Goodbye Summer

I have come to the scientific conclusion that I am, in fact, solar powered. Either that or part reptile. The sun has been gone for three days and I have turned into a tired, grouchy, sluggish dinosaur-momma. Then today the sun came back out and magically my happy, generally good disposition came back. I don't understand the condition but I am going to call it solardependentgrouchyitis. It goes along with nocturnalpolarpeditis (the scientific name I made up for getting freezing cold feet before getting into bed.) I believe that the onset of both of these conditions could have something to do with growing up in Egypt and not adapting well to the cold. Symptoms can be treated by moving to a warmer country or constantly being plugged into an electric heater. After three days of giving up my flip flops and sun dresses I'm ready for spring.

Dear Jaymie

(I got this email from Paxton today. Little emails like this totally make my day!)
Jaymie,
I just can’t tell you enough how wonderful you are.  I think that several times a day.  You work so hard for our family - - thank you for that.  You are an awesome wife and a wonderful mother.  Our kids adore you and I adore you.  Thanks for being you.  I’m so lucky to have married you and I’m excited for the rest of our lives because you make my life wonderful.

Your eternal boyfriend

Fall

I've canned 80 lbs of peaches, 80 lbs of pears, 80 lbs of apples, 14 quarts of salsa, 12 jars of jam, fruit leather, dehydrated pears and apples, and 12 quarts grape juice. The paper bag alien isn't part of it but he is so cute!

Dear Avery

My sweet Avery,

It is funny, we say that Shaylee acts just like me and Bryce acts a lot like Daddy and that you are half of both of us! I think you got the adventure side of both of us too.  I also say that the day isn't complete if you haven't mad yourself bleed somehow. Here are a few pictures of your adventures lately. One you had Fifths disease. Not so fun. In the next one you smacked your face on a pole at school and gave yourself a mighty black eye. The last picture is your sixth birthday party. Tangled the move just came out and you wanted long hair so badly you tied a jump rope to an elastic headband and ran all over the house with it. We decided to get you a real tangled wig for your birthday. No false advertising on that box. In five minutes it was really tangled. But you loved it. I adore your adventurous spirit and your huge heart. You are the first to share your things with everyone and the first one to try any new stunts. It is your first season play soccer and although you are the littlest on the field we LOVE watching you play since you aren't afraid of anyone. When you want the ball no one can stop you!! One of these days you'll get that goal you want so badly! We also like to joke that you were born without a self-preservation gene but I love that you aren't scared to get out and show the world what you can do. I love you to pieces and am grateful for your beautiful red hair that reflects the spitfire in you. Thanks for being my amazing little girl.

Love you forever,

Your Momma

Dear Bryce

 My cute boy Bryce. I absolutely adore you. You are so kind and sweet and tender hearted. I'm so proud of how much you have learned this year. You have given it your all in soccer (including scoring goals!) You have spoken in public for scouts at the library and earned your bob cat. You are a good student and an example to your brother and sisters. You also look sooo handsome in your new glasses! You even got in trouble for fighting because you were standing up for girls against some boys that were bothering them (not that you should fight but I'm proud that you stood up for someone that was being picked on). Thanks for being wonderful my little son!

Love,

Your proud Momma

Fourth of July, Rogue fireworks and Moon rocks

 We spent the 4th of July in Gooding and visited Craters of the Moon. This year there were enough older boys to light the fireworks. My mom alarm was going off as the little kids scooted closer and closer to the board where the fireworks were going off. An occational gutsy child would even run around the board and that little voice in  my head (mother's intuition) was getting louder but I didn't want be a put a damper on the kids excitement. Then a rogue firework shot sideways and straight into the group of little girls. Poor Shaylee got hit in the face and took off screaming and running for dear life. I had to chase her down before she stopped screaming. Hope she doesn't end up with a long term fear of fireworks after that! Note to self: Mother's intuition is hard earned and not to be disreguarded!

 Then we went to Crater's of the Moon. It really is a bizzare looking place.

 This is what is supposed to be left over from the ancient supper volcano that erupted into four states!

 This one reminded me of an angler fish!

 In Egypt growing up we stood out because we had so many blonds. Now I'm in a family where we stand out because we have so many red-heads. I'm proud to contribute a few of my own!

 No matter how hot it was outside; the caves were very temperate, some even had ice in them in July. Just watch out for rabid bats and piles of frozen guano.

Quigley Cave rats!!

Summer nights

Trying out our new fire pit! Jake was more than a little excited.

I love Paxton's socks in this one.

Fluffy bunny, fluffy bunny...

Yes I have marshmallow on my knee. I think everyone had it stuck somewhere by the end of the night.

The veiw off our deck.

The blacker the better. Avery charred every marshmallow and then tried to feed them to me.