Does This Look Fun??

Not to me! But to my husband and oldest son this was the ultimate scouting adventure! They woke up to 12 degrees this morning.

At least they had a fire to warm up to.

Breakfast anyone?? Just give me some hot chocolate!!!

He said it was sooooo fun! And he wasn't cold at all. I am glad I slept in my warm, frost-free bed last night!

New Lenses

I am having fun using my camera again! One of my new lenses has arrived (still waiting on one from NY) and my Dad gave me one of his that he doesn't use. I haven't had a lot of time to play with them, but here are a few pics that I have taken with my new lenses (the pics in the previous post are also with the new lenses)!



A reminder that it was summer just awhile ago.




My twelve-year old

Remnants of a black eye

Fall colors

Too young to notice?

Our youngest is a cute three-year old. He is friendly, lovable, and pretty much likes anyone who likes him first. (although he does have his favorites!)


I mistakenly have thought that he was too young to notice trends or styles. Today I realized that we need to sit down and have a little chat!



He looks as though he is innocently playing cars, right?



However, after looking a little more closely I noticed that he is sporting the latest teen trend of wearing his pants halfway down his behind! I suppose I could take comfort that maybe he's just promoting his favorite Disney movie, butt we are still going to have a little chat!!

Birthday Boy

It's hard to believe how quickly time flies!

Our cute little boy turned twelve today...



And he's not so little anymore...in fact, he's almost passed me up!

We had a big party this morning with extended family and good friends...and good food! My Dad took pictures of that party so I don't have any to post, but here are a few of him opening his gifts this evening.

He got some hunting gear which he was happy to model for us! (or not)

He did think he was the bomb in these though!!

Happy Birthday! We love you and are so proud of the young man you have become!

Tired to the Bone

I'm exhausted. Everything on my to-do list is crossed off and finished; all I have left to do is sleep. Early this morning I set off on my long run (17 miles) and, to be truthful, I was quite tired at the end of it, but my list was calling me. Thanks to a wonderful husband and hard-working children who helped a lot, we are finally ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow is our oldest's 12th birthday...a very special day! We have lots of family coming to celebrate with us. All that's left to do is pray for warm weather and fall into my soft, warm bed! Good night!

Free and Clear

Today we are counting our blessings. Although it has been a skinny season for water trucks, it has been good enough for us to completely pay off our last business loan! We feel truly blessed!!

Applesauce

It's done! I have been meaning to do applesauce for awhile now and yesterday it finally happened. My fingers are a new color, my floor is sticky, and my range may never come clean, but the applesauce is processed and in the pantry! The kids had a fun time watching and tasting and turning the strainer. (until the youngest pulled it off the counter...fun clean-up!) It was an adventure! Until the 6 dozen jars are all empty again....we will enjoy our tasty applesauce!!

Hot Momma

This morning on my run I got whistled at. I know, I should feel flattered, right?? Who doesn't like a little self-esteem boost, especially while running up a steep hill at the end of a long run? My problem is this: I got whistled at by a pair of young teen-age skater boys...yep the ones with long, shaggy hair who wear their boxers hanging out of their half-way pulled up pants. You know the ones I'm talking about. Luckily I came home to a well-grounded toddler who let me know that I was sweaty and stinky!

Halloween Came Early

Our second oldest doesn't have to wait for Halloween to look gory. Thanks to his love of playing football during lunch recess, he looks the part already!!

Picture-less

At the end of summer while trying to take pictures of the kids at swim lessons, I discovered that my camera lens is broken. Apparently that little drop from the counter to the kitchen floor jostled something loose. I have been lost! I tried to take pictures with our little point-and-shoot camera, but I can't stand the quality of the pictures. So I haven't taken very many.

I have also discovered that I come up with blog ideas based on the pictures that I have....and since I haven't had many pictures, I just haven't had many ideas. The good news: I am getting a new lens! I really can't wait for it to arrive. Once I can take pictures again, hopefully the ideas will start flowing!

I'm In!

This past weekend was the St. George marathon. Saturday morning I spent running on the treadmill (not nearly as scenic as sunny St. George) and waited for the marathon results online...and then spent hours reading them. I really would loved to have run in it again this year, but I didn't make the lottery. I was naive enough to suppose that since I made the lottery my first year, I would also make it in my second year...I was wrong!

I have learned from my experiences, though, and this year I have taken the sure route. I signed up for the runner series (it fills up in 20 minutes) which makes it possible to get into the marathon for sure by running in 2 of 9 St. George area races. So now the guessing is gone!! Come October 2(of next year), I will be off at the sound of the gun!! I know it is a long ways off, but I can hardly wait!!