what a beautiful mess

Tonight was our yearly apple picking party.  However it's not really a party when kids are complaining about it.  But I will use any excuse to call something a party.    And we picked a ton of apples.  It only took us about half an hour to pick six and a half buckets full.  Now I just need to do something with them.  Emily leaves for girls camp tomorrow and we are so excited for her! If I have to look on the bright side (I'm going to miss her so much!) then I will say that it will be nice to have her room be clean for a few days.  But that's the only bright side I can think of... She adds a lot of life to our home.  Anyone else struggling with the  summer-time-my-house-is-never-clean-blues like I am?  Man, it's a never ending chore and by the end of the day, I'm all tuckered out and not at all in the mood to load the dishwasher again . For the fourth time that day.  So for tonight I a...

For all of us, Trevor and I included. We have had such an awesome summer that I knew this day would come eventually. A day where everyone is ornery (except Trevor, as usual, although he didn't have a great day at work). We sent the kids to bed so early that Stephen was complaining that it was way too bright outside. I guess is was just 8:15. If there is one thing that makes me madder than mad, it's my kids talking rude/mean to each other. I know all kids do it and it's normal, I just don't like it. I figure if me and Trevor can talk nice to each other, than they should be able to also. Trevor has never said a mean word to me. Ever. Even when I would deserve it. And I'm sure I have deserved it many times in our 14 years together. One good thing happened today: I found out that I am starting college in September. That is super exciting. Who knows if I'll be able to hack it, but I'm going to give it my best try!

On Saturday I had my camera with me and so I decided to take some pictures.  (What!?! That's just crazy of me, I know!) We had a really good day swimming and picnicking.   Trevor ate a lot of cookies.  Carl (kind of) enjoyed swimming.  He won't really go where he can't touch...just like josh. And I'm sure Carl peed in the water like Josh was doing in the next picture:    I don't think I took one normal picture of Stephen or Emily all day long.  Emily always had her tongue out and Stephen was always doing something weird.... BUT everyone got along and we laughed a lot and had a really fantastic day. And that's what counts. 

I hate them.   However come November I will be eating them which will include all the veggies  in our garden that they have eaten.  It will be so, so satisfying.  They've eaten all the cabbage and the cucumber plants.  But I have lots of tomatoes and corn and tomatillos and some squash and some peppers left.  On Wednesday evening we went to a friends house in Shelly and picked raspberries and so today me and the girls made freezer jam.  I'm sure it won't be as delicious as Grandpa Barwicks freezer jam  (that stuff is legendary) but it will still be yummy.  We made 10- 2 cup containers of jam and still have half of our raspberries left.  Luckily the turkeys won't be able to eat our jam...

I made the mistake of pointing out to Stephen that his clothes did not match at all today.  It was funny but I think if he likes it, he should wear it.  And he wears it well, right? While we were at the Art museum tonight, we saw a picture of Stephens future bride: Isn't she handsome? Typical family photo in front of a  who-knows-what-that statue-is-but-it-looks-monumental kind of statue. And then we got home and Stephen showed us his mad face.  I'm not sure if he was mad because he didn't match, or because he's going to marry a she-man,  or if it's because he had to shut the door of the car.  No matter which reason it is, his mad face is super funny and made me and Trevor laugh. He is such an awesome kid.  We love him a lot. 

My blog, that is. Because I have completely stopped doing it. Until now..tonight. We have had such a great summer. So good that I forget to take pictures. But I did take some when we went to our ward camp-out Friday night. We played some tether ball.  Trevor and I played against each other in what may have been the longest round of tether ball ever.  And now my arms are kind of sore.  I love how Trevor is glowing in this picture.  I think his inner light is starting to show.  How embarrassing.