A Family Day!

We finally had a family day-- ALL day! I was going to make Fred take me for a canyon drive to see the changing leaves. Then I got a craving to go to the zoo - I think I'm addicted. I packed a lunch and we headed out.

Tad seemed to enjoy sitting outside to eat and did really well even though it was nap time. He was asleep within seconds of being loaded back in the truck.

I think sometimes Fred & I have more fun than he does. (Look how huge he is when I'm holding him! He's very tall.)

We enjoyed a nice drive through Emigration Canyon and East Canyon. I told Fred it was time to head home and he defiantly turned the opposite direction. We ended up in Park City and did a little shopping! Then enjoyed a third canyon, coming back through Parley's. I had planned to stop and take our usual Fall family picture, but Tad was asleep and I didn't see an "amazing" backdrop. Don't get me wrong, the leaves were pretty, I think they might need another week or two for more to change.

I make Fred drive up to see the leaves every year during the last week of September since that's when / where he proposed.

We ended the day with a nice family dinner and Daddy & Tad coming with me to ward volleyball (we're a challenged group- lost both games). Now that Tad is peacefully asleep it's time to catch up on some shows that Fred & I don't get to watch together.

Unfortunately, all the things we didn't accomplish today are on my mind. I already have plans to get up before 7am on Saturday to get things done. I think "A day to sleep in" might be on my Christmas wishlist.

Proof I listened to my mom as a kid.

I spent Monday canning- almost all day. I don't mind doing it, but Tad seems to mind. He played well as I got everything ready. As soon as I stood in front of the sink to start peeling pears he'd wiggle in between me and the cupboard and push me away from it. So, after his afternoon nap, he went to play at Grandma's. Then, while I knew he was happily playing I not only finished my pears and fruit cocktail, I also made a batch of tomato sauce and peach pie filling!

See, I really did listen when my mom tried to teach me how to can. When I was little I thought it was the end of the world to have to can (everything but pears - I'd sneak some bites and was pretty happy).

Now, I'm proud to say we bottle so much we have to buy more bottles every year. (If you hear of anyone getting rid of bottles, we'd love more!)

This year we made: Nectarine & Apple Juice, Apple & Peach pie filling, Peach jam, Tomato sauce, Fruit cocktail, Raspberry jam, Peaches, Nectarines, Pears, for a total of .... 150 qts, 74 pints, & 53 half pints.

Unfortunately we still have stuff to bottle, but grape juice is our FAVORITE to drink & Tad has lived on butternut squash for the past year, so I guess we better do it.

Fred wants to learn how to can meat - I'm still not sure, I think it'll look gross on the shelf. Either way, I'm not taking it on by myself! If any of you have amazing things you can, we'd love to try new things. (Carmel Apple jam was a bust last year!)

Now if only we had room for everything!

State Fair withdrawls

Rodeos, the smell of greasy food, vendors, animals, exhibits, people watching, what's not to like?! It's not all play though. My sister works for 4-H and actually runs the 4-H building. I decided I needed some time out of the house so I worked for her- setting up, entering exhibits, judging day, displaying the exhibits, and finally watching the displays and telling people not to touch. Besides a little cash for Christmas I get a few free tickets- which are always spent on Fred's entry so we can go to the rodeo- 3 nights in a row! We love it!
This year was a little more fun to look at the animals. Tad didn't love them, but he'd let me help him pet them a little.

Then off to the rodeo with the family. He was gpa's buddy for part of the night.

The next night was cousins and friends with us at the rodeo. The guy holding Tad is.... Tad! :}

Each day we'd help him pet the animals (gross nose, I know!).

The last night of the rodeo was just us & my sisters, and I didn't get a good picture.
By the 3rd night of visiting the animals Tad was finally willing to pet a few of them on his own.

I enjoyed my time out part of the time, some of the days were really long, and a couple of days I didn't see Fred at all. It was a good reminder of how lucky I am to be at home. Tad got to hang out with his gma's & gpa's and has learned to say "gampa & gmama". I'm sure he was spoiled!

I was bummed to think we might be moved by next year's fair - but if we make it to our new state's fair I'll be sure to post pictures!

Is there blood?

Yep. We always joke that we'll be concerned about Tad's crying if there's blood. He's a little boy and he's walking on his own so we don't jump everytime we hear a crash and wimpering.

Over Labor Day we went to the Uintahs to go camping. It was BEAUTIFUL - but a little chilly. I was excited that 3 of my sisters were going with us. Tad loved being outside playing. Especially chasing the dogs and letting them lick him.

While he was in the camp trailer he was standing at the door -wishing to be outside. Wishing came to pushing and he pushed the door open and fell down the 2 steps. Fred and I were setting up our tent and heard "I knew that was going to happen." I looked over and saw Crystal picking Tad up. We finished putting up the tent and then I went to check on him. I jokingly asked if there was blood. Crystal said "Yes" and took the ice pack off of his head. He was done crying, so we let him play for a minute and then cleaned it. He doesn't even notice it's there unless I'm bandaging it.

When I took him to show Fred, I said "There really is blood." He continued to count the charcoal he was starting. Finally he looked up and chuckled.

Tad still had a good time playing outside and helping daddy cook dutch oven, sitting on the 4-wheeler, and going on a horseback ride.

Crystal, Nashaela & I went for a ride (to the Reservoir above), then Fred, Lauralee & Melissa took a ride. Fred & I took Tad on a short ride and he seemed to like it. He's been kind of scared of the horses and will pull his hand back if you try to get him to pet it. He did pet them a few times on his own. It's got to be their size because he'll chase the dogs all over.

The poor little guy was so tired he slept the whole (2-3 hours) home!

His head really does look better - everyone that sees it jokes it's child abuse. I figure he's doing REALLY well since he made it more than a year before getting an owie. He's all boy so I expect he'll get more, especially when he learns to run.