This hasn't happened...EVER!

The other night we went for a drive in the rain. We checked on the farms and then came across this scene.
Several vehicles were stopped on all three sides of this highway.
No one was able to pass.
And you couldn't even see the road.
This picture was taken the night of the storm, before the sun went down completely.

The water was running fast and somewhat deep.
The men in the ward were saying that this hasn't ever happened...in their entire lifetime.
The rain came down...

broke the dam behind the Romneys...

and came flowing down the highway.

Rocks all over the road.

Here is where the water came in from.

No one could cross the highway all night.

This is the entrance from the highway to the Romney Pond.

Peaches

A big Thank You to Tio Pancho for providing us with tons of beautiful peaches to bottle this year.

Garrett helped me peel and slice TONS of peaches.

I was able to do 35 quarts this year.

I prefer to do this outside to avoid the sticky mess.

Step 1: peel peaches

Step 2: slice peaches

Step 3: get baby to sleep

or

put peaches into clean bottles. Add 1/4 cup sugar and fill with water to the ridge.

Place hot lid and screw on tight.

Put in water bath for 35 minutes. (Don't' start timing until you see steam)

Let sit on counter tops for 24 hours...untouched.

Done!

You have to mentally prepare to bottle.

It is a lot of work.

Messy.

You have to figure out how to distract and feed your kids for the duration.

I like to prepare something easy that can sit out on the counter for them to eat as they so desire.

This year I did homemade Pigs-in-a-blanket and brownies.

I wasn't bothered once by the words..."I'm hungry."

Then I put out a large picnic blanket next to the peach peeling area for kids to lay on and play with toys or talk my ear off.

Worked like a charm.

Here's to another year of bottled peaches!

YUM!

Charge it...

Today I am going shopping.

I will visit all my favorite stores.

Browsing until my heart is content.

I get dressed up,

hair done...make-up on.

I grab my purse

............

and sit down at my computer.

Happy Shopping!

What would we do without the internet?!

I'll tell you what I'm not doing...

Living in the "middle of nowhere" has its perks and its downfalls.

People come to this place to vacation, relax, enjoy a simpler life and get away from it all.

When you LIVE away from it all...sometime... you want to VISIT "it all".

 I am going stir crazy!

All our friends have left town either for vacations or the ward camp-out.

We had to stay home because it is hail season and that means sleep-less nights for my poor husband.

The highlights of our day include:

morning exercise class at the church

and

an afternoon swim at the neighbors

wait....

we cannot forget about nap time.

On special days we will make a trip to the local gas station to buy a treat.

At this point we are desperate for family members to come and visit

or

for school to start.

Yes, that is how desperate we are to do something...with someone.

I have my moments where I would do anything to walk through the mall or take my kids bowling or miniature golfing.

It kills me to be so far away from my family.

The other day I decided to take my kids for a day out on the town.

We had tacos for lunch...after driving around for an hour...waiting for a restaurant to open.

Benton had to go potty...but wait...there are no public restrooms...or if there are, they are DARN hard to find.

I was $3 short after buying my kids ice cream so I asked if they took VISA. 

Of course, NOT! 

I had to run to an ATM for THREE measly dollars.

Convenience is definitely not a forte around here.

Although, I went to a Paper Store for school supplies. I handed the nice lady the 4 different lists of supplies my kids would need this year.

She gathered everything on the lists...covered the books with protective covers...and labeled everything with their names.

Now that is customer service!

So...today...I am not 

lounging on a beach

helping my sisters redecorate my mom's house

shopping at a mall

having lunch with girlfriends

or ordering room service.

Although...I wish I were! 

Maybe tomorrow!

Yours, Mine, and Ours

I was raised in a home that everything was shared.

"What's mine is yours." 

This was our motto.

My grandparents (on both sides) were very successful and privileged yet they shared everything they had.

I remember a time when my grandpa, who worked very very hard and long hours, finally was able to afford a fancy vehicle.

He bought a RED convertible.

It was still only days old when a young member of the ward asked if he could borrow the new car to take his date to Prom.

Without even batting an eye, my grandpa said YES!

This is the example of what I grew up around.

I believe he became so blessed because he was ALWAYS so generous. 

Even when they didn't have much they still kept their motto.

Another motto my grandma always had was, "Finders...Keepers."

As her grandchildren we LOVED this!

If we happened to stumble across a cute pair of sunglasses behind the couch

or even a $100 bill...if you found it...you got to keep it!

I want to instill these mottoes of life in my children.

It will help them continue to be selfless and watchful of those in need around them.

After all, you cannot take your THINGS into the next life with you.

All you have is your family and friends.

And that is what matters most.

Whether it be my last stick of gum or my car, I will always carry the motto

"Whats mine, is yours."

Pedicures

Adalyn's first pedicure!

I had to nurse her to sleep before they attempted to paint.

We even managed to get a little zebra action on the big toe.

I love it!

All of us girls...and poor Benton went to get pedicures.

We all chose fun different designs to have hand painted on our toes.

Benton got to watch.

I can't wait until my girls are old enough to appreciate the opportunity to sit STILL and RELAX for an hour.

Maybe in a few years.

Pioneer Day

This Pioneer Day our stake celebrated by having a mini-trek and a pancake breakfast.

Everyone dressed up and we had several handcarts for the kids to push.

I used my "modern-day" handcart...my stroller!

We had a great turn out.

Many people rode horses, including Uncle Randall...

and the kids rode the pony.

It was a great celebration.

The kids loved riding the horse and giving rides to the other kids on the pony.
Tori and Alex lead the pony up and down the football field so all the other kids could have a ride.
The pony is so mild that the kids can ride her on their own.
If they did fall they would only have a 2 foot drop.

Towards the end of the day one of our horses collapsed and wouldn't get up.
We called for the vet and he helped give her a shot...water her...and then she got right up.
Turns out she was a little malnourished.
I guess we need to get the horses from off the mountain a little more often.
She is as good as new now.
HAPPY PIONEER DAY!

On a side note: This particular day was CRAZY. Garrett had to wrangle the horses...help bury a ward member who's funeral was the same day...move another member of the ward...and flip pancakes for our stake breakfast. Being a part of a small community you become relied on heavily at times. I'm not complaining, just grateful for a supportive husband who is willing to help.