"Criss-Crossin' Applesaucin'"

The title of the post refers to something 3-year-old Allyson said the other day. In preschool we remind the kids to sit Indian style at the rug by saying "Criss-cross applesauce!" A few days ago Ally came to me with a doll and said, "Look, she's criss-crossin' applesaucin'!" Ha!

Anyway, that story is a side note. I am actually posting about the adventures with apples that were recently had by the Pecks and us. When Grandmother called with news of plentiful apples trees, we headed down to pick a box or five! The next day Amber and I spent the hours that it takes to can applesauce and apple pie filling. This was my first canning venture and I am happy to say that it won't be the last. Sure, it makes a huge mess, takes all day, and there is danger of getting boiling hot applesauce spewed into your eye (which did happen - yikes) but the end result is so rewarding! I can't wait until Julia can enjoy this applesauce as much as Allyson did while we were making it. (I bet she ate three bowls full, plus a few apples on the side.)

Anyway, thanks to Grandmother, Amber, and Amber's neighbors who lent all the canning supplies. We are thinking of investing in our own canning equipment for next year. Then we will really have to continue on with this canning business!Oh, and thanks to Mom for the matching red aprons that we've had for, what, fifteen years!?

Silly Love Songs

"You think that people would've had enough of silly love songs..." Man, this is one of the best songs ever.We started singing this while doing the dishes and soon enough we had a mad dance party going. Julia made her sad face at first when we began dancing, but she quickly warmed up to it! For a good time, listen to this classic - with or without dirty dishes.

P.S. We can't wait until Julia is old enough to carry one of the three parts of this song. That will really be fun.

You are now free to move about the cabin...

We successfully flew to Indiana and back last week. Well, to be truthful, we touched down in Denver, had a layover in Chicago, then flew into Columbus, Ohio. From there we rented a car and drove the three hours to Columbus, Indiana. And just like that, we were at Grandma Evelyn's house! It was quite the day of traveling (and the same on the way back to Utah), but you just can't pass up a Southwest "Ding" deal of $30 one-way tickets from SLC to Columbus, Ohio. So Jonny made it work - and quite nicely.

Anyway, I was a little nervous about Julia flying. I was hoping she'd be okay - especially since she and I will fly to Maryland next month. So, with our fingers crossed, the plane took off. Julia (nursing at the time) cried for about one minute. And that was the last peep we heard out of her the rest of the time - there and back! She was truly and angel baby. What with all the landing and taking off, I didn't feed her every time. We were happy to discover that she was content with a binky during altitude changes. On the way home, a flight attendant awarded her with a certificate for her first flight. She really did earn those wings. Way to go, Julia!

We were happy to finally arrive at Grandma's house late Wednesday night. She was so sweet to wait up and welcome us with open arms - that quickly enveloped Julia. We felt right at home with a little crib, toys, blankets, wipes, and diapers waiting for us. Oh, and oreos for Jonny. Grandma knows her stuff!

We had a lovely time with Julia's Great Grandma Evelyn, Great Aunt Barb, and Great Uncle Dan. Julia was introduced to various other friendly Hoosiers there in Columbus. She was happy to meet them all, as long as she was well-fed and rested. We learned that quickly, right Dan!? Barb drove us to gorgeous Brown County where we hiked around a lake and enjoyed the green Midwestern landscape. We were fed excellent meals, complete with ice cream every night! Most of all, we loved sitting around and visiting with family that we adore but don't get to see very often. It was a perfect trip and we are so very glad we made it out there. Thanks for a lovely time Grandma, Barb, and Dan! We miss you already.

Hey Jude

A few months ago Dad told me about the greatest website: LibriVox.org. Here is an excerpt from the site letting you know what it is all about . . .

LibriVox: free audiobooks

LibriVox volunteers record chapters of books in the public domain and release the audio files back onto the net. Our goal is to make all public domain books available as free audio books. We are a totally volunteer, open source, free content, public domain project.

