Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Apple Picking









So each year since we have been here on the east coast we go apple picking. The kids are able to eat apples from the tree (as many as they can handle) and then we get a bunch so that I can make home made applesauce, yum.

This year we found a new place a little further away from our previous ventures apple picking. We decided this because it was so much cheaper than our old spot. We thought and planned for the perfect day. Unfortunately for us, it wasn't.

The day was overcast and rainy. But it was the only day Matt had off so we decided to go anyway. On the way down we were in a particularly rainy and windy section of the drive. Here there are divided highways with trees in between. As we drove I looked to the other side of the trees and I saw a mini van in pretty bad shape. There weren't any ambulances on the scene and Matt and I decided that at the next turn around we would return to see how people were. I said a silent prayer that I had atleast one pair of gloves in the car. Heavenly Father truly answered me because there, in the bottom of our pathetic first aid kit was one pair of gloves. It was truly horrific. Matt was the first medical person on the scene and one little girl had already died. He then had to work on three others, one of which was in critical condition. The most frustrating thing was that Matt could have done so much more but we weren't prepared with medical supplies, and the conditions were awful.

As the children and I sat in the car I pleaded that Matt would be able to help the boy who was so injured. After about an hour he slowly walked back to the car with defeat bearing down on him. There is only one other time in my life that I have seen my sweet husband so defeated (the other time was when he had to work on several small children that came in from a house fire many of whom died). He had tried all that he could but there was little hope for the young man. I have vowed that we would acquire the needed necessities that would be more sufficient than just one pair of gloves and a few band aids.

We decided to keep going and pick apples. I took pics of Chase which are super cute and all the kids had a great time despite the rain, mud, and cold.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009



I made this purse. Isn't it beautiful. (I like it.)

Friday, November 13, 2009

Sewing




I have been sewing again. I made these skirts for the girls. They are super easy and so adorable.

Homemade toys

What do you do when dad and mom won't buy outside toys? You make your own (it's a seesaw). When your partner leaves you just seesaw by yourself.


Kiss the Frog Prince





So one day when I was out running errands, Matt was home with the kids. The younger two were napping and Abbie and Porter were playing outside. The happened to find a frog. This poor frog had already had a hard life because he was missing one full "hand." They had a blast making a home for him and playing with him. Matt snagged these pictures as he was trying convince Abbie that if she kissed the frog he would turn into a prince. She couldn't get past the slimy kiss part to find out.

Bugs and small creatures


The kids love playing with bugs and worms. Makelle found the following earth worm and she loved him to death. . . literally. I felt so bad because she accidentally hugged him too much and when he stopped moving she said, "he's just sleeping mommy." What do you say to that? (p.s. she didn't eat dirt I think it was her recent snack)

Half Marathon

So I have told everyone for awhile that I want to run a marathon. I can do it. . . I think. The week I found out that there wasn't a possibility of running it due to family circumstances and the time I need to train outside and the fact that Matt is working ALOT. Anyway my friend who I thought I convinced to run the marathon with me said that she wasn't doing it but she mentioned a 1/2 marathon that she was running on the next Saturday. Mind you it was Tuesday. I thought, "self, you could run this." So I did. We started out together, but our paces are different and we eventually separated. It was awesome. I haven't had a good long run outside in such a long time. My legs took off and I felt like I was flying. I could have shortened my time more than the clock said I ran if I would have started out where I was supposed to instead of hanging back and slowing my pace a little. It was AWESOME! I think I finished my time almost ten minutes faster than I did the last time I ran a half marathon. I hope to keep doing them. I have a finished picture, but I am not sure I can get it to load.