Homemade Salsa.....YUMMY!

I must confess that I am not a canner. I love to eat bottled peaches, pears, and other wonderful fruits and vegies but I do not like to can them. I believe it stems back to my childhood. My mother canned a lot and I frankly am not HALF of the person my mother is in that department. She has always been such a "homemaker" and I value that about my mother. I remember going to the strawberry farm and picking baskets and baskets of strawberries. Anyway....I went off on a different story. Sorry. I do however can salsa. I try to do it every other year as my family doesn't go through the salsa yearly so I save myself the stress and do it every other. Hayden was sure cute in offering to help me this year. It is a time consuming process and takes two days to complete. He offered to help me blanch the tomatoes which is probably the most time consuming part. It was fun to have his help and to let him see the work that goes into the salsa that he enjoys so much! Here's to a wonderful new batch of homemade salsa!!!!!

Going back to June

I ran across these pics from our camping trip to Timpanookee in June. I decided I had to blog about this trip since it was so much fun. Timpanookee is one of our favorite camping spots. We love to go just as a family.

We didn't hike Timpanogas because there was still too much snow, but we did hike to the Timp cave (which I have never hiked to living here for 18 years).

I enjoyed watching the boys explore the woods and streams.

I marvel every day of the beauty that surrounds me.

It helps me reflect on what I have been given and blessed with each

and every day!

Hayden's Court of Honor

Hayden is well on his way towards becoming an Eagle Scout. He went to a court of honor on Tuesday night where he earned 5 required merit badges and received two rank advancements.
He is now working towards his Life. I am so very proud of him. He is only 11 years old and I find that Hayden is very driven and motivated. He enjoys working with his dad on scouts and it is paying off! I am thankful Jeff works with him because I don't have the fire about scouts like Jeff does. Way to go my little scout!

All together

My parents came out this week to visit from South Carolina. We haven't seen them since Christmas, so it sure was exciting to get together. They stayed with my brother for the first few days and with me the last of the week. It has been a lot of fun hanging out with my brothers and their wives. I just love my niece and nephews. It is fun as my kids are bigger to play with the new babies and then give them back! I love them so much. Josh even brought his girlfriend along for our barbecue last night....ummmmmmmmm (she is in the white pants). We also got to see my dad's only sister Judy. She came down to visit and see all of her grown up great nephews. She couldn't believe how big and grown up they have gotten. Tell me about it!!!

Back to the books!!!!

Well the summer absolutely flew by.....I truly have a deeper understanding of how fabulous summer is when you are a school teacher. It is awesome to continue getting paid while not going in to work. That is the perk of being a teacher. Well my darling boys are back in school. Here they are as handsome as ever. They are rather cute aren't they???? They got their looks from their dad. I am quite proud. They were a little scared but excited with anticipation of what was ahead. I can't believe Logan is a FRESHMAN. He loves being the big shot at the Junior High. Hayden is a big 6th grader and feels proud to be the big shot of the elementary, and little Garrett isn't so little as he starts 3rd grade. He was the most excited to go back. He is quite social. Good luck boys. I will be home in the afternoon this year to love you........

5 days left of summer

Well there are officially only 4 more full days before school begins once again. Are we ready for a nip in the air, sweatshirts, busy roads at 7:30, and lots of homework? I don't know but it's coming whether we like it or not. I am thrilled to be teaching part time with another teacher this year and have been busy in the classroom getting ready. I just love her and am THRILLED we are working together. It is going to be just great.

HAPPY SCHOOLING!!

Holy Cow it's been 16 years!

Time sure flies by quickly. I feel like it was yesterday that I made fun of Jeff's UNLV hat while in the school parking lot. I didn't know him and yet I didn't have a problem making fun of him. Secretly I thought he was cute and wanted to talk to him no matter how rude it may have seemed. The following day I noticed a cute boy playing the piano in my institute class. Come to find out it was Jeff! I knew from that moment that he was the one I was to marry. I played hard to get for a while, but 6 months later we were married on July 31, 1992. I love him. I love how patient he is. I love his quirky sense of humor. I love that he is isn't afraid to get dirty. I love that he is my "Bob Villa" and can fix and repair anything. He is an incredible carpenter and I cherish everything he has made. He is a wonderful husband and an amazing father. He values the importance of being an Eagle Scout. He has helped Logan achieve his Eagle at 13 years old, and is helping Hayden now who has already earned 5 merit badges at age 11. I love that he enjoys the outdoors. I don't love that he kills Bambi's, but I do love how happy he is after returning from killing a Bambi. I don't love when I open up the garage door only to find a hanging deer carcus from the ceiling. I do love how proud he gets when he has shot a deer. He is everything I could have wanted. He is different from any other guy I dated. He is much better. He is my love. Happy Anniversary and for the last 16 years. Here's to the next 60! I love you!!!