Up to our Elbows in Grapes with a Chicken Chaser
On conference weekend, we went to Richland to bottle grape juice. The kids loved picking the grapes off the vines at the beautiful riverside home where we purchased the fruit. In the end, Brett and I bottled . . . well, enough quarts of grape juice that I have apparently blocked out the actual number . . . something like 140 quarts in eight long hours. And he still made it to General Priesthood Meeting!
The kids kept themselves well occupied. Natalie found Audrey's rubber chicken and it was love at first squawk . . . uh, sight. She carried it around the house, ate with it next to her plate and was pretty much inseparable from the chicken.
Natalie even insisted on giving the chicken a nap with its own pillow and blanket. When it was time for Natalie's nap, of course the rubber chicken went with her, and lay cuddled next to her chest for the duration of the nap.
We all thought it was pretty cute, except for Camille and Elise, who shared a room with Natalie at night. We asked a drowsy looking Camille on Sunday morning how she slept. "Terrible," she responded. "Natalie kept rolling over on the chicken and making it squawk all night."
Apparently, Chicken didn't sleep so well, either!
It's a BEAUTIFUL Goat!
This is Adelle, the goat that inhabits a stall inside the barn at Cameron's hippotherapy. No trip to the barn is complete without saying hello and goodbye to Adelle, petting her nose and feeding her animal cookies (Are we promoting cannibalism of a sort?) The first time he saw her, much to the amusement of the staff, Cameron exclaimed "It's a BEAUTIFUL goat!" Ah, how things change through the eyes of love!
Cam's hippotherapy team. It really does take all these bodies, especially when his horse, Victor, decides he's done and refuses to walk up the hill because he thinks its dinnertime. The group that works with Cam includes one physical therapist, a horse handler and three or four physical therapy students who are working on their degrees. They have been wonderful with him.
Camille's a Runnin' Fool!
Camille finished out her last season of Cross Country in October. She did a great job, breaking her personal best several times. She also discovered that running is much easier without H1N1 invading your body, as it did last year during cross country.
RiLee, Camille and another teammate at the start line
Waiting for the gun
Here come RiLee and Sonora around the shed . . .
And Camille, not far behind!
Camille at the finish
While she might be done with cross country, she learned and grew a lot because of her participation. She challenged what she thought she could do; learned about mental and physical toughness; and improved her physical stamina.
But, I suspect if you asked her what the best part of it all was, she'd say spending time with friends. Or maybe she'd say it was the weekly slushy runs to the convenience store!
'Freeloader' Natalie has worn out her own personal rope lift.
Emily to the rescue.
Katie and Elise
Possibly the world's coolest sled. This one is from Emily's childhood, but we've seen some modern versions lately.
'It's not your turn, Natalie!'
Making a train
Post-crash Tanner
Max discovers why cross country skis shouldn't be used for downhill.
Garrett always has the best expressions!
The fog starts to roll in.
Emily in the fog.
That's what sisters are for.
Just to prove I was there.
