My Favorite Things about Fall

1.  The end of mosquitoes and fruit flies!!!!

2.  Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

3.  Leaves to crunch

4.  Christmas music in Choir

5.  Happy Columbus Day!

And now, for some random pictures from the past few months...

In case you were wondering where Amanda's hair went, it went to Florida.

The dreaded villians (l to r: Ben, Asael, DJ, and Lyman) from Mastering Knighthood Summit!

William is the second blurry Knight from the left.

Some innocent spectators at the epic battle.

 

Horne and Jensen children at Hogle Zoo.

Our current chickens - Peachy, Pepper, and Rosie (front to back)

Another year over..

Wow, it has been awhile since I was last here.  In case you didn't know, we have a new baby.  : )

Gwen was feeding him, and he was having fun.

It's hard to find a picture of Gwen, because she's usually behind the camera

  Elijah is 7 months old now, born on April 1st.  He is a sweet boy who loves us all so much.  He is trying to crawl, although really he wants to run and jump.

Nephi's Ship at Church Museum

William in the Tire Swing

DJ, Gwen, and William are singing with the International Children's Choir.  They love it and they are doing a phenomenal job of learning the music, according to Dr. Sorenson.  I guess all that hymn singing at home is paying off!

DJ in his Azerbaijan costume

Oliver loves to sing, too.  He also likes doing chores, like weeping the floor and unloading the dishwasher.  He loves to go for rides and run errands with Mom.

Cute Guy Oliver

November 2012

In the fort at the Cabin

Amanda loves horses and playing with friends.  She is great a entertaining the baby.  She is looking forward to her turn to sing in the Choir.

At Provo River Falls

Road to Cabin, by Gwen

Lyman is happily working at Coda Octapus Colmek.  He is serving as the 11-year old Scout leader.  He stays busy away from work with the MANY house and yard projects we have.  (Seriously, our prioritized list is three pages long.)

DJ and Lyman camp with the  Scouts

As for me, I am learning to work harder and more consistently at cleaning the kitchen, along with all the other household chores.  That and cleaning out the house room by room.  I want to let all the stuff we don't need find homes with people who do need it and will love it.  Then we will have more room for the Spirit and the things we do need.

One of the few pictures of me, with Drew, Elijah, and Oliver

It's still summer here

I am so grateful for the continued warm weather.  Summer weather came so late this year, that we hardly got to hike, or camp, or anything summer-like!  Especially once the pregnancy-related issues started up.
But, now that I am happily in the 2nd trimester, we are going to enjoy this last week of summer weather!  Drives up the canyon, more trips to the cabin.  Maybe some swimming?
One of my favorite things about when I am pregnant is how I wake up early every morning.  I love being the only one in the house awake at 6 am.  Quiet reading time for Mommy.  Currently in the New Testament.  I love that book!

Living the Dream

Oops, I'm a little late in my every-other-month posting!  : )

We are turning our backyard into an orchard, apparently. We already have an apple tree, two peach trees, and an almond tree. Plus there are grape vines and blackberry bushes. All but the almond tree were put in by the previous owners. Yesterday I purchased two pear trees, two apricot, and a cherry, along with four blueberry bushes. The garden will be going in next week. I'll never have to make a meal come harvest time - the children can harvest their own!


Even more importantly, we'll be learning about preserving. I've never canned in my life. But I have dehydrated, and I think that might be healthier. Either way, I look forward to enjoying the bounties of our own backyard throughout the winter months.

I love the book Laddie by Gene Stratton Porter. The example of family unity, work ethic, and self-reliance is incredible. I learn more everytime I read it.

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

No Need For an Alarm Clock

We have it on good authority that if you bang your head on your pillow ten times right before you go to sleep, you'll wake up ten hours later!  William has been using this technique to get up at 6 am to read his scriptures.  Maybe you should try it...

Fun in the Sun July 2010

Lyman, Oliver, and I hiked Fergusen Canyon early one morning in mid-July.  It was beautiful!

All the Jones grandchildren had a tea party in Spokane -with matching dresses and bow ties!

Fun times at Temple Square with Dale, Emily, Melanie, and Beatrice

This is near the Provo River in the Soapstone Basin.

We tried to go to Donut Falls, but it was being blockaded.  So we hiked to Lake Solitude instead.

We're still hiking.  Still reading lots and lots of books.  Oliver has been crawling for 2 1/2 months and thinks it's time to start walking.  Amanda earned a trip to the Zoo with her potty sticker chart.  William jumped off the railing next to the stairs onto the tile.  Thankfully he didn't try to jump down the stairs!  Gwen is swimming every chance she gets.  DJ is mowing the lawn - yay!  I'm in Cub Scouts again.  Lyman installed some sprinkler updates.  Until next time...