Sunlight, sleep, bottling, baking and some catch up

Those are a few of the things I'm learning to love about fall in Arizona. The mornings may not be crisp but they are cooling down enough to go outside (hurray). The kitchen still smells like yummy canned goodness, and fresh baked bread, and the sunlight filters through the windows at just the right angle to get me feeling nostalgic for my childhood fall days. Wilson is working on figuring out "no nap" days and often looks like this...

His parents are trying to figure out how to get him to stop terrorizing his sister and unfortunately standing with his nose in the corner doesn't seem to be working. This first time we had him do this he stood there happily for 15 minutes. Every time we asked him if he was ready to not hit girls anymore he would reply, "nope," and happily stay there.

Mark made a crazy trip to Utah to watch BYU lose, but it was worth it in my books because he brought me home two boxes of apples and 17 quarts of peaches that my mother-in-law bottled for me. Yes, I love her and have blessed her name a thousand times over.

I love making applesauce. For me it is a timeless family tradition. I love the smell, I love turning the wheel on the strainer and smashing the apples down. We always worked together as kids (and now I know my mom did most, if not all, the work) and during and after would enjoy countless bowls of fresh applesauce and cream. Someday I hope to make this tradition complete by pouring fresh cows cream on the applesauce, and I'll probably name our jersey cow Rosie Junior. :) Making applesauce was one of those memories that I never want to forget and one that I love because I can give my kids that same memory.

This past weekend was a big one for me - a relatively big mommy milestone because I got my first ever real babysitter. "Real" as in 12yr old young woman from our ward. She did a fabulous job and my kids really loved her and most importantly for me is that I felt a lot of peace in leaving my kids with her. Mark and I were able to fit in a temple session and it was nice to be out with my hubby for the evening. Sat. night Mark cancelled his scheduled volunteering so I could go to dinner and the R.S. Broadcast. This is what I came home to - a little bit of bedroom football? The kids were happy to have their dad all to themselves - and I can't say that I blame them.

I'm just posting these next two pictures because they remind me of happiness and fall and home. I love the angled late afternoon sunlight coming in the playroom window, and I love that my kids are happily playing while a pan of cinnamon buns rises on the counter and I'm grateful for the things in my life that make all of this possible!

And last but not least...
This morning Zina was invited to a tea party. She was so excited to get all dressed up, hair done, makeup on, etc. She went as a fairy princess, but when we got there started to feel insecure because she didn't know some of the girls. She was very unhappy and wanted me with her constantly. I was so so happy to see that the other girls were really very sweet and patient with her and after a while she warmed up and had a fabulous time!

Rumor has it...

For those who haven't heard, I will be looking like this...

(three days over due with Wilson)

Easter weekend.

4 years old!

I just had to start this post with this picture because it happens every single night. Zina doesn't like to eat her vegetables so she plugs her nose so that she can't taste them. This was a particularly disgusting one to get down. Zina is my opinionated Miss Stubborn, "I am only going to do what I want to do because I'm the boss of me!" She really brings a lot of entertainment and happiness into our home. I'm really glad that her birthday is mid-September because that means I get to spend 2 more years with this fireball before we have to think about school. Love you Zina Zee Zizzle!

I found the kids a combined birthday present on Craigslist and they were pretty excited. We set it up Sunday evening when it was sort of (100 degrees) cool enough to play outside.

So excited!

This made me laugh. So fun until Papa bounces so high that they bonk heads.

Monday morning. Zina requested pancakes with icecream for breakfast, crepes for lunch, and macaroni and cheese for dinner.

Birthday Girl

Zina wanted a Little Mermaid party, but since we were having both boys and girls we opted for a "under the sea" theme. Mostly we just played in the pool, the slip'n slide, and on the trampoline. The kids did go fishing for candy at one point. Zina was super excited for all her friends to show up and the party to begin. She woke up at 6am ready to go and kept asking when her friends would arrive. The party didn't start until 3pm. I tried to keep her busy helping me blow up balloons and make the birthday cake etc. I think she was pretty content when the day was over. I must say she had a pretty great birthday! Thanks everyone who helped us celebrate.

Happy Happy Birthday Zina! We love you.

Rolfson Reunion 2009

The last week of August we headed up to Heber Valley Camp for a Rolfson Reunion. The camp is church owned, built for the Young Women, and is really amazing. We stayed in Cabins, had the pavilion and huge kitchen for just our group and we were right next to the lake. It was really a lot of fun. There are 99 descendants of Wilson and Virginia Rolfson (Mark's Grandma and Grandpa - who happen to be from my tiny hometown in Canada) and we had 90 people show up to the reunion. Is that a good turn out or what!! It was fun to meet Mark's cousins and get to know them better. Everything was SO well organized and there was so much to do...and eat. :)

Zina and her twin Makelle Rolfson. Her little brother and Wilson looked the same too - wierd.

Grandma and Grandpa taking the girls (Zina, Kate, & Ellie) out on the lake.

Annoyed this picture is sideways - Wilson just couldn't handle paddling anymore.

Travis, Kaitlyn, and Josie. Travis left the next day with the National Gaurd to build something? in Germany. We can't wait to hear all about it.

Ellie & Zina - twinners!

Dish duty - check out that kitchen. It was SO nice to work in.

Talent show. This is adorable Alia. She danced in front of everyone and it was SO cute.

Joel and Grandpa Jay

Zina got up and recited "Someone Came Knocking", by Walter DeLamare. She did SUCH a good job and wasn't even scared. I was so proud of her.

This was absolutely hilarious. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers flew in for a surprise show.

I think Uncle Denny was laughing hardest of all because Aunty Kay and some saweet moves!

Rolfson Olympics

Lee, Joel, and Paige

Go Trish Go!

Joel

I really love this picture of Kate - she wanted so bad to have a turn!

Can't wait for the next reunion in 2 years!