Gold Bug Mine and Apple Hill

We took a field trip up to Gold Bug Mine in Placerville with Grandma & Grandpa S, ending our day up at Apple Hill.  We haven't had much fall yet this year, including today being in the high 80s, low 90s, but the fall colors were doing their best to come out.  

Gold Bug Mine has been on our list for a while of places we would like to visit.  

 The mine tour was self guided with a phone type speaker that you followed along with.

 Oooo, dynamite holes.

 The mine is constantly wet, with water running down the walls and dripping from the ceiling, making stalactite type formations.  

 Showing how the fuses might have looked after the dynamite was set.

 Trying to move the hand carts, heavy!

 Outside of the mine, you can pan for gems.

Next time we'll do this. 

 We went a bit further up and saw the Stamp Mill where they crushed the slate to find the gold. 

 The blacksmith's shop was also open and running.  The gentlemen running it took a good amount of time explaining what they were doing and how different things had been made. 

Then we headed up the mountain to Apple Hill

 "If we hug and are cute, mom won't make us pose for a million pictures."

 The most important stop, according to the boys.

 We headed up to Larsen's to buy a box of 2nd's apples (not store pretty, but perfect for applesauce) and they had their sorter on.  Very cool. 

Hopefully we can make it back up again this season as the boys really want to pick their own apples.  

Soccer Pictures

Hmmm, bad blogger!  

So the soccer season is just past the half way mark and I haven't really posted any pictures.  

Coaching Tyler's team has put a damper on me taking photos. Luckily there are a couple of parents that have been taking some and sharing them on our team's Shutterfly account.  

Tyler's team has been playing really well.  We've won 2 and lost 3 so far, they are having fun and really starting to understand the game.  

Tyler has been less than thrilled about the soccer season as it's progressed, but is doing his best to finish out the season. 

 No idea what he's doing in this one, but it's funny.

 Goofy boy, you missed the ball!  Luckily this was during warm-ups.

Cody's team has had a very frustrating season, with no wins yet.  

Cody is doing his best and has done a good job when on the field.  

Fingers crossed they are able to pull one out during the 2nd half. 

 "Did they seriously just do that!?!?"

 

Fall Portraits

With fall upon us and the school year starting, it was time to take the boys' official school year pictures.  I contimplated taking them to Penney's and having them take a standard head shot, but was convinced to give it a try.  I'm pretty happy with how they turned out!  

We traveled around to three different state parks along Natomas, giving different areas and light.  We went out a bit earlier than was ideal for lighting, but made it work.  

Here's some of the better shots.  

Then there was a some "cheese" to wade through...

 

 

Then some shots as we were in between and exploring a bit....

We started out at Negro Bar, then went to Willow Creek, and ended at Nimbus Dam.