"Marcus kissed me, but he didn't"

And other end-of-summer fun!

So, the other day Marcus was being a grump to Kaia; he wanted a toy she was playing with, but instead of asking her for it, he simply walked up and hit her on the arm. Aaron and I both saw it and we refuse to have children who hit--(a huge pet peeve for both of us)--so, when our kids are ornery to each other we make them say "I'm sorry" and then give each other a hug and a kiss.

Side note: (This is pretty hypocritical of me, seeing as I've made fun (in an adoring-kind of way) of my mom for years for making us "kiss and make up"--Tara, Mary, and Angie, you know what I'm talking about!--in college we used to joke, after a "sisterly" spat, "Go make out with your sister" etc. etc.) Now as a mom, however, I know all-to-well the wisdom in making your kids "kiss and make up!" No better way to bring back the peace and end the quarrel! Thanks, mom!
Back to my story: Marcus said "I'm sorry Jaya (Kaia)" and wrapped his arms around her, he then got up on his tip toes to give her a kiss on the cheek . . . Kaia just looked at us with a nervous, disgusted look on her face and said, "Marcus kissed me, but he didn't!" Marcus has begun doing a reverse-kiss where he begins with his mouth open and ends in a pucker. He got Aaron with one the other day, and it's our new family phrase: "Marcus kissed me, but he didn't!"


This was our backyard swimming pool--hours of family fun!

Pears!

This was my first very own canning project--I had some ladies over from the ward and we did pears! It was so much fun, a "California dream come true!" Can't wait to do peaches, etc. next year!

The kids navigated our way through the giant Sequoias!

We visited Sequoia National Park and saw the General Grant (they name the biggest sequoias after generals!) These trees are huge, beautiful, and truly awe-some!

The General Grant is also known as the World's Largest Christmas Tree.

This was on a day after playing in the pool for a couple hours, coming in, getting bathed and dry and in warm clothes---I went to make dinner, and the next thing I know the kids are back in the pool, clothes and all!--Marcus led the brigade on this one! (They take turns on who leads their schemes!)

We went to the zoo a couple weeks ago--I loved this shot of the kids looking at the tiger!

Child labor??

Okay, kids, I can take a hint! Thanks for being my big helpers!

Ahh, Sunday! A day of rest! After church one Sunday, we turned on a "Jesus video" for the kids while we got dinner ready, and we walked in to find two little angels "just relaxin" as they leaned into each other. Ahh, the sweet moments! (Just now, I was showing Kaia these pictures, and I asked her what Kaia and Marcus were doing in each one--when she saw this one she said, "they're thinking about Heavenly Father.")