Thanks to all of you who encouraged me to go to cutest blog on the block web page. I finally did. I could not believe how easy it was to put a cute back ground on my blog. It does not help will all the spelling errors, but it may distract from them every now and then. Bryan, David and I are all home with the flue. So it was nice to take a minuet to look at others blogs and also improve my blog.

September 30th- October 7th, 2008 The week of picking produce and canning

Sorry spell check is not working very well again. I refuse to copy and put it in word to fix all my spelling errors so this will just have to do.

Tuesday October 7th 2008- Today I was able to watch Adalee Sherman while Emily went and helped in her son Jaden's class room. David and Adalee had a blast playing. Emily was sweet and brought me some more green beans from her garden I was able to blanch them and freeze them. I now have 9 bags of frozen green beans. All the beans came from the Shermans. Thanks for sharing. We also found out some time last week that my sister Kimberly and her husband are going to be having a little boy this nest March. We are so excited for them. David and I are going to try to make it to the grocery store today and then we will go to the gym once Bryan gets home.

Monday October 6th, 2008- Today I spent some time re-organizing my food storage. I needed to create some extra room on my inside shelves to store my newly canned apple sauce and juice. I move all my canned items to a shelf out side and filled my inside shelves with the new bottles of freshly canned items. David and I went to pick up a spear car seat from Nampa. I found a good deal on a use car seat from Craig's list. When we got their to pick up the car seat they had forgotten to leave it at their house. The wife had taken the car with the car seat in to work with her. I obviously did not come home with an extra car seat like I intended. Oh well. I guess that was not the one I was suppose to get. I will have to keep looking. We are hoping to get a spare one so we do not have to move the one we have from car to car. When Bryan got home from work we went for a walk. I made dinner(taco's), then we had family home evening. We sang popcorn popping on the apricot tree and helped David do the actions. Then we listen to the first talk from the 1st session of conference were President Thomas S. Monson speak and announced the building of 5 new Temple's. One of which is being built in Philadelphia were my brother Jeff and his wife Angela and there three boys live. It was a great talk and we are excited for those areas that will be getting the new temples and be able to go to the temple more often.

Sunday October 5th, 2008- David was up like normal around 7:00am. We got up changed his diaper (poor little boy still has the runs). I gave him his once a day nursing and then went down and made french toast for breakfast with blueberry muffins. Bryan, David and I enjoyed breakfast together. Bryan got David dressed for the day and then we went back up to our room and watched the morning session of conference in our pajama's. Partly through the morning session I put David down for a nap. Sadly to say Bryan and and also fell asleep partly through the session. In the afternoon we truly enjoyed the last session of conference. David was a happy boy and even spent some time coloring with my help. I do have to say conference is a little harder to write and take notes on when you have a child running around making noise and needing help. We had decided that family home evening the next few months will be listening to conference talks so we can review the council and here the inspired messages that our Lord wants us to hear. After the afternoon session we went and visited the Sherman family and dropped off some deer meat we told the Shermans they could have. After that we came home made Mandarin chicken over rice with a vegetable. Bryan cooked the chicken. I always love when my husband cooks or at least helps with the meal. After dinner we both cleaned up. Two of our ward missionaries came and visited us. Sister and bother Lloyd. We talked quite a bit about dental work. Both Lloyd is a dentist and sister Lloyd is he office manager. It was fun to be able to talk some dental lingo with then. They also had a few accounting questions for Bryan so he did not feel to left our. After that we discussed missionary work and our family missionary plan. I really enjoyed there visit. We got David to be late again tonight. It was after 8:45pm when we finally put him down for bed. (While the ward missionaries were here David figured out a new trick. He climbed on a little shelf under our end table and got stuck. I was to slow getting the camera out but it was pretty funny when it happened. Now he is pretty efficient at climbing on the under shelf and getting out by himself most of the time. David is so entertaining. He is such a joy to have around. I can not believe how quickly he is learning new things.

