What a week...

And is it really only Wednesday? I feel like I've been doing enough to have taken up the whole week. Hunter started violin lessons again, this week. He really enjoys it. His face is beaming after lessons every time. He also has scouts today. We've had a couple of weeks off. So we need to get back into the swing of that. Gretchen started piano lessons again. Since having Graham, Hunter and Gretch have been so patient about piano. I'm trying to teach them what I know, which isn't much. Aaron has had to step in a bit with Hunter. He's starting to pass me up in his piano skills.

In our ward, my calling is the Compassionate Service leader. One of my duties is getting dinners together for families after funerals. This week is one of my first such duties. I'm not good at knowing how much food is sufficient for a certain amount of people. That has been another struggle this week. I think I'm finally figuring it out, with the help of our Relief Society president and another friend in the ward. I'm grateful for this calling because I get to see first hand how willing members of our ward are to help out and serve whenever needed.

I hope I don't seem like I'm complaining that is not my intent. I'm just realizing how grateful I am to have the spirit with me and to know I'm not alone when I feel like I'm swimming upstream.

Current pictures of the kids

Two happy boys

It's hard to keep Graham from getting the kids' toys. They don't realize it's only just begun.

Three happy boys

Gretchen eating a snack after school.

Hunter reading the first Harry Potter Book. He is really enjoying it.

Gavin's first day of Preschool

Gavin had his first day of preschool this week. He has been counting down for weeks. Then the night before school started he said, "I don't want to go to school." He was a bit nervous. He has loved school and has such a great time.

P.S. Thanks Dawn for loaning us your camera. I've been itching to get so many memories captured this was great. Thanks for sacrificing capturing some of your families memories for ours.

Zucchini Garden Chowder

2 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 TB minced fresh parsley
1 tsp dried basil
1/3 c butter or margarine
1/3 c flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 c water
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tsp lemon juice
1(14 1/2oz) can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1 (12oz) can evaporated milk
1 (10 oz)pkg frozen corn
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
2 c shredded Cheddar cheese

In a big pot over medium heat, saute zucchini, onion, parsley and basil in butter until tender. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Gradually stir in water. Add the bouillon and lemon juice; mix well. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, milk, and corn.; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until corn is tender. Just before serving, stir in cheeses until melted.

We love this soup, especially on those cold fall days. Enjoy!

What a week!

This is a picture from a month ago. Graham has been keeping us on our toes. He has been army crawling for about a month now and hasn't slowed down since. He is starting to pull up on things and get on his hands and knees. He is so much fun.

Gavin has been counting down the days until Pre-K starts. Finally it is this week on the 25th. He is still drawing a ton and is playing so nicely with our neighbor Sam. They haven't really gotten along until just recently. Gavin gets so excited to go swimming or ride bikes or scooters with Sam. He likes to pick up Graham whenever I need him to. When I need help feeding Graham, Gavin is always willing to do it. He even keeps Graham pretty clean while feeding him.

Harrison thinks he is ready for preschool too. I'm sure he would be, but I'm not ready for him to leave. He is so funny. Harrison can talking very well for a 2 year old. He can tell you exactly what is he wants and is thinking. He has a really good neighbor friend Jo, Sam's brother. They are so funny together, running around the neighborhood playing. Graham's feet are something that Harrison can't help touching. If Graham has socks on Harrison asks for them to be off, so he can touch them. Honestly it annoys me so much, but doesn't seem to bother Graham.

Gretchen is so excited for school to be in and loves being a 2nd grader. She has the same teacher as last year so that makes things easier. We painted her room pink and she has cute pink and brown polka dot bedding to go with it. When we find our camera or buy a new one we'll post pictures. Gretchen used to not like pink at all. So I'm so excited that she likes it enough to paint her room pink. With only one girl there's only one chance of having pink in our house. We still need to put picture and shelves up for her horses and horse pictures.

Hunter is loving 4th grade. He is so excited to be playing flag football this fall. We're hoping it doesn't interfere with violin lessons after school. Hunter wasn't able to play baseball this summer so he has been itching to do a team sport. At school he and his friends play football every recess. He likes to be quarterback and says he's pretty good.

There's a little update about the kids and what they are doing. Aaron's car has been making some strange noises, but his week it started to make an even louder noise. Okay so he was driving a time bomb. We just aren't sure when it is going to give up. His car is 12 years old and we've had it for 10. (Hey Kim same car we bought with you and Mark after a temple trip.)Needless to say we've been looking all week for a car, hence no posting for this week. We ended up buying a car from Aaron's parents, what a blessing. We really don't like going to car lots and dealing with the dealerships. Problem solved! Thanks Mom and Dad!

I have really been missing our camera this last month. It wasn't in the budget to go buy a new one since I still haven't found ours. There are so many times I wish I had it. It makes me really appreciate it so much. I love looking back on the computer at pictures to remember what we've been up to and seeing how much the kids have grown. Hopefully this next month there will be a new camera so we can share picture with you all.

Precious Time

This week has already been a full one. So many things to do and not enough time to get them accomplished. I was talking with my sister-in-law Dana today. She said she was thinking of me this week. Her youngest started kindergarten this year and so she has a little more alone time than before. Sonja her oldest is has already planned what she wants be and how she's going to do it.

Dana reminded me to enjoy this time I have with my kids. Not to wish for the time they will be out and on their own. I'm grateful for this reminder to have fun with my kids, to laugh and be silly.

Lots of times I'm so serious because there are things to be done and I have my own timeline, now! What is it going to hurt if I don't get the family room floor vacuumed right this minute. Instead I could go jump on the trampoline with my kids or play royal ball, a fun game Aaron made up. I need to relish these wonderful times. Right now to them I know just about everything. Soon enough I'm not going to know much, according to the kids. And this precious time will be gone.

Thanks for the thoughts Dana!

First Day of School...but no camera

I wish that I had some cute pictures of Gretchen and Hunter with their backpacks and excited smiles for the first day of school. Somehow I have misplaced the camera. I have looked everywhere I think. I do remember taking into the garage as we were headed to ride bikes or go swimming. With the last couple days of summer I thought I should capture some of the carefree time that we have. In the hustle and bustle of getting shoes on and making sure Harrison wasn't running into the street, I put the camera down. I'm not blaming the missing camera on Harrison or anyone else for that matter. I just misplaced it. Let's hope not in the garbage. Luckily days before I had put all of the picture on the computer from the memory cards.

Gretchen and Hunter were excited about school. I can't believe I have a child in the 4th grade. When did that happen? Hopefully there will be pictures of them in the near future.