Before and After

 The girls decided it was change the "family room" downstairs.  So, out with the old, in with the new.  They decorated in a western theme.   I think they did a great job, and it looks so much more inviting and cozy! :)

 August 5:  scraping, fertilizing, and planting the field in alfalfa before the water gets here.

September 24, alfalfa is up and growing .

Some good quotes from Jane's Abeka Language book today:
"Nothing is useful that is not honest." Cicero
"Gratitude is justly said to be the mother of most virtues."
"The wiser we are, the more we are aware of our ignorance."
"He who has a high standard of living and thinking will certainly do better than he who has none at all."
"Character is better than money"

Ready for church!

I love seeing my kids dressed up and ready for church.  Mostly I just love my kids!  :)

 daughters + sister-in-law

Lake Tahoe

We got to spend a lovely day together at Lake Tahoe before the kids took off for college.  It was a perfect day-the scenery was gorgeous, and the company was the best.:)   This is Sand Harbor.  You can learn more about it here: Sand Harbor

Learning Co-op

We had a great time at our co-op  this week.  We had an art class, where the kids drew a tree trunk, then went outside and drew a tree.  Then we got paints out and did a color wheel.  Everyone had to mix their own secondary and tertiary colors.  It was fun and the kids did a great job.  Then it was out to the field for a farm field trip and picnic lunch.  We watched the chopper and trucks and the kids got to take turns having rides.  After that we went to Kim's house and did choir and orchestra.  The kids are already sounding much better than last week, and learning to play together.  We had 4 new ones start on the violin.  Loved it!  :)

Time to Harvest the Corn

Faith is like a seed-if planted it will grow.  The word is also like a seed-if we plant it in our hearts and give it opportunity to grow, not throwing it out by our unbelief, if it is a true seed, it will begin to grow and swell and enlighten us and increase our understanding.  It will be delicious to us.
(Alma 32:28)

May 26th, 2013  Corn seeds are planted and just sprouting

July 8th, 2013  After irrigations and spraying for weeds, corn is a couple feet tall

September 10, 2013 After more irrigations, corn is tall and ready for harvest.

September17th, 2013  Harvesting the corn with a chopper.

Our faith is much the same as seeds-we must continually nourish it and keep our hearts open to guidance from God and it will continue to grow, bringing forth good fruits.  By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.( Alma 37:6)

Trip to the Tetons

Our boys got to go on a trip of a life time to the Tetons this summer.  Two went as scouts and two went as leaders.  They went on a 50 mile backpacking trip.  I was extremely jealous that it wasn't me that was going, but I wasn't really the right gender for this trip.  I would love to go with my husband sometime, either in the Tetons or at Lake Tahoe.  My kids don't understand my obsession with photos, so at the risk of getting in trouble, I am posting some of their pictures of the gorgeous scenery they got to see while on the trip.  After all, I should get something for that money we paid to get them there, right?  :)  They had a good time, I think, but one boy said (in his monotone voice), "Mom, that is why it is called a trip of a lifetime-you only go ONCE!"  :)