There are some things in life that make me feel grown up. Maybe a little too grown up. But for some reason, canning has always seemed like an old person thing to do until I tried it this summer. I decided it was important to follow the Prophets council and grow garden. Although I didn't keep up on it as faithfully as I would have liked, we were able to harvest quite a bit out of it. In addition to that, my good friend Kristin was nice enough to invite me along to pick cherries, apricots and pears for FREE! In all I was able to can cherry pie filling, apricot jam, cherry jelly and pears. With a lot of help from her and a few generous neighbors all of my attempts were a success. Ever since the weather has grown colder, I am so thankful for a full food storage with these new items added in. The words of one of my favorite fall hymns keep coming to mind: "All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin." What a feeling of comfort and safety there is in being prepared and following the council of our prophet. I am so thankful!
When I was about 9 months old my mom had my pictures taken in "THE" red dress. Being the sentimental one that I am I have always been thankful my mom kept that dress for me. As each of my girls have cut their two front teeth, I would take them to get their pictures taken in "THE" red dress. Now that we are all done and have this gaggle of 4 girls I am exceptionally pleased to display them on the wall: "THE" red dress, my picture and each of theirs. I am still planning on adding our names to the bottom of the glass on each picture and am trying to find some sort of saying to put in vinyl letters above the dress. I would love something about heritage or girls but I haven't found just the right one yet. Any ideas?
In family home evening last week we learned all about being thankful. I was amazed at what the girls were thankful for as we went around the family a few times to make a list. Afterwards, it was really fun to let then pick anyone they wanted to to write a thank you note to. Neeley chose her teacher. I love what she wrote and I love that she spelled it all on her own without help. Kayla chose "Granma and Granpa" and Lilah chose her "berry best fwiend" (and cousin) Austin. It tickles me to see them being thankful for so many things around them.
You've all heard of a straight jacket, well this is our kid version: The spider jacket! Daddy, being the big tease that he is, decided it would be fun to tie Lilah's pants and shirt together. Kept her down for a minute, that is at least until she figured out how to pull her arms out! Life just wouldn't be life around here without Daddy's teasing!
Miss Vicki, Kayla, Cade, Bridger, Ryker, Gage, Emmeree, Chloee, and Haylie.
Both Neeley and Kayla learned this cute little Halloween song at school:
Nothing's better than an afternoon on the farm: tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch, train ride, bounce house and giant slides. But our favorite was getting lost in the corn maze (literally since the girls decided the furrow was a path and followed it into the field), and playing in the corn box (like a sand box only filled with dried corn). My sister was nice enough to let us tag along with her pre-school for their field trip. Down home fun I tell ya! Down home fun!
