Corn Maze

 Today we thought we would check out the back to school festival at the corn maze! The littles have been looking forward to it all weekend and were totally thrilled when they found out we were going to go today. Hyrum had to dress up in his "cowboy clothes" including boots that are three sizes too big and a button up shirt. We arrived shortly after it opened and the parking lot was already half full! Luckily there is lots to do and see, so it didn't feel like there was that many people there at all. 

We started by checking out the maze, and made it through rather quickly. Daddy and I had fun hiding and jumping out at the kids and they had fun being "scared". When we finally made it out they quickly made their way over to ride down the giant slides, try out the trikes, and hit up the pony rides. We had a lot of fun walking around and checking everything out. The park is massive, the bouncy pillow was a hit, and the slides were pretty fun too. 

When tummies started to grumble we made our way back to the van. Finley played himself right out and fell asleep a few minutes into the drive. We picked up lunch on our way home and enjoyed the rest of our afternoon as we got ready for school to begin tomorrow!

 

 

Endless Friendship

I feel pretty blessed to be married to this guy. He sacrifices a lot for our family and for our happiness and I am so so grateful. He works hard, and prays hard. I am grateful for his endless friendship and dedication to the Gospel. Marriage really is a wonderful thing and I'm so grateful that I get to go through life with this guy by my side.

"We build our marriages with endless friendship, confidence, integrity, and by administering and sustaining each other in our difficulties."

-James E. Faust 

Hot, Hot, Hot

 Today we went for a family walk/bike/roller blade with Uncle Arland and Auntie Naomi. It was crazy hot and at the end of the trail we all gathered in the shade of a tree to cool off. I love spending time together with those I love most! We came home and made some rhubarb slush to cool us off while Daddy threw some dinner on the BBQ. A wonderful day!

Chester Lake

This morning we woke to blue skies and sunshine and knew it was too nice of a day to pass up a trip to the mountains. We were lucky enough to have Daddy all to ourselves for the day and excited to adventure with him. The drive was long, but the views were remarkable! As we drove the washboard gravel road Joe shouted from the backseat, "I spy Autumn!" We relished in the views, "ooo-ed" at the golden leaves and "ahh-ed" at the majestic mountains stretched up into the sky.

The bumpy road rocked the littles off to dreamland, so when we arrived at the parking lot they all stretched and rubbed sleep from their eyes. Everybody took a trip to the outhouse and then we began our climb to Chester Lake. Within two minutes someone was complaining of sore legs while another was certain they were dying of thirst. Climbing the winding, rugged trail with the littles tripping and grumbling made the first ten minutes feel like an hour. 

The boys paused at a giant rock and attempted to climb it as a couple made their way down the trail. Mr. Stannix and I were just discussing if we were crazy to do a difficult hike and neither of us could remember how far exactly it was to the top (10.2 km round trip, with an elevation gain of 1017ft.) We asked the couple how long it took them and they replied, "About two hours. It's a hard climb until you reach the valley, but the views are so worth it!" We smiled and waved as they left and then looked at one another feeling discouraged and encouraged all at the same time. I knew our littles could do it and I love teaching them that they can do hard things. Within a few minutes we had gotten into a bit of a groove, the complaining subsided, and we all hiked hard until Daddy found the perfect place to stop for a snack break.

 Finley skipped behind, the boys would run ahead and Camilla held my hand for a good chunk of time. And when the children would climb something, or balance on a log, or find something cool they would often say, "Take a picture of this, Mom!" They know me too well...

 Ollie and I often took up the tail end. Daddy was good at setting the pace and keeping everyone moving. I wandered behind stopping to take in the scenery and snap pictures of the beauty that surrounded us.

 

 Hiking when the world is on the brink of Autumn is one of my favorite things. The golden colors contrasted against a vast blue sky never disappoint. The valley near the end of the hike was absolutely remarkable! There were mountains all around us. My heart was filled with so much gratitude for our beautiful world.

