The Mason Family Circus

Fall in the Blue Ridge MountainsAfter a windy, oddly hot, day yesterday, we took advantage of the cooler weather and bright blue skies to made a long overdue trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Unfortunately, the Sky Line Drive was backed-up for what was probably miles, so we look a right instead of a left and drove down the Blue Ridge Parkway instead. We were not disappointed; it was gorgeous even if the stopping points were not as good as the Sky Line route. We haven't been to the Blue Ridge Mountains in at least 15 years and probably more like 20. Too long to wait. It was beautiful.

I took a couple of pics of the kids, but didn't have much chance to take more of the mountains themselves. Here are the two best of the kids:

Beautiful girl Handsome boy 

Scarey DaddyBefore Robert headed off to work again, we also had time to squeeze in the annual pumpkin carving festivities. The kids both designed their own on paper and Robert helped them translate the designs to their pumpkins from the pumpkin patch trip we made at the beginning of the month.

Surprisingly, the pumpkins were still wonderfully fresh and not "rotting" yet. I hope the finished products make it until the weekend for trick or treating. They turned out pretty well and are now safe at home on the front steps.

Pumpkins 2009

Happy Fall,

Helen, Robert, Jack, and Emma