Canning Peaches

A few weeks ago, my mom, a friend and I got together to can peaches. My dad had brought some boxes home from a trip to Colorado, and they were delicious! I remember watching my parents can food growing up, and I think on occasion I helped a little too, but I hadn't done it in so long, and it was great to have a chance to learn how to do it again. After taking home a dozen jars of peaches, and eating several of them within the first couple of days (my kids LOVE home-canned peaches) I decided that we needed more.


My cute, very pregnant friend!

Round 2:

My friend found a great deal on another box of Colorado peaches sold thru a local church, and I bought a box, and headed out to my mom's house, this time with the kids in tow.

We started with some stretching (i.e. Hudson's yoga moves) in the living room

Then headed to the basement to get started. The kids were very excited to be able to help dump sugar in the jars, (I love my mom's face!)
and then help stir in the hot water to dissolve the sugar.
After about an hour of work, we had filled another dozen jars, which my mom processed for me and brought over the next day. Our pantry is now full of yummy home-canned peaches, and I am hoping they last more than a month! Thanks mom for all of your help!

Grandma and Grandpa's Garden

A few weeks ago, while John was out of town on a business trip, the kids and I went over to my parent's house and helped them dip up potatoes in their garden. We also picked tomatoes, peppers, carrots, and some corn. My parents have an empty lot next to their house, and have taken over about 1/3 of it and planted a huge garden. (They got permission from the developer...I think...) We have been eating off if it a lot this summer which has been wonderful, and the kids love helping to pick the food.

We started with tomatoes and peppers. Hudson helped pick some cherry tomatoes, which he then played with for the next half hour.
Then we moved on to the potatoes. By the time we were done with the potatoes, the kids were covered in dirt, but having a blast.

Finally we picked some corn and carrots.

After about an hour of work, we had a pretty big pile of food. And the best part was that we got to take home a bag of fresh garden veggies!

First day of Preschool

Makenna had her first day of Preschool on Thursday. She was SO excited to go, and seemed to love every minute of it. She is going two days a week to a great program at a local church that was highly recommended to us by lots of friends. I like that they will be including Bible scriptures and stories in their learning. Makenna is also lucky enough to have a cousin in her class, which she is very happy about. Having her go to preschool makes her seem so big! I'm glad that she is only going two mornings a week. I'm not quite ready to have her out of the home too much yet!

Getting ready

Posing with her new teachers Miss Susan and Miss Barb

Our First Visitors

A few weekends ago, we were lucky enough to have some of our favorite friends from Business School, the Stansels, stop by and spend the night at our home. Although their visit was brief, it was SO great to see them.

They arrived on a Saturday evening, and after eating dinner, we headed outside to let the kids decorate some sugar cookies.

Makenna was in HEAVEN being able to play with Lucas again. These two played together a lot in Bloomington, and it was so fun to have them together again.

Makenna also got to have her very first sleepover in her room, which she loved.

Sunday morning, we went to church before having to say our good-byes, and send the Stansels on the road again. Thankfully, they don't live too far away, so I think next time we'll drive up to see them. Thanks again Stansels for stopping by to see us, you guys are welcome anytime!