Fruits of Saturday

I got home from church. It was chilly and gray. I walked through my door and immediately got to work with the after church routine.... undo the dresses, get pj's out, start some lunch. You know all the usual stuff. Right now the girls are in their beds quietly reading (except for Penny, who at the moment is a little less than pleased that she has been put down for a moment) and I have gotten to enjoy some pie. Fresh peach pie. It's so nice to enjoy your Saturday labours on a quiet....er....on a Sunday afternoon.

Young Men's Camp

So YM's camp was awesome.

I wouldn't know personally

BUT

I heard.

You know through the grape vine.

We have grape vines all over the place out here.

So there is this little tiny gray spot between the trees.

That's the camp.

Dusty took this picture on a ridge on the way to some lake.

They did lots of hiking.

Oh wait not hiking.... "Mountain climbing"
In fact, Dusty's legs were so not used to all this hiking, er, mountain climbing, that when he got back to camp his legs seized and he fell over on the ground and couldn't get up.

Bahahaha

so funny.

Especially because after he managed to get up it happened again!

He tells this story in amusement now. I'm sure it wasn't so amusing then.

This is a picture of the lake they hiked to on the second day.

Dusty loved it.

They fished here and I guess it was pretty awesome because everyone caught something.

Dusty caught 8.

They had a great lunch.

This is a picture taken from camp.

In the V on the picture is where they hiked and then behind the ridge was one of the lakes.

Dusty said they had a good time.

I think he may even be looking forward to the next one.

dandelions in August

I took Penny to the Health Unit today.

She's growing like a weed.

A beautiful, lovely weed.

Perhaps a dandelion.

She is 12lbs 4oz.

Up a full 2 lbs since 2 months ago.

She's grown 2cm in length and in head.

She is cute as a button.

I have some awesome pictures of her smile.

(one of her most endearing features. Seriously it melts my heart)

BUT

they are on my other camera and that is at the lake

(the joys of living in two places)

AND

my other camera is on scout camp.

SO

You'll just have to trust me on the smile thing.

It is so freakin cute.

A little Background Information

So about 20 years ago I sat in my mother's kitchen and watched her and my Gramma can.

Did I like canning?

No.

Did I like to eat canned food?

No

 it seemed like that's what poor people did.

 What can I say...

I was a bit of a diva.

I know that that was a very interesting tid bit of information.

I'm sure you are dying to know where this is all coming from.

No, I am not having horrid flashbacks of my childhood.

No, I am not poor.

BUT,

Yes, I am going to can.

I am going to can peaches.

I am doing it without supervision.

I'm crazy like that.

I have this thing in my life where I now need to find new and exciting ways to entertain myself.

AND what better entertainment than boiling jars and fruit.

It's dangerous.

Exciting.

Like James Bond OR better yet,

Indiana Jones.

Yes, I think I may even have to pull out my bull whip.

did i mention?

So a couple of weeks ago I got a calling.

Not really a shocker... I mean seriously who doesn't?

It takes some serious skill to evade EVERYONE at church.

It's like mission impossible really.

You must be stealthy and dive into the darkest of corners...and let's face it... the church has a lot of lights (probably to see all the people in the corners.)

Anyways.

So I got called as (drum roll please)

Relief Society secretary.

Now some of you are groaning for me and some maybe nodding in approval....like

"that's not so bad she could be in primary or young women or in elders quorum.."

BUT

I would like to make a bold statement that I have

THE BEST CALLING EVER.

True story.

Move over people who get to wash church linens....

move over people who have to collect hymn books...

move over.... well just move over.

You may be asking,

"What makes your calling so awesome?"

Well let me tell you.

I am reprieved from the traditional secretarial duties.

No Note Taking for Me.

I get to do a relief society blog.

Pretty sweet eh???

and the BEST part...

I get to do my calling in my PJ'S.....

I told you best calling ever.

and a little bit of Pixie dust.

Dusty's grandma bought these dresses for the girls. I love them so much.

The girls think their fab.

They twirl and twirl.

They hold hands and run around the house.

They imagine their fairies.

I love this picture. It looks like she got caught with her hand in the cookie jar!

I forgot my good camera at the lake.....

I just thought I'd throw one of Penny in. You know, just for kicks.

Isn't she adorable.

I think she's especially adorable.

Extra especially when she's sleeping.

Taking the day

I have spent an entire day at home. It's madness. I don't know what to do with myself. I have no plans of frantically throwing clothes and bears and sheeps into bags. I don't have to worry about what's in my fridge. I have enjoyed my time away but, boy, I sure hate packing and unpacking! I had a really great day. I didn't have to push myself to get EVERYTHING done.... I should of pushed a little harder since I'm without pants tomorrow..... but it's been so relaxing. Lucy had a little adjustment to life outside camp. She didn't understand why she couldn't just walk around the house with whatever she felt like eating. She also didn't get that snacks at home means carrot sticks and that bedtime snack WASN'T smores.... She has a really mean mom. Ellie was fine. She had her two boxes of barbies down and I didn't hear a peep out of her all day. I wish I could say the same for Penny.... She takes the award for noisiest baby. If she wasn't my third baby I would think I was doing something wrong. Seriously. Dusty has all but givin up on her. I took a "knitting day" (exciting life I lead) and he watched her for an entire day and night minus the feeds and the moments I took pity on him.... which were more than a few.... I don't think he'll complain if I can't get the dishes done! It's hard to believe she's 4 months old already. Time sure flys. Speaking of flying time.... well just time.... this time of night is my fave. The house is so quiet. Well... except for all the snoring. For a moment it actually feels like I have my brain back... but then I look at the clock and realize it's midnight and I'm going to be up in 2 hours with Penny and then again at 6 and then 8 and then my brains starts to sppppuuuuuutttttttter and my eyessssss start to drooooooop and I know it's tttttttime foooooooooooooor bed.

