Preserving More than just Applesauce

About 5 years ago Christian and I started canning. I was so impressed that he would help me and he really likes it too! We have made Applesauce, Apple Pie Filling, Bottled peaches, pears, Tomatoes, Salsa, jams, and anything else that we could get for a good price. Although we love the idea of saving money, we love feeling self sufficient. Little did we know Five years ago that we were starting a family tradition. Hans and Dane love to help us with the process and we all talk and listen to music while we work. This year we tried an all natural applesauce. We didn't add any sugar or cinnamon to it and it turned out to be the most delicious applesauce yet. I think it turned out beautiful, if you can call applesauce that. I even had an Apple Pie Filling demonstration at our house for the Young Women in our ward. Hans and Dane have been asking whenever they eat something if it is homemade!

Halloween Fun!

We had 3 full days of Halloween fun this year. Our town does a Harvest Festival at the school with a dinner, and costume parade, pumpkin painting, face painting, decorating cookies etc. It was really fun. Then we have our Annual family Halloween party at my Sister Jana's house and all the kids go Trick-or-Treating door to door around her house. Halloween is always busy with Dane's Birthday and the Night time Extravaganza. Last year we did a hay ride with friends around the town with our trailer and it was so much fun we had to do it again this year. Stan and Amee were able to join in on the fun and the kids were loaded with candy. Hans was a Star Wars Storm Trooper and Dane, well after 3 different costumes and 3 special trips into town he finally settled on Bat Man. Shia was Scooby Doo, thanks to our neighbors giving her the costume. I was a Rocker and Christian, surprisingly was a Pig Farmer.

Happy Birthday Dane

Happy 4th Birthday Dane! The day finally came. Dane counted down the entire month before his Birthday. We had a fun day full of presents, treats, cake, ice cream, and family. Dane had to have a Star Wars cake so Christian had the idea of getting him a Lego set that we could help him put together that morning. It took us 2 1/2 hours to get it all put together, but we had a happy boy! We love you Dane! Happy Birthday!

Spending Time at Grandpa's Farm

Along with all of our own farm work we have been helping my Dad pick his apples. This is something that I secretly look forward to every year. Growing up on an apple farm is not very much fun for a teenage girl. But now I love to take my family there and pick apples with my siblings and their families. My Dad also raises Pumpkins and Pine trees. Christian and I have our own little Apple/Pumpkin/Pine Tree store in front of our house to help out. All of the grand kids get to pick there own pumpkins for Halloween and we all enjoy eating apples right off the tree. They are the crispest, freshest apples you can get. Yum!

"Pretty Please Princess Mommy"

Amee, Leeanne, and I decided to take all of our kids to Toys "R" Us for the day to look around and get some ideas for Christmas. We all said, "What were we thinking taking 9 kids into a toy store." They all wanted everything. Dane found the Indiana Jones Legos and carried a box of each around the store. I tried to tell him that he could get some for his Birthday, but he wouldn't put them down. He was so sweet and kept asking. Then he started saying, "Pretty Please Princess Mommy," and that was the clincher, so of course I just had to get them for him.

We have been trying to squeeze in fishing at the reservoir before it gets too cold. We took the kids up and went camping in our new camper last weekend. It was very cold, but we all had a great time. Thanks to our Mr. Heater we slept toasty warm.

Preparing for Winter

Getting a farm tucked in for Winter is no easy task. Christian and I have been busy planting the field, completing electrical for watering Chickens and Pigs, ordering and stacking hay into the shelter, cleaning up and organizing the yard etc. etc. Here are 12 tons of hay that we ordered to hold us over for the winter. In the process of stacking it the whole stack fell over. Christian and a few wonderful neighbors stacked it all into the shelter and it is now covered. Today we should finish up the last of our preparations and we can kick up our feet and wait for the snow to fall.

Little Brother Hugs and Kisses

Hans has been loving school. He feels so big riding his bike to our little elementary. Dane has to give him a big hug and kiss every morning before he leaves. I think it is so cute. Then Dane repeatedly yells, "Bye Hans, I'll miss you." out the window until Hans is out of sight.

Shia's Blessing Day!

First Smiles

Shia first smiled on August 1st and has been so smiley ever since. She is the sweetest and most easy going little baby. She also started laughing. It is so fun to see her grow. The other morning I was holding her and she fell asleep in my arms. She must have been having a good dream, because she just started giggling and giggling. It was so cute.

Hans' First Day of Kindergarten

The Dreaded day did come... Hans started Kindergarten. He was so excited. I, on the other hand wasn't so sure. All my friends, that I walk with, were taking bets on whether I would cry or not. No, I did not cry... at least not at the school, instead I went home and was a little teary eyed thinking how fast Hans has grown up. I am so happy to have him as my little guy. Here are some pics of him at his first day. He was so excited to have his cousin Trey in his class. We have such a small Elementary school, only about 35 kids. There are only 6 kids in Kindergarten and they are all rambunctious boys. Their class is one of the biggest yet for their school. Their poor teacher will be really busy with them this year!

Ophir Canyon

A few weekends ago we went to Ophir Canyon for the day. Christian's parents brought up their horses, we had a fire, and the kids played in the stream. We all had a great time.

Swimming Lessons

For the Past two weeks we have been doing swimming lessons for 1 hour each day. The boys have loved it. Dane was really scared at first but toward the end he loved it. He keeps asking when we can go back. We stayed some days to swim longer and had a lot of fun! I even put Shia's little legs in and she liked it too. I love the summer and I am sad to see it come to an end.

A Sticky Situation

Dane decided to put his gum in Hans' hair so I used Peanut Butter to get it out. Hans couldn't stop laughing because he thought it was so funny that I was putting Peanut Butter in his hair. Then Dane wanted Peanut Butter in his hair too and was upset that I wouldn't put some on him.

Our Little Princess

Time Flies!

I can't believe how fast time flies. Shia will be 5 weeks this Thursday. It has been so much fun having a little girl and Shia is the sweetest little thing ever. She is little and petitie. She still wears newborn diapers and clothes. It hasn't been a hard adjustment so far. Hans and Dane just love Shia and love to help me. They take turns getting diapers, pacifiers, blankets. etc... It is like she is all of our little doll. I just love having a little baby in our home. I have forgotten how wonderful it is and the sweet spirit they bring. Last night Dane had a bad dream and came into our bed with us. Shia woke up to eat at the same time. I layed in bed with Shia snuggled up to me and Dane curled up to my back feeling his breath on my arm and thought how blessed I am to get to be their mom. I love my little ones so much. I couldn't do it without Christian. He is so supportive and the perfect hubby. I love you!