Catching Up

Once again I have been delinquent in posting to the blog. So, I will do a quick update to catch everyone up.
July – Brian had his 20 year high school reunion so we drove back to Colorado for the weekend. The kids got to spend time with Grammie and Kate and other family. Brian reconnected with some friends from way back. I just sat back for the ride.
A few weeks after that, Grammie and Kate came to Utah to hang out with the kids for a weekend. We started by celebrating Brendan’s 5th birthday. It was just family, but tons of fun. Then Brian and I drove to my dad’s house in N. Idaho to get my piano and bring it home. We meandered our way up, visiting Craters of the Moon National Park and the taking the scenic route through southern Idaho. We didn’t get to spend more than 2 nights with my family, so it was much too short a trip.

Sela has been transitioning away from naps. Most days she still takes one. This is what happens when she doesn't:

August – We continued to harvest stuff from the garden and enjoy the last bit of summer. Lots of yummy food - salsas, tomato phyllo pie, pesto. A picture from one of the harvests:

Brendan started soccer this month. I was delinquent in getting him signed up, so in order for him to play Brian had to agree to be the coach. I am still giggling about this.
Brendan attended a “summer camp” which included swimming lessons. He had a ball for these two weeks. The last day of the camp, the kids jumped off the diving board. Brendan overcame his fear and actually jumped in. Good job, Brendan!

September – Brendan started kindergarten. We were supposed to be in the afternoon session, but it turned out we moved to the morning. Getting him up and moving in the mornings is a challenge, but I think it will work out better in the long run. Sela is attending preschool two mornings a week so I can do some school work. This was Brendan's first day of kindergarten (I didn't think I would cry. I was wrong.):

Brian and I made and canned some salsa from the tomatoes from our garden (supplemented with some from one of our dear neighbors – see the pics of what she gave us below). Another friend shared some plums with us, so I made freezer jam with that. And yet another friend shared some Persian cucumbers (I couldn’t tell you what makes them Persian, so don’t ask!), so I made some Russian dill pickles with those. The recipe is one my step-mom used when I was a kid. I remember loving those pickles. Turns out, I still do, and Brendan agrees. We ordered pizza for dinner one night and while we were waiting for it to be delivered, he asked for some pickles – then proceeded to eat half a jar all by himself.

October – The garden has slowed way down. Several things failed, but the tomatoes and strawberries were a huge success. And I loved making the pickles, so we will be rethinking what to plant next year. It is supposed to snow this weekend, so I am guessing the garden is done.
Brendan’s soccer season finished up just before the first snow. Here are a few pictures:

Sela has begun to refer to Brian as her “daddy-friend.” It is about the cutest thing I have ever heard. If only she would hold onto that thought as she grows into a teenager. Sigh. Both Brendan and Sela have put Brian in favor. He is the one they want to put them to bed. I rather enjoy this bond they have growing. We may not totally enjoy Utah, but Brian gets to be home so much more and that means a great deal for the kids.As for Utah, the best part about it is the scenery for sure. The colors of fall are just glorious on the mountains. There is a picture below that just doesn’t do it justice, but if you look closely you can see the blend of fall yellows, evergreens and one of the first dustings of snow on the mountains. I can (mostly) see this from our kitchen window, and more so when we drive through our neighborhood. Lovely.