MERRY CHRISTMAS, love the deans

The Nativity

An Apple a Day

We had this many apples - times 4 - from our 2 apple trees this year. One of those apple trees was marked for 'dead' when we brought it home 10 years ago. Geoff, the tree whisperer, brought it back to life and replenishing again. Here is the story......

Years ago, Geoff and I were at a local nursery and we were thinking how nice it would be to have an apple tree for our future kids. We picked out a beautiful dwarf red delicious tree and my smart, quick husband started right in on his bargaining tactics with the sales person. Because everything is better if bought for a deal. As soon as Geoff realized that the employee would not even cut a small deal from the sticker price, his ego was quickly threatened, and in what seemed the blink of an eye--instinct took over. Geoff noticed an identical apple tree, with virtually no leaves at all in a compost pile. He anxiously said, “Hey, I’ll buy this tree if you throw that one in (pointing to the leafless tree). The sales clerk laughed and said, “Those are all dead trees!” Determined and inspired, Geoff repeated his offer and a deal was made.

When we arrived home Geoff planted both trees, side by side, and quickly watered and put all the tender loving care he could muster to the dead tree. He would mist the seemingly dead and lifeless branches as often as he could. He continued this practice through the last weeks of summer. Before the first hard freeze, the very alive tree was doing well, although the ‘dead’ tree looked the same as it did the day we brought it home. Anxiously, we waited for spring, wondering what the outcome would be of these trees beneath our wings.

When spring arrived we found that leaf buds grew from both trees in abundance! That year there were no blossoms, and subsequently for almost nine years thereafter we watched both trees grow with close to no blossoms at all, even with careful and delicate pruning. Finally, in the tenth year, both trees blossomed and both bore fruit……but guess which tree had more blossoms and much larger fruit?


“A man has at least begun to understand the true meaning of life when he plants a shade tree under which he knows full well he will never sit.” --Elton Trueblood

First Hunt

From the looks of these two, no wonder the deer were hiding.

After a long, grueling 4 minute walk, it was time for a rest....

....and a snack....

....and discovering new treasures.

It was a good first hunt.

Peas and Pumpkins

Summer is wrapped up. Fall is here, and we find it irresistible. Our garden has done it’s work again for a season, providing us with such vegetables as….peas and pumpkins. Seriously, is that all we had in that large weed patch? Ah, well. But OH! what peas and what pumpkins we have had!!

Early in the spring, we labored -- look closely, Farrell expresses well the joy of hard work.

Jacob put forth his best effort.

David was in charge of the irrigation.

Early summer David enjoys a teasing of nature's candy -- garden fresh peas.

And finally, after months of sunshine and water (and unfortunately very little weeding) we get to savor the sweet reward. Pumpkins!

Radio Flyer

We look at David and think, is he really just turning two? He had a birthday and yes, David is TWO! Wahoo! He is a happy boy and full of activity!! As we sang to David, he held this look of wonder throughout the whole “Happy Birthday” song!


David is the last of six children, and so he gets the brunt, er, a....blessing of hand-me-downs. Imagine his astonishment when he received for his birthday, a Brand New Shiny Red Radio Flyer Tricycle -- Only to be scratched and dented by himself alone. What a treasure.

Jacob asked me if next year, David could get TWO new bikes for his birthday……

Happiness

We went to see some friends up at Swiss Days recently, and as soon as we showed up they gave us some yummy cookies and cream fudge – to which the kids devoured in less than 10 seconds. They asked if we feed our children.


We enjoyed strolling around looking at all the fun stuff for sale in the booths. Okay, let’s get real. After about 20 minutes we split up and Geoff wrestled, carried and consoled the boys while the girls and I enjoyed our stroll. We saw all sorts of cool stuff. It started sprinkling rain a little and so we decided to head home. On the way out I saw this sign and it spoke to me.


Then I put my arm around my daughter as we walked to our car. We stopped and picked up some blackberry soda and watched the rain fall. We smiled and enjoyed the ease and happiness in just being together.

Huh? Drinking Salsa!

Daddy’s favorite drink. If you are lucky enough to be the recipient of this glorious addictive goodness, it would transform what you eat with your chips forever. Georgia’s salsa.

Oh brother, Daddy is drinking Georgia’s salsa again!

Sign Me Up For The County Fair!

We have been busy putting up our peaches the last few days. We’ve bottled peaches, made jam and pies, and eaten more than is probably allowed. There is such contentment that comes with preserving--I love it!

Remembering 9/11

A heartwarming story recently posted on the LDS website....

Indian Summer

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” --Elizabeth Stone

Gone Fishin'

Aunt Jenny called and took the three oldest to dinner and a movie. Prompted by Jen’s spontaneity, I took the next two youngest to a $1 movie down the street. Poor David had been shafted, twice. What’s a boy gonna do?

(They really caught one in the creek, right around the corner!)

Ems First Day

Emeron started Kindergarten this year. He has been soo excited, but on the first day….his excitement turned to anxiety. As we were getting out of the car, I overheard Ems say to Nan, “I’m really nervous, Anna.” Anna tried to assure him by saying something along the lines of how fun kindergarten is and that he’ll love it. Abby chimed in and reached over and put her arm around Emeron and said, “if you need anything, you just tell your teacher to get your sister Abby in the sixth grade!” :) I love it.

Here he is giving the principle fives, (too nervous to make eye contact?)

Jacob was looking a little forlorn on the first day and I asked him about it and he said, “I’m missin’ Ems.”

And then he broke out in a grin and said “naw, I’m kiddin’, I can play with David.” ;)