Salsa Time

It has been a productive couple of days around here! This morning we tackled the tomatoes and made up a big double batch of salsa to be enjoyed over the Winter.

 

Lily was such a big helper, stirring the pot while it simmered away.

This week I've managed Pepper Jelly, Raspberry Jam, and todays double batch of salsa. It all looked so pretty lined up on the island that I had to snap a picture. 

 

Beach Day

With the whole crew back together and the thirty degree weather, we declared today a beach day! Before we left on our Summer vacation I had scored a great deal on a kids kayak and the boys couldn't wait to finally try it out! They had been begging all week to go.

I barely saw most of the big kids as they took turns kayaking and boogie boarding out on the lake. 

Fin and Ollie were light enough that they could basically double on the kayak, or one of them would be the motor and kick around at the back of the kayak. They all had such a good time together!

Sawyer was content to hang out near the shore, even though the lake is knee deep forever before it drops off.

Camilla was able to take Lily for a quick swim.

These two became buds while they were away in NFL spending all day together at the beach throwing logs, rocks, and catching minnows. 

When we got home we had the best Taber corn for dinner thanks to a thoughtful friend who offered to grab us a whole bag while she was there! It was delicious!

Tonight as I was sitting in Lily's dimly lit room, waiting for her to fall asleep, I opened the window to let in the cool evening breeze. It didn't take long for the sound of coyotes in the next field over to reach our ears and serenade her to sleep.

 

Adventures in Newfoundland

The boys are finally home from their week away visiting in Deer Lake, Newfoundland. They spent the week helping Mike's Dad build a garage (and also did a lot of playing at the beach). The days were mostly filled with building, but they were able to explore a little bit and see a few neat things while they were there! They also got to meet some more of the family on Mike's Dad's side. 

 

Hanging out at the lake became a daily adventure for these two when there wasn't much to help with on the garage.

This white house was built by Mike's Great Grandfather and his Grandmother lived there. I believe it's still in the family. 

I am glad to have everyone under the same roof again! Whew, it's been a busy Summer!

A Slower Pace

It was yet another rainy day. Tonight as I drove to pick up my girl from a friends, I was blessed to witness the most beautiful sunset. And since I also happened to be driving alone, I pulled over and tried to capture the beauty as the sun cast its golden glow over a nearby field.

The cool, crisp weather this week has left me enjoying life at a slower pace. Not slow in the sense that I've had less to do, because the tasks are never ending with a family this size. But I've learned that slowing down for me means savouring.

Slowing down is taking time to pause amidst the busy schedule and chaos to look the children in the eyes and listen to what they have to tell me. It's bringing them along to the garden and taking the extra time to teach and work together. It's dancing in the kitchen while the bread bakes and the dishes soak. It's pausing to watch a golden sunset or to notice the leaves changing color. It's learning to feel the different seasons, both in nature and in motherhood, as they come and learning the ebb and flow.

The slow I have felt is not a physical slow down, but rather a mental exercise. It has helped me take away the feeling of being "rushed" and replace it with a feeling of satisfaction and joy.

"August is the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest across the span of a year. It yawns and lingers on with light in its palms."

 ~Victoria Erickson

 

Here at Home

While Mike and the big boys are gone to Pop's house to build a garage for the week, the rest of us are here at home...

Picking cucumbers...

And stomping down onions...

And sleeping after a long day outside!

 

All the Boys

This morning before church I snapped a few quick pictures of Hyrum and Joe who were looking exceptionally grown up today!

Hyrum was happy to be able to pass the Sacrament today without his splint on!

Also, not only does this kid look so handsome, but he always smells amazing!

And I had to grab a quick bump picture as well. It's always fun to watch baby grow!

After waiting quite a while, we decided that we would do a quick gender reveal with the children before Mike and the two older boys fly off to Newfoundland this evening. Turns out our crew of boys is growing by one come January! Ha! While Camilla was glad to still have Lily all to herself (she was worried about sharing her with another sister), I was in shock. Soon our family will be SIX boys and TWO girls big. I was almost completely certain this babe would be a girl, so it took me a bit to come to terms with it. But this baby boy will be oh so loved!

My new wreath was giving me all of the Autumn vibes today and it made me so happy!

After the boys left for the airport, and most of the children were in bed, Camilla, Sonnyboy and I cuddled up to a movie to finish off the evening.

 

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It was a rainy, chilly day today. I baked all morning to warm the house up and the kids played Lego and watched movies.  Many chocolate chip banana muffins were devoured and the cheddar and herb zucchini bread was enjoyed for lunch. All in all, a pretty chill day. I thought often about the YW group who are currently canoeing down the river, hoping they weren't getting rained on too badly. Can't wait to pick them up in a few days!

 

Hyrum Gets his Pin Out

The day that Hyrum has been waiting for all Summer finally arrived! We drove into the city this morning to meet up with his surgeon and get the pin in his pinky taken out. He was so nervous and worried about how much it would hurt! The awesome surgeon did such a good job distracting him that it was out before Hyrum even knew what was happening. "Oh...that's it?!" was Hyrum's reaction. He was given a popsicle and a new splint to use when he is actively playing sports or running around for the next few weeks. It will take a bit for him to get full mobility back in his hand after being frozen in one position for so long. He could hardly make a fist and had a hard time moving his wrist at all. As soon as we got back to the car, he carefully unwrapped his hand and removed the splint. He said it felt so good, but also weird. Just a few more weeks of being careful before he can dirt bike again! We spent the rest of the afternoon picking up a few things he needed for school and walking through Costco.

 

A Still Summers Eve

Tonight we snuck up to the orchard after the littles were in bed to pick the parkland apple trees. The cool evening air was refreshing after such a warm day and the sun had painted the sky in a soft pink and orange. In the distance, we could hear the bugle of sandhill cranes. The stillness of the evening was such a gift! It didn't take long for us to pick the two small trees clean, giving us one bucket of apples. Of course we had to taste a couple while we picked. I see apple pies in our future!

 

She's Home!

Tonight Lily and I drove to the airport to pick up our favorite big sister! She had an amazing time in Utah hanging out with some of the sister missionaries that served in our ward and were now home. She flew all by herself home (with an airline escort), and came back looking way older then when she left! I loved hearing all about her adventures on our drive home. Our entire family will be all together for just tonight though before Daddy and Camilla head out on YW camp tomorrow morning. This Summer has been insanely busy, but so many memories have been made, along with some incredible growing experiences.