Saturday October 4th, 2008- This week end is General Conference week end. We got to listen to our prophet Thomas S. Monson and the other general authority's speak and give us great council. Bryan and I had planned on going golfing this morning. I had gotten a baby sitter for David and everything. The weather ended up being pretty rainy so we ended up staying home instead. Bryan, David & I went to Franklin Building Supply and got some material to build some custom shelves in our garage. Bryan had spent some time drawing up and planning a design for the shelves. He finally decided today was the day he was going to make them. I put David down for a nap around 10:30 and Bryan & I begun making the shelves. It took a while to get things set up in the garage to start making the shelves but once we were able to get started they went pretty easily. Around 12:00pm the Sherman's came over. Emily had called me yesterday evening and said that the Jonathan apples we had picked a few weeks ago were going bad and that she was willing to help me can them today if I wanted. (Here husband David helped her can her two boxes of Jonathan apples into apple sauce yesterday. It took then about 6 hours.) I was delighted to take her up on her offer. I made macaroni and cheese and hot dogs for lunch. Bryan and David Sherman worked in the garage to finish making the shelves and hanging them from the celling, and then organized the garage, while Emily and I canned the 3 boxes of Jonathan apples into apple sauce and apple juice. We listened to the afternoon session of conference while we worked.The three Sherman children and David had so much fun playing and interacting while we worked. David and Adalee took good after noon naps. Emily was such a trooper. She stayed until 6:00pm helping me cute the apples and make the apple sauce. Bryan and David (Sherman) headed to priesthood session together around 5:45pm. Linda Sue Jensen had invited some ladies and there children over for a movie and treats while the guys were at the priesthood session. Emily ended up making it to the Jensen's around 7:00pm and I did not make it until a little after 8:00pm. I felt bad that I was so late but I had to finish water bathing the apple sauce and getting a few things cleaned up. David also had to be bathed and clothes changed because he had a blow out. The men met us at the Jensen's after the priesthood session. Actually the men beat me to the Jensen's. Linda Sue also let me use her other juicer so that I would have two juicers to do the apple sauce with. It made it go a little faster with the two juicers. Emily showed me a different way of canning apple sauce that makes it thicker and also gives me apple sauce and apple juice. I ended up with 39 quarts of apple sauce 9 quarts of apple juice and 2 pints of apple juice. I felt like we got a ton done. Emily & David Thank you so much for all of your help. I do not know what I would have done with out you both. Not only are 3 boxes of my apples done but I also have Awesome shelves built and put up in my garage. Also the garage is all organized. It is great. You both are Awesome!!

Bryan, thanks for doing such a good job on the shelves and getting the garage organized. The garage looks GREAT.

Emily and David cutting apples.

Gina and David working on apple sauce.

Every once in a while David (Sherman) would come in and tighten down our apple sauce maker and crank a few apples through.

Gina and the finished product39 quarts of apple sauce, 9 quarts & 2 pints of apple juice. I love seeing the result of our work.

Bryan & David Sherman building and attaching the shelves to our garage celling.

David Sherman and Bryan hanging on our shelves to show how sturdy the shelves are. They weigh over 500 lb together.

Bryan and the shelves as they are being filled.

the finished organized garage.

Friday October 3rd, 2008- We got together with Emily and her three children (Jaden, Rylund, and Adalee) today. There is no school today so Emily had all three of her children. We met up around 10:30pm at the church orchard and picked Red Delicious apples until 12:00. We filled a bin and a half for the church and then were able to glean 8 boxes of apples. Emily only took two of the boxes. I took the other 6. I had David on my back most of the time while picking. He is not feeling so hot. I was up at least 3 or 4 times last night changing dirty diapers. David has the runs. Poor little boy. I am excited about all the apple we were able to pick. I sure enjoy Emily and appreciate her friendship. I also have enjoyed getting to know her a little better. I like to talk while picking which makes picking apples seem easier and time go by a lot faster. Our kids did enjoy eating a few apples while we worked.

Emily picking apples.

Adalee, Rylung, and Jaden helping to fill the church bins with apples.

David, Gina, Jaden, and Rylund with one of the church bins filled.

The 9 boxes of apples I have in my garage. 3 boxes are full of the Jonathan apples we picked two weeks ago and the other 6 boxes are full of the Red Delicious apples we picked today.

