Canning Beans

Arlo, my parents' neighbor, planted 4 long rows of green beans this year. He has already canned 56+ quarts so he told my dad that if he wanted to pick some beans he could have some (my dad just has 1 row of beans). Jim & I had planned on going down today to can beans with my mom and dad after Jim got done with his physical therapy.

After Arlo had told my dad he could have some beans, he decided he wanted to can a few more. So my mom told me on Thursday when she came up for Jim's promotion ceremony that we wouldn't be canning beans on Friday.

Then on Friday morning, my dad called me. He told me that Arlo had a 5 gallon bucket of beans that he had picked but wasn't going to use so we could can them if we wanted to. SO, while Jim was at physical therapy, I got the boys and myself ready so when he got back we could pack up and go to Levan.

We got to Levan around Noon. Ryan had fallen asleep on the way down and when he woke up he was sooo ornery. I've never seen him act the way he was acting--I think he was still tired and his teeth were bugging him. My mom took Ry outside for a minute to see if that would make him happy, but then she had to go to Nephi to a Dr. appointment that she had at 1pm.

While my mom was in Nephi, my dad and I snapped the beans (my dad had already done the bulk of them before we got there) and I got Ryan some lunch. I also got everything ready so we could just start canning as soon as my mom got back.

My mom got home around 2:30pm and we started canning beans. It was really simple compared to tomatoes and beets like we did last year. We only had 21 pint jars and my mom's pressure canner can process 20 pint jars at a time so the canning went really quick, too. We actually had some extra beans after doing the 21 jars so we filled 4 quart jars as well.

After we were done canning, we made a late lunch for ourselves. My dad had some summer squash from the garden sitting on the counter and it looked delicious. So, we made hamburger patties, summer squash, corn (from Harward farms--my dad's isn't ready yet), and green beans for lunch. It tasted so good--I love fresh vegetables from the garden. We also made a batch of brownies--I have a terrible sweet tooth :)

We cleaned up the kitchen and hung out for awhile. My mom and dad had a wedding to go to in Gunnison so we headed back up to Spanish around 6pm.

I guess Arlo will have more beans this week, and he said my dad can have them if he wants them, too. We may be going down to Levan again this Friday to can more beans--that is, if Arlo doesn't re-neg and want the beans himself :)

I'm excited to can vegetables this year. I'm really looking forward to freezing corn. I've heard it's scrumptious and we didn't get to it last year. I can't wait until the corn is on :)

Even Ryan helped can the beans

He helped put the beans in the jars :)

My mom filling the jars with boiling water and then taking the spatula around the sides of the jars to get all of the air bubbles out.

The color of the beans in the boiling water was so pretty.

Jim laughing at my mom--she gets pretty bossy when she starts canning. Hmm, I wonder if that's where I get my bossiness from :)

My mom waiting for the pressure canner to get to the correct pressure

Jim watched Jake for me while I helped can beans. He was a good boy and slept pretty much the whole time. Here he is all nestled in for a nap...

Congrats Jim!

Jim got promoted to an E-7, Sergeant First Class, on July 20th so they had his "pinning" ceremony today at the Spanish Fork Armory. He'll actually be working at Camp Williams now though. Anyway, they call it a pinning because they used to change the rank of the soldier by pinning his new rank on his uniform. Well, now everything is velcroed on so I "velcroed" Jim today :)

I asked Jim last night who does the pinning and he told me that I did. Holy cow, I started to stress out. I was so nervous for some reason--what if I messed up in front of all of those people and made Jim look bad, what if I didn't know what to do and I didn't, etc. Things turned out fine, and I think I did a swell job even though I was stressed out. It did feel like it was 400 degrees in that room when we were doing the rank change though so that didn't help :) Captain Smith told me I had to punch Jim in the chest after I changed his rank. I forgot after I did the change and he was sure to remind me so I gave Jim a little punch. It was pretty funny. For me, it lightened the mood and made it a little less stressful.

Both of our parents were able to come up and be there to support Jim. It's so nice to have supportive parents. Afterwards, Jim's former boss, Shaun, had planned a little BBQ for Jim after the ceremony.

