Fourth Annual Canoe Trip

Today I sent seven of my favorite people down the river for a few days! We have had such a busy Summer between preparing for my brothers wedding and re-shingling the roof! But squeaking in the canoe trip was non-negotiable according to Camilla. Even though the weather wasn't ideal, we decided to go ahead with it and shorten by one night to avoid the rain. They will take their usual route, camp the last night at the campground and I will pick them up early Saturday morning! Everyone was so excited, especially Oliver as this is his first year! We took three canoes this year in order to fit everyone, which meant that Camilla and Hyrum get to man their own canoe. They are nervous, but excited! I know they will do great as this is their fourth year and they know what they are doing. 

When I finally made it back to the acreage over four hours later, I went right to work on canning pickles and finishing up all of the projects that I wanted to do. Whenever Mr. Stannix takes the kids canoeing or hiking, it is like a small break for me to stay up as late as I want after the littles are tucked in and spend my time as I please. I am determined to get some pickles and jelly done and stay up extra late watching shows I love and eating junk food.

The greenhouse has blessed us abundantly this year! We have far more pickling cucumbers than we know what to do with! I'm enjoying learning the process and trying new things. 

 

An Orange Haze

We woke to a thick smoke again. The hazy orange sun shone through the playroom window right onto Lily as she slept on my shoulder. It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. After the children were in bed, I went out onto the porch to listen to the crickets sing and feel the warm wind whip the whisps of hair that had fallen from my ponytail. The smell of smoke was still heavy in the air, but my mind was at peace. 

 

Getting Out

This morning Gramma brought over a huge bag of peas to pod bright and early. I worked away in the livingroom with who ever was willing to help! Sawyer had a hard time cracking open the pods, but if I opened them for him, he enjoyed picking out the peas and filling the dish. Finley kept us company and chatted my ear off while I worked.

Later in the morning, I decided to take the children in to town to check out a new park. They needed a change of scenery, and it had been a while since we visited a park or played on the swings since there is no school. 

Lily has hardly experienced the joy of swinging and giggled so much!

Hyrum has been looking extra grown up lately. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time!

Oliver loved running around the park and trying out all of the new things.

Sawyers very favorite part was this spinning chair. He spent a lot of time sitting her spinning around and around. 

Before we left town I stopped at the flower shop and picked up the most gorgeous "just because" flowers that a friend sent me. It's been a rough couple of weeks and I am so grateful for good friends who cheer me on from far away. They brightened my day more than I can explain.

While the littles napped, I made a batch of my favorite raspberry streusel muffins. These are pretty much made on repeat during raspberry season because they are so delicious!

 

Berry Season

This morning while Lily napped, we went out front and picked choke cherries! The birds had just about cleaned one of the trees and we wanted to make sure we got at least a bucket for syrup before they were all gone! Sawyer and Ollie loved climbing up on the ladder and helping Grampa pick. 

The evening found us in the raspberry patch, filling our buckets (and bellies) with plump red berries! Sawyer decided that instead of picking, he would just eat out of my bucket as I went along. We came in as the sun went down, cozied into jammies, and tucked into bed!

 

Raspberry Jam

I've been making raspberry jam and red pepper jelly while Mr. Stannix is away at young men's camp. A kind soul brought us dinner tonight and naturally, a jar made it's way home in exchange. We have the best home teachers!

 

Finding Happiness

This morning as I put through my 129336th load of laundry, I looked at the clothes piled around me and smiled. My happiness is not found in a Pinterest worthy laundry room or a perfectly tidy house. 

Today my happiness came from quietly rocking a baby girl who was wanting extra snuggles.

It was in gathering empty jam jars with my oldest boy to refill.

The distant giggles coming from the hay loft where the children spent the morning playing.

A good chat with a friend while picking raspberries.

Picking homegrown veggies from the greenhouse.

The smell of homemade raspberry jam filling the quiet after everyone was tucked in.

Stemming beans with my girl late at night while watching a favorite show together.

Pausing to enjoy the sunset after another full day.

Look for those moments that make your soul sing each day.

 

Welcome August

 We had a fun day at Tanner Camp with friends today. It was a bit of a drive to get there and the sky was threatening rain the entire way. We were a little bit worried about how the day would work out, but the water temperature ended up being bearable and the kids all had so much fun together! Camilla was the very first to run off the dock and into the water (so brave given how cold it was). The sun graced us with her presence a few times, but the smoke kept it away.

I was happy to sit on the shore with Lily and watch the fun! But Mr. Stannix convinced me to get in the water and try the slide before we left. I am so glad I did, though I'm sure the entire camp heard me scream! 

It was so fun to be with everyone!

Once the kids had their fill of the water, we walked over to the zipline and gave it a try. The kids each went three or four times thanks to Noah who hung out at the top and clipped everyone in. Sawyer marched right over and got in line, determined not to miss out on the fun. 

He looked SO tiny up there. We all couldn't stop laughing...

He let out a quiet "weee" as he flew by me and that was it! 

It was close to dinner when we started packing up. The clouds started spitting rain while we loaded into the van to head home. The littles changed into dry clothes and tucked in for the long drive, ready to rest after a fun-filled day with friends!