Thursday October 2nd, 2008-I am not sure what David and I did all day but I do know I got a baby sitter for the evening. The Kawania's club put on a dinner for its members and their wifes. We had fish and Prime Rib, potatoes, a brocholie, carrot, coloflower blend, green salad, and cheese cake for dessert. The people who were katering the dinner had a hard job. The kitchen where we were at lost electricity so the katers had to be resorceful and cook our dinner on George Forman's infront of us. It was a nice evening. The Kawania's club sware in their new officers for the 2009 year. Travis and Rachel Boyer ( a couple in our ward and who live in our neighborhood) also were there. We sat at the same table with them. Rachel and I ended up leaveing a little bit before it was over because we needed to put our little ones to bed. Because of the difficuties with the power dinner was finsihed later and the meeting went later than expected. Bryan ended taking Travis home once the meeting was over and I went with Rachel. Hailey Hilton baby sat David and she did a great job. I got home around 8:45pm. David and I took Hailey home and then got David in his jammies brushed his teeth and then read scriptures. Bryan got home right as we were finishing scriptures. We had family pray together and put David to bed for the night. Two night in a row of putting David to bed after 9:00pm I hope he does not get to use to that.

Wednesday October 1st, 2008- Happy Birthday Bryan. David and I love you and think you are a wonderful husband and Daddy! Today we celebrated Bryan's 31st Birthday. He worked 8-5 like normal. I had a YW presidency meeting at my house from 9:15 and it went until around 11:00pm. I was able to share some onions I got some laundry washed and a few chores done, but we mostly relaxed. When Bryan got home from work we headed into Boise to Bryan's parents house to the watch the BSU game. Sheri order pizza for dinner and got a cheese cake for Bryan's birthday. She also gave Bryan a birthday card. My Mom also stoped by Von and Sheri's to drop of a birthday present for Bryan. She gave hime a Lemon Morang pie and a Cabela's gift certificate. Bryan says he thinks he is going to go get a cot for camping with the gift certificate. BSU won their game by quite a bit. During half time Bryan, David and I went for a walk around Von and Sheri's neighborhood. It felt good to get a little exercise. I also spent some time getting some quart jars and pint jars for the storage room as Sheri's she said I could have some of her canning jars since she is not canning much any more. She also let me use her apple sauce maker. I sure appreciate that she is so generaous great to have as a mother in law. I ended up taking 48 quart jars and 36 pint jars. I might need some more latter but for now this many jars should be fine. We got home after 9:00pm and David went straight to bed. Poor boy was tierd and cranky.

David did learn a new trick today. He learned how to use his fire truck to climb up on things. As you can see he also is pretty efficient already at climbing down also.

Tuesday September 30th, 2008- So today was a very busy day. I got together with Emily and her two yonger kids( Rylund & Adalee). We went and picked up and dug up potatoes from a near by feild for free. It was great. I gathered 2 boxes of patatoes and Emily ended up with a few boxes also. Then David and I followed Emily to her house were she fed us a great lunch of sandwiches and hotdogs. We then picked green beens, tomatoes, Canalope, squash, and 1 watermellon. She has a neighbor who has an over whelming garden and so we were able to pick from her garden and her neighbors. It was great. Then David and I headed to a place in Caldwell that were giving away free onions. I ended up putting David in the baby back pack and filling up two large boxes with onions. some guy was nice enough to carry one of the boxes to the car for me. I decided to go back to the field with the potatoes and get a third box field. By this time David had fallen asleep in the car. I was able to get home un-load all the boxes and get a few things done before David woke up. When Bryan got home he took David with him to the gym while I got dinner ready. By the time 9:30pm came around I was in bed ready to go to sleep. I was tierd. By the way Thanks Emily for all the good fruits and veggeatables you hook me up with. We appreciate you sharing your produce and good information with us.
Self portrate of David and I.

The fruit the Sherman's and there neighbor shared.

The Veggies that we picked. ( zuchini, squash & cucumbers)

The onions and potatoes that we gatherd. One of the onion boxes broke when I was bringing it in. I had to put some in a small box and then impervise with the boxes I had left. Also the green beans we picked in Emily's garden. I am so great ful to the have the awesome produce. Thank you Emily.