Anyway, when Julia was first born I found myself alone at home most of the day with my hands full and not much to do (besides feed, rock, and play with my new little angel). I wanted to read a book but didn't find myself picking one up in my intermittent and precious spare moments. Then Todd lent me Ender's Game on CD. This opened up a whole new world for me! (Besides that of the Buggers.) Julia and I were captivated as we listened to the book throughout the week. I was sad when it was over so soon and longed for another book to listen to. (Later realized it was an abridged version. Bummer, I'll have to read it in full someday!) Then I remembered Dad telling me of librivox. He's been downloading books (chapters at a time) onto his mp3 for months. So I gave it a try.

I read Thomas Hardy book each summer - this year I wanted to read Jude the Obscure. I found it on the librivox catalog and began listening from the computer at once. For the next few weeks, it was Jude, Julia, and me hanging out in our small apartment. Jude could be heard as I nursed her, cleaned the house, cooked dinner, even while I did pilates! Julia and I cried together as we heard Jude's sad tale. (Okay, maybe she was crying because she was hungry. But we cried together nevertheless.) Just as Thomas Hardy books are difficult to put down, I didn't want to turn this one off.

Now we are listening to Helen Keller's The Story of My Life. Wow, this one is truly amazing. I must own a copy so I can make all sorts of annotations and highlights! Anyway, check out librivox if you prefer to listen to great literature for a change. Thanks again, Dad!

WARNING: Thomas Hardy books give an incredible insight into human nature, which tends to be very depressing (thus, I read them in the cheerful summer months). I highly recommend his work, but read at your own risk!

Giant Baby!?

Last week our friends Taylor and Austen had their darling baby boy. He was about the same size Julia was when she was born. We went to see them at the hospital and I couldn't believe how tiny he seemed next to big baby Julia. Was she really that small just three months ago!? I had to come home and watch videos of her first week to remember how little she once was. People are always saying things like, "Enjoy every minute, they grow up so fast." I am really learning how true that is.

Because Julia is growing so rapidly, I thought it best a put a short slide show together so faraway family and friends can see her grow too. And, well, I just happen to have hundreds of pictures of her - best not let them go to waste!



One more thing . . . Speaking of babies growing up fast, it's so funny for me to see Jordan with his little cousin Julia. It wasn't too long ago when I was playing with baby Jordan! Now he is in junior high. Yikes! (Pictured below: Julia cheered Jordan on at a football game. He never passes up an opportunity to hold her. This baby is never starved for attention when the Pecks are around!)

Julia's First Hike

"The hike was superb and the falls were picturesque ," Julia commented when asked about the hike. When asked if it was a difficult hike she said, "Not at all... The sun was pretty warm, but my legs felt good, not fatigued at all. I doubt I'll be sore tomorrow morning."
Julia did do an outstanding job. Not really a peep from her. She just enjoyed the outdoors and the sounds.

Lili asked us if we wanted to go to Stewart Falls with her, Jeff and Drew. At first we thought there was no way. See, we didn't buy a backpack baby carrier this year as she is a little young for that. But we called Lili back and said we would go.
The place was packed on Labor Day, but it was so fun. Everyone except Julia and Mom got into the waterfall. We asked Julia why she didn't go under the falls... "I'd probably die, or at least cry a lot. I'm only 3 months old for crying out loud." True that, true that.

Anyway we really enjoyed the hike and Julia had fun in the Moby.

Victory!

Big news. This morning Jonny and I played a set of tennis. There's nothing unusual about that, but wait until you hear the score . . . 4 to 6 for (drum roll) me!!!! This may not seem like a big deal to most of the world, but it is really quite something around here. Since Jonny and I started playing together (and started playing at all) three summers ago, I have never beat him in a set. Sure, I have come close several times, but I always seem to choke when we near the end. Anyway, Jonny was a good sport as I could hardly contain my excitement after the set point. (Julia slept soundly nearby, but she cheered me on during the first few games.) Well, that is the big excitement around here. Maybe sometime Julia will be content enough to let us play a match. Don't worry, I will really let you know if I win a match. I can't even imagine the victory celebration that would follow that.

P.S. As I say, Jonny and I have not been playing very long and we are quite aware that our tennis skills are nothing to write home about. We love to play for the fun of the game, but we have dreams of improving our technique. Maybe our more tennis-prone relatives could give us a few pointers on the court sometime???

P.P.S. Okay, I know Julia doesn't look to happy in the photo. But believe me, she was very proud of her mommy before she woke up and realized she was hungry.