Garden Party

I seriously wasn’t sure how my garden would do while we were gone for a month to Michigan. I came back and it had been a bit overwatered and I had squash bugs. Ugh. My carrots were fine, but the peas had died and most of my tomatoes and green peppers. Well, we dug up said carrots and WOW. The biggest harvest out of 6 square feet from my garden boxes. These pics don’t do the big carrots justice. They were about 2 inches in diameter! HUGE..BIG.

 

So we did get some fat cucumbers and green beans. So there will be lots of carrots for the winter. Chicken noodle soup here we come.

Labor Day 2010

For Labor Day, we decided to hike Stewart Falls with the boys and some good family friends, the Pursers. The boys all love each other and get alone great.

Kyle had it easy, riding the whole way! It’s a short 2 mile hike there – and the boys loved it. Justin did really well, I was very proud of him. I think everyone else in the valley had the same idea we had, because it was a very busy trail. We ended up a BIT dirty, I wish I had taken a pic of how dirty Justin was. It’s a dusty trail and he would just wipe his face, with more dirt. It was a good 

  

I have no idea why Justin can’t just look straight at the camera and smile. I highly recommend this easy hike for families.

Justin’s First Day of Preschool

This kid was SO excited to start preschool. We ordered his backpack online and ever since it came (last week) he’s been dying to start. He was so obedient this morning, eating, getting ready, taking a bath, etc.

   

I am so happy he is able to go and do something fun, just for him. Whenever I would read about how other moms would cry when their kids went off to school, I thought, really? Aren’t you happy!! Freedom! Until this morning. I got choked up as he left to go inside. He was so excited, and I was left standing on the sidelines. I guess this is the beginning, right? I think I was choked up knowing he is independent, can do things on his own, yet still needs me. He is venturing out on his own, starting a whole new “world”. Man, it sounds like he is moving out of the house…but no, just on to preschool. Have so much fun Justin!! We love you!

Making popsicles

One of the kids' favorite things to do is make popsicles. I bought these nifty makers from IKEA for like $2. A great investment. Normally, I just either take the juice from some canned peaches/pears and put them in the "trays". Lately, I've been pureeing up pears and putting them in. The kids LOVE them. Well, Justin was all set to make them today, as evidenced by the picture below. When that kid wants to do something, he's just efficient. He gets everything out, all I have to do is "show up". This is the sight I walked into when I came in from outside this morning. Justin was a bit anxious, wouldn't you say??

WARNING----

Multiple Posts below. Read at your own risk.

Mackinac Island—Michigan

This is the island from the movie “Somewhere in Time” with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. It is on the Lake Huron side of the Mackinac Bridge. The cool things is, there are no cars on this island, except an ambulance (which I had the privilege of riding in)and a DNR truck. I used to work on the island, right after Ricks College, with 3 of my best friends. It was quite the experience. So, 13 years later, we returned. Not much had changed. It was still beautiful, smelled of horse urine in the street, bikes everywhere and just a gorgeous scene on the lake. I loved it. My kids loved the water and the bike ride around the island.
  
I lived in the room, 2nd window from the left. Our wake up call was the caramel corn cooking and the washing of the horse urine off of the streets.
  
trying on military clothing at the fort.
 
Lake Huron
        
This is a picture of the ferry we took to get back and forth to the island.
 

Pond life—Michigan

Another evening, while we were in Michigan, my mom ordered up some super yummy pizza, my new favorite. We all went out to a pond and had dinner with 2 of my brothers/families and cousin, aunt/uncle. Now, you have to understand my brother, Jared’s, kids. They have extensive knowledge on the subject of amphibians and bugs. Apparently, my niece,Hannah, when she was about 6, corrected her mother on a type of bug. Her mom is the bug expert and was told she was wrong.

While out here at the pond, the kids were enthralled with playing with a turtle in the water. They tried to collect some frogs, tried to feed the turtle and just had a good time together. I love how all the kids are laying on the dock together. Luckily, no one fell in. Kyle would have preferred to go swimming though.

 

Jackson enjoying his food

Micali, Kate, Justin

    

Hannah feeding the turtle

  

Micali was so hot. It was a BIT humid that night.