Learn Wisdom in thy Youth

Tonight we had our Back to School  - Family Home Evening.

I got the idea from Stephanie Nielsen's blog.  I immediately contacted the maker of these beautiful stars, Kurt Knudsen.   In less than 5 days, I was able to present Alyssa with this wonderful new tradition we have begun for each new school year. 

I chose the theme from Alma 37:35-37

 

“O, remember, Alyssa, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

“Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.”

Troy gave her a Father's Blessing and we hope to have a strong 6th grade year.

Thank you Stephanie and Kurt for a good idea! 

double click on image for a close-up

Robin Lakes hike - 20 miler

This was a beautiful amazing weekend and our first 2 night backpacking trip.  We loved it and got a lot of rest too.  All 140 pictures are on our facebook, so definately check that out!  This was an amazing 3 day, 2 night, backpacking trip.  We learned a lot and will be better prepared come this weekend for our next trip. 

LAKE HYAS

Hyas looking up at Cathedral Rock

Stats:
Troy carried 37 lbs, Scheris carried 33 lbs, Alyssa carried 15 lbs
Trail head is 99 miles from our house
Hiked 20 miles
Slept at 6200 ft, does that qualify us for the MILE HIGH CLUB?
Saw over 15 lakes and ponds and about 10 goats
Crossed over 50 creeks flowing into lakes
30 degree temperature change 39 - 69
Friday night - had 13 hours of rest in the tent (6:45pm - 7:45am)
Saturday night - accidently went to bed at 4:20 and didn't get up till 7:20, wowza, what a rest.
We played cribbage.
We each read an entire book, Alyssa read the Giver.  Troy read a James Patterson and I read an Amish fiction from the Kaufmann Bakery Series.

TUCK LAKE and ROCK ISLAND

Followed the CAIRNS up the boulder field to the next lake

And we arrived at Robin Lakes

Funny quotes:
"I wish I had a Tigger tail to bounce me up the mountain," said Alyssa
"I am glad I am not pregnant and trying to do this hike," said Alyssa.   We replied, "so are we!"
"We are SOOOOO hardcore," said Alyssa.
"I am going to be so buff that my calf veins are going to pop out," said Alyssa.
"My calves haven't forgiven me for yesterday yet," said Alyssa.

Doggy was hot after the 8 mile hike

Alyssa set up her own tent, like a strong independent woman would!

Here is ap photo looking back at our camp site.

Morning cider and a walk around the lake

We hiked above the Robin Lake another 1000 ft up to Granite Mountain

Here is Troy standing up on the ridge.

It was so NEAT to see wild goats.  They are quite friendly actually and they like to lick human urine for salt.

Granite Potholes

The next morning was foggy and we wanted to get to a lower elevation fast.

Done!!! Wet, tired, hungry, dirty, yet accomplished.  We are headed back tomorrow again to do another hike from the same trailhead.  We love backpacking.

Stocking up the new Freezer!

Monday, I met with my boss and we did my annual review and I received an exceeded rating.  So, with my bonus, Alyssa asked without hesitation.. "how much do I get?"  Sheesh, wonder where she learned that.

 Anyhow, Troy's first request was..... A FREEZER.... I mean, how hilarious is that, not a fun toy or game, but a FREEZER?  So, off he went to buy his freezer at Costco.  He got to work picking 4 gallons of blackberries (free), buying 40 corn (10 for $1) and prepping it for the freezer, shredding 4 large zucchini (fresh from garden) and freezing our vegetable broth into ice cubes (save steamed juice every time we cook veggies and did 12 trays of broth). 

Our freezer is filling up nicely with these items.  I am so proud of him for caring about being frugal and also our health.  I hope this added $30 electricity bill per year pays off! 

Corn, Zucchini, Blackberries and Blueberries

Frozen ice cubes from saved vegetable broth and freezer jam

My Iowan worker - he knows his corn!

His setup

If we had a bunt pan like Rachel A, we would do it that way. 

Check out her blog on a good corn posting.

Who needs a food saver when we have a nice red straw to suck the air out of our baggies!

Good work Troy. 

Thank you for being an active husband and helping out with canning/freezing and saving!

How much does she weigh?

Guesses were: 

Connie - 108

Troy - 98

Scheris - 99.9

Alyssa - 104

She looks so submissive here and at Troy's mercy.  Such a funny face while she wonders, "why am I being picked up and weighed?"

 94.6 lbs is Roxy's weight

Closest to the Pin was Troy.

It's official, she is a 6th grader. We are back to school.

We started school a few days ago while we waited for the online system to open up for us.  Alyssa was so excited when the books arrived, she had been dying to start school each day.  So while she waited, she did her first 2 pre-alegebra and read "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". 

Check out this first set of vocab from Tom Sawer, I haven't heard of half of these:  jimpson, dander, kindlings, warble, sidling, derision, dialect, satire, ambuscade, adamantine, reposeful, starboard, ponderously, alacrity, fagged, intrepid, clods, sally, hastened, pathos, condescend, audocious, eminence, evanescent, furtive, tarry

Today was the big day!  We are off and studying. 

This summer we changed her desk situation.  We went with a taller desk to allow her to have a sit or stand option to change up her day at the desk.  We sold the old desk and bought this new Ikea desk.  In order to deter her from her slouching and laying on the desk with her head while writing essays, I bought the tiniest little bar stool possible.  I was determined to get her to sit up properly.  Well, this is what she has now figured out.  This little bum fits on this tiny chair like this now. 

Once again, she outsmarted me. Where is the chair top?  Can you even see it?  SHEESH!

 

A visit from Nana to celebrate a birthday

Happy Birthday to Nana Connie

Alyssa played games with Nana each day.

We ate at the Flying Apron (a vegan bakery in Fremontt)

We visited the Japanese Garden, during the chaos of the POTUS visit and the infamous Sonic Boom.

See that pesky Security Helicopter up there in the blue sky? 

Like Grandma, like Granddaughter

She hates us and wants to escape from our wrath

They went canoeing in the arboretium in 90 degrees, YIKES. 

Again, that nuisance ruined the ambiance of the 520 traffic

Nana got to hike out to Franklin Falls.

Three generations

Getting awfully close to that water!

  Again, the rush of water puts us at peace!

Thank you Nana for a wonderful visit and Happy Birthday!

Pickled Beans

Last year we had wanted to pickle beans and can them, but we were too scared.  This year we wanted to do it again, but were still nervous on how.  Today, Connie (Troy's mom) encouraged us and we did our first batch.  We are so thrilled, but have to wait a month to try them out.  We had a blast. 

Here is the finished product, shoot, they shrank up, but boy, they look pretty!   

Step one, prepare the beans for the right size of our quart jars.

Step 2, stage the entire process and get the three pots boiling (pot 1 for brine, pot 2 for the jars, pot 3 for hot sterile water). 

Step 3, carefully load the jars with beans and spices.

Step 4, seal and boil

Now, we wait a month!  Thank you so much Connie!

Art class

Oh how Alyssa loves to practice art.  Since I am not into art (at this stage of the game), it is really hard for me to appreciate.  BUT, I know it is good to allow her to develop her interests.  Here is her 2010 self-portrait and compare to her 2009 self-portrait.  We are getting more efficient at least in cost... last year was over $100 in lessons, this year $55 and her pictures are improving. 

Thank you Vicki for holding the class, have more!!!!!