The Apple Orchard

Being that it's the May Long Weekend, and we had no plans, we made a last minute desicion to come hang out at the Acreage for the weekend. Mr. Stannix did up all of the dishes Thursday night, I cleaned, did laundry and packed up on Friday and we arrived Friday night. Grampa was out tilling the garden and I sent Camilla up to say hi. So many memories from my childhood on the farm were brought back. When I was little I would always go out with my dad when he tilled the garden. As the fresh, smooth dirt was brought to the surface I would follow behind him, being sure to stay in his footsteps. The cool dirt that was brought to the surface always felt good between my bare toes. I'm sure my feet were just black by the end of the night. Anyways, soon Grampa and Camilla made there way back to the house from the orchard. After we put the children to bed downstairs we played some great games of Rook and enjoyed visiting.

Saturday was a beautiful day! Camilla helped Grampa drain and refill the front pond. While she was out with Grampa, Hyrum enjoyed digging in Gramma's cupboards and drawers. The pots and pans became his favorite. He spent the morning with his tongue sticking out concentrating. Such a Hyrum thing to do.

When afternoon rolled around and Mr. Stannix had finished studying we decided to take a walk around the acreage as a family. The sun was out and there was a little bit of a breeze. We walked around the garden and up to the apple orchard. Hyrum of course wanted Daddy to hoist him up to touch all of the trees and check out the new leaves.

Eventually we found a nice spot of ground and just relaxed. There was no noise except for a few vehicals on the highway and the frogs in the neighbours pond. Our minds totally relaxed and it was nice not to think of anything. We just sat and enjoyed watching the children. Camilla kicked off her boots and ran around bare foot (she's definitely my daughter). She would stick out her arms as she ran and pretend to fly. She loved the openness of the orchard.

Daddy and I sat on the grass and tried to convince Hyrum that touching the grass isn't really all that bad. Camilla got tired and came in for a cuddle on my lap. As we sat there with the breeze blowing through our hair, we noticed a lady bug crawling up a blade of grass. Camilla let it crawl up and down her arm and all over her little fingers. All the while Hyrum was reaching over her shoulder trying to grab it and eat it. Finally we let it go back home to the grass. Then Camilla ran around a bit more. As she would jump on her Daddy his strong arms would lift her high into the air and she could pretend she was flying. Both of them would break out in giggles and laughter. It was music to my ears. I love hearing my family happy.

After some delicious barbequed hamburgers, we took off to spend the evening at the Lake. The sun was low and cast a nice glow over the dock. The children enjoyed throwing rocks and splashing.  Even the big kids enjoyed skipping rocks and seeing who could get the most skips at a time. I just loved sitting back and watching it all.

Camilla found a stick and her and Grampa sat on the edge of the dock and went "fishing". Just as we were on our way back to the car, Camilla decided to take one last walk to the lake edge and returned with her pantlegs soaking wet. She just couldn't resist. It reminded me of family vacation last year in BC. That girl really does love splashing and playing in water.

We ended the night with Dilly Bars from DQ. I had just finished bathing the children when Daddy and Grampa got home with them, so Camilla ate hers wrapped in just a towel, on the rocking chair cushion. It doesn't get much better than that. After night prayers our two little sleepy heads closed their eyes before I even finished tucking them in. All the fun and fresh air is so good for them!

Then the adults engaged in another game of Rook. We did couples vs. couples this time. It was a lot of fun! After game two we realized how late it was and said our good-nights.

A Spare

This morning after I finished the dishes and cleaning up in the kitchen I checked out the program times at our local library. Turns out they had one on at 10:30. I got everyone ready in time to walk there. Camilla held the door open while I closed the inside door. It's kind of finicky so when I locked and closed it, it didn't close tight and I had to pull it closed again.

We went to the car to quickly grab shoes and then when I went to open the door to the garage to get the stroller I realized that my house key wasn't on my key ring. I immediately wished I hadn't noticed the door when it didn't lock the first time. This has happened to me all too often, and this time I knew what to do. I buckled Hyrum into his car seat so he would be contained for a few minutes and then Camilla and I went to a window. Because I've done this a few times it took me less than 60 seconds to take off the screen and bust in (I should probably be worried that my house is so easy for me to break into).

I lifted Camilla through the window and instructed her to push down the baby gate and unlock the front door. I waited at the front door, heard the crash when the gate fell down and Camilla's "I'm okay". Before I knew it I felt her tiny hand turning the door knob on the other side and I was in! She was so proud of herself. I was just glad I didn't have to go through the window this time! We really need to get a spare key...

