First Half of August

 I'm not exactly sure how they've settled on this tradition, but I sure don't mind it. In fact, I think it's pretty adorable. Even though it will make Christmas Eve less special (typically the only night they all sleep in the same room together). The set up has changed here and there, but it's been pretty solidly all 4 kids in Miles's room for about a month now. I don't think Benson has slept in his real bed more than once since we've moved here. 

Play dates with Fogle's. So thankful to have built in friends here! Especially ones that "get us" so well and have plenty of playmates for us! We had a fun morning playing at our house. The kids are always on this property with the pasture and the barn etc, but it never really gets explored fully unless there are other kids to join in too. 

Getting ready for the first day of school. I took the kids to buy their 1 (maybe 2) brand new outfits for school. This is kind of a big deal for us since we've typically lucked out with hand-me-downs or hit the thrift stores. But when the first say of school rolls around, I take them somewhere fancy, like Target :), to buy a brand new outfit that they get to pick out completely. I really have to bite my tongue.  Each kid also got to snag a box of whatever cereal they wanted. Also fun because I don't ever buy the really sugary ones. Also, wearing masks is dumb and I'm over it. Call me a boat rocker. But I pretty much don't insist on my kids wearing them in stores anymore. If someone who worked there came up to me and specifically asked us to put them on, I'd probably consent. Other than that, I'm over it. 

Harvest Season is here! Even thought we didn't plant a garden this year, we've been utilizing the fruit already growing on the property (blackberry pie, blackberry ice cream, nectarine crisp, nectarine jam etc), buying produce from local farms (corn, green beans) and have had a few neighbors offer their excess to us (apricot jam, currant jelly). Plus, lots of frozen fruit for smoothies etc.  I've also been trying to get better at making sourdough bread. I've got a lot to learn.  I always feel very noticed by Heavenly Father when he puts someone in my path who has extra produce to offer. He knows that's important to me, and He helps make it happen every year. 

We got chicks! We decided to not wait until we were 100% ready to buy chicks and just go for it. The coop here on the property is in good enough shape (though not great shape and not cute, like I want it. :)) so we just went for it and bought 25. 3 died, which is kind of expected. We're really looking forward to fresh eggs towards the beginning of December. 

In other news, Benson found Dad's beard trimmer while he was using the potty the other day and decided to try it out. He buzzed one long strip down the middle before I found him. It's never a good sign when he's quiet for too long. :) The worst part was that I couldn't find my clippers (dang moving), so I had to pay someone to buzz the rest of his hair off. He looks handsome no matter what though. 

Splash pad/Park day with Fogle's. Something I'm learning about this area that differs from Riverton is that it takes about 25 minutes to get anywhere you want to go. Especially if it's a fun place for kids. Splash pads and cool parks are few and far between. Lauren knew this one in Middleton? Meridian? Can't remember. But it was a really fun way to spend a morning. 

Richie has been working on a temporary basis back at American Construction Supply for about a month now. This was his job for 6 years back in Rexburg before he was hired with the Church. There's a lot of backstory involved, that doesn't necessarily need to be recorded here.  Long story short: We never planned on working for his Uncle's company again. However, after 3 months of putting out resumes and at least 1 intense full-time job hunting month, with nothing turning up, the anxiety was real. His cousins (who run the company now) offered him whatever work he wanted. Temporary, long term, either way. He took the temporary full time employment, grateful to have a little money coming in and to be tired enough at the end of the day to fall asleep. We aren't sure how long we will be at this company, but we are grateful for the option. Pictured here is Demo Day. The company brings in all sorts of construction companies to showcase their cool tools and techniques. It's a pretty big deal. The kids loved watching the concrete be poured, getting free SWAG, and free lunch.

I'm not a morning person. Everybody knows this, right? I've been through bouts of trying to change my ways multiple times, and it never sticks. I really, truly think I'm just hard-wired to be a night owl. But I've been desperate for more time to myself. Amazingly, I've gotten even less time to myself since moving here. I didn't think it was possible, but I'm with my kids more than I ever have been. Which is great...until it's not. Does that show you how desperate I was to wake up early to go on walks? :) The only gym is also in town, which is about a 15 minute drive. Maybe I'll join one day, but I've started putting back on weight that I worked so.dang.hard to loose. I blame stress eating. Anyway, I've been consistently going on walks in the morning before, or as the kids are waking up. The older two are capable of helping with Davy until I get back if he wakes up. I listen to my scriptures, I listen to my audio books, and watch the sunrise. Not too shabby eh? I walk up and down our street, which doesn't sound like much, but it's about 2 miles long, so at least it's something!

2nd half of July

We were planning on trying out the Boise and Nampa farmer's markets on Saturday, but we randomly ended up at this beautiful cut flower farm. It was like walking into a fairy land! So gorgeous! The kids had fun seeing the animals and picking which flowers to put into our bouquet. There are so many little farm stands and homesteads around here, you can't drive to far without running into one. We love it!! We have loved chatting with the farmers and sharing our enthusiam with them.

 

We went to actual church for the first time in 5 months! What a crazy world we are living in right now. We were asked to wear masks, only half of the ward goes at a time and only for a 45 minute sacrament meeting. When we pulled up that first day, we were shocked to see Benson without shoes! Whoops! We're obviously out of practice. The younger two especially seem to have no memory of what it is to sit reverently in a pew for ANY amount of time. We have a lot of room to improve with our home church, but being able to have gospel discussions in the shade of our tree with permission to move around, definitely has it's benefits. 

Since we have been out of our self quarantine, we are making up for lost time trying to get some fun things in and getting together with people. Found another free little library. The two that we've found, we hit up very frequently. Can't wait till we can have our own!  We have been to a great river and a splash pad with the Fogles, had the Jared Wheelers over for kickball and then they invited us to their pool to swim, also went swimming with the Kam Wheelers, and had the Gregorys over for kickball and treats. We also snagged a tramp from Uncle Shannon. We noticed he had a tramp frame at his house that wasn't being used, so we asked if we could buy it from him. He just told us to take it. :) Then we bought the mat and pad, and viola! We have a tramp! It's been seeing a LOT of use and I love it. 

The kids have been helping me with work projects, sometimes willingly and sometimes....not. :) We have worked on cleaning out the "out-buildings"so that we can hours chickens and rabbits soon. Believe me, those little barns and dog run hadn't been cleaned out in a long time. It was a rough one. 

Our neighbor via the back of our pasture (Carla) has been very gracious and offered to share her apricot tree and currant bushes. We've picked the fruit and made Jams etc. We've also been to other local farms to pick up corn and green beans to can. Tis the season for late nights of canning! 

Other misc pictures. We haven't pulled play doh out in a while, so it kept the middle three busy for quite a while!  Gwen got a bee sting in the pasture the other day, but she's tough so of course she handled it like a champ.  Also pictured Gwen painting Lindy's nails. Sometimes I build in service to each other in their bingo charts. Works like a charm. :)