F-A-L-L

Just a week or two ago I mentioned that fall is just around the corner, well it's here. It's been here for about a week now. On Sunday it was sunny and warm, perhaps the last day before I need gloves and a snow jacket (boo-hooh), so what better thing to do than go on a family walk and enjoy all the beautiful warm, fall colors.

I just love this candid picture. We're all having a good time.
Seriously, the picture above could be a cover of a book or made into a puzzle.
Red, orange, yellow, green--love the changing season.

Another candid picture that makes me laugh. Running down the hill; Levi falls and the girls take no thought to help, let alone look to see if he's okay.

Preschool

This week Jordyn started Lions and Lambs preschool. She was so excited that it was finally her turn to start going to school. I was so happy for her because she has been waiting so patiently for her special day. On our way to the church bldg, where her school is inside, she found one of those weeds (can't think of the name) that you blow and make a wish. She made about 3 wishes with 3 different weeds and wished she'd love preschool. After this pit stop, she ran to her classroom, picked the apple with her name on it, and started playing. That was it. I said goodbye and gave her a kiss, but I don't think she really noticed. Her teachers are Ms. Marie and Ms. Danielle. There are 10 kids in her class. When I picked her up and asked how school was she said, "I don't like Ms. Danielle. She said I couldn't be line leader." grunt and pouty face ensued thereafter. She'll be line leader next Thursday when she brings snacks. Other than that minor detail, she loves preschool. She wishes she could go everyday. Although I've only experienced 2 days of her and Sydney both in school, it's been nice just hanging out with Levi, quiet, but nice. Levi loves having alone time w/ me and/or Jeff.

Labor day weekend

I spent the week preparing to take Sydney on her first overnight backpacking trip. My greatest fear was that she would be cold. After several trips to REI, I felt confidant that we had the right gear for this excursion. We went with Bob and Anna from our ward. It was nice to be able to share gear since Bob and I were carrying all the equipment for our daughters. I was so proud of Sydney. She was such a good sport and never complained the entire trip. The first day we hiked about 5 miles to our destination. We separated to scout the area and find the best place to pitch our tents. Sydney and I attempted to cross a stream but ended up falling into knee deep water. Sydney panicked since the water was moving pretty fast. I pulled her out and took her back to safe ground. Once we dumped all the water out of our boots, Sydney asked if we could say a prayer to thank Heavenly Father for protecting us from drowning. She offered the most sincere, heart felt prayer giving thanks. Slowly we have begun to shift where I learn more from her than she does from me. Thankfully she was wearing special non cotton hiking socks so she was able to continue hiking without much trouble.

After this incident, we fished for awhile. I set Sydney up with a spinner and taught her how to cast. Two minutes later I was putting together my fly rod when I heard Sydney screaming and crying. On one of her attempts to cast she lost balance and fell on a sharp rock and cut her finger badly. Bob, who is a doctor, diagnosed it as a "superficial cut." Once I told Sydney that Bob is a doctor and that she would be OK, she stopped crying and said, "Thanks Dr. Wenzel." After some antibiotic cream and a bandaid, she was good as new. She decided to just watch me fly fish for awhile. It didn't take long before I caught a couple of Dolly Varden Trout. Then Sydney used the fly rod on a rock ledge by just dropping the fly in the water and waiting for a bite. A few minutes later she felt a tug and pulled up her first fish ever. She was screaming and shouting with excitement. So was I. Later we cooked these fish over an open fire in a beautiful valley with the sun just starting to set. I taught Sydney about the miracle Christ performed when he fed thousands of people with just a few fish. I told her that I imagined that experience took place in a location that was just as beautiful as our valley and at about the same time of day. It was the perfect setting to discuss this great miracle.

Sydney and Anna did so good on the hike. They held hands, talked and sang most of the way.

The trout didn't provide much meat so we cooked on a few hot dogs on top of this large flat rock.
Sydney was so excited to catch her first fish. Here it is.
Bob, Anna, Sydney and me at the trailhead as we began our hike.