The good news is we still had time to walk, the bad news is that the program listing on the internet was wrong. We still had fun getting new movies and books as well as driving the boat. When it was time to leave I got an "Aiy Aiy, Captain!" from my enthusiastic two year old and we proceeded to the check out and then home.

Tonight I had asked Mr. Stannix to BBQ up some steaks for dinner. It started getting windy and cloudy and I almost changed my mind. I called him before he left work to double check if he was still up for it. Every time my poor husband tries to cook steak it rains. Last time it poured and he needed an umbrella...

After we ate our delicious steaks it was time for the kiddos to bath. I stood outside the door for a few minutes grinning from ear to ear as I listened to them splash and giggle. Hyrum's belly laugh is the best sound ever. After prayers I took the little man up to bed. When I brought Camilla up later to tuck her in I found him sleeping with his legs crossed. It was soo Hyrum that I had to snap a picture.

Now I hear a movie playing on the TV and I'm pretty sure there's a spot saved for me on the couch right next to Mr. Stannix. If he's feeling generous he might even play with my hair a little.

Blessings

This morning the children didn't wake up until 7:30. It was heavenly to sleep in that long. Mr. Stannix and I took in all the sleep we could get and then he quickly got ready for work.

(Fruit for breakfast)

And might I just add that I am super grateful for honest people and answers to prayers!
Phew!

Sleepy Heads

 I think the kids had a very fun filled weekend. They were both fast asleep before we even left the subdivision. Hyrum was too tired to even finish his bottle. Today we've been recuperating from the late nights visiting and early mornings. I put the baby gate up across the living room entrance and let the kids watch movies all morning while I rested my eyes. Sometimes ya just need a morning like that! I think I'm now ready to take on the rest of my week.

Sunny Saturday

 We are spending the weekend at the Acreage hanging out with family and chatting over Skype with my little brother. This morning Hyrum was up before 6:00 again so we spent the morning out in the Pool Room where I could contain him while I rested my eyes on the couch. When I peeked over at him at one point he was hanging out with the gnomes and seriously examining Sir Lancelot. 

After his mid-morning bottle we snuggled up on the blue recliner between open windows with the sun pouring in on us and took a snooze. It was much needed and the breeze was heavenly. Hyrum's chubby fingers grasped my hair tightly as his head rested on my shoulder. Outside the window I could hear Mr. Stannix typing away on his computer on the patio. 

My Gramma and Grampa and brother arrived around noon. After a nice lunch we spent most of the afternoon out front. Camilla loved throwing rocks in Grampa's "pond" and it's all she wanted to do all day.

It was fun to watch her and Hyrum throwing pebbles into the water together. They are growing up so so fast! By the time nap time rolled around Camilla's little cheeks were nice and rosy from the sun. 

 

Mr. Stannix spent most of his Saturday here at this table working hard at his CASB. He looked super handsome as he typed away.

I would interrupt him every once in a while to steal a kiss or just chat. It was a beautiful day and I thoroughly enjoyed running around barefoot on the green grass.

Hyrum was loving chilling with his Uncle Chris and throwing pebbles in the water. He's starting to walk around more and loved when he found someone's hand to hold while he walked.

When Grampa took him for a walk around the Acreage he was in heaven. I just thought they looked super cute together, my little dude next to his tall, strong Grampa. He loves his Grampa!

We also got to Skype with my brother which was one of the main reasons for all being together this weekend, but more on that later!

Holding His Own

While I made dinner last night a little bit of wrestling went on by the kitchen. Hyrum was jumping up and down on his sister and she was giggling really really hard. It's good to know he can hold his own with his big sister now (let's just hope he doesn't do that with new baby in the Fall)! Camilla could be heard saying, "Get off me ya little ronk (runt)". A few of my favorite things about this picture are Hyrum in just his diaper with his bare little feet, the drum sticks, Camilla's awesome pink house coat, and Camilla's rubber boots.

Moment Captured.

Spring Cleaning

 The children and I had a wonderful morning outside today! We were out bright an early to mow the lawn and clean up the yard after the winter. It took me like a gazillion pulls to get the lawn mower started, and when it finally fired up, Hyrum burst into tears. All the other times I started it after that he would smile and get excited. He was pretty chill and just hung out on the blanket and watched contently. I love him with his little ball cap and woody in this picture. He's always thinking and watching and figuring.

