Little Bit Medium

Ty stubbed his toe the other day. When I asked him which one hurt- he held up the second toe and said "It's my little bit medium toe! It hurts!" He was less than impressed when I started busting a gut laughing.

More Peaches?!

Yes. More peaches. The rest of the peaches ripened up and we couldn't eat them all (that's not to say we didn't try... peaches for breakfast, lunch, with dinner, as dessert... ), so it was back to the canner for me. This time Ryan offered to help... Okay, not really- but he did sit there and talked to me while I peeled peaches!

Go For It. (Thanks Katie!)

The finest gift you can give anyone is encouragement. Yet, almost no one gets the encouragement they need to grow to their full potential. If everyone received the encouragement they need to grow, the genius in most everyone would blossom and the world would produce abundance beyond our wildest dreams.
-Sidney Madwed

Ryan Scoots and Walks

Ryan walking... and if you listen closely, he snorts as he laughs!

This is Ryan's OTHER mode of transportation... And he goes EVERYWHERE on his bum! I hope that our next kid is a girl... because Ryan has worn out the bum of all his shorts!

Let's Go Fly A Kite

Today is Sunday and most Sunday's we are a little pressed to find things that we can do to make it stand out from the rest of the week. Our little kids may not understand why we don't play with friends or go to the store on Sunday- and we can only lead by example. Still though- I know Ty is confused a lot of the time. And we're working on it. The best we've been able to come up with is the fact that because it's Sunday, Heavenly Father wants us to spend time with our family.

So- today was a beautiful Sunday. Except that it was extremely windy... Enter Ty's new Yoda kite. We walked over to the park (it's only half a block from our house), and I showed Ty how to fly it. It was so much fun. I am so impressed at how quickly he picked up how things worked, he understood that he needed to run a certain direction when the kite started to dive and he understood that sometimes he needed to change the way he was holding the kite before he took off... It was crazy! Shaun is still healing- so he sat with Ryan and watched. Ryan was (naturally) not impressed and cried when the kite went up in the air the first couple of times.

Okay- and I have to admit... I got to fly the kite for a little bit too. I remember doing it when I was little with my dad and my brother... I might have to wish for a few more windy days! It was fun!

Millions of Peaches... Peaches for Me!

I have never canned anything before. But this year... This year is different...

I love peaches. I could eat them on anything and with anything. They are just my favorite things ever. So this year... I bought some fresh peaches from Brigham City and I called my mom and my grandma and we canned! I don't know how much we did- apparently this is something that serious canners always know- exactly how much was made and the cost of each pint... I don't have a clue. I'll get to it next year... I just think they look pretty in a jar!

Anyway- I am so grateful for my grandma and grandpa helping me. I love doing this sort of thing with them because I love the stories that they tell while they are working. They have done it too many years and it's kind of old hat for them- my grandma cuts the peaches and puts them in the jar while my grandpa peels. Ty walked in and watched us work for a minute and then said, "This is kind of like a factory isn't it Mama?" I think he had it about right!

Double Trouble

I finally did it. I pulled the trigger. I moved Ryan into Ty's room last week!! Ty has been begging me for months and I finally gave in! I'm not sure it was such a good idea- Ryan is totally confused at being in there with Ty... but yesterday morning Shaun and I were laying in bed listening to the two of them giggle. I hope that it works out well and that we don't spend too many nights threatening them to be quiet!!

Labor Day

I don't really remember taking a vacation without the kids. It might have been done at one time... but if it did- I'm drawing a blank... Anyway- this Labor Day we decided that we would hop in the car and drive out to see Shaun's brother and his wife in Colorado. I know what you're thinking... "Wait... didn't they just do that!?" The answer is yes- we did. However, Chase and Dani (said brother and sister in-law) have just moved into their new house and we wanted a chance to go and see them again- the last trip just kind of seemed like a whirlwind.

So- we loaded up in Jacki and Orllo's truck and headed out on Friday morning (have I mentioned that I LOVE Shaun's 4-day school week?!). My mom and dad took the kids for us- and from what I understood this morning- Ty and Ryan were NOT going to be sad about it. As we said good-bye to them they were both giggling. Anyway- we made it to Denver and we got to tour the new casa... it was so cute! Dani had done such a good job putting things together and Chase is Mr. Handyman (I kept trying to convince him of the benefits of coming and working for me for a week... I'm pretty sure I can keep him busy!). We also got to go and do a little baby shopping with them! I remember going and picking out our crib and changing table- it was so daunting! What was even more daunting was the idea of putting together all the stuff by ourselves. I have to admit that I'm jealous that Chase had Shaun and Orllo helping. I remember we put together our crib in the living room of our apartment- and we were quickly horrified to find out that once we wheeled it down the hall to put it in the bedroom... IT DIDN'T FIT THROUGH THE DOORWAY!! So we had to take it apart and put it back together again once we were in the room. It was a mess.

