Almost done

With September- SO glad. The last 6 weeks I have to say- Ive got nothin'. School started, life got crazy, the boys crazier, Jonathans school and 12 hour work days, disappointments, sickness, soccer, endless errands and exhaustion.
While I wish I had the kind of blog that I posted delicious decorating or party ideas, gorgeous room remodels, or craft ideas...this is not one of those. Its a family blog and not everything is pretty.
So out with september, in with oct. Corys homecoming, BFF wedding, girls weekend, and Halloween! I cant wait!

Prep for battle

In preparation of a star wars battle- 7 yr old style.....

Fall produce

Fall- dont you love it? Well actually Im not this year(loving it). It just seemed that the summer was much too short. However you cant stop the seasons from changing can ya? Last week Jonathan brought home some of his favorites from his mothers house- pickled beets, onions, cucumbers, all fall produce from the garden-and I actually tried one this time. I died and went to heaven! Such good stuff I tell you!
So Jonathan asked if he could get some of their beets and make our own. I called Cindy and asked for her recipe. And as usual everything that is good is usually not written down! So I attempted to remember her instructions, and I think I got all the measurements correct- but didnt know the size of the jar and how much water she uses to dilute the salt, vinegar, and sugar. As such, we are still working on our batch, but I have tried a few beets and eggs, and they arent too bad- just not as good as my mother-in-law's!

Friday nights at Thanksgiving Point there is a fun farmers market. Last night we went in search of great produce. After all- Walmart leaves much to be desired! Anyway the kids had fun, we got some veggies and I found the most delicious winter mittens from one of the craft vendors. Unsure whether to keep them for myself, or give away as a Christmas present. ( or maybe another trip next Friday is in store for me to pick up another pair- never know!!)

Tristans picture

I was sitting at the computer when Tristan said he was drawing a "hot dog". Then a "church" before I knew it he had taken over.

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EDIT- so I totally forgot to mention something hilarious about T.

After saturdays race, I felt terrible. Acutally I didnt feel good on friday either so I stayed home and the rest of the weekend was much the same. But anyway, saturday Im in bed, Tristan is supposed to be asleep...but hes playing and he comes into our room complaning about something in his nose. Honestly I thought it was a BIG booger or something because I look up his nose and yes it soemthing but whatever. I tell him hold on because Ill get a kleenex- I tell him to blow...what comes out???!!! One of his "spider" legs!( he has 4 little rubber spiders -ones that you can buy out of vending machines that are stretchy?) Anyway he had pulled one of the legs off of the spiders and shoved it up his nose! What the HeLL???!!! Luckily it came out and no harm done! Believe me weve had the talk about sticking things up ones nose!!

Our backyard

Note the hang gliders. There was one afternoon where there were no less than 100 floating on the drafts.

Family Pictures 2010

Just a peek( cant ruin the surprise for the christmas photos to come)...I mentioned our family photo shoot with EMILY a few posts ago...and last night we went to visit her and her amazing family and picked up our chosen photo that she had blown up for us...Let me just say- it exceeded my expectations --and it looks AWESOME!! I am so thrilled with how our shoot turned out given the events of that morning. Im excited as we figure out which one of the MANY pictures we will give out in our Christmas cards this year. Love love LOvE them. :)

( I think this one is so funny...tristans expression, elijiah smirk....:)

Thanks again Emily!

Heirloom

a few weeks ago a package arrived for me. totally a surprise as I hadnt been expecting one. arnt those the best- the unexpected deliveries? well when i opened it to my astonishment my grandmother had sent these baby items along with some old pictures of me and my great-grandparents, baby pictures of me with her and my mother....old pictures of my sisters and i....
as I read her note, saying she had been cleaning out stuff and came across these items, she knew that we have been talking about having another baby in the future, and she thought I would appreciate some of the things she had kept over the years. now a few things have stains that the dry cleaner couldnt get out she mentioned,( but i dont care about that). the things that she kept from my dad and aunt are wonderful pieces of history and meaning for me. the blanket is in perfect condition and i can just imagine using it for a baby blessing....

I cant even say how much getting things like this from my grandmother means to me. its her birthday this week- the 1st of sept, and i have a little surprise going in her direction. i hope she likes it.
Happy Birthday Grandma...I love you dearly!