Raspberry Picking

My energy level goes in waves. Some days I just lounge the day away. I bearly get the apartment straightened up let alone my teeth brushed. Then there are days like this. We drove 2 1/2 hours to Clarkston, Utah (In Cache Valley) to go raspberry picking. Tom was very fond of this idea. I blame it on my mom who would take all 7 of us kids strawberry picking when we were younger. (Thanks Sariah for telling me about this place) Raspberries were $2 per pound. We picked 11 lbs. Tons of raspberry bushes. You almost feel like you are standing in bee hives because there is a constant hum of bees. Hundreds of honey bees are buzzing around the bushes as you pick. After explaining to the children that the bees are doing their job of collecting nectar and if you don't bother them they won't bother you, the kids went to town picking berries.

This picture sums it up. Yummy, luscious raspberries. All you wanted to do is eat them.

I froze all the raspberries. Tom has had vanilla ice cream and raspberries every night since we went. We will use them in smoothies and whatever else. Sariah told me it I want to make jam I can pull them out of the freezer and make jam. We will see.

Fishing at the State Fair

I really wanted to go to the State Fair this year. We have missed it the past 3 years. Last Thursday evening was open so I begged Tom to go. He agreed to go. Yippeee!

I knew the kids would love the animals. But the highlight of our evening was this little catch and release fishing pond. We had to listen to a little presentation about fishing safety then each child redeemed their pretend fishing license for a fishing pole. This is really the way to fish. Within 20 minutes each of our kids had caught a fish. The men dressed in brown were very helpful by putting worms on the hooks, and unhooking the fish and releasing them. They did all the messy work. Like I said my way to fish.

Trey was the third one to get a fish. He caught the BIGGEST one but I didn't get a picture. Not sure why? Seth got to hold the fish and release it back into the pond.

Seth's catch. Look at Samantha squealing with delight.

Samantha's catch. She caught the baby.

Smile.

A big wrecking ball spider.

We did the fair for only $12, just admission. We just couldn't do the $5 per ride price. We ate little ceasars 5 buck pizza on the way there and got artic circle shakes for the way home. We need to start saving for those ride wrist bands for next year~

Life's Moments

I had to add a picture to this very wordy post!

Singing in the Rain

Mom Can You Help Me...

Yesterday Seth asked, "mom can you help me build a train track?" I said I would in a couple of minutes after I finished cutting up some carrots. Then a few minutes later Seth yells, "mom, I don't need your help, I'm doing it myself". Then I thought 'wow, these are the days to help them when they are young because before too long they will grow up and not want my help.' So I finished the carrots and went in and helped him put the finishing touches on his train track.

Costco

I went to Costco twice this week. The first time to redeem my raincheck for Jiffy Peanut Butter which I found out they don't carry any more, just Skippy Peanut Butter. But before we looked for peanut butter we looked at all the fun toys they have stocked for the Christmas season. The boys and I pushed every possible button on every toy truck at Costco. It was so fun. I just get so excited. The next day I had to run to Costco to get dessert for a young mens activity (Tom told me 3 hours before the activity). This time I went hungry. We sampled all the samples and let me tell you they have awesome samples Tuesdays at 4 pm. We saw some of the same sample people so I'm sure they were thinking I visit Costco everyday for lunch but I don't but maybe I should. Not a bad idea. So we strolled passed the Pumpkin Pies. I'm not a huge fan of Pumpkin pies but for some reason they looked really good. So I told the kids we are going to have Pumpkin pie and ice cream for dinner and I was serious. So we finish our Costco trip. We get home and I'm having second thoughts about getting the pumpkin pie. It's a huge pie, you know Costco pies. I could save the pie for our ward dinner the next night. But when we brought it in Samantha was all about bustin it open. Since I had been the one to suggest such a silly thing of having pie for dinner I thought I should just stick to me word. Pumpkin pie has to have some nutritional value. SO we get the pie open I have everything on the table to dish up pie and ice cream. Then Seth takes the ice cream scooper and smack dab in the middle of the pie takes a scoop out. And there you go. Over the last couple of days we have eaten pumpkin pie at all times of the day. I have discovered a very important thing: Cool Whip on pumpkin pie is way better then vanilla ice cream. Our children are fans of pumpkin pie now. Thats an important thing with Thanksgiving a round the corner.

