September

Where has September gone.

Probably my most favorite month of the year
and now it is gone.

I was so busy with driving kids to soccer, karate, scouts and helping with all the school projects and homework that September just seemed to fly by. But the weather has been fantastic and I have tried to soak as much of it in as possible before the snow starts to fall!

We had a Fall Family Outing yesterday. As we listened to the last session of conference we drove.
Drove into the mountains to see the beautiful color that appears this time of year in Utah. Then we stopped for a walk at this lovely place called Cascade Springs. Cap't Jack even came along for the ride.

I LOVE family outings. My kids don't always appreciate them but I think and hope that someday they will remember them and have fond memories of all the places we explored together.

I took the chance to get a picture of the gang that I so proudly call mine. And if you don't know them, let me introduce you...

From Left to Right we have:

The newest school kid on the block that decided he was going to collect some leaves for "SHOW n TELL" the next day - Good thinking Bubba.

Mr. Grumpypants, aka preteen, who proclaimed throughout our whole outing that "he just wanted to go home".

The leader of this gang who I like to call Mr. Responsibility, but also the Big Teaser of this gang, (I know this payback from my childhood).

Little Miss M who could get what ever she wants from her brothers, but could also be known as Miss Stubborn when it comes to potty training or doing her hair!

And last but not least, Mr. Soccer, who was so tired from his game the night before that he slept in his uniform and then proceeded to wear it throughout the next day.


Hopefully, this is just the first of a few of the things we can enjoy this Autumn together as a family.

It is Time for...

Back to School

New Adventures

in schooling -

kindergarten & riding the bus.

Is he really old enough?

New classes - Seminary

I am soooo excited for this young man

to be able to attend Seminary classes everyday.

Joy School

I haven't had the opportunity for seven + years,
but am lucky enough to do this with her.

And a DIY Project

A Busy Week/Weekend

Before the boys were found waiting outside for the school bus
or listening for the ringing of the school bells,
we had ourselves a busy week.

P participated with his soccer team in a 3-day Park City Tournament.

T went on a backpacking scout camp with his dad
and a bunch of other 12/13 year old boys.

About 20 rounds of Rummikub, 12 rounds of SkipBo
and one round of Zarahemla
were played around the dining room table.

Miss M and Bubba couldn't wait to ride but then "freaked out"
before enjoying the ride on the "round and round".


J and P got a little too comfortable riding the "round and round".


We saw an entertaining bird show.

P's soccer team made it all the way to the final championship game
of his tournament but lost in overtime,
resulting in a Second Place finish
and a new medal to show for it.


We celebrated Mr. Dean's birthday with a party
and plenty of brownies and ice cream.

J passed off all his Karate moves and earned himself an orange belt.


Bubba took a spin in a really cool car,
that he now wants to buy with his allowance money.


Miss M got a little (okay a lot) scared of Leo the Lion
(the Real Salt Lake mascot)
when he came over to shake hands.


And then we went to the Zoo with Nana and Ally who were visiting us.
Did you know they now have dinosaurs at the zoo?
Big ferocious ones, mean spitting ones-
that cool you off from walking around in the hot sun,
and even baby dinos.


NOW it is time to get ready for Back to School.

DC Trip - Day Seven

We have been home for a week now but I wanted to share what we did on our last day in DC.

First we located the DC Temple which was interesting to see from the Freeway and then try to drive to. You had to wind through little streets lined with trees to get there. There were so many trees in the area that you didn't know you were there until you pulled into the actual parking lot of the temple. I hear that at night it is beautiful and bright to behold. Wish I could have seen it then.


From there we traveled about an hour north to a place called Gettysburg. Another one of those sacred places that just humbled me.

Inside the visitor's center is this panoramic painting of the historic battle that happened here. An amazing work of art. Wish I could have captured it all on film.


And just across the street from the visitor's center is the actual field or opening in which the battle occurred over three days in July of 1863.

There were monuments every where spread out among the land representing the different states and regiments that were represented and that fought in the this deadly battle. These monuments are meant to honor those who fought at Gettysburg but it gives to me a small glimpse into the tens of thousands of soldiers that were involved.

I read in the information pamphlet that over 51,000 soldiers either died, were wounded or missing after this Battle. Because so many soldiers lay dead in the field, land was purchased here by Pennsylvania's governor to give the soldiers a proper burial. This National Cemetery was dedicated four months after the Battle of Gettysburg took place and it is of course where Abraham Lincoln, then President, delivered his short but famous, inspirational speech, the Gettysburg Address.