I just want to let Jim know that I'm very proud of him and I appreciate all that he does for our family. I'm so glad that he has a good job that is stable so I can stay home and take care of our boys. Congratulations Jimmy! We love you Y

Me changing Jim's rank

Waiting while they read the promotion order

They had Jim say a few words after his rank change. He doesn't smile this big very often. I'm glad we got it on camera.

Our family after the "velcroing"

Some of his co-workers chatting after the ceremony

Us with our Parents

Crandall, Guin, Jim holding Jake, Me holding Ryan, Sandra, and Paul

A pic with Jim's parents

A pic with my parents

I went to feed Jake and when I came back Ryan had fallen asleep. Jim put him in the car seat for his nap :)

Grandma Guin burping Jake

I love Jake's little mug in this pic

Jim's co-workers eating after the ceremony

The parents enjoying their steaks at the BBQ

Jim grilling steaks

Ryan running around the armory

The pinning ceremony wore my boys right out :)

My old roommates, Annie and Kristy, came down for a visit and brought us dinner tonight. Cory came, too. They picked up Cafe Rio and Smart Cookie, umm boy. We had good eats tonight.

After dinner we went outside to chat since Ryan was itching to go outside and play. We had to take pictures of course.

I'm so glad they came for a visit. It's always good to see them and catch up since we don't get to see each other that often. Thanks chicas for coming to visit and for bringing us dinner. We really appreciate it. Love ya!

In the garage chatting--we always have good chats

Cory thought my Boppy pillow was pretty cool and comfortable, too.

Annie took this great picture of Ryan and me

Every time we have Cory take our picture he doesn't give us any notice that he is going to take the picture. He just starts snapping pictures. This is one of those pictures. I thought our faces were pretty funny in it so I posted it.

Tonight, he had the camera up like he was going to take the picture but he waited an eternity to take it. He thought it was funny to see us stand there smiling waiting for him to take our picture. Cory is such a nerd :) It did give us a good laugh though.

Another one of Cory's famous pictures...

Cory & Annie

Me, Annalisa, and Kristy

And yet another one of Cory's famous pics. I must have said something pretty funny. I love Annie's face in this pic :)

Hospital Pictures

I just got Jake's hospital pictures in the mail today. I think Debbie with Memories & Moments Photography does a great job with my little guys' first pics.

When I look at these pics, I can't really decide if Ryan and Jake still look alike??

Jake's Hospital Picture

Jake only got 1 pose because he wouldn't go back to sleep for a sleeping pose :)

Ryan's Hospital Picture

Ryan's Sleeping Hospital Picture

Debbie actually digitally removed Ryan's "hickey" on his head, but I decided that is what he looked like when he was born so I use the pictures where his hickey is showing.

My Boys' Favorite Way to Sleep

I probably shouldn't post this because I'll sound like the worst mom in the world--or one that doesn't listen to the advice of the experts. Both of my both sleep so much better and for longer periods of time on their tummies.

My mom suggested putting Ryan on his tummy to sleep when he would wake up from his naps just after being fed and just after I'd put him down for his nap. It was so frustrating to have him wake up right after putting him down for his nap so we tried putting him on his tummy and he slept so good. It was like we'd found the golden ticket!! We didn't put him on his tummy to sleep all of the time. We would alternate between his back and his tummy. But even now, when I put Ryan down for his naps and to bed at night the first thing he does is turn over onto his stomach to go to sleep.

Jake is also a better sleeper on his tummy. I also alternate between his back and tummy for naps and nighttime. It seriously makes a big difference when he goes to sleep on his tummy.

I don't know why this is--I prefer to sleep on my stomach so maybe they get it from me??

