Universal Studios

Mike, Camilla, Hyrum & Joe have spent the last couple of days hanging out in Florida. They did two days at Universal Studios, seeing some old favorites and exploring the new theme parks there as well! They have been having a blast on all of the rides, and they tell me the line ups aren't even that bad this time around. They've enjoyed yummy food and lots of adventures despite the bit of rain they've had! 

The first morning, I woke up to these sunny pictures of them heading to the bus stop for day one!

 

 

I heard that the butter beer was the best they've ever tasted!

I assume lunch was eaten at the three broomsticks as per usual...

 

And they explored Super Mario World!

The next morning they were up with the sun again for a full day of rides and thrills! 

The velocicoaster was ridden more than once!

 

Tonight was their last night, and they were able to catch the fireworks and light show at the castle (which we've never done before). It looked like so much fun! I was definitely jealous because I love fireworks so so much! They ran for the train (Hogwarts express) at the end of the show and ended up making it over to the Mummy ride for two more spins before it closed for the night. 

 

They ended the night with some swimming back at the hotel and called me before bed. So glad they're having a great time!!

Morning Light

This morning I was so excited to make my bed after putting a new set of sheets and a different duvet cover on. It was one of the things I wanted to surprise Mike with when they got home, but I'm happy to enjoy the clean sheets for a few nights by myself. The morning sun pouring through the new window we put in when we renovated is one of my favorite things!

For lunch we decided to do something "fun" together and headed in to McDonalds while Cooper napped at home (thanks Gramma). It was fun to hang out with this crazy crew and giggle together!

For dinner, Gramma brought us over some cobs of corn from the greenhouse. It was a fun experiment, growing corn in the greenhouse, and they were delicious!

Cooper couldn't get enough!

 

Flying

Summer is flying by and I'm not ready for school to start up again. I woke up feeling pretty tired today and after a visit to my midwife I learned that I am borderline anemic. While my iron count was high at the beginning of this pregnancy, it has dropped significantly leaving me feeling fatigued and easily frustrated. 

The afternoon brought crafting! The kids were looking for something to do, so I pulled out these envelopes of crafts I had hung onto from a library program and they enjoyed coloring masks and visiting at the island all morning. 

Mid afternoon we waved Daddy, Camilla, Hyrum and Joe off on a trip! They are flying to Florida for a few days and then jumping on a cruise. It was spontaneously planned a few weeks ago and they are excited to spend the time together. I'm excited to have a few nights to myself after the littles ones are tucked in. The dynamic always changes whether its the big kids, middle kids, or little kids gone for a few days. I hope they have the best time!

Sonny got sprayed by a skunk again tonight (last time was when they were gone hiking). Just my luck. Then it started pouring rain. He wants in , but he smells soooo bad. Thankfully the rain dampened the smell in the air, but his face still reeks. Looks like I'll be buying some skunk shampoo and giving him another hose down tomorrow! 

 

Summer Nights

The boys recently got matching moose pajamas and Sawyer has been so excited to wear them! It was still so warm out before bed that we headed outside to soak up another blessed Summer night. The three youngest stooges climbed into the hammock and went for a little swing while I snapped a couple of pictures. Sonny came over and licked their faces which sent Cooper into fits of hysterical belly laughs.

I'll be tucking this evening in my back pocket for years to come!

 

Special Stake Conference

This morning we were up with the sun to drive to a special Stake Conference at the stake centre. Elder Ulisses Soares from the Quorum of the Twelve was visiting our Stake and we were going to have the pleasure of hearing from him today. The older three already got to go to a special youth conference Friday night in Edmonton to listen to him speak and had an amazing experience. Daddy spent the day in a training conference with him yesterday. We were all looking forward to the experience of listening to the words of an apostle. The morning fog was captivating as the sun rose in the sky and it's morning rays kissed the earth. 

The littles slept most of the way in, did a quick change in the van into their church clothes, and then we headed in to hopefully secure a seat on the benches or soft chairs. We ended up in the back row of the chapel. The three things that stood out most to me was the importance of reinforcing our spiritual foundation and honoring our covenants, the power of Godliness in our lives, and the importance of keeping the Sabbath day Holy. I'm excited to ponder and study these points more in depth this week.

The rest of our Sunday was slow and relaxing with plenty of time to snuggle on the couch and indulge in good conversation. My favorite kind of afternoon!

 

Canning Peaches

I have been dreaming of canning peaches in this kitchen with my Mamma for quite some time! We worked together all afternoon and plowed through almost six cases. With two canners alternating on the stove and both of us peeling and slicing, it went relatively fast! We ended up with twenty-eight pints and twenty-eight quarts of peaches to enjoy! Any that weren't quite ripe enough were saved to freeze in slices for smoothies or make into a cobbler within the week. It was a very productive day and we so enjoyed!

 

A Gentle Sigh

Summer is quietly taking it's leave as Autumn slowly begins to show it's colors. We woke to rain clouds and the house felt chilly, so I turned on the oven and made up a double batch of our favorite ginger cookies, some to gift to a new move in and some for the children to enjoy. My counters are filled with ripening peaches, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and fresh made preserves. This quiet shift from Summer to Autumn is always my favorite as we begin to harvest and preserve and fill our home with all of the wonderful smells of simmering salsa, hot apple sauce, and homemade hot apple cider.

In the late morning we wandered up to the orchard to pick the Parkland apple tree as it was heavy with ripe fruit. The branches were practically kissing the ground and begging to have their load lightened. With each branch we picked, I could see the tree breathing a sigh of relief as the weight was lifted. I too let out a gentle sigh as I picked alongside my littles, enjoying the cool weather while the morning air filled my senses. 

The littles picked and ate (but mostly ate), and then busied themselves with gathering the fallen, blemished apples beneath the tree to throw over to the chickens. I could hear them laughing as the chickens ran across the pen to be the first to each apple. Soon their hands began to get cold and one by one they ventured back to the house to warm up.

I finished picking the last of the tree as the wind began to pick up. My fingers were chilled and my cheeks rosy. I walked back to the house as a misty rain began to fall. Cooper toddled along beside me, half eaten apple in one hand and the other hand clutching my finger. Slowly but surely we made it inside and placed the second basket next to the first on the counter. 

I have no doubt that everyone will enjoy munching on apples over the next couple of days before they're turned into sauce or juice.