He's starting to get up on his feet more and more and enjoys walking around. I love how beautiful the trees are becoming as the leaves are popping and Spring is finally arriving. Bring on the warm weather I say.

The children were super cute and played together while I did the back yard. We lost Camilla half way through the front yard. She was cold and wanted to go in, so she just watched from the window and popped out the front door occasionally. 

After we had finished that, we made a quick trip to Wal-Mart for some fruit and a storage bin. There's been lots of "too small" clothes from both the children piled high on top of Camilla's dresser. My mission today is to organize all of the crazy boxes of clothes that we're storing and try to condense it. As I type my bed is covered in clothes and boxes fill my room. I was only able to get half way done this morning but will probably finish it before dinner. 

When we got home from Wal-Mart it was close to lunch time, so I sliced into the water melon to make up smoothies. I think it was one of the juiciest, yummiest water melons I've ever picked. I stripped down Hyrum and let him go nuts while I finished slicing and putting it in containers for the fridge. He loved it! Then I whipped up some melon-berry smoothies. I made half of it into popsicles for these warm days and we enjoyed the other half on the back deck. It was beautiful and sunny outside.

 Camilla has been such a character this morning. This pink/yellow dress is her favorite and she's always going upstairs to change into it. I'm sure she would wear it every day if I'd let her. I just washed it yesterday and hung it up in her closet. Every time she sits on my lap it smells like fresh laundry and I can't help but lean in for a better smell and smooch her on the cheek. She paired it with a pink house coat and her new yellow rubber boots and it made me giggle. I love that she's independent enough to dress herself, and it always makes me smile.

 Hyrum continued to eat away at his piece of water melon and thoroughly enjoyed sharing my smoothie with me. It was a nice refreshing treat. I am envisioning many more Summer afternoons on the back deck enjoying fresh fruit and sunshine. We finished off with a snuggle on the monkey swing and then came in and got ready for naps.

Our yard looks awesome now. I love the smell of freshly cut grass. It always brings me back to when Mike and I were first married and working lawn care together. We had so much fun at that job (not to mention we got killer tans). This afternoon I moved the big winter coats from the front door to the boot room and have been tidying other things along the way. I'm looking forward to some vacuuming and dusting and our house being all sparkly clean before we head out to the Acreage this weekend! 

An Outie

Only three months along and I already have an outie...

Just Another Day

It's just after lunch when Mr. Stannix calls to see how my day is going, last night was a tough one. After Camilla has had her fill of macaroni she practically begs me to go upstairs for a nap. Between the hours of 1 and 5 this morning she got up to pee, asked for three glasses of water, changed her jammies in the dark, tried to sneak downstairs 109288 times, and cried every 10 minutes. I blame it on the full moon. Needless to say, she's one tired monkey today and needs some extra lovin'. While Hyrum is finishing the last of his macaroni I read Camilla a story. She snuggles under her covers as I pull them to her chin. I kiss her on the cheek and she's out like a light. Hyrum finishes up his last bite as I come down the stairs. I pull him out of his highchair, he's only wearing a diaper. His baby skin is oh so soft and I can't help but smother him in kisses and tickle him under the arms. He goes off to play with his cars while I top the bagels with cheese. The smell of them baking in the oven fills our home. I am excited to eat a hot one smothered in butter. Toasted, they are super easy on my tummy first thing in the morning, and all morning, and sometimes the only thing I can eat. Hyrum practices his walking in the living room. He's still in just a diaper and his face is covered with mac n' cheese. I watch him and wish he could stay this way forever... 

Sunday Snuggles

This afternoon after church we all hung out on the back deck while Daddy made burgers on the BBQ. I am in love with these beautiful Spring afternoons. It's so fun seeing the leaves pop on the trees and the grass getting greener every day! It is such a blessing to be able to experience all of these wonderful things.  While we were waiting the kids snuggled up on the swing for a few minutes. Camilla has gotten so big and taken on her roll of big sister and protector very well. I love these sweet little moments.

Next, Hyrum and I shared a little snuggle. As we swayed back and forth in the swing we watched Daddy BBQ and listened to the birds. It wasn't long before my little girl climbed up on my lap to join in on the cuddles. Mr. Stannix snapped an adorable picture. I love my kiddo's! Being a Mum is simply the greatest.

Sunday afternoon's like this are my very favorite! I am so blessed.