It's the most wonderful time of the year . . .

Fall is both my and Jon's favorite time of year. The cooler weather, the college football (don't talk to us about Michigan this year please though), the opportunity to celebrate our birthdays, and the chance to get apple cider. Apple cider is Jon's favorite beverage, and he fancies himself quite the connoisseur of cider. Growing up, Jon lived near the Franklin Cider Mill, so that has been our "favorite" cider and donuts (nerds that we are we've actually been to quite a few cider mills for comparison). Anyway, we always visit it each fall, sometimes multiple times a season, and have been known to freeze cider so Jon can have his cider craving fulfilled during the winter months. With us moving to the other side of the state we don't live near it anymore, so it was a special treat when we visited it a few weekends ago. The place was packed to the gills, and and Jon wasn't too happy with the price of the cider ($8 a gallon!!), so we probably won't be back this year again, but we still had a good time.

Elijah is old enough to have the cider now, and he did enjoy it quite a bit. I think we enjoyed hearing him say the word "cider" even more though. It's quite cute. The donuts and the ducks were the biggest hit with him though. The cider mill sits on a stream, which hosts an impressive population of ducks. These lucky duckies (I couldn't wait to type that) are living large and eating the most expensive duck food around - cider mill donuts. I would imagine these ducks have the highest cholesterol of any other ducks known to man, since their diet is a steady stream of deep-fried donuts tossed from the sticky paws of the toddlers that line the banks of the stream. Some parents had the sense to bring cheaper duck food - crackers or bread - but Eli's parents weren't part of that smart pack. Instead we watched Eli throw bits and pieces of the ridiculously priced donuts to the ducks. Eli got a kick out of it, and, really, he was doing us a favor since otherwise those extra donuts would have found their way into our mouths. Better to fatten the ducks than fatten me I suppose! Jon's already exploring the cider options near Grand Rapids, and though some of the cider may not be quite as good, at least it's a whole lot cheaper! :)

I've waited my whole life for this cider . . .
and man is it good!

Eli tries to bean the ducks with the food.These ducks are hungry, Mom. Keep the donuts coming.

Sitting and throwing is much easier than standing.