A Day In The Life

All three girls got fresh toes and fingers this afternoon. I had to put my feet up on the picnic table to reach my piggies. We played outside all day, the weather was spectacular. I wish I could bottle the temperature like I bottle jam and preserve it for the gloomy winter days ahead. I dug up all but one of my zucchini plants and cleared some other ruffige out of the garden. You should have seen the tomato harvest I got. 21 big'ns. Off of one plant. It is more like a tomato bush. There are 14 more waiting to turn red. No frost yet.

Me and Roo watched Fantasia (I can't talk her into anything else lately.) and had apples and caramel dip for a snack after Talia left for school. Ruby, of course, had a sippy milk to wash it down. (Also can't talk her into anything else when it comes to beverages, unless it's cold water from my pink Camelback bottle that I keep in the fridge. I am thirsty like the desert this week. Must be all that extra blood I am stocking up.) I made banana bread, and it smelled wonderful while baking but totally bombed out on the taste test. Must have read the recipe wrong or something cause it was awful. That, and I burned it a little. Is it possible to bake a loaf of banana bread all the way through? I mean seriously, the edges burn, the center falls flat! What am I doing wrong?

We girls all went to pack meeting tonight. (Daddy was home late from Park City, he has to leave tomorrow morning at five, so he is already in bed.) I left completely wiped out. I directed about 40 kids in a 3 legged race, and then had to referee the egg and spoon relay. I didn't do any running, but the wind required to holler at that many frenzied scouts and their younger siblings was enough to make me feel like I'd done 5 miles. After, I took the girls to the Arby's drive through for roast beef sandwiches, I don't know what it is about Wednesdays and scouts that makes me feel as if I cannot possibly cook a meal. We read stories for half and hour in my bed tonight.

Ahhhhh, good day.

To Billings, Butte and Back

You know what makes a good road trip? Good scenery, good company, no break downs. DJ and I had it all this week. We took "The Super Hog" (I had to give it a name you know. Is that the coolest hood ornament ever?) to Montana loaded with angle iron from Nucor and returned with an auction special side by side Rino and a trailer full of cars and trucks, conveniently crushed and stacked in cubes. We had a great time. I love seeing DJ behind the wheel of a huge truck. He gets so excited when he pulls heavy things! And something about a jake brake and 13 gears? I enjoyed the air ride seats and the option of napping or reading a book in the sleeper. 30 hours uninterrupted hubby time was sweet too.

It is truly amazing that we were able to buy the Rino, and the very next day get hooked up with a sweet truck and a load in need of transport to the very city where-in it sat. We actually got paid to make the trip! DJ is the man.

We rolled into home late Friday night. I went to pick up the girls at Grandma and Grandpa Granges' house just in time to see Roo go head first off a chair and bust her chin wide open on the tile floor. I prayed and prayed that they would be safe while I was away. I am truly glad that that was so, and that I was there in time to help comfort my precious one in her pain. Tammy is an expert with butterfly bandages. Not that Ruby would leave them on, soon as she woke this morning they were off. Oh, kid. You will have a scar on that chin your whole life baby. I adore you.

We were all so wiped out that no one stirred in our home this morning until 9:30. Talia and I named our new ride the "Wheely." DJ played around in the garage all afternoon trying to make it go. It reved up about sundown. Hooray! Now all it needs is an aghast weld job and a rear axle.

Wondering Where I've Been?

Spent Saturday cheering on the marathoner's! Woo Woo. Ike, Kira, and Marcos, (Kira's brother in law.) and anyone else who passed by. It was wet and rainy and perfect for running. The sun came out for the last 2 miles. I was so jealous. Seriously. I hurt just running down the driveway that morning and it make me long for my old self. My hips are the worst.

But, you are SO worth it 'Little Bit',  I LOVE YOU! You have the hiccups right now and it's making my belly jump. Marathon, shmarathon. There will always be another, and only one you.

DJ left us to make a marathon trip of his own to South Dakota. It turned out to be a much longer trip than he, or I who was handling the home front, anticipated. (When is it not?) He says it was still worth it. That one on the back is a Cordoba Station Wagon.  DJ says to me after the 33 hour drive, "It's freak'in sweet babe, I've never ever seen one like it. And now it's mine." Again, Woo Woo!

