October Swirls.

I'm getting tired of this yearly habit I've gotten into of only writing--really writing on this blog every month.  It's going to have to change soon.

It's mid-October and the leaves are changing in my neighbors' yards.  Maybe next year we will have a few baby trees to join in the glorious color-fest.

Conference was awe-inspiring as always, and the boys had so much fun with the activities I bought for them.  So many of my prayers were answered during that Conference weekend, and I feel so happy, vibrant and alive!!!  Also, as icing on the cake, Nicole had her baby on Conference Sunday morning and we got to go visit sweet little Abigail Rose.

{This is Tate trying to find Baby Abi's tiny toes}

 

It seems our yard has been the main focus of our October this year, and Patrick has toiled for an incredible number of hours to get this sprinkler system in before snow comes.  We're praying Fall lasts just a little bit longer.

I've been spending my time on the inside the last few weeks--decorating our Great Room and Dining Room.  With help from both of my parents, I'm getting so close to being done.  I just have a few finishing touches left, but even without them, our house is starting to feel a lot more like a home.  When it's all done I'll have lots of pictures to share!  This winter I have plans to move from room to room in a decorating frenzy--or at least a decorating stroll...for it's much more enjoyable this way.

When my parents left on Monday after a long day of decorating (and long afternoon of sprinkler work for Patrick), I looked at the clock and saw the late hour.  So we did the only practical thing to do in that situation...we went to Arctic Circle for halibut, ranch burgers, and three kids meals.  Oh, and cotton candy and fudge ice cream to end the night.  I don't think the boys even remember the last time we went out to eat at a fast food restaurant.  They were so thrilled.  We had such a great night.

I've also been busy with three photoshoots in the last couple months.  I'll post a few pictures from my most recent shoots in the next little while.  I don't know why I still get nervous before every photoshoot, because as soon as I get out there, I always have the most spectacular time!

Last week I had a blast with the Young Men and Young Women as we played glow-in-dark volleyball.  Afterwards I shared a little thought about being lights in a dark world, making sure we always turn our lights on by being worthy of the Holy Ghost's presence and guidance, and surrounding ourselves with friends and family who are shining their lights too so we can be even brighter.  It was a fun evening to be sure.

We've been so blessed financially the past little while in regards to knowing how to confront our school debt and start building up a much-needed savings for the boys' missions.  So many tender mercies have been granted to us and we attribute it all to our loving Father in Heaven.

We've also been busy with our 2nd annual canning tradition.  I made both strawberry and raspberry jam this year (jars and jars and jars) and Patrick's mom and sister Sadie helped us with bottling 19 quarts of pears {and because I was out helping with the trenching that night, they really did practically the whole thing!}  Then I bought a bushel of peaches and Patrick and I tackled them after the little ones were in bed.  After a few hours we had 20-something frozen bags!  Then Gram and Pop brought us apples from their own trees and from a neighbor's (mcintosh and golden and red delicious) and we canned 19 1/2 quarts of applesauce.  And because applesauce is my favorite bottled treat, I bought another 20 lb. box of golden delicious for a whopping $8 and last night the 5 of us made another 14 1/2 quarts.  Easton and Tate were such sweet little helpers this year--especially Tate who was just everywhere you needed him to be--noticing if there was anything wrong and doing whatever needed to be done without being asked.  Pop said he reminded him of his Papa and I smiled as I watched my little T. Wessr.

{Mr. Tate sneaking the sugar}

And now for a round-up of the random:

A panoramic of the view I get from my dining room window every day.