Canning, Canning, Canning!

This year our garden really did well! We had watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, raspberries, green beans, green & red peppers, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, pears, peaches, apples, apricots, grapes! It was crazy and it's still producing. We had to do something with it, so I started canning more than usual.

We have SO many tomatoes! The bushes just grew together and completely overtook their cages. I can hardly get in there to pick them.

Here is my very first batch from the vine. I love home-bottle tomatoes so much more than canned in the store. It takes time, but it's worth it.

So, my first batch didn't produce many bottles but that's OK.

I ended up doing a few kinds of jam, grape juice, tomato soup, canned peaches, and many bottles of diced tomatoes. I still have green ones on the vine waiting to be picked. I better hurry because it's getting cold out there.

Gavin's Trip to Jr High

OK, I love the CTE class!! Liam is now better at sewing than I am. The funny thing is that he really likes this class. They have learned to do laundry (and he did our laundry, thank you), sew, cook, take care of kids. It's great! He had to put together a child activity folder and they each had to bring a 3 or 4 year old to class one day. He was able to take Gavin. He said Gavin was the best behaved! What? You don't believe me?? It's true, he was good. He doesn't like to participate in groups so he sat quietly. Oh well. Gavin had a lot of fun.

Liam Starts Jr. High!! I can't be that old.

Well, at least the school picture turned out nicely. Too bad the background colors don't match the outfit. I remember hating my jr high pictures. I guess we all do.

This is Liam heading out for his first day. It was actually a little cold. He walks with a couple of friends since we are only a few blocks from the school.

It was a little weird for me going into that school since I went there as a 7th grader. He even has one teacher that I had!

So far things seem to be going pretty smoothly. It's a whole new thing needing to be organized and on top of things yourself. Hopefully it will be a good year.

Good Deals = Summer Fun

For the last several years we have gotten Seven Peaks seasons passes. It's my way of having something to go and do when we are bored. Yes, it isn't as exciting as it could be because it's available all the time and because we've gone at least once a week for years. BUT this year they added a little surprise!! I guess they just bought Trafalga Lehi (formerly Liberty Land) and if you had a season pass to Seven Peaks, you could go to Trafalga Lehi for free throughout July. We didn't learn about this until almost the end of July, but got to go twice. Finally, something new for them to do that didn't cost me any money!! I love that!!

Gavin's a big cheater at mini-golf!

Small, indoor train that kind of made me dizzy because it almost went in a circle.

The little boys liked it though.

Liam did really well on the rock climbing wall. I didn't attempt that one.

Excellent golfers!

It's funny that the two littles gave the same pose

Gavin LOVED the bumper boats.

I did not love being sprayed by girls that I didn't even know.

I was soaked and my hair didn't like that.

Liam got to ride the airplane so that Gavin would go.

They also have a little roller coaster that we all went on. It was a little faster than I expected, but Gavin survived. Liam went back a second time with a friend and spent a lot of time playing laser tag. Look at all the free activities!! I really love FREE!

Scout Camp 2010

Liam got to go to scout camp for the first time this summer. It was fun, but he also had a few mishaps. It feels like one of those summers.

First, he broke his glasses in half and lost the lens. Luckily he was still able to finish this rifle shooting and archery merit badges without being able to see.

Second, he had a bag of clothes thrown away - excellent. That's what I get for sending a trash bag for him to put his dirty clothes in. On the day they were packing up he was taking his things out of the tent and apparently the kid in charge of trash walked by and picked up his "trash". Good thing he didn't change his clothes as often as he should have or we would really be in trouble.

Jim got to go up one night since he's in deacons. Camping is NOT his favorite but he survived.

Gavin spent the week feeling abandoned. He kept telling me that he was "all alone" even though I was right there. He was so happy to see Liam when we went up on Friday evening for family night. We are glad he's home and I'm glad that I didn't have any laundry to do.

Better Safe than Sorry

Seven Peaks Hospital Trip #2!

Last year we ended our Seven Peaks season with a trip to the doctor, a CT scan, and then a night and day in the hospital because of a concussion.

This year we had made the trip a little earlier (mid-July) and in a much fancier vehicle (an ambulance).

