Making raspberry jam

We went over to our friend's farm, they are in our ward, and picked some raspberries. They had so many this year it was crazy. This has been our third year picking raspberries and making jam. I told Bryon I think that this will be our family tradition. The first year we picked golden raspberries and I canned them myself, first time ever I made jam. The second and this year we picked red berries and Bryon helped me, much better. Even with his help it is a long process.I still would like to pick the golden, I think we will do it later. So this is the process and making raspberry jam......

These are all the berries...

getting the bath ready for the jars and lids...

going to wash the jars and lids...

Going to the Sutter Buttes!

We are a little late on posting this but Josh's last field trip in school was to the Sutter Buttes. They hiked up to the top of the moutain. They saw hawks and land, said by Josh.

This is were the native Indians use to camp. In this rock area.

They had a trail guide. Josh said that he didn't really enjoy going because " it was a little boring". I would of loved to go, it sound fun to me. He probably didn't enjoy it because there was no gift shop; he loves those gift shops even though he didn't always have money to buy from them. These pictures were taken by Josh except for the last one taken by his teacher, Mr. Wells.

Another picture from his first game

First game of the season

This year Josh's team is the Sidewinders. We were glad it wasn't the Rockhounds again. He was that the last two years. He had one hit. He played left and center field and 2nd base. His favorite poistion is first base which he played in his second game. We have four practices this week which he needs because they only had two before their first game. Josh also advanced from AA to AAA league which they pitch the whole game instead of machine pitch for half the season and then other half them pitching. I do enjoy baseball season. I never thought when I was younger how much I love baseball. I'm hoping that this year we will be able to go to a Giants game and the Rivercats. Bryon is looking forward to the family reunion baseball game.

Webelos Time!

We just had our Blue and Gold dinner. It was really good, homemade pizza , Little Caesars pizza for the kids, salad, YUMMY cupcakes and soda. Josh recieved 8 beltloops, 6 Webelo activity badges, compass patch, and his Webelos. Bryon said that was the most he ever seen anyone get. It's fun to do scouts with him; he really enjoys it and I'm sure it's nice to have mom as one of his leaders. He isn't too far from his Arrow of Light. We are very excited for Josh. This week starts baseball practice and in two weeks is his first game. Let the good times roll! Plus he just received his new glasses this week and says that they are much better; I'm sure that having new frames instead of his broken nose piece ones also helps out.

Pinewood Derby

This was Josh's last pinewood derby because he is a Webelo scout. Next year he will be in Boy Scouts and they don't do derbies. We raced against 3rd ward and Josh got 2nd place from our ward. He was totally excited. We are glad that Josh is our son.

Birthday Boy!

Here is Josh with his friends making gingerbread men. By this time they were a little hyper from eating candy. One of the boys was totally excited when he found out that they each got to make their own and said" this is like the best birthday ever".

Here's the famous potato cake. It was delicious! No one wanted to eat the cake cause they were full from pizza and candy earlier. That was ok we got to eat it all ourselves. I can't believe that 10 years ago Josh was born. Man has time flew by.

POISON OAK

Last week Bryon, Josh, Claire, and I went gold searching in Grass Valley on Bryon's friend's property. We found an old mine but we didn't find gold. What we did find was poison oak. Josh got it the worst. He has it every where. Bryon got some on his face and wrist. I got one little bit on my leg and arm. Next time we go gold hunting, we will go when Josh is in school. Lucky Claire didn't get any.

Josh's first meet

Josh ran with 154 fourth grade boys. He didn't come in first but that doesn't matter, he finished the race. He came in 149th place with the time of 11min. 46 sec. We are really proud of him; it's not easy running 1 mile cross country. Way to Josh!!

Thankful

Just a note about how I'm doing. Chemo and radiation isn't that bad minus the tiredness, feeling like your a zombie, and nausea. I'm glad that I get the weekends off; time to somewhat recuperate. Today I feel good.
Josh is powering out the cross country and his first meet is this Thursday. They have to run a mile, Josh says it's hard to run a mile, we will see how his meet goes. Josh isn't class rep, he didn't turn his paper on time, he was bummed;but when I told him that he would of had to make a speech, he was glad that he didn't turn his paper in.