In a matter of days....

The project bug bit this past week. We figure that we might just get all the remaining indoor/outdoor big projects done before the end of one year being in our home!
We re-did the kids bathroom; wainscoat, towel pegs in ocean theme, and green paint made a huge difference!


We got the bbq patio in Josh dug the hole in one day, we filled it with rock and sand and started laying the brick when there was a dilluge so I started all the leveling and laying again another day. It took us a few stages but it is all done!


And the remainder of our trees came. I love love evergreens and these cypress frame things so very nice! We also got some trees to replace some that didn't survive the summer heat and added the apple and peach trees. The weather has been lovely and cooperative since we got them keeping it cool and raining! It even feels autumny. Although our backyard does still look pretty redneky without the grass...one week away.

Guilty

Josh was finishing a few things on the back patio. I needed to take a shower. I holler to Josh that I was getting in the shower - non direct communication meaning watch the kids. I could hear them giggling in the kitchen. That giggle gives it all away. Of course I love it when the kids play together, just so long as they leave the sour cream out of it! Danny was giggling each time one of them found another spot in the kitchen or on their person to smear more sour cream. I am just glad I got the large tub so we still had some left over for fajitas that night with the missionaries.

Another site of me

Last April I started a study group of two with my friend Kristen of the General Conference addresses. It was mostly a way to stay accountable for my weekly studying of the Gospel. I know myself well enough to know that if I don't have a deadline and a someone to report to I don't study as in depth. So I called a dear friend and we set some criteria and began one of the most lovely journeys of spiritual growth we have had with the words of the modern day prophets. Now, we are upping the stakes a little and inviting more of you to be a part of our weekly study challenge. If you would like - join the discussion and weekly topics as we do at our new high tech way of staying in touch at www.studygeneralconference.blogspot.com.

Bird Day at the Button's house

This is the nesting box that we added to the chicken coop. I am afraid it came too late, the hens, having been confined to the coop for a few days, still prefer to scratch out a little spot in the dirt right next to the box. They are pecking at the hay we put in them. Maybe a few more days and they will figure it out. Thanks for he instructions Dad, it only took Josh maybe an hour to cut and put together the box.
With a few instructions from my Dad, we had a wing clipping day. The chickens have been flying over their fence out of the coop and getting into trouble. Well, poor things, in their defense, the chickens have just been scouring the yard for something green to peck at. And thus have pecked up everything green in my yard, including anything that might possibly sprout. So, we cut their pin feathers (Josh informed me of the name of the long feathers at the end of their wings, having been educated by the movie Sword in the Stone). It is pretty easy. Once you catch the chickens, just put a sock over they head and they mostly settle down. Pull out the wings and use scissors to cut the wings. Our kiddos gathered up all the cut feathers to use in art projects later on. A few of the chickens (including my Henny Penny who is the best mannered hen in the yard) would stay after I cut and took the sock off their head to make nice again.
Chicken did not make nice - none of us have decided if she is really a hen or not because she has a bigger comb and prettier tail feathers. Either way, she can't fly anymore!

Afternoon Downtown

It is always fun to have more cousins in town to play with. We took a trip downtown to play at the science museum but they probably had more fun eating lunch in the green area and then playing in the grass. They found a fun little nest where a tree once stood and flew around gathering twigs to soften their nicely rounded nest.
My kiddos had fun eating a picnic in front of historic downtown. The old houses are lovely from the outside and eating in the shade of older trees was a treat.
This is the most representative of the answer to the question "Danny, are you eating your food?" Danny does this at every meal. Pure boy.

Faster than a speeding bullet

Finally, we found another 'boy' costume for Danny. The best part is that he really takes on the super hero persona once transformed from our docile Danny into SuperMan. He saves every princess in the house (including Josh). What a stud.

Continue Canning

I have been lost in the lovely world of empty bottles being filled, over and over and over again. My children have not been altogether neglected - although I have less pictures to prove that. I have been enriched by the chain linking me to the sink and my heritage. It has only affirmed my slow switch toward a pioneer life. The majority of those thoughts have been recorded on my 'other' blog.

oh no, I am not done yet, I still have 40 beautiful empty bottles in front of me and shelves of miraged applesauce ahead.