Those of you that know Gavin, know that he is too fast for me. He had a little slip and fall in the wave pool. While trying to comfort him, I noticed a HUGE goose egg on the back of his head. I took him to the first aid hut. The crying stopped and it got a little scary. He started to get really quiet and wouldn't sit up. He wasn't responding to pain so they called the EMTs.

They came and got him on a stretcher and headed to the ER by ambulance. He wouldn't say a word, he just looked into space. He had a good grip on his swimming rocket though.

At the hospital everyone was concerned until the CT scan results came back showing no bleeding or fracture. Once everyone was out of the room he started talking. I guess he was just freaked out by all of the attention and people. We got to take him home after about an hour. He had no other problems, other than a sore back of the head. He did get to come home with several "stickers" all over his body (as you can see in the picture). He didn't want us to take them off. They also gave him the cute little horse he's holding in the picture. It's been a new favorite.

2 Lessons Learned

1. When in doubt, just take them in. It's better to error on the side of caution. You really can't tell how bad it is without that scan.
2. I better be ready to chase a 3 year old the ENTIRE time we're at Seven Peaks. Both injuries have happened because he's taken off to have fun before I was ready to follow.

Pioneer Trek at Martin's Cove 2010

Liam had the opportunity to go to Martin's Cove with the youth in our Stake this summer. Most of the pictures have Liam hiding somewhere in them, but I had to look through literally thousands (like 4000) pictures to find him. I got a call when they were headed home to warn me that he might be upset because the last night was particularly hard. But, when he got off the bus he had a big smile and said that he had a good experience. Maybe not a FUN experience, but a good one. He came home missing a lot of stuff and wearing his PJ pants because that's all he had, but it was worth it.

They went the 2nd week of June which was good and bad.

Bad:

1. Liam got the cast on his arm THE DAY BEFORE he left. And it wasn't water-proof.
2. It was not warm.
3. It RAINED, RAINED, RAINED
4. The wind BLEW, BLEW, BLEW (85 mph winds)
5. The tents were flattened and everything was soaked the first night.

Good:

1. The kids got a more realistic look at what the pioneers really went through!!
2. They experienced something hard, pulled together, and made it.
3. They learned to have a positive attitude.
4. They came home grateful for home, hopefully it lasts a while.

I can't begin to imagine what the actual pioneers went through. The kids in our ward have shared stories that they learned while on trek and even the teen boys were in tears.

What strong people the poineers were. It makes me grateful for the trials that I have today. I'm not sure I could have done that with my little family.

I'm so thankful Liam had this opportunity. Maybe one day our whole family will get to go.

ECLIPSE!!

I totally stole this picture from Andrea's blog, sorry! Liam and Stephen aren't pictured, but I have to point out that they came with us.

But I LOVED Eclipse, and my Eclipse treat holders!! This book was by far my favorite in the Twilight Saga. In fact, I skimmed the book (thoroughly reading my favorite parts) before seeing the movie. Because I read the last 150 pgs the day of the show I realized that the movie really did follow the book. I was very happy about that. Even a lot the dialogue was right from the book.

Here is my frustration, and please don't think that I'm a giant pediphile. Movie Jacob is so good looking that it really ruins the story for me. In the book I loved Edward so, so much and was angry when Bella kissed him or would go to see him. But in the movie I'm thinking Edward is so....not Jacob that I keep finding myself leaning a little more Team Jacob than I should.

Now, who wants to go see it again??

More Soccer!!

A few posts ago I said that I loved being a soccer mom and that Liam was ready to switch to track and leave soccer in the dust. Well.....he signed up for soccer again!! Thanks to his friends at school that decided to play which convinced him to give it another season. He's done with the stress so they are all doing a co-ed team (or maybe the "co-ed" decision has more to do with going into jr. high and wanting to meet some ladies). So, I'm happy to say I'll be sitting on the soccer sidelines once again.

Lessons Learned from Breaking An Arm

Memorial Day 2010 will be one to remember!

