Hello Autumn

 Happy First day of Autumn! I had planned a nice long walk with the boys this morning and since Daddy took some time off work, he tagged along too. We were all pretty happy about that! We walked together, talked together, laughed together and enjoyed Autumn in all it's beauty! 

Sunday Snapshot

 Today was wonderful. The children were all agreeable this morning and super helpful! It's rare to have a morning with zero fighting, so I cherish them when they happen!

 While I finished getting the baby ready for church, Camilla took Oliver outside and took some pictures to keep him occupied. She was also kind of proud of how handsome he looked after she dressed him and brushed his hair. She came in frustrated because he wouldn't sit still or give a nice smile for the camera. She captured him so perfectly though and I laughed so hard!

 The best part of my day though was walking into the baby's room to this sight. Joseph has such a big heart which is sometimes overlooked because of his big personality. But underneath his crazy is a tender soul with a desire to make others happy and do his best. 

 As he told me, "I'm going to make a good Dad someday, right?" My heart totally melted. 

 These moments make the crazy worth it!

Counting Stars

Today I picked some more peppers from the greenhouse and did up another batch of salsa. Camilla helped me chop the veggies and I enjoyed her commentary as we laughed at the peppers shapes. "This one looks like it's mad." "This one has four butts." So much fun!

This time I added a few Hinklehatz  and Black Hungarian peppers along with the jalapenos to add a little extra heat.

 

The kids worked with Mr. Stannix and moved all of the branches that grampa pruned a few days ago from the orchard to the fire pit. 

These flowers bring me so much joy! Especially on days like today.

And there's nothing quite like stepping outside to find yourself covered in a blanket of stars. It always reminds me that "He counts the stars and calls them all by name." Even though we may feel insignificant or forgotten, we matter to Him. It's pretty incredible when you truly stop to think about it!

Apple Cider

Tonight I introduced the kids to Hot Apple Cider. I'm pretty sure they've drank it before but none of them could remember. I loved watching them warm their hands on their mugs and inhale the wonderful smell as they sipped away at their hot drinks. I'm so glad Autumn has stuck around a little longer this year!

Movie Night

After the regular morning shuffle I decided to take the little boys for a quick walk to grab the mail. We all enjoyed the warm sun, chilled fingers and Ningxia juice waiting in the mailbox. The boys were happy and the fresh air was so welcomed!

The Ningxia was in the mailbox all night, so it was perfectly chilled and made a delicious treat for the walk home. 

I spent the rest of my day organizing. I can only seem to manage one corner or area of the house at once, so today it was the laundry room. The laundry that had been neglected and piled high atop the folding table was put into baskets and brought upstairs to be piled high atop my bed in hopes of being folded and put away at some point during the day. Once the laundry room was tidy and organized again we spent some time outside enjoying the Fall colors and visiting with my Dad on the back deck. 

I went into town a bit early to pick up the kids and deliver eggs to happy customers. While I waited in the van for the kids I was able to call and get them all signed up for swimming lessons. The kids told me all about their Terry Fox run today and Camilla showed me that she ran for a dear friend of ours at church who is battling cancer right now. It was so sweet! 

After dinner the kids begged to watch a movie with Daddy. Since there is no school tomorrow we agreed and he went to work popping popcorn while the kids cued up National Treasure 2. While they hung out in front of the TV I put the baby to sleep, cleaned the junk corner in the kitchen and duct taped the high chair cushion in hopes of making it survive on more child. Soon, Joe got bored with the movie (he's not a movie watcher) and we ended up playing Uno together in the living room until it was over. Camilla started running in every few minutes to check her loose tooth out in the mirror and did eventually manage to get it out! I managed to get all but two pots washed. I left them in the sink for tomorrow making Mr. Stannix cringe as he hates to leave a job unfinished. My hands are dry and cracked, but I feel content with what we got accomplished today. As I put up the Fall decor bit by bit my heart is filled with gratitude.

Homemade Salsa

This morning as we stepped outside to do chores I could see my breath. The sun warmed our cheeks as we made our way across the yard and drank in the cool Autumn breeze. 

Oliver made a pretty cute chore buddy as he danced his way to the chicken coop in the morning light.

When I got back in I decided to start working on a batch of Salsa. I've never canned anything on my own before, but this looked pretty simple. It's so fun to know that we grew all of this! It's satisfying to make things from garden goodness!

Sawyer was ready for his nap shortly after I had washed everything up, which worked out pretty perfect!

After an hour or so of slicing and dicing I ended up with a huge pot of salsa simmering on the stove. The house smelled sooo good! I let the flavors mix and the salsa thicken for quite a while and finally jarred it in the afternoon.

We ended up eating so much of it fresh that I only got three jars. But it was exciting listening to them all "pop" and seal. 

Once I finished the salsa, Ollie and I made cookies together. He loves helping in the kitchen and always has the funniest things to say. Today he said, "I was holding on wif two hands and stirring wif ALLLL my might!"

We had a nice walk around the orchard before the big kids got off the bus and admired Grampa's hard work pruning trees.

Then I let the after school chaos wash over me as I juggled the kids and dinner. Camilla built the little boys a train track to play on. I rocked and fed Sawyer while soaking in the sounds of happy little boys and Camilla plunking out her scales on the piano. The counter is currently full of dishes and I am thick in the middle of motherhood, but there's no where else I'd rather be!

Roaming Around

The sky has been looking pretty fabulous each morning and we are loving this warmer weather. Last year at this time we were trudging through a foot of snow just to catch the bus. The kids always laugh at me because some times in the middle of breakfast or packing lunches I will pause and open the front door to "ooh" and "ahh" at the sunrise. It really helps me start the day off on the right foot!

Some mornings my kids wake up looking older! As I watched Camilla head out the door in her carefully picked outfit and new uggs I just had to snap a picture. I still can't believe she is already in fifth grade!

The rest of our day was spent roaming around the acreage, hanging out with the chickens and picking tomatoes in the greenhouse. 

Some of the tomatoes are getting quite large! And boy are they tasty when they're vine ripe. After the littles go to bed at night Mr. Stannix and I pop some bread in the toaster and make toasted tomato sandwiches. So good!

We only picked what's ripe or very close to being ripe, and got a pretty good haul! There is still lots and lots of tomatoes.

Little man is still a nursing champ and I can't see any reason to give up these special moments together quite yet.

Scents of Autumn

 This afternoon we went for a walk around the acreage and let the scents of Autumn tickle our noses. The sunflowers are huge, the apple trees are full of fruit, and the greenhouse is loaded with delicious things and the colors are stunning!

 This dill caught my eye while I was out walking too! My Mum has made so many jars of dill pickles this year!

 When the little boys when down for a nap I tried out a new recipe for pizza sauce. It turned out so good!

 Camilla loves the chickens and is always out there after school to grab eggs and hold one or two of them. She loves to tame them and they like her!

And even though it's late, I've just pulled out a batch of double chocolate zucchini muffins for school lunches tomorrow! I cleaned up the last of the dishes while listening to the rain pitter patter outside and Ollie snore loudly from his bedroom. The house is still and I cherish these quiet evenings where I can get lost in though.

Autumn Lovin'

My favorite Season is practically here! We have been waking to the most beautiful skies and the crisp morning air can't be beat!

We are trying to get out and enjoy the sunshine as much as we can. We know how lucky we are that the snow hasn't come yet and getting outside is one way we can show our gratitude.

I can't believe how big Sawyer is getting already! It's funny to think back to this time last year and how anxious I was to meet him. Now he is pulling himself up on things, crunching leaves in his chubby baby fists, and thoroughly enjoying life.

Autumn, you are fabulous!