Cake and ice cream Sunday evening for the Daddy man. Check out all those candles! I made his favorite cake, and I must say it was gorgeous. "Better than Derby Cake." I substitute chocolate pudding for caramel, that's the way hubby likes it. We had the house full of family and a great evening together.

How cheesy am I? Taking pictures of my salsa! I just had to, I am too proud of it. My first canned creation, pprocessed and everything. Thanks a million to Amy Parker who got me hooked on her tomatillo salsa last spring, and for teaching me how to make it. I am in LOVE. Little Bit might come out with salsa on her breath. Me and Roo had peaches, chips with melted cheese, and green salsa for lunch. There's balance for you! I am blessed.

DJ and I are off tomorrow on another whirlwind road trip. Funny how we never plan them more than a day in advance. We, (I say we like I was in on it, but wasn't. We means that we are both paying for it!) bought an auction special side-by side from Billings, Montana. Flood damage, who knows what that means? But it was a rocking good deal and DJ is sure we can make it work. We will add a longer roll cage and bucket seats in the back with 5 point harnesses for the girls. I can see us now, taking the mountain! DJ is so excited he can hardly sit still. He wants a plow for the front too. Who wouldn't right? My Dad and brother Jeffrey might use it in the winter months to do some of their smaller snow pushing jobs. So I suppose I am cool with that. Less shoveling for me.

Well. Here's to adventure!

Behold the Cuteness + More Birthday Wishes

For Daddy's birthday we feasted at the Copper Mill. I had intended to make fresh salsa and have tacos at home, but my evening turned into Webelos chaos and I was so wiped out by the time that DJ got home that I said, "Where do you want to go Babe? This kitchen is closed."

It was storming pretty good when we left the restaurant and Ruby was scared, so we stayed up and snuggled on the couch for a bit watching lighting. Dad didn't last long. Ruby hid under the blue throw, and was all sweaty and hot but wouldn't come out until I promised to get out the camera and let her be in a video.

Oh, my sweet sweet baby girls. I can't get enough of their loveliness. Maybe it's the sentiment that things are about to change that makes me want to cling to each moment and see it again and again. (As of right now the video above has been loading for about 10 minutes. Perhaps I haven't figured out the video problem after all!) I know that the new little miss will be such a blessed addition to our group, but still, change, in any form is a leap of faith. I look forward to embracing our new family dynamic, but at the same time . . . . will miss the one that we have.

The girls and I left Daddy on the sofa while we brushed and jammied and set up a sleep over on the floor of my room. The lighting show, while mostly over, was still a good excuse for a sleep over, no?

Birthday Man

A big happy birthday to my main man! (Yesterday, September 14th.) You look better than ever at 30 babe, even if the hair on your face grows better than the stuff on top your head. You cut a fine figure, bald or no. 81' was a good year. I am so glad you are mine. I LOVE YOU.

31 Weeks

I know. Horizontal stripes do nothing for this figure. But I love the dress. Photos by Talia.

A Sunday Laughternoon

My sincere apologies to anyone with a 'bra-phobia'.

The Chickie's decided that there was not enough fun going on sunday afternoon so they cooked up a little of their own. The resources were dad's clean laundry basket full of whites and mom's closet hooks. (Bra's, scarves and hats.) They were pretending to be . . . . well I don't know. My only clue is that Ruby kept whooping, "Yee -haw!" and waving her hat in the air.

With at least 4 females in this household, bra is bound to play a role in our common vocabulary. Someday this photo is going to kill Talia when she actually has to wear a one. For now she thinks that they are the coolest accessories ever.

We had a huge family wrestle/tickle fight/pile on/ pillow battle on mom and dads bed after dress up time. It was one of the best ever. DJ really knows how to get the girls WIRED before bedtime. They were both in size XL derby shirts from dad's side of the closet. Practically swimming in them. (You should know that DJ has a whole collection of newer derby issue shirts that get hung in the closet as part of his wardrobe. Believe it or not he considers these as worthy components, and has been known to wear his favorites when we go out!)

We rough housed for about an hour, and laughed a lot. It was one of those really sweet times you want to remember. At family prayer time Talia told her Heavenly Father, "Thanks for our fun laughternoon."

