Perched on the side of a mountain, deep in the woods in Northwest Arkansas, sits Pop's Cabin. It started with a dream to have a quaint cabin to escape to and "get away from it all." The land is rugged and the location is far from civilization. However, that is what makes it so perfect. The only other living things that can be seen while at the cabin are deer, squirrels, and maybe the occasional bear. The exterior of the cabin is made from old barn wood and tin. It is the perfect location to be when you just want to escape the hustle and bustle of life. Who doesn't want to do that from time to time? Even though the land is primitive, the cabin has a cozy, comfortable feel to it that draws you in and keeps you coming back. The dream of the cabin belonged to my dad. He placed the cabin on the same mountain that provided a home to his father, grandfather, and great grandfather many, many years ago. His ancestors put their blood, sweat and tears into the same mountain when they homesteaded there so many years before. Now it was his turn to do the same. He put his heart into building this cabin, for he built it with his own two hands. So much love has gone into this project, and to say that he is proud of it would be an understatement. Here are some pictures to show the cabin from start to finish.
This is the view out the front door of the cabin.
The beginning of the cabin.
The sign above the door that my mom made. Pops is what Aubrie calls my dad.
A close view of the porch and some of the old tin used to cover part of the cabin.
Pops with Kirk and Aubrie.
This is the "road" leading up to the cabin.
A picture of the inside of the cabin.
The wood stove that will be used to heat the cabin as well as to cook on.
The "kitchen"
The door into the bathroom.
A view of what the outside looks like now.
The steps of the cabin.
Ya'll come back now, ya hear?
What a fun day we had. I love taking pictures of my kids, and what better place to do that than the pumpkin patch. They both loved it so much, I had so much fun watching them enjoy. Aubrie has been going to a pumpkin patch for a few years now. This was Kirk's second year to go, but his first year to LOVE it. Last year he was just a little guy. I had to sit him in his Bumbo seat and put pumpkins around him to take his picture. This year, he was ALL over the place. All I did was chase him around calling his name over and over again trying to get his attention so that I could get a good picture of his face. Rarely did he look right into the camera. Thankfully, Aubrie always loves getting her picture taken so I was able to get great shots of her. The kids not only got to look at hundreds of pumpkins, but they also got to see chickens and go on a hay ride. I can't wait to go back next year and do it all over again.
This is my 5th year to be a member of a MOPS group. I LOVE MOPS and have enjoyed leading crafts for the two different groups that I have been a part of. My favorite craft of all time are these key chains. I found this idea a few years ago, and did it with my group. It was so much fun that I had to share it with my new group too. Today I went to MOPS and we did this craft. I just think that they are so cute, and they make finding your keys in the bottom of your purse so much easier. 
So, we had some family pictures taken. I have to say that it wasn't the easiest thing we have done lately. Aubrie is 4 now, so she handled it pretty well. I just had to keep reminding her to look at the camera the whole time. Since we did the pictures outside at a public location, there were distractions that kept her interest sometimes more than the task at hand. Kirk, on the other hand, didn't cooperate as well. He saw this as an opportunity to get down, and explore this new territory. He didn't want to sit still, or stand still, or be still at all. All of the pictures were taken between his fits and crying. The poor photographer had to literally run around just to take his picture. It was like a race. He won. We did get several good shots, and overall it was a fun experience. Here are a few pictures from the shoot.
Today I took the kids to Apple Town in Lincoln, Arkansas. They have been growing and selling apples for years. In fact, I remember going there when I was a little girl. We didn't just buy apples, but we also bought apple butter, and apple cider. Of course, the first thing I had to do when we got home was make an apple pie. Who do I turn to when I want to make something really yummy? Well, Paula Deen of course! I have several of her cookbooks, and I knew that at least one of them would have an apple pie recipe. I found the recipe and made the best apple pie that I have ever eaten. I will admit, though, I didn't make the crust. The dough boy helped me out on that one. The kids also had fun playing with the pumpkins. 
