Besties

Today our very best friends drove out to visit us! We have enjoyed over ten years of friendship with these guys. One of my favorite songs talks about how you can't make "new old friends". These old friends of ours are pretty dear to our hearts! While the Dad's were inside moving furniture and putting the tv on the wall, Jessica, the girls and I went to pick raspberries and visit. Having a friend who knows your dreams and sorrows is a special thing. I love the way they love our kids and I love the bond our girls have together. 

We finished off our night by escaping to DQ after the littles were all asleep (thanks Mom and Dad!). We had a great visit over poutine and ice cream and ended up laughing pretty hard. We sure are grateful for the Wolsey Family!

Farewell Summer

Today we hosted our annual "Farewell Summer" BBQ. We got a bunch of friends together to enjoy a night of roasting hot dogs and Smores. Everyone brought a dish and the adults had a great time visiting while the kids ran around playing and biking together. It's so hard to believe that Summer break is coming to an end. It all went by too fast!

School Orientation

 This morning we stopped by the school to pick up school supplies boxes and check out the kids classes. We grabbed our boxes and then went down to find Camilla and Joe's class rooms. Camilla found her locker and wanted a picture. Joe's teacher was out and the door was shut so we didn't get to peek, but at least he knew where it was! Hyrum's classroom was looking pretty fun. Every time I went to snap a picture Oliver jumped in! 

After we finished at the school we stopped to find indoor shoes for each of the kids. Oliver needed a pair of runners because he grew out of his. Finley's running shoes were so worn out they could talk, and he was tickled to find a new pair that fit and helped him "run really fast!" It was super hairy having all six kids, a cranky baby, and a toddler who refused to leave peacefully without a treat. When we got home the kids opened their boxes and labeled everything inside. Before long backpacks were packed and ready for the first day of school!

Eye Doctor

This morning Hyrum and Sawyer visited the eye doctors! Hyrum's vision is pretty good and Sawyer was referred to a specialist to get his eyes looked at a little closer! He has one pupil larger than the other which is a bit concerning. We are hoping to get it checked out very soon!

Two, Four, Six

 Today we enjoyed some summer heat. We took advantage of the warm weather and spontaneously took off to the beach at Crimson late in the afternoon once our chores were done. 

 We all dipped our feet in the lake and cooled ourselves off.

 It's so hard to believe that in just a week we will be back to school and these two won't be home anymore! I am going to miss them so much! 

This stage of motherhood is a little bit nuts and sometimes I feel like a crazy person. In a few short weeks Oliver will turn three and the littles will no longer be the ages 0,2,4,6,8,10,

Sweet Smiles

 Today was the end of Summer BBQ for Mike's office and staff. We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone.

 Ollie gave me the most adorable pose when I wanted to take a picture of him eating his ice cream. That kid cracks me up so much!

We also got a handful of colored eggs today. Everyone (mostly me) was pretty excited about it!

Sawyer: Nine months

Sawyer is nine months old as of a few days ago! He is so much fun! Right now he keeps us all on our toes as he explores the house. His favorite room is the bathroom and with a potty training preschooler it's hard to keep the door shut. He is the smiliest, happiest little guy ever! Everyone says so when they meet him. Not too many things upset him and he just rolls with the rhythm of our home. He is snuggly and falls asleep relatively easily and sleeps through the night (except when he's teething or sick). We all adore him!

Summer Loving

 We are soaking up this last week of Summer even though there is hints of Fall in the air. This morning Sawyer and I went out to the greenhouse to help Grampa water the tomatoes and peppers. 

 It's so peaceful and wonderful in there. Sawyer loves sitting in his swing and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells.

 The growth on the plants in insane! 

 After that we took cousin Kieran to see the chickens. They were soaking in the sunshine and enjoying scratching around in the run.

 I've really been enjoying the fact that I have older kids with this baby. Camilla is such a little mamma and adores her baby brother. She often carries him around and even puts him to sleep for me sometimes!

 Sawyer enjoyed a nice long afternoon nap while the clouds rolled in.

 After a nice walk to the mailbox we were welcomed home to this beautiful sight!

 Grampa and Uncle pruned a bunch of trees around the acreage and the boys took a few branches and made them into bows. Hyrum used his new knife to get the bark off and then we attached some string. Sometimes the best toys are sticks.