One Last Hurrah

Thursday morning I was in the garden with the girls. We weeded and watered and picked the last of the corn and bowl full of berries. Talia was literally begging me to spray her with the hose. "Betcha can't even get me a little." she said. I almost didn't do it. She was still in her night dress, and we had just an hour and a half until school. But I did. She went squealing into the grass with Ruby close on her heels. Boy, those two can really shriek when they are excited! Next thing I know, T is in her swim suit and Roo is running around in the nude with her swim diaper in hand. "PLEASE MOM?"

So, I cleaned out the little blue pool and hooked up the yellow hose for one last hurrah to summer fun. I made the girls take turns being ruler of the hose. Talia soaked Roo right from the get go. I said, "Hey baby, you better turn that thing on yourself right now or I'll come over there and do it!" Guess what? She did. Right on her head. After that they both had a great time. I almost got in myself! The scorcher days are past, September sun is more mild and restful. Thursday was 'warm' perfection.

While Talia was at Kindergarten, me and the Roo bug went to Grandma Norr's for more gardening. We harvested lots and lots gorgeous things. Even a few precious raspberries. (Ruby polished these off with out taking so much as a breath!) Everything, minus the raspberries, got rinsed, chopped, drizzled with olive oil, and salt and peppered, then went in to these two pans to roast. Wish that I could have been around to take a wiff of that!

Mom sent us home with a big bag of Brigham City peaches. I wait for this day ALL year! Me and the girls ate about 5. DJ took at least that many with him to work today. I plan on buying a whole box next week when the Early Alberta's are ready. Eating lots, freezing some. Is it alright to binge on something that you only get to enjoy once a year? I say, yes.

I Can't Believe I Said . . . .

"Get that chocolate chip out of your nose, then you can have another."

"We have to brush them or they'll rot out of your head."

"One pump of the soap is plenty!"

"Please don't jump on the sofa. Yes, you may jump off."

"We've watched Ponies (from Fantasia) 4 times today, lets' pick something else."

"You stink! Come to me."

"Is that a booger in your hair? No, let me get it."

"Oww! That is my arm hair kid."

"You may have one band-aid. Where do you want me to put it?"

Left Hand Fork for Labor Day

 Talia sports a self made pirate hat and plays Queen of the Rock.

 Camping requires so much energy. T is pooped, she fell asleep around the campfire with Grandpa Grange. He has the magic shoulder.

 Tangled up in the hammock with uncle Denton.

No Grange camp out is complete without a wheeler ride. Roo sports some shades, blue finger nails, and her own orange helmet to match uncle Dallans.

When Will The Bus Come Again?

A few extra shots of the first day. I couldn't get them to load with the last post. BIG THANKS to our neighbors the Boehme's for the use of their camera. Can you believe that my battery was dead on this occasion? Really Sarah. Of all the days to not check the charge.

This is from day #2, my sweets on their way through the sunflowers.. They are taking over the sidewalk, and our mailbox at the bottom of the culdesac.

I do so love September. I can't wait to see some color on the trees. My pumpkins are turning orange. My tomato's are red. (I have some roasting with onion, garlic, oil and herbs in the oven and they smell AMAZING! Did you know that I didn't like tomato anything until I was pregnant with Tali? Weird. I still can't eat them fresh of the vine like my dad does, it's a texture thing I think, but I love them cooked. I will blend up the roasted veggies when they are all thoroughly roasted down and make sauce to freeze for the cold winter.) I opened all the windows last night, this morning the house was a delicious 67 degrees. Oh, hallelujah!

We are going camping this evening with friends and family, Talia's only regret about the long weekend is that there will be 3 whole days to live through before she gets to go back to school. S'mores will help!

She's Off!

September 1, 2011 and my baby girl is off to Kindergarten. I resisted the urge to pick her outfit. She choose this one, don't you love the rollerblading unicorn? We did curls in her short hair and she had rhinestones on her hot pink leggings. GO GIRL!

We walked to the corner (about 2 blocks) to catch the big yellow bus with our neighbor Sydney. It was a gorgeous day, breezy and cooler than we've been in weeks. Thank you cold front, I love the 80's.

I didn't shed a tear. Ruby cried for about half and hour. I am so proud of Talia, and happy for her to be starting this phase of her life. She is so bright and eager to learn anything. When I asked her what she learned the first day she said, "About respect, pirates, the reading corner, and how to find the bathroom. It's pink!" I can't wait to see how she progresses!