We started the day with by going to the church Memorial Day program. Liam helped in the raising of the flag with a few other boy scouts. The program was nice and it was almost time for breakfast. Those "healthier" ward members moved to the street for the fun run/bike/scooter while the rest of us got in line for food. Liam decided to ride his bike in the race. Being 12 years old, he and a few other boys got in front and took off!! Liam made the distance and came in FIRST PLACE! However, there was no time to celebrate. Upon crossing the finish line he hit the brakes. Now this was only the 2nd time riding the new bike and he must not have been aware of the brake system. He ended up flipping over the top of the handles and onto the ground. The bike landed on top of him. I didn't see it, luckily others did and rushed to help. His scout master came to get me and I hurried over. He was in a lot of pain. We were very lucky and had a full medical team there quickly. Our ward had a doctor, nurse, and EMT that came to get him ready to transport to the hospital. I'm so thankful for those wonderful people!!

With a professional splint job we were off to the hospital.....

Turned out to be a "buckle" or "green stick" break. Not too bad as far as breaks go.

Finally the pain meds kicked in and he calmed down.

He was really in shock for the entire day though.

He had to wait an entire week to get the hard cast because of the swelling and mostly the scrapes. He decided on a lovely blue cast that only needed to be on for 4 weeks. It will be off on June 29th!

So, what lessons were learned?

1. Don't hit your front brakes!!
2. My brain freezes up when there is an actual emergency situation, even though I have had a TON of first aid training.
3. Go to the Orem Community Hospital if the emergency isn't life threatening. There was NO wait. We were the only ones in the ER the whole time.
4. When at a ward food function don't hang back and pretend you aren't eager to eat. Get the food and eat it BEFORE something goes wrong and you have to walk away from a full plate of food that you didn't get to taste!
5. If your child is in shock for the day don't try to take them out to eat. (they may be nauseous)
6. If you break your arm you will get a lot of gifts and treats!!!
7. If you break your arm you can get your mom to do things for you!
8. We live in a neighborhood full of very kind and concerned people.

6th Grade Graduation

The last elementary school event ever!! It was a nice program, but of course it went over time. But, it I was happy to be there to watch my little Liam graduate from elementary school.

Good thing they had some brownies afterward. Gavin's craziness during the program needed to be rewarded. It's so sad for me to leave Cascade. I'm standing here in the same lunchroom that I ate in when I was in elementary school. It's sad to think it's the last time I'll go in. We are in a new school boundary now so Gavin will go to the new school. We couldn't make Liam switch schools and leave his friends. I'm glad he has had such a good school and such great teachers.

Dance Festival 2010

Liam and his friend Carsen doing the hoedown.

I can't believe it's his last dance festival! He did a great job, even though he doesn't love the dancing. Just give him a few years I guess.

Liam's a DEACON!

We are so excited to that Liam is 12 and is now a Deacon! He's such a good kid and we are really proud of him. Jim was able to ordain him the day after his birthday. So many of our family members were able to come and support him. It was a very nice day.

Looking good, but missing the ties. But of course that's the first thing you need to do when you walk in from church, right?

Grandma Sue and Grandpa Rick. Looks like even more time has passed allowing them to get out of those Sunday clothes!

Liam was really happy that his grandma was able to fly in from Kentucky. She's been very supportive of Liam and we were so glad she could be here.

And of course there's the food!! I'm pretty sure Stephen was the first one out of his church clothes, or maybe it was Melissa. All I know is that it was so crazy getting things ready to eat that I think I was the last one to get into the comfy clothes. As you can see, comfort is important to me. At least Roxanne's delicious salad was still there when I finally got to eat!

Thanks to all that came, brought food, and gave their support. We have a GREAT family!

Soccer or No Soccer??

I'll start by saying, YES I know the picture is blurry. I have a love hate relationship with my camera. I can't work it on many occasions.

So, Liam played on a competition soccer team this year. The first half - hmmmm - ranked almost at the bottom of the league. The second half - moved up to about the middle. But, it was a much harder situation than he was used to. More practices and much more demanding practices. A coach that loved to YELL and usually at the ref (sometime even using some choice words and getting called out). It was great having the ref against us. Anyway, after this season he's thinking that's it for soccer. He's pretty fast and is thinking about moving to track since he'll be in jr. high next year. I have to say I'm feeling a little depressed about that. I love to go and watch his games!! Maybe track will be fun to watch too. But, I only have one season to sit out before Gavin gets to start soccer! He's ready to go! Who knew I'd love being an actual soccer mom??