September 23rd-28th, 2008: Another allergic break out.

Sunday September 28th, 2008- I got up early, made jello, put a roast on with carrots, and potato's, and got some YW calenders to be distributed at church. Bryan spent the morning finishing and preparing his primary lesson. Today was another busy day at church. David is at the age where we do not here much at church. We spend most of our time trying to keep David quiet and entertained or out in the hall chasing him down and and keeping him contained. He is just a busy boy who is into everything and is discovering so many new things. After church I was able to get a 20min nap while David napped. It felt great. I do not think Bryan go a nap in. Amanda and Scott invited us over to dinner along with my Dad (who is along for the week while my Mom is in Reno) this evening. We decided to go. I put my crock pot roast in the fridge and we headed to Eagle. We had a great dinner of home made pea soup and rolls. We found out David must be allergic to some thing else. we did not know what it is. He broke out in a rash during dinner. All he had had was pea soup and a home made roll. I wonder what it is he is allergic to this time. When I saw he was breaking out I striped him down put him in a bath, gave him some Benadryl and with in the hour most of the rash was gone. We heated up two corn dogs which he ended up eating for dinner instead. Poor little boy. After dinner Amanda, Gideon, Eliza, Thomas, Kyle, Bryan, David and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. We had a nice walk and enjoyed being outside in the nice evening weather. When we got back for the walk Bryan, David and I headed home. David cried most of the way home. It make for a long 1/2 hour drive. We did our normal bedtime routine of scriptures, pray, teeth brushing and then put David to bed. We had a nice evening if we exclude the drive home. Poor David was just a tired worn out boy.

David's allergic reaction after the bath and Benadyl.


















The Sunday afternoon stroll.

Bryan got on Kyle's skate board. I had to take a picture.

Saturday September 27th, 2008- Bryan, David and I went into Eagle and Boise today. Mandy was kind enough to watch David for a few hours while Bryan and I went and golfed 9 wholes at Eagle Hills Golf course. Bryan was able to try out his new golf clubs and played really well. He improved his game/ handy cap by almost 10 shots with his new clubs. He golfed a 47. I on the other hand had a terrible game and would rather reflect on Bryan's improvement instead of my disaster of a game. Thanks again Amanda for watching David for us. After picking David up from Amanda's we stopped and got lunch at Taco Bell and then went and ate our lunch at Bryan 's parents. We visited for a little while, and then headed home. I was in a grumpy mood when we got home and had to convince my self I wanted to leave again. After taking about an hour to convince my self I went to the Relief Society humanitarian service project at the church around 4:30pm (it started at 3:30)and helped make some dolls for the service project. I then had dinner their and then watched the Relief Society General broadcast. The general presidency spoke along with Elder Ucdorf. I really could feel the spirit after Elder Ucdorff's talk and appreciated his words. He spoke on service. I came home with a whole different attitude and am grateful I ended up going. I also bought some home grown raspberry's from a lady in our stake that I brought home with me. Emily Sherman stopped by after and picked up her 5 gallon bucket. I also ran to Alberson's and picked up some apple boxes they had. I plan on picking some more apples and needed something to put then in. David and Bryan appreciated the raspberry's and the little dessert I bought home for them. I think they appreciated the better attitude and mood I came home with also. Bryan and I also started our fast before going to bed.


Friday September 26th, 2008- Today David and I had a slow start. David fell asleep while I did my once a day nursing. I nurse him in the morning when he wakes up for the day. Well today I guess he woke up to early and was still tired. He fell asleep nursing and did not wake back up until around 9:00am. I fed him breakfast of oatmeal and then we got ready for the day. I spent from about 10:00am until 1:3o pm canning plum jam. Poor Bryan came home at lunch and had to make he and David lunch cause I was occupied with making jam. David was a good little boy while I was doing the jam. I ended up with 6 quarts of jam and 38 pints of plum jam form the 5 gallon bucket Sherman's brought over. After finishing the jam and cleaning up the mess, David and and I mowed the lawn. David only made it half way through the mowing before I took him inside and put him down for a nap. It felt good to get some much done today. I am really grateful David was such a sweet boy. I did had quite a few cupboards to refill and messes to clean up once the day was over but it was worth it. Bryan was kind of in charge of the Elders quorum BBQ we went to tonight. I spent about 1/2hr cutting tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and getting condiments ready for the function. Bryan brought our BBQ over to the church and helped cook the hamburgers and hot dogs. Every one who came brought a side of some kind. It was for the whole family and it was fun to socialize with the other families in the ward. Towards the end of the elders Quorum BBQ Bryan and some of the other men went into the church and helped set up tables and chairs for the Relief Society activity that will be happening tomorrow.

