So much to write about...where do I begin?

I cannot believe how quickly this summer is coming to a close. At the end of May, we moved into a rental, with the thought that we would live here until our home was completed. The building process is going MUCH slower than anticipated and the rental has sold and we must be out at the end of the month. We found a wonderful family in our ward at church who are going to let us live in their basement apartment until our house is finished. I cannot even begin to express our relief at finding this wonderful family, as we had been pricing out single room hotel rates. This option would have been expensive and cramped! So, after feeling like we just unpacked (only some of our belongings) and feeling like we are just getting settled, we have once again pulled out the packing tape and have started reloading boxes. This time we are keeping out only what we will need for a month or so and the rest is going in to storage. That, is our current living situation.
On a more fun note, my wonderful husband has been listening to a homesick wife complain about wanting desperately to go home to California. When we found a potential new owner for our puppy in Sacramento, (long story, but we couldn't keep her) we loaded the children up and Dan drove through the night on Thursday after having worked a long day! We had a WONDERFUL, QUICK, trip and loved every minute of it! The kids swam, we barbequed, spent time with family, we slept in and relaxed. It truly felt like a vacation. We were able to meet our beautiful new nieces attend their blessings. Dan drove the whole way home on Monday while I played angry birds! Told yah I have a wonderful husband! (Actually he thinks I drive too slow!) He knows I do not like driving and steps up to do it!
When we came home, our home had finally been framed! We turned the corner of the street to see what had been only a basement in ground when we left, was finally a framed 2 story home! YIPEE!!! They put the stairs in this week and we actually got to walk through it and show the kids their rooms upstairs! The framers worked late into the evening tonight and it is really starting to take shape. Building has been the most frustrating process and seeing the start of the home is giving us hope!
We also came home to an apricot tree that is fully in bloom and hundreds of gooey apricots all over the ground! What a mess! Dan and I tackled about half of the tree tonight, sorting the fruit. We are hoping to do jam, pie filling and canned fruit. THANK YOU ASHLEY for teaching me to can in Salt Lake! I would give anything to have you here right now to tackle this fruit with me!
The kids are thriving and doing well! We are loving our summer days, but feeling ready to add the structure of school into the mix. Noelle will begin kindergarten and we have had some sign ups for our preschool. It will be a small year as far as students go, but a great place to start. We are going all out, as if we had a full class. It is only fair for students who are enrolled and paying. I will also have my children. So great to use my creative side!
I hope you are all doing well! I apologize if this is kind of a gushy post, my emotions have been on a roller coaster this summer. There is so much change, it has been intense! Love you all! Thanks for checking in!

Warning! Pictures are not in order and I could not put all of them on the blog. I know I do not have pictures of everyone! (Especially we are missing photos of Marco's birthday!)
These kids always pick right back up when they get together!

THE GIRLS!

We didn't anticipate thousands of apricots, but we are up to the challenge!

And how did we get to 9 grandkids? SOOOOO FUN!

Tessa and Riley's blessing day

I LOVE this boy! He tugs at my heart strings and is looking like such a big boy these days. I still think of him as my baby!

A trip to California would not be complete without helping Nana and Papa in their garden. The kids all have their own baskets and even Elijah took part this year. The kids really look forward to this!

Auntie Gina and Corom have a close bond! They played and played!!!

Corom and his Papa! The smiles say it all!

Happy little Tessa! She is so sweet!

Read the sign on the door! Hilarious! The kids were playing beauty salon! Did I mention that my 5 year old insists on doing her own hair everyday? Nikki, I am so sorry if she has had an influence on Lucia! Independent children!

We love our Nana!

Sweet Baby Riley!

This is the first time my kids have been in the pool all summer! There really aren't pools in Idaho! Noelle and Corom loved it! Elijah was not so sure!

PHEW, I could have posted more! It was a wonderful weekend!