Blackberry  Farm

On Saturday we decided to go on a mini adventure to Blackberry Farm.  I had read a lot about this cute little place and decided it would be fun for us all.  I was so right!  It was so much fun! 

We started out visiting all the little historic little buildings and museums.  Nik got to go on his first ever pony ride, and was so excited for it.  It was so rewarding to see the joy and excitement in Nik’s face as he learned he could do such fun things and then did them.  

We took a ride on the carrousel and let Nik play on the mother of all play houses.  He was in heaven to put it lightly.  Nik even got to do his first zip line.  He did it twice and each time get better and better.

After taking a very short break to eat lunch (as Nik insisted it be as short as possible), we went to go see the animals and then the museum of transportation.  Nik thought they were all pretty cool especially the old horse and buggy hearse. 

We then ventured over to the awesome train that takes you around a pretty lake, and of course we had to do it twice.  At this point Ian had had enough and so I took Ian and headed back to the car as the Boys finished the day off with a good old-fashioned hay ride. 

Overall it was such a fun day that we all enjoyed, even us adults.  Both kids fell asleep pretty much as soon as we got them seated in the car.  I think its safe to say that we will definitely be going back again.

Niks  1^st  Day  of  Preschool

We have all been looking forward to Preschool this year.  We decided to enroll Nik in a real Preschool this year, and are excited.  It’s at the local Eola Community Center.  They have a great program that a lot of moms swear by out here.  Nik is so smart, but needs more social time with kids his own age.

On Wednesday he had orientation, and was so excited to get ready and go.  We did his hair, and then looked in the mirror and said, “mom!  Look at me!  My hair looks bad!” and started to tear up.  I told him he looked awesome and how the other kids would think he looked cool.  I guess my reassurance didn’t help because after I left the room he grabbed a comb and tried to do his own hair.  I really wish he would have left it my way, because his way looked like he had been playing all day and had messy messed hair instead of nice styled hair.  (Sometimes I think I need a girl, so that she will let me do her hair and want to keep it looking nice.)

We arrived and Nik spent the whole time making friends.  I guess he and the other little boys decided to have a tea party by themselves.  It was really funny to watch them.  All the little girls were playing with dolls and strollers and coloring, while all the little boys were in the kitchen and at the table making pretend food and having a “tea party”.  I should have taken a picture. 

He was sad to have to go when it was all over, but was happy when I reminded him that he would get to return on Friday and stay even longer.

School is so fun.  I always loved the fall and the beginning of school.  It was always so special and exciting and new.  I hope Nik feels the same way and loves it too.

The  Blessed  Roast

The past couple of weeks, I have been craving a nice Sunday roast.  They haven’t been priced very reasonable lately, so I haven’t bought one.  But the other day, the kids and I were at the store and I decided to take a look at the roasts just incase.  I looked around and all I could see were $15 and $20 dollar roasts.  I kept looking, and bam!  There in front of me was a $3.41 roast!  What!?!  It couldn’t have been right.  It was the same cut and the same freshness as all the other roasts as well as the same size.  Well I decided right then and there, that it was a little blessing from an awesome Heavenly Father and left it at that.  I was so beyond excited.  I even made the cashier make sure it was the right price for me before buying it, just to make sure it wasn’t some sick trick.  We bought that beautiful piece of meat, and took it home.

Sunday rolled around, and it was time to cook it.  We were all so excited.  And after hours of cooking and waiting and salivating at the wonderful smells coming from the oven, I opened the lid only to discover that I had burned my beloved roast!  Are you kidding me!?!  I have never burned a roast in my life!  Unfortunately my new oven seems to cook things much faster and more efficiently than any of my previous ovens.  BOO!  So I guess you could say that I am a little mad at my oven at the moment.  I guess it wasn’t all bad, we were able to salvage most of the meat.  But still.

The  End  of  Summer

Summer has flown by and is coming to an end.  I cant say that I am sad to say goodbye to all the extreme heat, and the ever present sweat that seems to appear on your body no matter what you are doing. (Gross!  I seriously feel I like I need to shower multiple times in the day.)  Summers always seem to be stressful for us.  I am not sure why, but it seems to always be the time of year where we are stressed and struggling the most.  So, in some ways I am looking forward to seeing it go.

I have started exercising again, and it’s been really great so far.  The kids have been really great about letting me do it, which has surprised me because Nik used to make it nearly impossible to exercise in the past.  Its also great because Nik is understanding that exercise is great and fun and important and he either does the exercise with me, waits for me to be done so then he can have his turn doing it, and supports me and helps me do my exercise like counting and helping to hold my feet etc.  What a great kid!  Ian thinks it’s great too as he gets to be right by us, and gets attention through out the whole affair.

Nik likes to try new stuff on the treadmill while he "exercises".

My view most days while exercising.

The other day we had some scares.  Our Carbon Monoxide detector kept going off and making such a terrible siren screeching sound.  We had professionals come out and look around and check things out, but they found nothing.  So now I feel a bit jumpy and worried about our house, hoping that we aren’t getting poisoned or potentially blowing up.  Happy thoughts right?

Ryan and I also received new callings in the ward.  Ryan is the Employment Specialist, and I am the Valiant 8 teacher.  Ryan seems to really like his calling and how appropriate is his calling for him?!  It’s right up his alley.  As for me and my calling, I am excited about it and so far it’s been great.  It’s much easier than any of my other callings that I have had in the past.

I guess there is no better way to start the fall than to get sick?  Um…. probably not, but unfortunately Ian is officially sick with a wicked cold.  He sure knows how to start the season out right doesn’t he?  Poor little guy.  He is a cute little snotty baby and I’m determined to get as many good snuggles in than I can while he’s under the weather.  I hope he gets better super fast.  We have been holding off getting his 4 month check up and 4 month vaccinations because our insurance didn’t kick in till September 1^st, but now that it is here and I finally made an appointment for him in a couple of days, I guess we will have to postpone till he gets better.  Hope that s okay.