Taylor ROCKS!

Taylor ran the Top of Utah Half Marathon today! He ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 2 minutes. He did awesome! James McBride ran it with him and he has given Taylor running pointers as he prepared for this race.

The McBride's and our family slept over at my mom's house the night before. Taylor and James left at 5:15 a.m. to go to Providence for the bus ride to the starting line.

The rest of us got to the finish line really close to when Taylor finished and I saw him come across the line. We had a fabulous poster and cheered loud for Taylor, our superhero.

Posing for Grandma-ma!

Aleeya so cute on the rocking horse!

Serena posing with Grandma's flowers!

My Heart Overfloweth!

We had such a calm, loving day yesterday that I wanted to remember it. We did nothing special, but everyone must have had good sleep, full tummies and mom's hormones were aligned, because we all were calm.

We had fun reading books and playing with toys and then during quiet time we all watched Glee and the kids lip-synced and danced(actually not too much of a quiet time). None of this is unusual, but the kids were so cute with each other and I just didn't feel the need to run and do housework or R.S. things etc.

Then Taylor called and surprised me and said he was bringing home dinner, so I didn't have to cook! I went and did an R.S. visit and then went to book club so I had a nice evening to myself. Taylor had two out of three asleep when I got home. That is pretty much how every night is, since Serena is a night owl. At this point, she just plays in her room for at least an hour and a half after the others are asleep.

I am grateful for my kids, my husband and my blessed life.

So many excuses...

My camera is broken, I am so behind, I have so many other things to do, etc. etc. I have so many excuses for not posting, but I am missing so many things that I want recorded, so I am just going to start again.

Some of the blogs that I most enjoy are not just pictures, but also include journaling, so I am going to write more about our life and make this more comprehensive of our lives.

I still plan on posting lots of things from the past, so those who still read this will have past and present things to read!

Little Red Hen Garden

Dividing the produce!

The gardening team

The offspring of the gardening team.

How the offspring garden-note the mud!

I am enjoying delicious, home-grown vegetables. Today I ate corn-on-the-cob, and I am in heaven. It is amazing to me that I helped in growing yummy food.

The majority of Monday nights this spring and summer have been spent at a garden that we are participating in with: McBrides, Phair's, Alvord's, Pryor's and Airmet's. The garden is feeding six families very well and we are enjoying: tomatoes, green peppers, Anaheim peppers, onions, corn, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, pumpkins and blackberries. Soon we will also have watermelon, popcorn and potatoes.

Previously, we have enjoyed radishes, carrots, peas, beets (in the form of beet chocolate cupcakes from Deborah), broccoli, spinach and lettuce.

I am learning so much from the seasoned gardeners and the kids have a great time running around and playing in the mud! If a dirty kid is a happy kid, then my kids are the happiest on Monday night!

The best part is that each family takes turns bringing treats and preparing F.H.E. My goal of doing F.H.E. every Monday this year has been much more successful with this plan!

Early Christmas!

My Christmas present! Kody and Kim got a picture from this company for their wedding and I loved it. They are not always available at Sam's, so when mom saw it she offered to get me my Christmas present early!

Playing "Cootie"

Playing "Cootie" at Grandma Hoppie's. Carter is not dramatic at all.