Apples to Apples

 We were given several boxes of apples which were finally turned into juice this weekend.  We de-hydrated quite a bit, but there were enough to make some "liquid gold" apple juice for Ed. 

 Sometimes my amazing workers got distracted, but we finally got it done.  6 1/2 gallons of juice, was it worth it? Yes to Ed (he likes pressed apple juice) and yes to me because of the memories of working together that were made. 

Canning

 We gleaned potatoes a few weeks ago and finally got them into the pantry.  I know bottling potatoes is crazy, but I enjoy having the ability to just open a bottle and have 'real' mashed potatoes or quickly pan fry them for dinner.  Plus, this way they don't sprout and grow in the cupboard.

Bear Lake

I took the kids to Bear Lake this last week. Ryan didn't remember ever swimming there and we usually go in the spring when it is too cold to swim. This year has been a record year for water and the lake was actually full. But even with the high water, it takes forever to get deep. Notice how far out the boys are in the picture, it is still only to their waist. The sand was perfect and again we went around dinner time so we had the beach almost to ourselves.
Ryan and Drake made a Bull/Moose/something out of a log and sand. They were so proud of their creation. Devanne's friend Kristi came with us to play and she got along great with the girls. Warm sun + fine sand + good friends/family = Perfect Day!

Lava Hot Springs!

My sister's boys had a baseball tournament in Montpelier, Idaho so we couldn't drive by Lava Hot Springs without stopping for the day. So after everyone left, I took the kids, minus Ed and Nathan since they were at Scout camp, to the pool. Devanne was still visiting so she got to go too! As usual the pool and slides were amazing and Ryan didn't stop the entire time. We went on a Thursday so it wasn't crazy busy and by 5 pm everyone was leaving for dinner. Luckily we had nowhere to go so we stayed and enjoyed no lines for the slides.
I wish I knew how to better journal our fun (or how to even work with this blog) but at least you get to see pictures of our fun. :)

Rigby Lake 4th of July

As tradition (we've been twice so that makes it traditional right?) we spend the day at Rigby lake to watch the fireworks that night. The kids and dad's enjoyed the coolness of the water while the mom's watched and sunbathed. We enjoyed every minute!

Walmart

When you live in Rexburg and it is winter, sometimes there just anything else to do except be silly at Walmart. Most of the teenagers here consider it a sport to see who can take the craziest pictures. Here are two from this weekend.

Graduation 2011

Eighteen years later, I finally graduate from college. It has been an amazing four years. My family was incredible. The kids learned how to ocassionally cook dinner, do their own laundry, and survive without a mother doing it all. I think they actually survived better than Ed. He has told me since that building a house together was easier. Really?! When we built that house we lived in two campers out back! I think managing a house, four kids, a husband, and getting straight A's in college was by far easier. Now the only question is how long till I can go back and get a masters degree...