The Lake

I've spent approximately 6 days at home since june.

I love it.

I saw some yellow in the trees yesterday.

I almost cried.

true story.

Typical scene from the trailer.

(Mariah, Ellie, Me, Lucy, Deb)

Uncle Bear's (Blair's) boat.

(Me, Blair, Ellie, Lucy, Erika)

Bike riding

(Lucy)

fly fishing on the Elk.

(Dusty and Amy)

Tubing

(Dad and Mo)

Coming in from Tubing

(Mariah, Ellie, Lucy, Me)

hanging out

(Lucy, Ellie, Penny, Deb, Mom)

polish

Auntie Bri

more relaxing

(dad, Darc, mom)

tanning

(Lucy, Me)

tubing... I'm thinking of going pro

(Me, Mariah)

Watermelon

(Dad)

gearing up

(Amy)

Just so happy we still have some summer left.....

(Ellie)

A big Happy birthday to Aunt Mo and Aunt Deb!!!

Sure glad you guys came to visit!

blink breathe smile blink

I decided to homeschool Ellie.

There are LOADS of reasons for it.

so

Today we had "our" first real test at this homeschooling business.

I was a complete failure.

The scene.

I set Penny down on the couch.

I go and get the little table and stools.

I get it all set up and Penny begins to squawk.

I call Ellie and Lucy.

They are bouncing with anticipation.

I photocopy Ellie's assignment so that Lucy can do it too.

I bring it out.

Penny is wailing.

I set down the papers and go to grab pencils.

Penny is very very loud and red.

I pick her up.

I am bouncing her on my hip and giving Ellie and Lucy their pencils.

I sit down beside Ellie.

I start to explain the work sheet.

"Ellie, can you find question number one?"

Ellie points to it.

"Good. It says, "Print your name". Print your name in this box."

"I can't"

"Why"

"I don't know how."

"Ellie, you do it ALL the time. Of course you can do it. How do you spell your name?"

" E   L   L  I  E."

"Perfect. Now just write it down in the box."

Ellie starts writing.

While in the mean time Lucy has been scribbling and chattering non-stop and Penny is squirming and fussing on my lap.

Then Penny lets 'er go.

I stand up. Knowing there is poop EVERYWHERE.

I glance at the girls.

I KNOW I need to take the pencils before I leave.

"Ellie and Lucy, give me your pencils."

Lucy: "Why, Mom?"

"I don't want you to write all over everything."

Lucy: "Me won't Mom."

"Lucy, give me your pencil."

Lucy: "No."

I begin to count to three indicating a time out.

I feel poop seeping.

I am loosing patience.

I grab the pencil and put them up.

I take Penny and go and change her diaper.

She has poop from her neck to her ankles.

I hear the stool being dragged to get the pencils.

"Lucy, leave them alone."

Ellie: "MOM, Lucy isn't leaving them alone."

"LUCY LEAVE THEM ALONE"

Ellie: "Lucy isn't leaving them alone still".

Penny is screaming.

There is poop everywhere.

I duck out from the change table.

Run down the hall.

Grab the pencils and run back to the change table.

I finish changing Penny.

I drop the poopy laundry on to the floor.

I put Penny in her crib.

She is wailing again.

Lucy is now pulling on my pants and saying over and over and OVER again, "Mom, me have my pencil pleeeease."

I grab the laundry and start washing it out in the sink.

Ellie is still in her chair.

Waiting.

I finally get back to the table.

I realize I forgot Penny.

I go to get her.

I get back to the table and give Ellie and Lucy back their pencils.

Lucy colors all over Ellie's paper.

I take Lucy's pencil.

I send her to her room with her now asking, "Why?" a million times.

About 30 minutes after initially putting the assignment down, Ellie finally gets to finish question one.

Only 7 more questions to go.

Life, not the corn variety.

This year Dusty and I bought our own trailer and we have it parked in a seasonal spot on a lake. It's really lovely and completely enjoyable. I just got back from 15 days straight. It was awesome. I love that there is no TV (well there is but it is reserved for rainy days) and that we play bingo and cards and have campfires and make smores and go to the beach and for quad rides. We've already almost hit 2 big turtles on the road. They are laying eggs now cause the weather has been so cool here. Its crazy they look like rocks. It was great but I think I already mentioned that.
So I got home last night and I am only home for a day and a half so the pressure was on to get some stuff done around here. One of these things I have been putting off for a long while but it is time and there is no way around it. One of my dearest friends (when I say it like that I feel like Anne of Green Gables) just had her first baby girl. She has three adorable little boys so this girl has been a long time coming. I am completely excited for her. Girls rock. Girls clothes rock. Clothes..... sigh. I have been procrastinating packing up all the newborn clothes. It's so sad. I wasn't nearly as sad with the other two but I am fairly certain that Penny will most likely be the last little baby in our family. I have tried to put away her clothes a few times but I haven't been able to do it. I am absolutely heartbroken that all the beautiful little clothes that people gave her or I bought are already too small. It happened way too fast. BUT I am going to visit this very dear friend and it makes me feel a little better to know that 1) all of my little clothes will be worn by another special little girl and that 2) I'll be able to get them back if I want them.... (that's why she is so dear... she gets my crazy...).
So I managed to get them all folded and packed away into a pretty little bag.
I am so excited to see Miss Lily (that's the baby). She was born at 7lbs 2 oz and Penny was born at 7 lbs. I am so excited for their first of many visits and I am looking forward to putting them together and oogling about how little lily is and how big penny has gotten. I'm even more excited to ship my two girls out to play with her boys so I can sit and have a long visit and to be able to talk about all the things women get to talk about.