We picked apples on Saturday to start the apple slices and applesauce canning process. Its a time consuming task but well worth it. We've also given some away to family that came over for Sunday dinner. No sense being selfish. Since the harvest, our kids have eaten at least two a day, completely voluntarily. An apple a day keeps the doctor a way so I'm hoping more than that doesn't backfire on us somehow.  Oh well, how do I say no to chubby little hands that plead, "apple mommy, apple."

10 year Reunion

This past Saturday a girl from our Freshman ward at BYU organized a little reunion get together at Rock Canyon Park for those who were still in the area or could make it. It was a prelude to the BYU game later on that night. Since Zach and I are so close by we thought we would stop by and see what everyone was up to. 

There were a few more rings on fingers, a few more pregnant bellies, a few more degrees of various shapes and sizes, and dare I say it... a few more fine lines on everyone's faces.All in all though, most people seemed pretty much the same. A happy bunch of LDS kids  now raising LDS kids of their own. 

It was fun to see them and the boys enjoyed the pizza picnic at the playground. 

Seeing old friends was nice, but the best part about freshman year I got to take home with me. Here's to knowing each other for 10 years hun!

A happy day

Here's wishing you a rainbow at the end of 

your storm.

Move'n on up

We always move our children out of their crib well before a new baby comes so they don't feel like it is being stolen from them. Last week we made that change for Mac. He got to move into a 'big boy bed' while David advanced to a twin and Gabe to the top of a new set of bunk beds. They are having a blast and love it when they get to play on the top of the bunk beds. I am still just a little bit nervous about Mac climbing up and going over the edge but it hasn't happened yet so hopefully it won't. Everyone seems to be adjusting nicely to the new arrangement with all three in the same room together. I'm not sure I love the bunk beds since they are tricky to make for small kids and pregnant moms alike, but all and all, its a good thing. The door should read now:

 Boys club, open for business. 

Tugas Farms

The goat walk

 






This summer we got the chance to visit Tugas Farms in Massachusetts. It was a combination playground, petting zoo and pick-your-own farm. It was perfect for the boys. We went during blueberry season and it made me sorely miss freshly picked blueberries. Utah soil has a hard time growing blueberries. Mac spent the whole time consuming blueberries we put in his bucket but the other boys helped out a little bit. Bring me a Tugas farms right here!

Opps David! Not that one, only the dark purple ones

Getting our money's worth 

Professor Hutchins

Zach wanted me to take some pictures of him for some online school stuff so I happily obliged. I don't think he loves these though so we might be doing it again.

See my lovely hand made clock in the background? My grandfather made it before he passed away 

Books, besides his wife, Zach's best friends

Doesn't he look debonair and intelligent

The Infinite Atonement

I just finished this wonderful book yesterday after two months of Sunday reading. It is probably the best church book I have read to date on the most important subject anyone can talk about. Tad Callister is a masterful writer who draws heavily from the scriptures, prophets, personal meditation and classical authors. It was a joy to read and very enlightening. I cannot say enough about this book and think everyone with access to a copy should read it. Whether you are new to the gospel or an "old pro" it has something for you, and probably many things. Mom and dad don't know I "borrowed" their copy. Perhaps when I tell them, if I'm lucky they will let me keep it. It is definitely a re-read, and I never re-read books. 

A few of the many nuggets I found:

His Message

"The Savior's message, meaning the gospel of Jesus Christ, had been preached before the meridian of time and would yet be preached again...Certainly it was a great blessing to have the Savior personally preach His gospel message, but that was not the essential reason for which he came. Others have been his spokesmen, both before and after his mortal advent..."

His Ministry

"The Savior's ministry included the working of miracles, but Enoch, Moses, Elijah, and others had performed similar wonders before his birth. Peter, Paul and others would perform like miracles after his ascension."

His Mission

"While others could preach the Savior's message and even perform a ministry of miracles and priesthood ordinances, only he could accomplish that divinely appointed mission, namely the redemption of the world. No proxies, no substitutes, no surrogates, not even heaven-sent angels or prophets would or could do."

The Atonement is not just a prime teaching of the gospel; it is the heart of the gospel. It infuses life into every doctrine, every principle, and every ordinance, transforming what might otherwise be a lofty but nonetheless lifeless ideal, to a vibrant spiritual truth."