 Once we reached the lake we were all kind of like, "This is it?" Although it was tiny, and not quite what we were all expecting, it sure felt good to dip our toes in the cold mountain water and relax for a bit at the edge. Mr. Stannix was happy to stay in his shoes and snooze on the grass while I couldn't wait to get out of my shoes and cool my feet in the lake. 

 The littles threw rocks, found sticks, made rafts, picked flowers and took in the view with wonder.

 It wasn't easy keeping Ollie out of the water. I did take off his pants and dip his toes a few times and he giggled with delight each time the water swished around his feet.

 Before long it was time to make our way back down. Knowing what was ahead of us and the fact that it was all downhill made some of the littles super happy. 

 Ollie rubbed his eyes as we made our way through the meadow, and soon he drifted off to sleep.

 We took our time while the boys threw rocks in the stream..

 And I soaked in the views...

 And watched relationships grow.

 

 We really are so lucky to live here!

 I loved watching these two hold hands the whole way down. Joe chatted Daddy's ear off and it was just the sweetest. Finley's little legs were pretty tired by the end but even though he was tripping over rocks more frequently he still refused help. "No, I good!" he would say (good with a "d" instead of a "g"). Finally, near the very end, he grabbed my hand and held on. I also gave him a shoulder ride for the last little bit, which he loved!

We were all relieved to finally make it to the van and rest our tired feet. As we made our way back home on the washboard gravel road I looked back at the littles, fast asleep, rosey cheeked, and my heart was so content.

A Glorious End

A gorgeous pink sunrise to start the day...

Followed by a luxurious afternoon nap..

And giggling on the trampoline before dinner.

August Little Things

 It seems we have found ourselves at the end of August once again. It's been a wonderful Summer full of excitement and fun. We were away more than we were home these past few months and although we loved our adventures, we were always grateful to come home. We traveled through Montana, Glacier National Park, Seattle, and Vancouver Island and found beauty in each place. 

This week the chore charts went up and we are working on getting back into routine. With school around the corner we are also savoring these last days of freedom and creating little adventures of our own right here at home. This morning we enjoyed chocolate zucchini cake for breakfast and then jumped in the van for a drive. The change in seasons always ignites a spark of excitement inside of me and I wanted to share it with the littles. As we passed by freshly cut fields, colorful trees, and giant bales of hay nestled on the hills, the children excitedly pointed everything out. We stopped for a few minutes at a wheat field we found on one of the back roads and snapped a couple of pictures. It's crazy how much these kids have grown! I figured it was about time to do a post on all of the "little things" that happen around here.

Our days often start early with demands for breakfast. They love pancakes, french toast, eggs and sometimes cereal. If they are up really early they sometimes sneak a cookie or two from the jar to keep them happy until I get into the kitchen to make something. When plates are clean they get dressed while I load the dishwasher and tidy the kitchen. Sometimes if I'm feeling really ambitious I will grab a pail of water and mop sticky floors on my hands and knees. And even though they seem to get sticky again a few minutes later there is still a small sense of accomplishment from completing something.

If we still have time before nap time we will run and get groceries, hit up a favorite park, or go for a walk around the neighborhood.  As I push the cart around the store with four children trailing behind me I often get funny looks and interesting comments. When we get to the dairy section they almost always ask for a "drink yogurt" as a snack, and only get one if they are on sale. They totally know this so if I ever say "no" I get, "But it's on SAAAAALLLE!?" 

Once, Finley fell asleep in his bed with dried yogurt in his hair after his brother dumped part of a Yop on his head on our way home from grocery shopping. He woke up looking like he stuck his finger in a light socket with his hair standing up all frizzy and crazy.

Despite being constantly fed, they still spend all day constantly complaining of hunger. Some of the boys can eat two whole sandwiches for lunch. Joe still calls it a "sammich" when he asks and I think it's the cutest. One day Joe ate a bowl of soup, a "sammich" and a glass of smoothie for lunch. He was still hungry thirty minutes later...