On Labor Day we went to Eklutna Lake and went fishing and four wheeling. I was glad to take both Sydney and Jordyn on this fun excursion. Our friend from the ward, Mike Henrie, invited us to go out on his boat. The girls had a great time. Mike caught a fish and let Sydney reel it in. As soon as Sydney came back with this fish, Jordyn claimed it as her own. The funny thing is that she didn't realize it was dead. She over heard me say that we were going to cook it and eat it for dinner as soon as we get home. The thought that Daddy would kill her pet and eat it was the cruelest thing she could think of. Once we got home Jordyn saw me gutting the fish in the backyard and starting yelling at me to stop. I explained to her that fish are a gift from God to feed us and give us strength. After I grilled it, everybody was eating bites except for Jordyn. Once she realized that even Levi liked it, she tried a bite.

Jordyn and me sitting at the front of the boat.
Sydney proudly displaying the only catch of the day.
We had a blast riding the trail on the side of the lake.
We took a break 4 wheelin to check out this teepee on the beach.

Front Yard

The titles of my blog posts are always soooo intriguing and captivating. It just pulls you right in. Well at least it's straightforward and you know what I'm going to talk about.
This past Monday was a hot, sunny day. When I say hot I actually mean it. It was in the mid 70's, but for some reason the mid 70's is actually hot here. I enjoy it hot. I appreciate warmth and sunshine more than ever. While Levi was napping, Jordyn and I enjoyed our front yard. She preferred picking berries from one of our trees while I enjoyed the beauty of the flowers in our front yard, after of course I had soaked in some much needed sun
.So intent on getting that "one special" berry.
After she got the lowest berries, she went inside and pulled out the stool to get the higher berries. She picked berries for an hour and then made some (berry, leafy, muddy) "soup."

I wish I could take credit for the flowers, but I have a brown thumb. Jeff planted and bought the flowers. The potted flowers on the ground totally grew and flourished.


Eagle River had a fairly warm summer, warmer than last summer. Monday was possibly our last summer day. The leaves are already turning and fall is just around the corner. Fall is a fast corner to turn because winter (to my records) starts the end of October. We have a trip to Maui planned in March so every day in winter I will look forward for a week and a half vacay in Maui.

gone camping

Last Friday I did something I've been wanting to do, but dreading to do....camping. I love camping, but the idea of going with 3 kids, one of which is not yet 18 months, has quite frankly been haunting me. Knowing I won't get much sleep, if any, being cold, worrying about Levi around a campfire, the endless packing for just an overnight campout, etc. But I did it! and I'm glad to say that it was fun despite the inevitable. We didn't sleep much, Levi was infatuated with the fire, we packed what seemed like our entire house, we woke up to a partially inflated air mattress, had neighbors that talked to the wee hours of the morning, but the kids had a great time and so did I-no really, I did. I will do it again, although, it might not be until next year since winter is quickly approaching. We hiked, threw rocks at the river, built a fire, roasted marshmallows, got dirty, and hung out. We went with our friends, the Schanz's. The kids really were in seventh heaven. They picked berries and mushrooms, both probably poisonous, for hooouuurrss. 1st family campout: check. Success!
Proof that we were there and proof that I'm "butch" when camping.
Someone is excited
It was nice sleeping next to the sound of this river.
Gooey marshmallows
Gooey and sticky marshmallows. Seriously, I can't believe I didn't think that marshmallows would get all over Jordyn's hands like this. They only wanted the marshmallow and not the chocolate and cracker to go with it. Silly girls.
Good night.

1st day of Kindergarten

Parents received this poem by an unknown author wrapped around tissue. I thought it was cute:

Every one has a "first day"
when they feel sad and all alone,
It can be so scary
when you're out on your own
And I know that a "first day"
can be full of doubts and fears,
But they're full of new beginnings.
Take my hankie, dry your tears.

You'll find lots of things to do
and you'll probably make new friends.
I promise we'll be together
when the school day ends.

Here comes the teacher
blow yor nose and be brave.
Come on now and wipe your eyes,
this is no way to behave.

Well good morning teacher.
We really must beg your pardon.
No, MOMMY doesn't always act this way,
But it's my first day of....KINDERGARTEN!

