Sunday Mournings

Ellie and Lucy both got balloons yesterday at the Primary Activity.

Ellie actually got three.

Ellie's first balloon was orange.

She brought it outside and it blew out of her hands into the pokie grass and POP.

A few tears were shed.

Ellie's second balloon was a pink one.

She was playing with it and it fell on to a sharp point on one of the chalk boards.... POP.

There were a few tears but I said we would see if there were anymore balloons.

So into the gym we went to see if the Primary had anymore balloons.

No such Luck.

Then there were more than a few tears.

A lovely little girl was in the gym while all this was happening so she gave Ellie her balloon.

Now Ellie has a red balloon.

Ellie promises to keep this balloon safe.

She is so happy.

She sleeps with the balloon.

It eats dinner and breakfast with us.

I say, "No balloons at church".

She puts the balloon on her bed.

We come home and it eats lunch with her and then it is nap time.....

I don't know how many other kids do this but at OUR house, my children believe that when I say "naptime" it means that they run around their rooms on the tipie toes and use "whispers".

So during "naptime" Lucy sits on Ellie's balloon.

POP.

There were MORE than a few tears.

I would call the sound wailing.

 The balloon gets thrown in the trash and the girls are tucked back in.

I am sitting knitting and I can hear Lucy rattling on and on about the balloon, Ellie is still cryings (not really a wail anymore but most certainly is still lamenting the balloon).

Anyways, I'm listening the chatter and the crying when I catch Ellie saying,

"Lucy.... LUCY".

Lucy- "Yes"

Ellie- "Please stop talking about my Balloon"

Lucy- "Ellie Ellie, Why?"

Ellie- "Because I'm still mourning my balloon and it's making me sad when you talk about it"

Lucy keeps chattering and Ellie begins to wail.

I am happy to report that they ARE napping

AND

I have a few hours to figure out what to do about a balloon.

Eating Crow

As a child I loved going to the dump. In fact, I STILL love going to the dump. I wouldn't say I love it enough to go on a date to it BUT I do love the dump. As a child I loved the dump because I loved loved watching the seagulls eat everything. They were everywhere. Now as an adult I like going to look at all the stuff people throw away BUT I went to the dump a couple of days ago and it was my first time at this particular dump and a flood of fond childhood dump memories came back. We drove into this dump and there was no word of a lie at LEAST 26 crows. And that's at least people. That's just the ones I counted for sure. I find crows kinda creepy. Is it odd I'm creeped out by crows but love the dump? I have not passed on the gene that is creeped out of crows because my own children had the best time watching the crows hop around fighting and squawking and eating. And who doesn't like an eating crow (besides me of course)?

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!