I am going to say it, although it’s like pulling my tongue out to do it. But “I am ready for fall”. It feels like a traitor to my normal self since I love summer so much. But there have been quite a few warm days for the last couple months and we are now encased in smoke. So let the rains come . . . and the frost with it. Plus, my garden is being overtaken with weeds and I don’t have the motivation to pull them. Something needs to kill them so they behave.
Our summer felt like a whirwind and here are pieces of that whirlwind for your enjoyment!
The epitome of summer in Idaho.
It doesn’t get much better than a mountain lake for a picnic and swim.
We had company from Indiana for a couple nights! Delbert and Lavera Hostetler visited, along with their sweet family. We were able to show them Idaho, but only barely. One day isn’t long enough to see much! Still, we enjoyed having them here.
Our summer had quite a few trips to the lake in it. We would throw a picnic and floaties into the vehicle and off we would go.
My older boys had to learn how to make cookies when they were younger. Now it is the second batch of boys who get to take their place in the kitchen. In these pictures, they were making a fresh peach cobbler!
My garden treasures.
The men were shooting bow throughout the summer in preparation for their big elk hunt the end of August. I love watching them together.
We managed to squeeze in peach canning!
And they are OFF! When the children were little, it wasn’t as easy to let my husband leave. But now that the children are much older, we shooed these guys away so we could party for a week. “Party” to us means we do not cook beyond the bare minimum – so Lucky Charms and Ramen noodles were on the menu. We did manage to fry a few eggs.
Plus the children get to sleep wherever they want. Little Guy slept with Mom most nights – don’t ask her how much sleep she got. We try to make it a fun time with swimming parties and special trips to the lake . . . followed by watching movies late into the night. It was our last full week before school started, so late nights and sleeping in mornings were a treat.
While the men were gone hunting, Dallas and I would snuggle on the porch swing in the cool mornings. I love cool nights and cool mornings in the mountains.
We ordered a couple kayaks late into the season. One of them arrived while the men were away. So the boys wanted to try it out on the pool. I wondered how this would go – especially fully dressed.
And . . . that is how it went. Superb entertainment from my kitchen window, to say the least. Besides, it was free.
And they are back. With big stories and big elk! I love these guys bunches and bunches. But don’t tell them I said that publicly.
School started.
Why don’t we just take a moment of silence to simply absorb what those two words mean. School started.
It means we made it through the pain of spring 2020. It means there is a normalcy to life once again. It means we don’t do school on a computer or phone. It means we get up, eat breakfast, and go be with people.
It means there is the ring of children’s laughter in our school halls once again.
It means God was faithful to us. He made a way through the craziness of this year – and will bring the glory to Himself.
Yes, it is smoky here. And while I griped when the smoke came rolling in last week, I also am grateful it is only smoke – not that my house is in flames as some people are suffering in the West.
And our oldest son is turning 19 tomorrow. How can that be?! When I thought back to being in labor with him about 19 years ago, this thought crossed my mind. “What have I really done the last 19 years?” They seem to have gone by so fast now. Did I make those years worth the flying by of them? And will I be asking myself the same question in 19 more years . . .
May God help me to remember to use each day loving and serving Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Missing teeth. Is there anything that shouts “childhood innocence” more than missing your front teeth? Ok, perhaps a rooster tail to go with it would be the cherry on top. But seriously, if this child knew how cute his two missing teeth made him, it might scare him. Hopefully the cute factor is only noticed by mamas . . . and not the second grade girls.
That’s about it from the Grabers this summer. I hope you all have a sweet fall with crisp morning walks and pumpkin spice lattes!
- The Adventum CD Collection – Sale Now - March 27, 2021
- Alternative To Facebook Option - January 30, 2021
- The Beauty of the Hoary Head - January 2, 2021
Dee says
Hi Kendra, I agree about the cuteness factor. One of my grandson’s lost his front one, and boy was he proud! It was so cute. Thank you for sharing about summer, and being ready for fall. I am in the same place. We live in southern Colorado and have had much smoke – I hear from California! The fall and cool weather for me means the transition of putting the garden to bed (no pun intended there) and getting the cozy blankets out and changing up the menu for more warmer meals. Transition time is usually hard for me since I dress warm in the morning, but by lunch I need to change into a cooler skirt and top. I feel like I do more laundry and can’t decide what to wear. 🙂
The town here has started school as well, but it’s parental choice – in class or on computer. Where my grandson is, it’s by computer 2 days a week. Very strange. At 5 they need socialization, I’m so glad he lives blocks away from my other daughter with 3 grandchildren (his cousins.) Have a blessed day.
Kendra says
Yes, we all need socialization, don’t we? God knew we needed other people!!
Laura Graber says
T
his was a special update with all the family pictures! God is good. BTW, we thoroughly enjoyed our basil, too 🙂
Kendra says
Good! I am glad you did. 😉 I loved putting it in my Mediterranean salad.
Diana Johnston says
Thank you for the lovely pictures! Down here in AZ, it’s still hot-hot-HOT, but at least we’re in the 100’s and not the 110’s now. Thank you for sharing about your wonderful family!!