Catching Up....

OK, I have been horrible about blogging. I'm going to blame Facebook for it. I hear everything and tell everything on FB so I forget about blogs. I forget to post and I forget to read them. The bad thing is that my son's teacher has a blog with daily homework that we all could have really benefited from reading every day!! So, here's a quick catch up on the last couple of months.

Easter!

This was our first Easter in our new home. We did the same old traditions as usual - egg hunt, baskets, toys. But this year was nice because General Conference was on Easter so we didn't have to get up and dressed so quickly!!

Gavin got some things to use in his new sandbox! Too bad it took such a long time before he could use them.

Liam and his Nerf gun!!

And of course, the SNOW!!

Andrea's BABY!!

Was are so excited to have a new little cousin in the family!! My sister Andrea had her baby in April, 9 days early I think! He's such a cute and VERY good boy. Luckily I get to babysit sometimes. Gavin just LOVES him! When he was born Gavin went around the house and found things for baby Trey. He talks about him and is always so excited to see him.

Court of Honor

I never thought of myself as much of a "scout parent", but I've enjoyed Liam being in the program. It's been a good way for him to get to know boys in our neighborhood as we've moved over the last couple of years. I think it helps him to see that he is good at things and he is able to feel good about accomplishing things.

The ward we just moved into is way behind Liam. He's been going but hasn't had a lot to do. He had a Court of Honor on March 21st and received 3 more merit badges (reading, scholarship, first aid). He has already earned another 3 for next time (space exploration, law, swimming). With the 3 he had before the Court of Honor (environmental science, forestry, geology) I would say that he is making good time on getting these done. Now he just needs to earn $100 for his scout camp in July. They want the boys to earn it on their own. We sure have a lot of yard work available....lucky for Liam.

I'm very proud of Liam and how hard he works. He really is a very good kid with a good heart. He likes to do well. We are glad he is getting Gavin excited for scouts already!

Skiing at Sundance

So, Liam and I were given free tickets to ski at Sundance this year!! I have not been on skis since before Liam was born. I have to say I was a little worried about how I might do. I was surprised at how easily it came back to me. Not that I'm a great skier, but I only fell one time. Unfortunately that one time was on a part of the mountain where everyone going up on the ski lift could watch. Falling isn't the hard part, getting up is.

Liam was able to take skiing lessons starting when he was about 5, but hasn't been up in over a year. He is much better than I am. He would just meet me at the bottom. Then, when I needed a little rest (and delicious cookie) he did a run on his own.

Here is our $100 pizza & $20 drinks....OK, I may be exaggerating a bit. Next time I will know not to eat at the cafe. Instead I'll be going to the building with the grill and buying from the little counter by the store. Their sandwiches aren't pre-made and they have a better variety. Just in case you are planning to go....

Here is the way Liam would go and leave me behind. He's a little tricky and went on little curvy paths. My knees can't take that.

It really was a fun day. I love spending time with Liam.

He's a good kid, even if he is better on skis than his mom.

I have to just say that it was snowing the first half of the day. That is why I look like this. No, I do not have goggles or a helmet. I just have to get my face and hair wet. Maybe if I can afford to ski more than once a decade I will invest in some nice ski equipment.

Birthdays

In our family we are lucky enough to have a birthday once a month for the first 4 months of the year. It helps us spread out our trips to Tucanos for our free meals. I realized that I had not updated the blog in a while and missed our first 2 birthdays of the year. With my birthday in just over a week, I think we'll try to skip that one all together and update again at Liam's birthday in April.

Anyway.....I made an awesome cake for Jim's birthday which was in January. Do you see how well I can decorate a cake?

Next, we celebrated Gavin's 3rd birthday in February. Gavin LOVES his birthday! We had a party with the Jim's family since Gavin and 2 of his cousin's have birthday close to one another. Gavin developed an excellent new smile for his birthday pictures!

Gavin developed an excellent new smile for his birthday pictures.

It looks like grandpa has developed the same smile.

On Gavin's actual birthday we had a small party with just our little family. Gavin got to open his presents.

Then the next night my family came over to celebrate. Gavin got a lot of birthday attention that month.

Apparently, Gavin doesn't love our singing!