Camping... Rain or Shine

All summer we had planned to go camping on labor day weekend. The for cast was for rain...not only rain, but thunder and lightening. We let the kids know, they were unwavering and were as determined as ever to still go. Soooo....we went.

Even though it poured 95 % of the time, we actually had a wonderful time. Heavenly Father's beauty during a rain storm and seeing it after, well it is an experience worth every minute. It smells wonderful, it looks amazing and it it feels...well it feels cold...but it is still really cool.

There was a gorgeous path that went around the lake. While Daddy fished with the other two kids, I took the opportunity to walk around the lake three times with each of the kids alone. Walking in nature alone with each of my kids and listening to how their lives were going was priceless. They chatted away without any worries of interruption. I loved it, they are each such wonderful people and I love learning who each of them are and who they are becoming.

We entertained ourselves during the rain spells by roasting whatever we could think of. Starburst, Oreos, chocolate bars, fruit, etc. We cozied up with hot chocolate with lots of whipping cream...my favorite food group.

Hunter was so close to finishing the last book in the Harry Potter series, so he was happy to sit back read, read, and read.

We had to end our weekend early due to Logan's yearly camping injury. He tripped on the tent ropes and smashed his head on the corner of a rock. Other years, it involved a hot marshmallow skewer, other rocks and sharp sticks. We didn't want it to get infected and the thunder started to get a little out of control, so we headed home a day early. We had our fun...time for a hot bath.

Lego Party

Hunter's birthday was a couple weeks ago, but we FINALLY had his long awaited for party. 19 little children filled my home with all their bubbling energy. We started the party
with lego bingo and a lego tower competition. Lego bingo was one of those games I thought would last awhile but ended up finishing up in about 2 minutes. So I moved on to Lego towers, I dumped a big tub of lego in the middle and set the timer for thirty seconds. The kids raced to make the tallest tower in thirty seconds. They LOVED this and we played numerous rounds.

Who knew.

I attempted another homemade birthday cake this year.
(the kids request it every year, I request an expert in the field but they shoot me down each time, they have so much confidence in me.) .
Did you know cake and marshmallows can miraculously turn into a lego bricks?

Whew...I am pooped.

When I was tucking Hunter into bed tonight he kept thanking me for the party.
(he is a very grateful kid)
Then he said,
"Mom I am going to throw you a party like the ones you do for us."
I said, "Awesome! Will you make my cake too?!"
He agreed.

So Peachy

It's canning season around here.

Matt and I have been canning together for almost 10 years. Ahhh how cute eh?

Things we LIKE to do together....

1. cook

2. can stuff
3. hike, ski, camp, swim outdoorsey stuff
4. hang out
5. renovate (we been doing a lot lately it's on the brain)
6. Take trips
7. Go to the temple
8. Shop for the kids, house, etc.
9. Eat

Things we DO NOT LIKE to do together...

1. take university classes together
2. read together
3. Read a Map (we wouldn't do well on the Amazing Race)
4. Decorate
5. Pick out Movies, watching them is okay, picking them out isn't as productive.
6. Grocery Shop (don't get me started on this one)
7. Play any competetive sports together.
8. Pack. (just stay away, it's safest)
9. Diet


I love this man. We are such a good team.

Future Worries?

I got a Blackberry this weekend...

so the kids inherited another paperweight old phone, which has no service...
(however if you have read earlier posts, they DO call 911...we know firsthand.)
and they still have games on them.
I walked into the living room
and thought I had a future glance of teenage-hood....Oh dear.

First day of School

Logan 1st Grade, Hunter 3rd Grade, Jessica 2nd Grade

Another year has rolled around...and another year I sent my little ducklings to school. I did tear up after circling the school only once this year, gawking out the window like some stalker mom to see if my little ones were okay on the playground. What brings the tears is the fact they we are one year closer to leaving my nest.

That being said...(those with children still at home may not want to keep reading...)

today I got to.... SHOP leisurely without pressure.
take a nice cat NAP
eat LUNCH with Matt
READ a magazine

Ahh...it is kind of nice at least until 3pm...then back to the grind.

P.S. Jessica wanted to make sure she wore her "Little Miss Chatterbox" t-shirt so the teacher was pre-warned as she put it.
.
P.P.S I tried to make a nice "new" recipe of oatmeal pancakes for their big morning...everyone ate one or two bites and smiled politely and all of a sudden became very very full, so I essentially sent my kids out the door hungry...sigh... I tried. Cooking... is NOT my "thing".

The night before...school!!!

(not all pictured)

4 boxes of clorox wipes
4 boxes of Kleenex's
3 bottles of Purel
4 sponges
2 red pens
3 boxes of crayons
3 boxes of markers
60 pre-sharpened pencils (guess who gets to pre-sharpen them?)
3 pairs of fiscars scissors
6 folders
6 composition books
3 pencil boxes
9 pink erasers
1 white sock
3 boxes of ziplock bags
3 boxes of colored pencils (or pencil crayons in "canadianese")

PLUS...

3 new backpacks (kindergarten ones are too small now)
3 new lunchboxes (old ones..yuck)
3 new pairs of sneakers
3 new waterbottles
3 packages of new socks
2 new packages of hair elastics
3 new fall wardrobes

Whew...I think we are ready for tomorrow morning. Little mommy love notes are hidden in their lunch boxes (even if they embarrass Hunter), shoes and clothes are sitting neatly in the living room, and fathers priesthood blessings have been given...yes...we are definitely ALL ready for school to begin....(hee hee I have to just giggle in excitement!)