Leaf Peepin'

Every year after the Sunday session of General Conference is over, we go for a drive up the canyon and take pictures. This year we ended up at Snowbasin Ski Resort. The leaves were beautiful and it was warm. Here are the results.

Les was on top of every big rock! He loved climbing.

I love this one. The flowers behind were so pretty, and made a beautiful backdrop.

For some reason, Zak can't look at the camera, keep his eyes open for a picture or sit still long enough for me to take the picture. There were no good ones of him this year! Oh well, He is 6, how much can a mom ask?

Zak

Les

Amber

Family Pictures

A few weeks ago, the photographer that I was working with did our family pictures. I am finally getting around to posting them. They turned out great.

All In a Day's(or two) Work or What The Heck Was I thinking?

So I have spent the last 2 days of my life canning peaches. Last week I did a bushel of pears, and since the peaches I like weren't ready yet, I decided to get another bushel over the weekend. I got a call Monday morning that they were picking peaches and that I needed to come get them immediately. I bought 3 bushel. They were ready to can that day. So I spent Monday night doing 49 quarts, and all day Tuesday doing that many more. But look what I accomplished in 24 hours!

I have 90 quarts of peaches all ready to go on the shelf so that we can enjoy them all year!

And now, I have to get those pears done immediately.

These are the ones that I did last week! 21 quarts, and 21+ more to go!

Adventure Base 100

On Saturday, we went to the South Towne Mall to visit Scouting's Adventure Base 100. It is a traveling activity that celebrates 100 years of scouting in the United States.

Les, smashing a commemorative penny.

Les enjoyed every minute of the activities even though we got there late and didn't get to participate in all of them.

Quilting & Stress Relief

Yesterday, Brian asked me to make a baby blanket for a friend that is going to have a baby any minute. I needed a break from life, and decided to get creative. I saw a really cute and easy example of a quilt that had been strip pieced, and decided that would be easy enough. It took me a lot longer than I had anticipated, but it felt good to be creative again. It didn't turn out as I had anticipated, but I loved it. I wish some of the finer details had finished nicer than they did, but overall, it was fun to do. And no one but me will ever critique it like that anyway.

Good luck with the new little one Kristen!

Amber and Another 5K

This year, Amber has chosen to race instead of play soccer. It has been a huge relief to us since last year was very stressful with all 3 kids playing. Saturday morning was one of her races. She did this one last year too.

She placed first place for girls in elementary school. WAY TO GO BER!

Soccer - Here We Go Again!

Les and Zak are both playing soccer again this year. I am always impressed by Les on the soccer field. He is an awesome goalie, but is also very good on offense as well. He is old enough now that he has referees, and the rules are really important now. On his first game as goalie, he stopped about 7 shots at the goal, but he also scored a goal on the other team. His games are getting more and more fun to watch as the boys skills are improving so much now.

Zak is still playing on the smallest field and only working on the very basic skills still. He missed the cutoff to be on an older team by just a few days. He is a full head taller than any other boys on the field, and he is fast. He gets the game, and sometimes I worry that he doesn't like playing with the smaller, younger kids, but he always has a good time at the games, and is quick to point out when he is faster or more knowledgeable than another player. (We'll work on humility next season!!)

This year, Brian decided to coach Zak's team. It is so basic compared to when he has coached Les and Amber that he was afraid that he wouldn't like it. He loves it because there is no stress. It is just a show up-have fun philosophy at this age.
So it is officially soccer season at our house. That means crazy, busy Saturdays. Our neighbor commented that we wear him out watching us come and go! But we love it! GO (green and maroon) DEVILS!

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!

I won't tell anyone that this one makes an even 60!

I love you!

Labor Day in Idaho

The last few years, we have gone to my cousin's house in south-eastern Idaho for various reasons. So this year, we decided to go for no reason at all. The boys planned a fishing trip, and my cousin had some fun things planned for the girls. We had a great time, and can't wait to do it again.

The catch of the day.

All of the fish were about 3 1/2 pounds. And Les called me on the drive back so excited to tell me he caught the biggest fish of the day! Caleb was excited to just get a turn to hold a fish. And Zak had a good time too. He and Caleb had to help each other reel in the fish because they were SO big! The girls made flower headbands. Amber's turned out really cute, and she got lots of compliments at school on Tuesday! All 3 boys with their fish! And the beautiful flowers in my Aunt's yard.

Antelope Island Balloon Stampede

Friday night Brian took the boys camping, so Amber and I had to find something fun to do. After checking out a few options, we found that Antelope Island was putting on their Hot Air Balloon Stampede. So off we went. The balloons were a little disappointing, but the kites were amazing and we had a lot of fun together.

There were professional kite fliers, and just any old person who wanted to fly their own kite.

As always, the buffalo were amazing.

And the sunset was beautiful.
When it was dark, they did the balloon glow.

We had a good time together.

Maybe we'll send the boys camping more often!

Peer Leader

On Friday, the 6th grade nominated 3 Peer Leaders (as close as our school gets to electing a student government) from every class. Amber was one of the 3 chosen from her class. She was sure that because of the other people running, that she wasn't going to get it. She came home SO excited. Congrats Ber! You'll do a great job.