Love my boys

Is it bragging to say I have the 3 most handsome sons in the whole world?
I mean, look at this guy! He's definitely going places....

Did I mention how he loves to eat grass?




And look at this peach of a smile.....(if he reads this post, he will not be happy that I called him handsome or peachsome)



And then there's Garrett......I'm thinking he hates having a wanna-be photographer for a mom. This one is DEFINITELY going in the slide show at his wedding reception. He kind of looks like he just grew on the peach tree, and the weight of his body pulling on the branch is making his eyebrows do that weird thing. Ugh.

Corny, but peachy

Although the title to this post could actually describe many things in my life (my wardrobe, my taste in music), it actually refers to our harvest this year.

We grew corn for the first time ever, and we were actually quite successful. We only had room to plant 4 rows of about 8 plants each, but we yielded about 20 ears. Except for the fact that the kids (well, me too) fought over who got to eat them, it was a good experience. There's something about growing corn that makes you feel like a farmer (corny, I know).

We also grew this peach.....and the peaches she's holding. We have a FABULOUS Lemon Elberta that produces like crazy. We ate all we could, gave away almost half, and still canned 54 quarts. I was really feeling proud of my 54 quarts until 2 friends in my ward told me how they canned over 150 quarts. Over-acheiver peachers.

Attitude

Our smart and talented 5th-grader asked me to help him memorize this quote tonight. He has to recite it in front of the class next week. I was so impressed with the words:

Attitude
by Charles Swindoll

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, then education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes."

I am so inspired to have a better attitude!! ( I have tons of room for improvement).
Thanks, Ben!

I've seen that face before.....

Above, Samuel in 2009.
Below, Garrett in 2005.

Above, Samuel in 2009.
Below, Cassidy in 2003.

Above, Sam in 2009.
Below, Ben in 2000.

Just in case you ever wondered if we brought the wrong baby home from the hospital....
we didn't! We love you Sam, and all your look-a-likes.

Compliments and Candy Pumpkins

Two things made me smile today.



I received two compliments today, two unrelated, unsolicited, genuine compliments.

One for something I do (laundry, of all things, bestowed so kindly by my husband), and one for something I am ( a personality trait that a friend finds endearing--imagine!).

I'm sure the compliment givers aren't still thinking about their casual words. But I am.

Sometimes, ALL THE TIME, it's nice to hear someone say that you are appreciated, loved, liked, admired, and in some small way simply WONDERFUL. What are you waiting for? Call someone and tell them what a good job they do on the laundry! ( or something else that they do good).

The other thing that made me smile.......


I picked up a bag at Smith's today. I just love these little guys. Seriously, they make my mouth so happy! Any other mellowcreme pumpkin addicts out there?

Never Touch a Sea Turtle

This is Garrett on his 2nd day of Preschool.
This is the face he made when I asked him to smile for the camera.

Here are Garrett's best friends in the whole wide world, Parker and Camrie.
Notice how the only one in the picture making a strange face is Garrett.

Fortunately for us, the long trek to Teacher Heidi's is only 2 doors down.
He didn't want me to walk with him (sniff sniff).

Here is his class, and Teacher Heidi.
When I asked him what he learned his first day, he said "Never touch a sea turtle, Mom."
Don't ask. I have no idea. But if Teacher Heidi wants to teach Oceanography as an enrichment course, I'm good with that.

This picture is courtesy of my friend Angee. She was organized enough on the actual FIRST day of preschool to bring her camera, be on time, and take some pictures. Other moms (we won't mention names) were running down the street after their child (who didn't want to walk with them) with hair still dripping from the shower, a baby on their hip, camera-less because they're disorganized.

Garrett's friend Kara is sitting next to him. I don't want to make any predictions about the future, but...Kara and Garrett did walk to school together today. She sure is a cutie......and he'd really like a mother-in-law who does science (long, long story that only certain people will laugh at. Hopefully).

Donut Falls

We had the very original idea of going on a hike on Labor Day up Big Cottonwood Canyon.....
us and about 4 million other people. But we still had fun.

It was especially fun that our BFF neighbors came with us. We love you Aragons!
But where is Sam, you ask?



Never fear, Sam is always near.
(P.S.--I just don't really love my haircut. Alas, it will grow.)


More pictures.....

And now for some Kelly-trying-to-be-a-real-photographer-pictures:

And finally, the Sam-has-had-enough picture. It is exhausting being carried up and down the mountain.


Way to go, campers! Another fun hike.

Waiting for Muffins

I know it's a lame post title, but I had to do something to get that horrid picture of me on the trampoline down a little. Here's what Ben and I did Saturday morning, in our pajamas, waiting for Ben's muffins to bake:

We took pictures, of course!

7 months and 2 weeks old!

Also, check out his outfit:

It says "Daddy's Touchdown KING"
Courgars, if this doesn't bring you good luck today, I don't know what will.
GO COUGS!