Anyway- we had such a good time! We got to talk- which Shaun and I have totally missed since we moved from Boise. And Chase and Dani took us to some yummy restaurants- I already miss them both and I keep checking my calendar wondering if it's too soon to go back out!! Thanks you guys!

I have a "crush" on Autumn...

My Crab-Apple Tree is ready to go... Too bad that I don't have a clue what to do with them... They are pretty though! They may just have to end up as a Centerpiece this week on my Kitchen Table!

I have a crush on the Fall. I love the Summer, but I have a major infatuation with Fall. I love it when the leaves start to change colors. I love the way my house smells after I make apple pie and pumpkin treats. I REALLY love taking the flannel sheets out of my linen closet. I like pulling out my sweaters and taking walks in the crisp fall air. My birthday is also in the fall. What else makes me "heart" Fall...?

Homemade Pumpkin Pie... with LOTS of Whipped Cream

Apple Picking

New Recipes that have ANYTHING to do with Apples

Pumpkin Patches

Crocheting by the fire

Snuggling in bed on Sunday Mornings with Shaun

Thanksgiving and the Harvest

The Smells of Autumn: Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Cloves, Apples...

Opening the Windows

Picking Branches with Red, Yellow and Orange Leaves for a Centerpiece

Turkey with Cranberry Sauce

Smell of Wood burning in the Fireplace

First Day of School

Sniff. Sob. Hic. Sniff.

It's official... Ty had his first day of school today. We had been preparing for this all summer- totally building it up. Yesterday, there was an open house, where the kids got to wander around the rooms and take a look at some of the things they were going to be doing- Ty totally ate it up! He was so excited!

Last night, we started getting ready at about 6:00, so that we wouldn't be rushed in the morning. Ty is going to school out in Paris- which is about 20 minutes away, so we had to plan for travel time. He will be riding the bus- starting next week. But for the first couple of days- mom gets to take him!! Anyway- we laid his clothes out...

Put his backpack by the door...

Then dad gave him a blessing and we said our prayers. Ty was sure to add during each- that Heavenly Father should make sure that he had fun.

Ty got up bright and early and bounded into our bed at 7:00, dressed and ready to go. I almost hated to break it to him that school didn't start until 8:00. Oh well- we weren't rushed and that was the point! Ryan could tell that something was up this morning- he was really clingy and kept looking around trying to figure out what was going on. Here is a picture of our super snazzy pre-schooler...

Ty was pretty chatty as we headed out the door, but as we got closer to the school- he got quieter and quieter... I started to panic thinking that if he breaks down- I'm not going to handle it well at all!! But we pulled up to the school and he jumped out.

Because he had had the tour yesterday- he went right into the school and led Ryan and I down the hall. Once we got to the classroom and I helped him hang up his backpack- he turned to me and said, "See ya in a while Mama!" And that was it. He turned his back to me and went to go play with some of the other kids that were already there. I had nothing to do, but turn around and head back to the car.

Ryan was confused...

I pulled away, telling myself that I was NOT going to cry. That it is part of life. You have kids. They get older and life goes on. But this morning- it didn't seem fair. Why did he have to get to 4 so quickly? I know he's a pain in the butt and there are days that I try to sell him to the passerby... but... he's my baby. My buddy. My friend. Ty and I have done EVERYTHING together the last four years- and now- he's moving on. I know that I have Ryan that I get to do all those things with now- and how blessed I am to have him. To be able to share new things with him... But I'll miss Ty.

Anyway- school got out at noon, and this was Ty at about 12:30... He wanted to watch a movie on my bed. He didn't even make it past the opening credits.

Corn

Being a from a big city, a lot of things just never occured to me. I took for granted that muffins do not always come from a box, that ground beef didn't magically appear in the store and that corn does not always come from a can. That's not to say that I never had corn on the cob- when summer came, my mom would stop at the local roadside stand and we'd have it a couple times a month. But once winter came again- it was back to the canned stuff.