Much of their afternoons at home are spent biking around the neighborhood or playing with friends at the park nearby. I can't believe how much they have grown up since last Summer. They can bike around the block by themselves, stand up on the their bikes, bike one handed and jump off their bikes while they are still moving. Sometimes I wish they would just quite growing up! Earlier in the Summer they had a "boys biker gang".  They all taped playing cards to the back of their bikes so that they would sound like motorbikes when the spokes brushed by the card as they rode. They were a noisy bunch of kids, and the plus side was that if I ever wondered where they were, I just had to open the door and listen! Now I either listen for that or Joe's singing as he peddles up and down the sidewalk. That boy loves to sing!

There is still a fair amount of sibling rivalry going on, especially during this last bit of Summer break. I've had to learn to be creative when it comes to bringing peace into our home. Instead of saying, "Stop whispering in Finley's ear to do mean things!" it's "I hope you're telling him to give Joe hugs and kisses." They smirk and their eyes sparkle and immediately the mood is changed. It's challenging to try and see the good and emphasize the positive in every situation especially when they are rolling around on the floor in a full out brawl. 

 The boys have recently learned how to do "armpit farts" and other gross things and although it is sometimes comical, it can also get on one's nerves after a while. I find myself yelling crazy things like, "No Karate while you're eating bananas!!" and then I laugh and laugh at how ridiculous I sound. These boys are rough and tough. Even their hugs are knock-your-socks-off hard. I've learned not to relax on the floor unless I want four boys dog-piled on top of me within seconds. They love fiercely!

My girl and I have been cherishing our time together baking, coloring, and crafting. The difference between Camilla and the boys is becoming more apparent as they grow up. She has a huge desire to learn how to crochet lately and I've been trying to carve out enough time to teach her some simple things. She is learning to read and understand recipes and loves to help in the kitchen. When we pulled a cake out of the oven one time Finley exclaimed, "That looks YUM!" and I replied, "SUPER yum!" He repeated, "Yeah, S-chuper yum!" 

Fin says the funniest things. He has the cutest little stutter lately and it takes him a while to ask things sometimes. At the park the other day it was "you-you-you-you-you YOU push me?" Other times it's "I-I-I-I-I....have a cookie?" It's hard not to laugh out loud sometimes.

My baby is no longer a baby! He's grown into a sweet little boy. He is such a joy to have around. I adore his mischievous smirk and his daring personality. He is standing, walking around furniture, pointing and communicating. We love to make him laugh and enjoy his giggles so much. We are working on cutting out that morning nap and getting into a better sleep routine and he's so easy going about everything.

On the weekends we enjoy walks around the neighborhood with Daddy. Last weekend Mr. Stannix and I were walking with Fin and I said, "we sure love you, Fin!" and without skipping a beat he matter-of-factly replied with a shrug, "Yeah...we wuv me..." When we reach the end of the trail the older three have usually already climbed half way up one of the big trees. 

They come home ready for a snack and bedtime. We light the candle on the table and gather round for scriptures. After they finish fighting over who's turn it is to blow out the candle (oldest to youngest) we read a few verses together before gathering in the little boys room for prayers. Finley's rolling laugh as his Dad tickles him in his bed is one of my favorite sounds! As he snuggles under his blankets with his hot wheels in each fist my heart swells with love. 

I've been reading an old book that my mom grew up with called "Prickly Porky" to the big kids each night. When I tucked in Hyrum last night and he found out how many days left until school started he was vibrating with excitement! He came back out of his room a few minutes later, "Guess what? All the guys are cryin' in my mind 'Ahh! I don't know where to go!' 'Ahh! I don't have any friends!' 'Ahh! I don't know where my class is!!' " Then he laughed and told me he was "excited, but a bit scared." I am thrilled for him but my heart aches a little when I think of him spending his days away from me.

 Finally, the last of the littles is tucked into bed and they slip away into dream land while dusk paints the sky in soft shades of violet and orange. Thank-you August for your hours of daylight and glorious sunsets!