Strawberry Jam

Step one- Pick Strawberries and remove the green leaves and stems.
Step two- Mash strawberries with a potatoes masher. Its easier if you cut them a little first.
Then put strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, a little butter to prevent foaming, and the pectin in a pot a cook according to directions in the pectin box. Then using a canning funnel put strawberry mixture in the jars. Be sure to wipe off the rim and outside of jars really good before putting the lids and rings on.
Then fill the canner with the jars and boiler for 10 minutes.
Thats it! You just made jam with me!

We finally made it to Idaho and Yellowstone and back. We drove straight through to Idaho the first day and stayed with Todd's sister Laura for 5 days then went to camp in Yellowstone for 3 days. It was a fun and long trip. The kids did great in the car. When in Idaho we did some hiking as you can see above.
We also went to the zoo, which was requested by Auntie Laura. Thankfully they had just opened their Africa exhibit because Matthew really wanted to see a giraffe and they actually had them.
The kids also were surprised to find out that they could run through a fountain in downtown Boise one day. It was the perfect day for it, because it was 100 degrees that day!
We also did some swimming in Auntie's pool.
The boys explored an old Lava Cave. Matthew thought this was the best thing ever. He had gotten a head lamp as he calls it which he was very excited to use in the cave. The girls were a little hesitant, so we stayed above ground.
Then we were on to Yellowstone. This was taken at Old Faithful.
Matthew posing at one of the many waterfalls we saw.
Doing some cooking at one of our campsites. It was really, really cold sleeping in Yellowstone.
The kids posing again.
Matthew looking at something "cool" I'm sure.

What we've been up to!

Some of you know what the Tungseth family has been up to lately but for those of you that don't let me fill you in. First and by far the best is that I think Abby is officially potty trained! Can I get an AMEN!!!! She has not worn a diaper/pull up in 4 days now! I just decided one day to put underwear on her and throw those stupid pull-ups in the garbage!They don't work one bit! So that day she did really good one accident I think and then put her to bed that night with out one on and she was dry all night and has done really good since. She enjoys using the potty chairs more than the actual toilet, but i don't care! I'll cart those potty chairs around with me if I have to.
The first two pictures are showing the kids and I having lunch outside. We have been doing lunch/super outside a lot lately.
Matthew looks forward to Todd playing softball on Thursday because when both games are over he gets to bat on the field with Todd. He loves this and is really looking foward to his baseball starting soon! That should be interesting to say the least! :)
We have been taking in a few Redhawks games lately. Matthew loves getting there early and going and getting his ball signed by the players. Its so cute to watch him throw his self right in there with the big boys to get an autograph!
One night T.C Bear from the Twins joined hawkeye. That was awesome for the kids! Let me rephrase that. That was awesome for Matthew and Abby ejyoyed it from a distance!
The kids and I have already gone to Buffalo state Park twice. I bought a seasn pass this year so let me know if anyone ever wants to come with, we/I would love the company.
Matthew is offically done with his first year of preschool. I figure this picture is going to be so cute to have and compare with a senior year one if he gradualtes from West fargo!
Lastly we had four big evergreens cut down last week in our lyard. To save money we had them just cut doan and we are picking it all up and getting ride of it. Its alot of work, but worth it to us to save like $650.00! The grass is all planted now, so I think all we have left to do is alot of watering.
This is just some of what we cleaned up!

Its been a while!

I'm not really sure where to begin since its been so long since I last posted. I guess I'll start off telling why its been so long. Its because I haven't been able to put the pictures from the camera onto the computer, because there is a lack of hard drive space. I finally freed up just enough to put a few pictures on. The picture above is from the rain we had a few weeks ago. The kids were really anxious to get out there matching rain gear.
Then a week or so after the rains it was Todd's mom and dad's anniversary. All three of the kids pitched in some $ and Todd made them this picnic table for there porch. They spend countless hours out there in the spring/summer! So it will be muched used.
Matthew's drawings have begun to actully look like things now. I had to post this one because he made it for me and told me its was a queen in her castle. So cute!
We had a full morning of dentist apointments about a week ago. Matthew had a back tooth were the roots rejected a cavity he had filled there a few monthes ago so the roots were being eaten away. Confussing I know, anyhoo he had it pulled a a spacer put in to keep that space open for his permantent tooth. He did great, thankfully he actually likes going to the dentist. I can tell you for sure he dosen't get that from his mom or dad! Abby had her first dentist appointent that day also! She was nervous at first but ended up doing great! She is a member of the no cavity club! Way to go Ab's!
Abby picking out ther prize at the dentist. What to choose?
Matthew had been wanting a scooter like he sees the older kids using since last summer. I found on Mother's day weekend at a garage sale. Its Batman even, and Abby got a princess one at the same sale. Perfect! They really enjoy riding them. Well Matthew rides his, and Abby rings her bell and tries to ride hers!
Matthew had his first ever school field trip last week. They went to the zoo. Here he is with his friend Taylor. They think its just great that they both have the same coats!
The kids have been asking every day since April if its a nice day for the slip and slide. Finally yesterday it was! They played on it for about 2 hours! I was glad that I could finally say "Yes! Its nice enough for the slip and slide!"
Abby in her Princess swim suit. Some time I'll have to post a picture of the hugh wedge she gets when she wears it. Its so cute!
No explination here!
Mommy and Abby being silly when Matthew was at school today. Thats it as far as the catch-up goes. This weekend we hope to get the 4 big evergreens cut down in our back yard. To save tons of money they are just being cut down into big chunks and we are taking care of the rest so if anyone wants to help or needs wood give us a call!

The Wedding........

Apparently Matthew had a pretty busy weekend, because this is how he was through the wedding. Sleeping on Uncle Tim. He has a stuffy nose so he was breathing really hard, almost snoring in the wedding. It was so loud that we had to take him out because people started to turn around to see who was snoring in a Wedding!
Todd and me at the wedding.
Blowing bubbles for the bride and groom. Actually most of the kids and some adults were blowing bubbles long before the bride and groom left!
They had a polka band at the wedding and Matthew immediately ran out and started dancing when they started playing. Who knew that there would be a dancer in the family since Todd and I don't dance!
Dancing with his cousin Elise! The kids and her always have so much fun together!

Take me out to the ball game!

This weekend we also went to some Twins games. Well, I should say I went to a Twins game adn the rest of the family went to two games!The first one was on Friday night will about 30 member of Todd's family. That was a great game with a great come from behind win. Abby discovered during that game that she has a thing for T.C Bear. The picture above is from the game on Sunday were the kids got to run the bases! They also got to meet T.C Bear, which was very exciting! From what I was told Abby made it almost to 2nd base before she had a break down and Todd had to go get her.
One of the cutest pictures of these two ever!
Gotta try a family picture even though its 11 at night and the kids are dog tired from their big day.
At last its T.C Bear!

It's a random one....

So we have been celebrating the arrival of SPRING around here. We got out the bikes this week, and have been practicing riding those again. Abby just scoots along and Matthew is getting better and better.
Matthew looks like such a cool dude here. I asked if I could take a picture of him on his bike and he said no, that he had to stand by it instead. Whatever.
Yes, we did just celebrate Easter too. We had both sets of grandparents at my mom and dads this year along with the two uncles. Auntie Laura had to stay back in Boise, but we will see her this weekend for a wedding. Matthew, Abby, and I made these Easter nests and Matthew wrote eveyones names himself. So proud to see he is learning to write names and stuff.
Abby helping dye Easter Eggs.
J
Just a funny picture that I just had to post.