Adventures in Newfoundland

The boys are finally home from their week away visiting in Deer Lake, Newfoundland. They spent the week helping Mike's Dad build a garage (and also did a lot of playing at the beach). The days were mostly filled with building, but they were able to explore a little bit and see a few neat things while they were there! They also got to meet some more of the family on Mike's Dad's side. 

 

Hanging out at the lake became a daily adventure for these two when there wasn't much to help with on the garage.

This white house was built by Mike's Great Grandfather and his Grandmother lived there. I believe it's still in the family. 

I am glad to have everyone under the same roof again! Whew, it's been a busy Summer!

A Slower Pace

It was yet another rainy day. Tonight as I drove to pick up my girl from a friends, I was blessed to witness the most beautiful sunset. And since I also happened to be driving alone, I pulled over and tried to capture the beauty as the sun cast its golden glow over a nearby field.

The cool, crisp weather this week has left me enjoying life at a slower pace. Not slow in the sense that I've had less to do, because the tasks are never ending with a family this size. But I've learned that slowing down for me means savouring.

Slowing down is taking time to pause amidst the busy schedule and chaos to look the children in the eyes and listen to what they have to tell me. It's bringing them along to the garden and taking the extra time to teach and work together. It's dancing in the kitchen while the bread bakes and the dishes soak. It's pausing to watch a golden sunset or to notice the leaves changing color. It's learning to feel the different seasons, both in nature and in motherhood, as they come and learning the ebb and flow.

The slow I have felt is not a physical slow down, but rather a mental exercise. It has helped me take away the feeling of being "rushed" and replace it with a feeling of satisfaction and joy.

"August is the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest across the span of a year. It yawns and lingers on with light in its palms."

 ~Victoria Erickson

 

Here at Home

While Mike and the big boys are gone to Pop's house to build a garage for the week, the rest of us are here at home...

Picking cucumbers...

And stomping down onions...

And sleeping after a long day outside!

 

All the Boys

This morning before church I snapped a few quick pictures of Hyrum and Joe who were looking exceptionally grown up today!

Hyrum was happy to be able to pass the Sacrament today without his splint on!

Also, not only does this kid look so handsome, but he always smells amazing!

And I had to grab a quick bump picture as well. It's always fun to watch baby grow!

After waiting quite a while, we decided that we would do a quick gender reveal with the children before Mike and the two older boys fly off to Newfoundland this evening. Turns out our crew of boys is growing by one come January! Ha! While Camilla was glad to still have Lily all to herself (she was worried about sharing her with another sister), I was in shock. Soon our family will be SIX boys and TWO girls big. I was almost completely certain this babe would be a girl, so it took me a bit to come to terms with it. But this baby boy will be oh so loved!

My new wreath was giving me all of the Autumn vibes today and it made me so happy!

After the boys left for the airport, and most of the children were in bed, Camilla, Sonnyboy and I cuddled up to a movie to finish off the evening.

 

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It was a rainy, chilly day today. I baked all morning to warm the house up and the kids played Lego and watched movies.  Many chocolate chip banana muffins were devoured and the cheddar and herb zucchini bread was enjoyed for lunch. All in all, a pretty chill day. I thought often about the YW group who are currently canoeing down the river, hoping they weren't getting rained on too badly. Can't wait to pick them up in a few days!

 

Hyrum Gets his Pin Out

The day that Hyrum has been waiting for all Summer finally arrived! We drove into the city this morning to meet up with his surgeon and get the pin in his pinky taken out. He was so nervous and worried about how much it would hurt! The awesome surgeon did such a good job distracting him that it was out before Hyrum even knew what was happening. "Oh...that's it?!" was Hyrum's reaction. He was given a popsicle and a new splint to use when he is actively playing sports or running around for the next few weeks. It will take a bit for him to get full mobility back in his hand after being frozen in one position for so long. He could hardly make a fist and had a hard time moving his wrist at all. As soon as we got back to the car, he carefully unwrapped his hand and removed the splint. He said it felt so good, but also weird. Just a few more weeks of being careful before he can dirt bike again! We spent the rest of the afternoon picking up a few things he needed for school and walking through Costco.

 

A Still Summers Eve

Tonight we snuck up to the orchard after the littles were in bed to pick the parkland apple trees. The cool evening air was refreshing after such a warm day and the sun had painted the sky in a soft pink and orange. In the distance, we could hear the bugle of sandhill cranes. The stillness of the evening was such a gift! It didn't take long for us to pick the two small trees clean, giving us one bucket of apples. Of course we had to taste a couple while we picked. I see apple pies in our future!

 

She's Home!

Tonight Lily and I drove to the airport to pick up our favorite big sister! She had an amazing time in Utah hanging out with some of the sister missionaries that served in our ward and were now home. She flew all by herself home (with an airline escort), and came back looking way older then when she left! I loved hearing all about her adventures on our drive home. Our entire family will be all together for just tonight though before Daddy and Camilla head out on YW camp tomorrow morning. This Summer has been insanely busy, but so many memories have been made, along with some incredible growing experiences. 

 

 

Oh Baby!

Today Mr. Stannix and I got to see baby on the ultrasound screen! Everything is going well, and we had them put baby's gender in an envelop, just in case we decide we'd like to know!

Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch at Cucina's together before he went back to work for the afternoon.

Lily and I had a nice little snuggle on the porch swing shortly before the bus arrived to drop off the big kids!

 

The Rescue Crab

Today we headed up to the orchard to pick the rescue crab! We didn't get any apples from this tree last year, so the littles were excited to get some this year as they love the taste of them! They are an apple crab, and quite yummy. As we were picking Sawyer said, "Do we grow these apples now? What...the ....crab-apple?!" We all laughed. He's such a funny kid!

 

As always, a lot of eating and a little bit of picking! It's so fun to have the littles help us out though! I also had to check out my new Mac tree and size up the apples. I can't wait to taste these!

Another successful day of apple picking in the books!