Squish, Squash, Applesauce

From the field. . .
. . . to the van

(the kids look so enthused to have been picking apples! They actually volunteered to go with me. I did no forcing or bribing.)
. . . to the kitchen.

We owe a big thank you to Alan and Deanne Fielding for letting us come and glean apples from their orchards.

Back to the Basics

Today we went to the Heritage Days celebration at Sacajawea Park. The kids enjoyed the

demonstrations.

This guy started his fire the old fashioned way: flint and steel. No matches allowed!

The kids (especially Max) were fascinated by the candle dipping. The candles were made from beeswax and smelled so good.

This is the traditional housing of the Wanapum tribe of Native Americans. It is made from tules(pronounced "too-lee"), a plant material like cattails. So maybe that's where the expression "out in the tules" came from.

Doug won the "strongman" competition. This gadget simulates using a bow and arrow. 100 lbs of force-Very Impressive!

All in a Row

On Monday the kids helped me get all the baby stuff out and prepared. Carson certainly did his part. I walked into he and Garrett's bedroom and found this:

How kind of him to so neatly organize these diapers for me!

Recycled Boot

My dad can make a birdhouse from just about anything, including a cowgirl boot. Miranda had this cute pair of warn-out boots that were destined for the garbage. So, she put in her order with Grandpa for a custom made birdhouse. I hope the birds like the smell of stinky feet!

Watermelon Baby!

We weren't sure if the watermelon was ready to pick, but decided to give it a go.

It looks like watermelon.

It tastes like watermelon.

It must be watermelon!

It wasn't too bad for our first attempt.

Scouts @ Camp Zarahemla

My 2 big boys spent a chilly Friday night camping @ the mountain Camp Zarahemla.

Tanner and Doug on the 5-mile hike.

Tanner, along with the other boys in his troop.

(Nakoa, Cole, Jordan, and Tanner)

Doug caught a crawdad (aka crayfish) out of the not-so-clear waters of Clear Lake. "Lunch anyone?"

A tiny frog the boys managed to catch.

Fall in the Canyon

Doug and Tanner heading into a grove of Russian Olive trees.

Max had a hard time, spilling his berries twice. Luckily, he's easy going and just said, "I'll wash them when we get home."
Carson and Tanner had a race on the slides.
Garrett with a berry stained mouth.

Timber!

We (Doug actually, but aren't he and I one?) cut down a pine tree the other day for firewood. After hauling it back to the house it only took 2 days before the kids had fashioned several tepees to play in. They didn't enjoy cleaning up for our FHE activity, but they'll do just about anything for a treat. I've got to use the tricks up my sleeve!

Do these children own clothes? Yes, although it may appear to the contrary. "Less laundry!" I say.

Peaches, peaches, & more peaches!

This is a beautiful sight. I have a love/hate relationship with canning season. I'm so gung-hoe about canning when the fruit firsts comes on, but by the end of the season I don't want to look at another canning jar or lid. It is nice to have my storage room shelves filling up though.

I thought this jar was the prettiest!

Back in the Saddle

After being without the Internet and phone for almost a week now we are off and running. The cable repairman spent several hours yesterday afternoon getting things straightened out. I had tons of emails to sift through and still haven't caught up on all my blog reading. That will be a wonderful thing to do this evening.