Apple Pickin' and Pumpkin Carvin'

The Central Coast may not have all four seasons, but Team Preston is sure making an effort to create fall here on the coast. Fall is my favorite time of year: the smells, the food, the colors, the activities, the nip in the air... Sigh. I miss East Tennessee. Heck, I miss anywhere that has leaves changing colors!

My sweet, thoughtful mother sent me the BEST package the other day. It had leaves and peacock feathers pressed between wax paper. I have them hanging in my kitchen windows. That way, every time I look out the window, all I see are gorgeous fall leaves and colors. Thanks, Momma!

We've also been trying to create some fun fall memories here in paradise. First, we went to a Fall Festival at a local farm. They had apple picking, games, fresh apple cider, and good food. We got to pick our own apples and even a pumpkin!

Then, we got together with some other Coastie friends and had us a good ol' fashioned pumpkin carving! We nibbled on yummy treats (thanks to my friend and mine obsession with Pinterest) and sipped on pumpkin ale.

Perez and his boy working on a spider pumpkin.

My handsome pumpkin carver!!!

S just watched... the little cutie!

C pretending to carve. He is really good at posing! 

C liked watching my Coastie work his pumpkin carving magic.

The finished product!

This is us as we really are.... :)

T and R working on their pretty pumpkins.

All the pumpkins! We had so much fun!

The boys were mostly interested in playing (or playing ON) my Coastie.

Happy Fall Y'all!!!

My First Earthquake

I just experienced my first earthquake.

My. Holy. Goodness.

Thankfully, we are fine - no tsunami sirens, all the pets are fine, and Josh is at work, so I'm assuming he's okay.

But wow... how terrifying!!! At first, I thought it was our new puppy, who is very, very sick, banging against her crate. I thought she was angry at me for keeping her so quiet and calm. Then I realized that a 40 pound dog can't shake the candle holders and glasses all the way in the living room.

So, I Googled it. After about 5 minutes, I found evidence of an earthquake of a 5.8 magnitude. Thank goodness it's epicenter was a few hours north! But those few seconds of shaking uncertainty... I am in no rush to relive those moments. I rushed around the house afterwards, but all the pets are okay, nothing is broken, I am not broken.

We survived! After such a tough, terrible, heart-breaking week (not to mention an evening spent at the emergency room for pets), I am so eternally grateful we survived this first earthquake!

Well, California, you have certainly proved to be an adventure in these first 3.5 months. What else have you got in store for the Prestons???