Ryan asleep on his tummy - 1 month old

Jake asleep on his tummy - 3 weeks old

Kisses

Ryan has started to give Jake kisses. I don't know where he got this from--Ry definitely does not give me or Jim kisses, but Jake gets his fair share :) I've even asked Ryan if I can have a kiss after he's been giving Jake kisses and he shakes his head no. Ryan decided Jake needed some kisses this morning and I just happened to have my camera nearby so I snapped some photos of the event. I forgot to mention the kisses Ryan gives are definitely open mouth kisses :)

Ryan started out by tickling Jake's little toes

Still playing with Jake's toes and doing the little devious laugh that he does so well

I love Ryan's smile in this picture

Jake looks like he knows what is coming :)

Going in for the kill...

The kiss :) It kind of looks like Jake is kissing back, haha

More kisses--Jake doesn't look like he's loving this kiss

After the kiss--he looks scared to death

Just another pic from this morning

Sticking his tongue out

Mangelson Family Reunion

My parents planned a little Mangelson Family Reunion that was held today at Levan Park. Today is also my Grandma Mangelson's birthday. She would have been 93.

My dad made turkey and dutch oven potatoes. Everyone else brought salads and desserts to share. My dad only has two sisters so the Mangelson side of our family isn't huge, but we had a TON of good food to eat. There were so many good salads to choose from and desserts, too. I had to go through the line twice to sample all of the salads. There wasn't enough room on my plate the first go around :)

It was really good to see my Aunt Mary, Aunt Nancy, and their families. Since both of my Mangelson grandparents passed away, we don't see our Mangelson relatives very often. I'm glad my parents to the initiative and planned this reunion.

My mom has already reserved the park for next year so we can get together again. I look forward to visiting with my Mangelson relatives again and all of the good food :)

My Aunt Mary holding Jake

Uncle Vaughn, Louie and Ben, and my Dad--my Dad was getting the reunion started :)

Molly reading a book to Sophie and Ryan

Aunt Nancy, Paula holding Jake, and Cade

Everyone visiting after we'd eaten

More visiting...

Even more visiting...

Jason relaxing--he ran in the Deseret News 10k race on the 24th of July. Way to go Jason!

The Mangelson kids--Aunt Mary, my Dad, and Aunt Nancy in age order

Uncle Vaughn and Aunt Mary

The Mangelson kids' with their spouses

Aunt Nancy with her two daughters--Vivian and Betsy

Nancy's Family--Louie, Ben, Viv, Louie Jr., Nancy, Zoe, and Betsy

Mary's Family--Vaughn, Mary, Emmy, Vicky, Logan, and Rick

Mary has 5 boys and only 1 was able to make it to the reunion. Rick, Vicky, and their grandson Logan came all the way from Beaverton, OR for the occasion.

The Mangelson Families:

Molly's Family: Amanda, Scott, and Molly

They have two more daughters and one son-in-law that aren't pictured

Amy's Family: Jackson, Amy holding Keaton, Hayden, and Jason

Paula's Family: Casey, Zach, Cade, Sophie, Nick, and Paula

Zach wanted a picture by himself :)

Emilee's Family: Joseph, Emilee holding Ethan, Dallin, and Madeline

Charlie's Family: Eli and Charlie holding Max

My Family: Jim holding Ryan and Me holding Jake

Later that evening, we headed into Nephi for another family get together. My cousin LeeAnn and her family were in town from Georgia, and we don't get to see them very often so my Aunt Judy planned a family dinner to get us all together so we could visit with LeeAnn and her family.

It was really nice to see LeeAnn's family. She has four daughters--I can't believe how old they are. Her youngest is going to be 8 this year and it seems like she should still be a baby.

I'm glad Judy planned this get together so we could visit with LeeAnn's family while they were in town.

It's pretty unusual, or lucky, to see both sides of my family in one day :)

The guests of honor--Tod & LeeAnn Taylor

Jim holding Jake while chatting with Amy

Jake and Sydnee--they didn't want to look at each other, haha. Sydnee is one week older than Jake.

Everyone visiting

More visiting

Playing volleyball--it's kind of hard to see since it was starting to get dark. I should have got a little closer to take the picture.

Marlee with her arms around her mom LeeAnn chatting with Libbey

This picture cracks me up--it's my Uncle Morris in the playland. He was watching his little grandson Braxten and didn't want him to fall out so he got up in the playland. It was pretty funny.