October

General Conference is considered a holiday around here.  Everyone has their favorite part (food, apostle treat bags, skipping chores on Saturday, hanging out all day in pajamas, skipping church on Sunday . . . ) and though the actual talks don't always run at the top of the list, it does give us time together as a family and there are peaceful, inspirational moments among the celebration of it all.

Carrying on the tradition that I grew up with, we have projects that keep our hands busy while we listen.  For some of my children (Erika and Nathan in particular) this actually helps them to focus.  For others (Levi and Hyrum) it's just a way to endure.  

Nathan captured a few rather quirky moments until Bret turned the camera on him.  Bret and Erika brought their neighbors over to hang out with us.  They fit right in.  Derek came home from the Priesthood Session and promptly finished his hat.

Bret thought the mess was picture worthy.

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 I was putting off carving pumpkins with the family because our schedule was a little hectic but when we got a call

 from Levi and Daymia the party was a go in a matter of an hour.

Those who know Levi well understand his fettish about having his hands dirty.  Every single year he would grumble about 

gutting his pumpkin.  This year he dug right in like a big boy but his face still gave away his discomfort.

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I needed a legitimate excuse to try a new caramel recipe so for an afternoon activity we made mummy apple gifts for the boys' primary teachers.  My little trio of missionaries shared a yummy happy message as they went to their combined four teachers and even became 

a little addicted to spreading the love.

  

Instead of keeping their own yummy mummy they begged to deliver them.  They thought carefully about who they 

could share with and I watched humbly as they felt first hand the joy of serving. 

They wanted to "surprise more people and make them happy" so within the next couple of days I created labels, picked up some M&M's and after filling the jars they were off once again sharing sugary love and happy hugs with the music leaders in our primary.  Hyrum leaned over to me during sacrament meeting the following Sunday and suggested we give "marvelous M&M's to the lady leading the songs".  Atta Boy!  He's catching on.

I changed up the label so they could each give a bag of M&M's to their bus driver, thanking her for driving "Miles and Miles" to get them to school.  After school I asked how it went.  "She gave us huuuge hugs and smiled all the way to the school AND she said "thank you, that was so nice" before we got off at our house too!!!"  

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The highlight of Halloween was visiting Erika at work.  

Each team at Melaleuca decorated in a movie theme and was ready for trick-or-treaters.  

Erika spent hours working on that Toothless dragon!  It ended up being fifteen feet long, took two black plastic table clothes to cover it, and is framed with scrap wire, electrical tape and cardboard.  We hardly recognized her when she came out as a sheep (like the ones that are used in the dragon game in the movie) and honestly, it was kind of creepy when she closed her eyes and there were animal eyes looking at us.  She is so creative and clever!

Cramming for Fall

Fall is a very loose term here in Rexburg.  School starts and the summer schedule is gone; the winds change and summer is gone. On a cool summer evening we go to bed only to wake up in the chilly winds of winter.  It is usually during this transition phase called fall that we cram in as much as we possibly can before months of school demands and hibernation set in.

The first frost is our indication that apples have been sweetened to perfection and are ready for picking.  Luckily, the night's frost is melted away into afternoon sun just right for the picking.

Picking turns into preserving! And, ultimately, crazy faces and poses.

Erika Jo bought her own jars this year and spent a couple of evenings making her very own applesauce.  I feel so much satisfaction when I stand back and look at my canning progress but watching Erika achieve her own fruity success was left me oozing with pride!

She also filled twenty four quarts with peaches.  This was not an easy feat with a full time work schedule and only the evenings left for canning but she went right into the late hours with enthusiasm.  She was determined to do it all on her own, following the recipes and directions that I put in her Christmas cookbook last year, asking a couple of questions but not letting me help.  She wanted to practice for next year when she won't have momma close by to help.  I may get a phone call or two next summer (I too call my mom when I forget the minor, once a year details) but she will be able to do it no matter where she lives.

My squirrel-y efforts all shelved together put a smile on my face but those filled jars on the shelf totally make me want to dance or hug someone, or just curl up with a good book, a jar of fruit and a spoon. Peaches, pears, apple sauce, apple crisp filling, apple juice...so much goodness set aside!

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One of the first things on my summer list is to get the boys in for dental appointments.  Every single summer I put get to the week before the new school year starts and call in a panic trying to get them in before I have to compete with every other parent trying to fit dental appointments around school schedules.

Duck lips are {not} Justin's favorite! No Cavities!!!

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As the days get shorter and darkness comes on hours sooner than we are used to, the boys snatch their dad right after work
to get in a little baseball time.

LeRoy's back can't handle it for long but he gives his all to throw a few pitches for his boys.  Nathan and Hyrum have never experienced the wrestling, basketball, volleyball, baseball, and flag football with LeRoy that the older four were privy to.  At times, the older kids would opt out of the chance to play because it was so common but Nathan and Hyrum soak up every minute of this precious physical time with dad.

And, then they go beat up their older brothers to make up the difference.

When all energy is gone it's time to cuddle up with a lazy purring cat.

Every once in a while, Zyla (Erika's kitten) will calm down long enough for a nap.

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LeRoy finished out the summer playing cook for a week long Woodbadge course.

He volunteered to make dutch oven Hawaiin Chicken for the luau and Chicken Cordon Bleu for another night since they are some of his favorites. Little did he know the work that each of those meals involve, especially for 76 people.  His fall back answer when in a tight spot is me.  I went to camp to help on two different days since the three cooks were all first timers in the kitchen and very unsure of what they were doing.  I loved chopping up 20 peppers, 10 onions, mushrooms, 20 pounds of chicken, fruit for a small army, kneading and rolling out a triple batch of rolls and serving it all up from a tiny kitchen with the minimal supplies available. I'm not comfortable in a leader, boss-people-around position but I loved having a staff to direct in the kitchen.  It felt natural and the results were delicious and devoured.

LeRoy also hosted an area dinner party for some of the Legal Shield Associates and their families.  Again, he played chef; serving up a variety of grilled meats to go with the potluck spread provided by the group.

While he slaved over the grill and chatted business with his peeps, the boys and I played in the trees and raced around on
go-carts with the younger family members.

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Our summer finale included some of our favorite people....COUSINS!

Nathan, Hyrum, Max and Zane