Sydney started her 1st day of kindergarten this morning at Eagle Academy. It's a charter school. She got into the school by lottery. In the morning a friend a few house down will take to school and I will pick up in the afternoon. At this school, kids wear uniforms. Sydney was very excited this morning. She expressed some concern about missing us during the day so I gave her a heart bracelet I got when I graduated from H.S. On the heart says L.M.K. (my initials before I got married). I told her it's her special charm bracelet and when she's feeling like she missing us she can rub her heart bracelet and when she sees LMK she'll know it's me saying, "Love My Kiddo" and feel a little better. I was proud of myself that I thought of this last minute. Sydney was very happy about this special present I got her :) I also placed special kisses from me in her hand if she needs something a little more, like a kiss. She'll be fine though. She's going to be a great student. She got to school this morning saw a few kids she knew and walked to class. She found her cubby and sat down to color a picture of a rainbow that every student had on their desk. She told Jordyn she was going to miss her too. So sweet. When we left she cried a little bit; a minute later when I peeked in, she was fine and coloring her picture. We're all going to miss Sydney's presence during the day.

U-pick-it

Yesterday I woke up and told the kids we were going to be farmers for a few hours and actually pick our own vegetables. They were kinda confused at first, but as soon as we started picking vegetables at the you-pick-it-farm in Palmer, they were loving being "farmers." I have heard of this place but thought it was more of a farmers market. All of us had a ton of fun getting dirty, picking the vegetables, and learning what certain vegetable plants look like. It's embarrassing to admit, but I didn't know what a broccoli plant looked like or many other vegetables. I don't even know what to do w/ most of the vegetables either like: kohlrabi, bok choi, or even rhubarb. Can you tell I was born and raised in Southern California? So if you have any ways you cook some of those vegetables please write a comment. We did pick the vegetables we know and love: broccoli, peas, potatoes, onion, and carrots. We'll definitely go back in Sept. and then next summer for sure. On the way home we quickly stopped by a reindeer farm as well and took a few pixs.

9 years

On Wednesday Jeff and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary. As I say every year, it sounds like a long time but it doesn't feel that way. I guess moving a lot, having kids, working and having fun makes time go by fast. So last night we went on a date. We rode bikes at Eklutna Lake, ate dinner, and read our letters we write to each other every year.
The Eklutna Glacier carved this valley as it retreated, leaving horizontal scarring on rock formations as evidence of its passage. Glacial and freshwater streams flowing into the valley created the 7-mile-long lake. Eklutna Lake feeds a power plant and provides drinking water for the Anchorage area.
The ride around Eklutna lake was Gorgeous. It really was awesome to explore somewhere new.

VT conference

Here's an outline of what I did. The theme was being a SUPER HERO Visiting Teacher. I was really nervous because the RS Stake Presidency was there and the Bishop came in too, not to mention all the sisters in the ward. The room was completely full.

1. Intro to Super Hero VT: ask the question: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
2. A Super Hero visiting teacher is.... have the sisters fill in the blank. write answers on board.
3. Show 2 min. clip "Visiting Teaching" from LDS dot org These qualities are super powers.
4. Introduce the 3 responsibilities from the handbook page 69. Love and Know each sister, Help strengthen her faith, and Give Service. Ask how can we accomplish these 3 things. i.e. pray for them, support, prepare lesson, etc.
5. EXAMPLES
Scripture Super Heros that exemplify each of these responsibilities: 1. love : 3rd ne 17: 21-22. 2. strengthen faith: Moroni 9:25. Third. Service: Christ washing Apostles feet.
6. Ward SUPER HERO VT examples.
love: Carrie Elordi
faith: Kristin Armstrong
service: Katrina Rico
7. Close: bear testimony, pass out hand out and new assignments.

I was pleased with how my lesson went, sister's comments throughout the lesson, and feedback afterwards. I'm thankful that Heavenly Father did inspire me with this lesson. I prayed for the Spirit to be present and I think there were several women who felt the Spirit so that alone I'm thankful for as well.

super hero invitations

Yesterday I handed these out for the "Super Hero" VT Conference I had. I was thinking that you could easily change the words up and have a super cute "Super Hero" birthday invitation for a Super Hero party. I'll have to remember this idea for Levi's birthday.