Playing Cats

Does everyones children play cats? That is what my children are doing at this very moment. All three of them are in the kitchen with small bowls of water ( I would not let them use milk because of the mess factor) and bowls of dry cereal. Samantha is the owner of the cats and the boys are the cats. Seth has a belt tied around his belly for a leash type thing. Now they are mooing like cows. I just heard Samantha say "lets put your collar on, gotch ya...Now lets go"


I Have a Strange Baking/Cooking Bug

When the weather turns a little cold, rainy, wet I get into this baking mood. It happens once a year. On Sunday it hit. I made banana bread, homemade brownies and sugar cookie dough. The cookie dough was Tom's request. Samantha and I got to sample the dough right after making it then Tom took the whole batch to work with him on Monday. Haven't seen it since. I do need to make another batch of sugar cookie dough to go along with the huge box of cookie cutters I bought at a yard sale on Saturday. (I won't get into my love for yard sales. I love them.)


Yesterday we had our annual Harvest Dinner at the church. Along with stuff out of our garden we have had several people give us produce. So I took it upon myself to use it up by preparing food for our ward's Harvest Dinner. I made the vinegar cucumbers, a tomato/cucumber with a vinaigrette, and some roasted red potatoes with seasonings. It was all consumed at the dinner which is great so nothing went to waste.


Now I better get back to the children.....Have a Good Day!

Thanks for the Fun

My younger brother Marcus and his wife Chelsea came and visited. We were so happy that they came by our place twice while they were in Utah. They are like celebrities to our children because they live in Delaware so we don't get to see them too often. There were pillow fights and wrestling matches galore. We squeezed in a game of Settlers of Catan with all our favorite munchies popcorn, ice cream, brownies and twizzlers (it's no wonder I gained 10 lbs according to my last prenatal doc visit). Thanks for visiting Marcus and Chelsea. We love you.

Photography, Samantha Style

A sample of the world through Samantha's eyes. This happens when she gets her hands on my camera.

Temple Photo Shoot

Sunday we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We walked around and took in the beautiful view of the temple and the Salt Lake valley.

Our little Superman Trey

My belly at 24 weeks

Seth doing a little celebration dance. The girl, an innocent bystander

Hiking the hill by the temple

Candy Corn...yummy!

I love the Fall. When Candy Corn arrives at the store that is the official sign that Fall is here. There are so many things to look forward to this time of year. Sunday we decorated cookies with Candy Corn. So good!

Trey and mommy's cookies

This is Seth's cookie - The Mother Load of Sprinkles
This is Samantha's cookie - The Birthday Cake. The frosting on top of the candy are the lit candles.

My camera wigging out, cool affect.

Tom + Rock = Reunited

Tom used to rock climb, is very good at it and loves, loves. loves it. Much to his disappointment he has not been climbing for years. I found out a couple months ago that there is a pocket of climbs in Draper, only 15 minutes away. With my little sis in town from Indiana we decided to go climbing. This fun rock climbing spot is above Draper, the view is amazing. We went in the evening and ran out of daylight quickly but had enough time for Tom and Starla both to climb a 5.7 climb (easy -they both zipped up the mountain) and the kids each got to do a mini climb.

My Man!

Looking good!

Starla getting ready to embark on her climb

Seth climbing, he was brave and climbed first, then Samantha followed

Samantha showing off her stuff

The climbing crew

It was so fun having Starla visit. She is so sweet with the kids. She walked Samantha home after school, she was Seth's biggest fan at his T-ball game and she gave Trey lots of tickles. I had fun with her eating fast food and ice cream late, shopping at IKEA and the mall and we both loved taking the kids to Chuck E Cheese TWICE! Thanks for coming Starla. Have fun on your visit to Seattle!