't sleep quite as well as last time, but he did pretty good. For supper Friday night, we had chili cooked over the fire. I had to cook it the first hour or so since Greg was raking. I think it turned out pretty good, since he was able to take over for the last hour and perfect it. :) Saturday morning we had bacon and eggs cooked over the fire and strawberry smoothies! Yum! Lunch on Saturday was also the birthday celebration for the many fall birthdays in our family. The weather was really perfect and it was a great weekend, all in all!

Max in his sleep sack and the winter hat Grandma Rassi loaned him; Grace and Elisabeth; Elisabeth and Uncle Nic trying to take a picture with his cell phone


Uncle Philip putting Max to sleep on Friday night by the fire; Hope playing with the doll that we gave her for her birthday; Grandma Rassi holding her two newest grandsons, Lincoln and Max (with Lincoln trying to eat Max's finger!)


This video is also from the campout...moments before I started taping, Grace and Elisabeth were making Max giggle by tickling him and saying "Fuh!" That's why they keep repeating it here. :)