When I married Shaun I was introduced to one of the yummiest things! Fresh corn that was frozen. So this year- when the corn was ready... so was I! We went to Declo for the day and Papa Orllo harvested corn for us- he actually picked it!! Off the plant!! And then we got to the menial task of shucking (sp?). Ty thought it was kind of fun- though I think he was more stoked by the fact that there were lady-bugs in the sack than by the fact that we were getting ready for winter (I feel a little bit like the busy ant- you know- from the story the Ant and the Grasshopper). He did finally get one corn cob shucked and he held it up all suprised and yelled, "Look guys! There's corn in here!"

We took our corn in the house, and cut it off the cob and put it into freezer bags... and Violia! Freakin' yummy corn for the dead of winter!!

Shaun's Surgery

Shaun was out mowing the lawn back in May and stepped in a hole (our lawn is littered with big holes... we're not sure why), and went down in a blaze of glory... and ended up tearing his ACL (in his knee). He kept putting off the surgery because he wanted to be able to play a little bit this summer- and we finally were able to schedule a time this week for the Dr. to go in and replace his ACL.

Here's Shaun waiting...

And now he has on a hospital gown...

And here is a picture of his knee- I think this is the funniest thing! The nurse had to come in and mark "Yes" on the knee that they were going to be working on. Apparently there is some kind of issue with Drs. operating on the wrong knee. Gives a person a good sense of confidence doesn't it?

And... after two hours of surgery... out he came. Everything went well and they were able to attach the new ACL with no problems. Shaun also handled the drugs well... he came out yelling something about a cheeseburger.

Anyway- a big thanks to Shaun's parents for taking the boys for us for a couple of days- it would have been very difficult with little ones running/scooting around. I appreciate the help VERY much! And thanks for those of you out there with your thoughts and prayers.

New Patio

Okay! I now have pictures of our new patio! Personally- I LOVE it! The brick that we had was used and when we put them with the big pavers- they look like they are a hundred years old! I am such a fan! Again- thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Kidd for all of their help- we couldn't have done it without you!

Here is the before- well kind of. Obviously there hasn't ALWAYS been a big pile of sand sitting there- but you get the idea of the place we were working on. The window you can see is the kitchen window and Shaun and I have toyed with the idea of putting in a deck/patio there since we moved in. We were able to get a bunch of bricks for free, and got a screaming deal on the pavers... so the idea of a patio won!

And here's a "during" picture. I think the planning and placing of the pavers/bricks took the longest. Once we figured out what kind of pattern we were going to use- it went pretty quick.

And here's the finished product!! I think it looks soo good!

And a close up of the design we did.

Gymboree Coupon

Okay- anyone who has looked in my kids' closets knows that I am a total Gymboree junkie! Unfortunately- thier clothes are a little spendy- so anytime that I can get a discount, I totally take advantage of it! I received a 20% off coupon in the mail yesterday, so I am going to share the online code with all of you!! You may not use it- but I plan on it!

20% off your entire purchase

Offer ends September 30, 2009

GDQEDG6HJ384730

Anyway... Enjoy!!

Ain't Nothing I Know What To Make You Fall In Love Like A Night At The County Fair

It is my personal belief that no summer is complete without a visit to a fair and a rodeo- and it makes it even better when it's a county fair and rodeo! There is something so fun about it all. Shaun and I started going to the Cassia County Fair and Rodeo when we were first married (up where Shaun is from), and we haven't missed it once in the seven years we have been married.

This time we started by going in to see the animals. Shaun's cousins do pigs and sheep for 4-H, and it's always fun to see how their animals turned out. Ryan's favorite were the cows, and Ty is a fan of the pigs. They both balked at the horses- granted they are pretty big when you are so close to the ground, and they both had to take a turn petting the sheep.

Ty likes to help feed the cows.

And Ryan likes to pet them. I know, I know I look like a total stoner in this picture.

This year, Ty was (finally) big enough to go over to the carnival and ride a couple of rides. I have been not so patiently waiting for Ty to get to the point where we can go on the carnival rides since they make Shaun sick just to look at them. I took Ty on the Ferris Wheel and the Dizzy Dragons... I think he's going to be able to be my riding buddy in years to come- I spun the little dragon thing as hard as I could and he came off just laughing!

Here's Ryan surveying the rodeo once we took our seats. I wish I could read their minds- I think that as little kids they get exposed to soo much- I wonder what they think of it all.

