The inevitable

Being the mother of five sons, I knew it was only a matter of time
before it was my turn to really be involved in scouting. 

The time has come.  I am officially the primary counselor over scouting.

Indian Summer

In Ukraine, we called it "bobyileta"---or Indian Summer, the days of Fall that hang onto the summer sunshine and warmth.

I don't know what the deal is, but...

Talmage lost a fingernail this summer, 

Sariah is losing her thumbnail,

Hyrum is losing three fingernails on one hand and a toenail on one foot,

Lyle is losing a thumbnail or one hand and a forefingernail on the other.

(He's probably going to lose a toenail too after dropping a big flashlight on his foot last night.)

Bizarre.

Part of the daily routine is spending the late morning outside (after naps/before lunch) to soak up the fresh air and sunshine before we're trapped inside for the winter.  Usually we take a walk then meander around the yard for awhile.  It's been beautiful and so nice.

Mine, all mine.  Wow!

Creamsicles

"In a perfect world every child would return home from school to be greeted with a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, a tall glass of cold milk, and a mother ready to take the time to talk and listen about her child’s day. We do not live in a perfect world, so you can skip the cookies and the milk, if you like, but don’t skip the “take the time to talk and listen.” " Rosemary Wixom, Primary General President

One of my favorite times of the day is when I can see the school bus coming about 2 miles off.  I have just enough time to drop what I'm doing, grab orange creamsicles out of the freezer and step out onto the front porch to sit on a bench and great my kiddos.  I love it! 

 In a few weeks, it will be hot cocoa instead, but for right now we are enjoying orange creamsicles as we talk about their day. 

Yesterday, the pears were ready.  When the pears are ready, the pears are ready, regardless of what else might be going on in life.  I'm grateful to James who willing took on the family so I could take on the pears.  47 pints, 2 quarts---two of which didn't seal and one of which broke.  Not too bad.  I ran out of pint jars and when I did the two quarts at the very end, I decided I probably should have been doing those all along.  Oh well.

Labor Day Weekend

What a weekend!  We ventured on our first road trip with the twins to Blaire's wedding in Portland.  It actually went better than I'd hoped.  We planned our traveling during naptimes and Rex and Lyle did great (thanks to a few too many fish crackers).

 Continuing the tradition of "Spirit Finger" (established on our Spring Break trip 2010). 

Rex and Lyle even started to catch on.

 Really, have you ever seen something so cute?  Once in awhile, "two is better than one."

 I think my eyes are closed.  Wouldn't you know it.  The best family pic to date and it's me that flubbed.

 A special moment when the boys asked if they could stay behind for a quiet moment in the temple atrium.

 Then we took the zoo to the Zoo. 

I think it was well enjoyed by all, but Talmage especially was in heaven.

After the Zoo, we drove the 2+ hours to the beach.  Rex and Lyle slept the whole way!

 Bryant and Talmage beach combing.

 Sariah and Laryn building a sand castle.

 Hyrum and Grandma guarding the fort.

 Rex and Lyle loving the endless sand.

 So, so glad Brielle and Kase made it.

 The crew---wind blown but happy.

 The plan was to go for a warm swim when we got back to the hotel. 

No one made it.

On the way home watching/listening to President Uchtdorf's conference talk. 

We also finished Call of the Wild finally. 

Monday, everyone gathered here for a BBQ.  It was a picture perfect day. 

Rex and Lyle even slept so I could enjoy a sit down meal. 

Day Three

The kids all came home happy today.  It may have had something to do with the fact that there was a creamsicle on the the line.  I told them they had to come off the bus with a smile and a positive attitude.  Fortunately, I think it was genuine and not bribed.

Hyrum took his nap this afternoon snuggled up to a glass jar with his grasshopper inside.

Rex and Lyle are officially walking.  Lyle was so happy with himself in the tub tonight shampooing his own hair.  Rex knew exactly what to do with the mini basketball over at Stacey's today.  He wanted me to lift him up over and over again to make it go through the hoop. 

Brielle, Taneil, and I picked pears this morning.  It was a beautiful day.

First Day of School

 Minutes before their first bus ride to school. 

(Talmage in the second shirt of the morning.)

Hyrum was very sad when he got left behind.

the kids picked out their own school shoes this year:

 Sariah

 Bryant

 Hyrum (didn't want him feeling any more left out)

Talmage

There were plenty of stomach butterflies and a few tears, but I'm sure it will get better in the next few days/weeks.

As for me and Hyrum, we had a great time.  We had a morning together while the babies napped, and he spent the afternoon at Lizza's.  A little day of heaven for him.

Where has the summer gone?

Amongst the changes of the summer, we said good-bye to our silver odyssey...

and "Charlie."  This farewell was particularly difficult for James. 

Afterall, "Charlie has been his companion longer than I have been."

"Panther" showed up on the step one morning.  He was well loved for a day.

Aunt Brenda bought a miniature horse and Sariah and Makaley were in heaven.

 Of course we had to have our share of adventure...

Lyle's chalazion.  He will have to have it surgically removed under general anesthetic.

Sariah's mystery wound.  Another visit to the doctor today and she thinks it was an infected insect bite. 

It's been over a month and still has a ways to heal.

And Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.  A miserable week while James was gone to his inservice. 

Lizza bailed me out again.  It was a bit too reminiscent of a year ago.

A lot of fun times...

Watching the summer lightning storms.

A day at the Moses Lake Water Park

(pics to come)

An afternoon at Aunt Stacey's

(pics to come)

 A lot of cousin time.