Thanks and Giving

I kept thinking that things would "slow down" around here once school started back up again.  We seem to be busier than we were in the spring.  We ended our summer with our first ever "Isbell Family Siskiyou Golden Fair" experience.  I was a bit hesitant to live "the fair life", but I am so grateful that our boys are a part of 4H and that our week at the fair was memorable and meaningful.  Watching our youth participate in an activity which defies the instant gratification our society promotes, was beyond rewarding.  They were up at daybreak to feed and water not only their own animals but their friends' as well.  Carter pocketed a little cash which will pay for his start up pigs for next year, but the money is completely secondary to the value of the experiences.

We were able to enjoy the Salmon and Klamath Rivers with friends before the school year got completely underway.

It's amazing to think that this year is my 5th year as a principal and that we have a 4th and 2nd grader.  Both boys just finished up their first quarter and their academic accomplishments are terrific.  In fact, Carter got the highest score you can get on the state test in both ELA and Math.  More importantly, their teachers spoke about what good friends they are to all.  It's a tough job having your mom as the principal and I got a little teary eyed as their teachers both spoke about their character.

Carter's travel baseball team ended their season with their first ever win!  It has been such a joy to watch he and his team learn and grow in their first season. 

Through the summer and up until the last frost we have been lucky enough to sell all of our produce to a new local distillery and restaurant.  It's a very high-end establishment and it's been pretty fun to come in and enjoy a Watermelon Martini made with your watermelons or a Caprese salad plate with your homegrown tomatoes.  But let's face it, it's just pretty great to have such deliciousness a few miles from home.

Grandma Cora was especially missed when I canned some homemade tomato sauce.  I undoubtedly always had questions when it came to canning and I got pretty teary eyed when I institively called her up.

With fall comes hunting and football.  Both boys have had some successful hunting trips with their dad this year.  Maybe not successful in killing a buck, but successful in their abilities to hike in rough terrain.  The traditional "Buck Hunters' Ball" made a comeback this year and Bradley's buck jerky took first place in this year's competition. 

Carter has continued his work as water boy and ball boy for the Etna High School football team.  He's only missed one game this season and enjoys watching his cousin Mason.  Miles and Carter are both playing flag football and it's been exciting to see Miles get excited and knowledgeable about the game.  Carter has also taken up a CrossFit class and is learning some fundamental movements such as deadlifts.

 

We were able to take the boys up to Portland with our good friends and stay with their family.  The highlight of the trip was biking around the city and going to a Journey and Def Leopard concert.  The boys and Wyatt and Finn knew the words to every song.

Halloween gave us MacGyver, Brandon Crawford, and Napoleon Dynamite.  Gone are the days of a themed attempt, but the fun is alive and well.

As we enter into the season of Thanks and Giving we have no shortage of people, experiences, or things to be thankful for.  Even though this season too seems busier than ever, I'll be taking extra time in our week off to pause, reflect, and be thankful for the moments.