Here we all are waiting for the stupid barrel-racing to be over...

We had a lot of fun this year and Shaun succeeded in eating his weight in maple bars this year! Yay!

Follow The Yellow Brick Road... Or Pavers As The Case May Be...

Shaun and I bought some pavers to do a few things earlier this summer... and we are just getting around to finishing the projects! I hate that! At least it got done though... TODAY!! And mind you- as we sit here on the couch at ten o'clock- we are totally exhausted. Whew!

Here's a picture of the before. The cement was awful. It kept tripping Ty (which granted he can do without any help- but I was starting to feel sorry for him). And it would chip off into these tiny gravely pieces that ended up in the lawn- which for whatever reason- Ryan thinks are a tasty treat.

And during... We had to demo the cement with a sledge-hammer (which was actually kind of fun- Shaun let me try it out) and had to haul all the cement away and then bring in a couple truck-loads of sand in order to get the ground level.

Here's the massive stack of pavers in the garage- thanks Dave and Grandpa JB for helping us move the stupid things from the trailer! I owe you some cookies or something.

And here is an up close picture of the pavers with the sand pushed between them... I think it kind of looks cottage-y (I know- it's not a word).

And finally... the finished product! Well- finished for now. We want to plant some flower beds on either side so that you can't tell it's a little crooked (what do you want from us? we're new at this!). And we want to give a shout out to Jacki and Orllo for ALL of their help today! We could NOT have done it without them and their expertise! I owe you a big present. Maybe a BIG cookie!And look for pictures of the finished patio later- it's too dark outside to take a picture of it all finished!!

Angels in the Outfield!

On Monday night, we were lucky enough to be able to go to an Angels game up in Anaheim. I LOVE baseball games- as long as you are there in person- otherwise it's nice background noise for a nap. Anyway- we had seats right behind the foul ball post in left field. It was so much fun- besides a good game, we got to have ice cream and peanuts! Ryan LOVED the ice cream and bawled everytime the fireworks went off. Ty just loved it all and kept asking for the rest of the trip when we were going to go back.

This is Shaun and I at the game- Shaun is VERY excited to be having his picture taken. And yes to those of you that are wondering... I have no more hair. I had a bad haircut and in order to fix it... I had to cut it ALL off.

Two goofballs at the game. Ryan was stoked... can you tell?

Me, Dave and Nat right in front of our seats at the game. At the very end... it was awesome- the left fielder caught a ball that was literally inches from the people in front of us!!

Tide Pools at Little Corona

So, undoubtabley if you know my family, you know that we LOVE California (okay- except for Shaun), and go whenever we can. We were unable to go last year because I was 40 months pregnant with Ryan. But- we were so excited when my family was able to figure out a time when Shaun and I, Dave and Nat, Grandma and Grandpa and Melissa could ALL go. It was a lot of planning- but we made it!

We got here on Sunday (after a quick layover in St. George), and thought that an afternoon at the Tidepools would be a perfect activity to ease into the week's worth of activities. Ty, of course, loved it! It took him half a second to decide that this was by far one of the coolest places he'd ever been. He chased the little crabs over the rocks, poked the amnemenies(sp?) and pulled hermit crabs out of their shells. I almost felt sorry for all the sea creatures he came in contact with.

Ryan- of course pulled himself up and over dad and grandpa to try and get away from it all. Towards the end he warmed up a little bit and started to poke the water. It was a lot of fun!

Day At The Lake

My parents came up again for the weekend- but this time they brought fresh meat! My uncle Gary, his wife Roz and my Grandma and Grandpa drove up in their motorhomes to spend Raspberry Days with us. On Friday, my cousin Josh and his wife Tamara and their son Isaac parked thier RV's at the cabin- so we could play on Saturday!

We had so much fun! I wish we had some pictures of the first half of the day. We took out the four-wheelers, motorcycles and Josh took his Jeep up on a trail ride through Logan Canyon. It was so pretty and it was such a nice day! Shaun and Dave both got to try out the Jeep... they might be hooked!!

Then we took the boat out in the afternoon and went wakeboarding (the water was too bumpy to do much else) and just spent the afternoon in the sun. And yes- this gorgeous woman on the wakeboard is ME! Okay- maybe not so much on the gorgeous- but I haven't been behind a boat since before Ryan was born- we're talking years people. I was just impressed that I stood up. Thanks everyone- we had a lot of fun! And we need to do it again!

And Nat- this last picture is JUST for you!