Landslide lake

The kids surprised me and walked in the door shortly after eight last night! They weren't supposed to be home until today, but with the chilly evenings, I had a hunch they might come back a day early. They were so glad to be home and started shouting out their exciting stories at the same time. I got no less than a dozen hugs from Joe and a whisker smooch from Mr. Stannix after three days in the back country. 

The cooler weather made for perfect hiking temperatures. They assured me they weren't cold at night (which was my biggest worry for them) and they had the best time with their Dad and their grandparents. 

They hiked 15km the first day to the base with 17lb packs (for the kids) and 35-45lb (for the adults). This year they not only carried their own gear (clothes, sleeping bag, thermal rest, rain coat) but their food as well. 

Camilla was nick named "Dobby" because she made the perfect little tent elf, organizing everyone's things each night. 

They did a day hike up to landslide instead of lugging their gear and enjoyed fishing and exploring and rock climbing. Grampa caught some cut throat trout and Camilla was the only kid to catch something up at the lake. 

One night after Mike had retired to bed, the kids had a brilliant idea to make him a chair out of rocks so that he would have a nice place to rest his back and his feet. They joked that it was like his big yellow chair back home! In the morning, Camilla and Hyrum woke up early to get the fire roaring and show Daddy his new camping chair. 

The hike down was quick and they missed the rain! They stopped to fish on the way down and the kids caught a lot of fish that were swimming amongst the boulders. Then they finished walking the 15km back to the truck with packs slightly lighter. Joseph had a really hard time near the end and needed some extra encouragement. The thing I love most about experiences like this is the bonding that naturally occurs. Relationships were strengthened during this shared triumph and they came back closer and full of memories!

 

Just Imagine

This morning I made up a double batch of Salsa. It simmered on the stove for most of the day. I had to run into the grocery store for some cilantro and tomato paste to finish it off. The boys were wrestling and giggling down the grocery store aisles. On the way home they couldn't stop talking about force fields. "Mom has a special force field, just stay close to her on the way into the house and the bad guys won't get us." I played right along, which caught them by surprise, but then they shrugged and kept up the act. Their imaginations were running wild and they were totally invested in pretend play, shouting and using play voices. I spent the afternoon getting salsa into jars (a dozen more to go downstairs in the storage room) and made a small easy dinner. 

Lily fell asleep while I quietly ladled the salsa into gem jars and music was playing in the background. I had to stop and stare at her for a little while because I can hardly believe how big she is getting! Her rolls, those chubby cheeks, her incredible eye lashes, the whole scene made my heart fill with love for this sweet girl!

 

Canoe recap

The fourth annual canoe trip was a success! They didn't end up getting all of the forecasted rain and were able to set up their tent and stay dry when it did rain the first evening. The older kids really enjoyed paddling in their own canoe. Hyrum and Joe apparently took the crazy side of the river at the Y and said that it was full of hippos (big rocks) and turtles (lots of rapids). Mike said you could hear them giggling way up the river! Almost everyone caught a fish, but Joe's catch definitely took the prize. It was a pike that was almost as tall as him! They forgot the frying pan at home and the stove was busted, so they had to improvise for meals. I will be enjoying the rest of their stories for days to come I'm sure!

 

Sunday Snapshots

 We have been so enjoying our time with siblings and cousins this weekend! Alice and Lily were both in yellow today, so naturally it prompted a photo shoot in the big yellow chair. They were so sweet and it reminded me of this quote.

"Sometimes the greatest love is not found in the dramatic scenes that poets and writers immortalize. Often, the greatest manifestations of love are the simple acts of kindness and caring we extend to those we meet along the path of life." ~Joseph B. Wirthlin

Date Night

After sleeping in until almost 9:00am yesterday (a record to be sure), my day began early today! I loaded up Sawyer and Lily bright and early to go pick up our canoe crew. 

The rising sun and morning mist were breathtaking as we drove the almost two hours to Mackenzie crossing. When we pulled up, the kids were playing at the park. Sawyer exclaimed, "There is my Dad! And my Grampa! And ALLLLL my friends!" He was so excited to see everyone again. 

We tucked the little ones into bed and left Camilla in charge of everyone else so that Mr. Stannix and I could go on a date. We went to Cucina's and enjoyed a delicious meal together. 

I am a huge supporter of weekly date nights and I love when we can get out just the two of us for a meal and a kid-free visit. We have had some big decisions which are weighing heavy on our hearts and it was good to be able to chat about everything and figure out which route is the best for us and our family. 

 

Lily Joy: EIGHT Months

 Lily is EIGHT months old! She is on the move now! She learned how to pull and push with her tip toes to get where she needs to go. She is a rolling machine! She can get from lying down to sitting all on her own now. She is full of giggles and laughter and enjoys the company of her siblings. She is a snuggle bug and will often cuddle in and sleep on us. She eats so many foods despite having no teeth yet. She loves her swing and being outside. She still sleeps like a champ. She has just enough hair for it to blow a little in the wind when we got boating. She is curious and constantly processing her world. We love her so so much!

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!