 We finished the evening off with a fire and smores. I lost count of how many marshmallows my kids devoured.

Mr. Stannix and my dad have been working hard over the last few weeks to get this new pit in working order! Unfortunately we got rained out and weren't able to enjoy it for very long! The thunder grumbled as we walked inside to bath the littles and tuck them into bed.

Star Gazing

 This afternoon was spent doing dishes and getting the kitchen back in order. The littles played in the kiddie pool and then built blanket forts and zoned out on TV when a storm blew in. I opened all of the windows and let the cool air blow through the house. Everything smelled fresh and wonderful.

 When every fork, knife, spoon, and plate was clean it had to be documented because it doesn't happen very often in a house with this many littles. 

 When the storm finished we were blessed with clear skies, and a gorgeous sunset. After tucking everyone in for the night I snuck outside to the back field to watch the fog settle in for the night. 

Later in the evening I stepped out on the deck after letting out the dog only to be mesmerized by the most beautiful starry night! I hugged my sweater around my body and stood barefoot in the chill of night to soak it all in. I forgot how much I love star gazing! Pictures really don't do it justice, it was incredible!

Egg-citing News

 Ever since we got our new baby chicks back in march I have been looking forward to our very first blue egg! When Hyrum went out to the coop this afternoon he came back with the best surprise!

 Our very first Americauna egg! 

 It's the most beautiful blue-green, almost olive. Collecting eggs has turned into an exciting treasure hunt these days!

I finished up the afternoon with a batch of homemade syrup. The littles love their pancakes and I love how simple and quick it is to keep syrup on hand without having to run to the store all the time.

Summer Lovin'

These warm days haven't graced us with their presence often enough this Summer. We take advantage of the sun when it comes out to play. 

The morning started slow and Camilla loved being matchy matchy with her baby brother!

We are so excited to be getting vine ripe tomatoes! They are delicious.

While I worked outside I asked the older two to care for Sawyer. They put him in this laundry basket in the shade of a tree while they drew pictures beside him on a picnic blanket. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent playing in the kiddie pool and running through the sprinklers. I had to chuckle when I looked out the kitchen window to see Ollie standing by the pool in nothing but a pair of green rubber boots. He has decided he's ready to potty train and spent majority of the day nakey-nakey outside.

We took advantage of the warmth and headed to Cow Lake for a few hours in the late afternoon. 

Camilla loves jumping off the boat and swimming in the middle of the lake. She is so brave and fun!

The kids convinced me to jump in at the end and it felt so good after a hot day in the sun! Although I get a little freaked out when I can't see the bottom!

Oliver actually asked to go for a tube ride, so we went for a real slow spin around the lake!

I could just eat this boy up!

Oliver enjoyed the afternoon in the co-captains chair taking in the scene.

We lit a fire when we got home and enjoyed testing out the new pit. The view from my chair was pretty great tonight.

I wish time would slow down sometimes. These kids are growing right before my eyes.

Shoveling Dirt

No body liked their breakfast this morning. "I'm not eating it!" "This looks weird." "Mine's not cooked enough." were just a few of the complaints. It was rough. After breakfast I loaded up Camilla, Oliver and Sawyer and headed into Red Deer for Oliver's pediatrician appointment. His EEG came back clear and they are quite certain he shouldn't seizure again. Once we were finished there, we headed to the mall for lunch and a little bit of back to school shopping for the girl.

While I was gone the big boys went outside with Grampa and shoveled over 90 bucket fulls of dirt to move to the new fire pit area. They transported it down with the help of the lawn mower and practiced their driving skills. 

Camilla brought out a water station for the hard working boys and we all admired a job well done. They have crazy muscles now and were so happy and proud of themselves. I was proud of their work ethic and will to keep at the job until the end. 

Bed time was a breeze because everyone was so exhausted from a hard days work under the Summer sun.

Saturday Happenings

We enjoyed a wonderfully productive Saturday! 

Camilla enjoyed playing with KIWI and showing us how much she's taught him. 

We got almost two dozen eggs before noon! 

Daddy and Grampa spent a lot of the day mixing cement for our new fire pit.

Reese sure enjoyed the afternoon snuggles from her favorite girl!

This boy melted my heart!