Bradley Brights

I've been busy this week doing the jobs of fall. I spent two days canning apples into apple sauce and apple pie filling with Mom Bradley, Maria, Becky, and Lisa. We were able to can just under 200 bottles of apple sauce, pie filling, and grape juice (thanks Maria!). We have already done peaches, plum jelly (delicious!), and salsa at other various times this summer/fall. I'm feeling happy about our bounteous blessings right now and my stomach is growling for them too. I love looking at all those jars downstairs. They're so beautiful. Canning really is a dying art.

I've also been busy planting bulbs that will hopefully pop up next spring and make my yard colorful. My neighbor dug up a box full of tulip and daffodil bulbs and brought them over to me. Our neighbors are the most wonderful giving people and I love living next to them. I also bought some crocus and iris bulbs to plant in another area of our yard. I really hope nature takes over now and produces beautiful flowers come April and May. I can't wait! I'll post pictures then, I have to admit that it's just a bunch of brown dirt right now. Not very exciting.

James is down in Las Vegas running his second Ragnar relay race. I'm opted to stay with the kids. I feel like we've left them a lot this summer with various family members. I am jealous of James though, but I'm cheering him on here at home. I love this tradition that has started with his family- to run the Ragnar relay races. It's a great way to stay in shape and bond with the family at the same time. Ya, you're running 180 miles as a team, but it's more like a party than a treacherous run.

The kids and I have been busy having a lot of fun here. I've been able to find Thomas a new coat and Hailey a new snow suit and new shoes for the coming winter at Kid to Kid and DI. I LOVE those places! I also found a couple of awesome new skirts to add to my Sunday wardrobe that has been neglected for way too long. Sometimes I wonder why people give such cute clothes away for free, but hey I'm not complaining too much. I'm already excited for Sunday and I'm not sure which one I'll wear yet.

James' brother Brian comes home tomorrow from serving a two year LDS mission in South Africa. He has had a wonderful time there and has had many unique experiences in that small part of the world. I'll post more after we visit with him tomorrow and Sunday. The whole family is excited to have him home again. He is one very loved son, brother, and uncle.

Fall should be a time to start slowing down from the busy summer, but it has started to speed up and get busier for me. That's OK with me, bring on the holidays!!!