The canning set up.
















self portrait of the finished results.


















The finished product. 44 jars of plum jam.

David helping me mow the lawn. (NO the mower is not on.) David could actually get the mower to move by pushing it.

The last few people cleaning up after the Elders Quorum BBQ.













Thursday September 25th, 2008- David and I went into Boise today and did some errands. We stopped and picked up all my canning stuff from when we canned grape juice last week. I also dropped off a box of apples for her and her family to enjoy. Amanda was nice enough to fix David and I lunch. After we ate we headed to Dr. George Lewis's office. I stopped to visit some of my old co-workers and just say hi and let them see David. It has been a long time since we visited. After that we stopped and visited my high school friend Heather. Heather had some clothes for David and we also traded a pint of jam. I gave her a thing of plum jam and she gave me a thing of mixed berry jam that I am excited to try. After visiting Heather, I stopped to visit Sara R. who just had a baby girl. I dropped off a baby gift. She was not home but I left the gift at her door. I was bummed she was not home. Oh well, I hope to catch her home next time. After that I headed over to the Wide World of Golf and picked up Bryan's birthday present (His new golf clubs that have an extra 1 inch extension on them and larger grips). I can't wait to have him use them and see if they improve his game. David and I got home around 3:45pm. When Bryan got home around 5:00 pm we headed to the YMCA were we had another hard aerobics work out. When we got back from the gym we had dinner, got David ready for bed, had scriptures and prayer, put David to bed, and then enjoyed some peaches with ice cream as we watched TV and relaxed.


Wednesday September 24th, 2008- After having lunch with Bryan, I met Emily Sherman and her two youngest children, (Rylyn & Adalee) out at the church orchard. I also stopped on my way out to the orchard and picked up a friend for Rylyn to play with. I sure appreciated Emily telling about the apple picking and letting me go out and pick with her. We picked a whole container full of apples for the church and then we were able to take some of the imperfect apples home. Emily went home with a few boxes and I was able to come home with three boxes and one tote full of apples. I was excited to serve and it was also nice to be able to come home with a few boxes of apples. While we were their David enjoyed picking up and eating the apples that had fallen to the ground. I even caught him sticking his finger into a rotten apple and then sticking his finger into his mouth. He thought it was great. He also decided he was cool and could climb the ladder much to my dismay. He would make it up a few steps of the ladder and then Emily or I would take him off and try to distract him. It did not work. He just wanted to climb the ladder. It was nice to be able to have a buddy to pick with and was fun chatting away as we picked. Bryan and I went to the YMCA. Bryan burned over a 1000 calories in about an hour and I burned a little over 700 calories. We worked out pretty hard. Latter on in the evening David Sherman (Emily's husband dropped of a 5 gallon bucket of plums. I am excited. I am going to make some more jam with the plumbs. After I put David to bed I went to Wal-mart and got some sugar, pectin, baby gifts and other odds and in's. Bryan stayed home and relaxed.





David climbing the ladder.



















Rylyn, Adalee, Emily & Andrew





Gina & David picking apples.



Emily picking up David after he fell down.
















David eating a pear on the way home from the orchard. Emily had picked some pears and plums from a friends house and was kind enough to share with us. David love the treat.
















Tuesday September 23rd, 2008- I spent the day cleaning up from the night before. My visiting teachers came by this afternoon. We had a nice short visit. David was his normal busy self while they were here. He unloaded a few cupboards and got into the bannana plant.