Big Innings and Beginnings

We enjoyed a lovely Monday evening at the ball park, enhanced ever-so-much by the Lehi Children's Choir's amazing rendition of the National Anthem:

We had great seats if you were trying to catch a foul ball, not so great if you were trying to take a picture of your daughter's face while she was singing. 

But I did manage to get our sons' faces:

(He totally disagreed with the ump's call, and I think he may have been right.)

The weather was perfect---no bugs, but there were a few bees:

I think we made it to the 5th inning before I was done with trying to contain and entertain a certain 19-month old, but even in just 5 innings, we managed to have a stinging good time. Who can resist eating ice cream out of a plastic baseball cap?

Now on to beginnings......

Hello 3rd and 6th grades.....

Popsicle smiles

Even though summer is not officially over, the start of school and the cooler temps remind me of its elusiveness.

I wish you could stay forever, favorite season of mine, but as you yield to your three siblings (fall-winter-spring) I will carry with me these mementos:

popsicle smiles

dirty bare feet

the smell of freshly cut grass

the smell of sunscreen

the smell of chlorine

the smell of tomato plants

dripping swim suits and towels hanging on the back porch

the sound of doors slamming repeatedly as children rush in and out

the oft-repeated refrain: "Close the door--the air conditioner is on!"

dirty hands from pulling weeds (and weeds and more weeds)

sweaty boy head smell (if you have boys you know what I mean)

late bedtimes

a house full of kids

painted toe nails

never wearing socks

no homework

dressed by 10, breakfast at 10:30 (cinnamon toast, if you must know)

Do I need to send a formal request to the Indians (Native Americans) to order an Indian Summer? How, exactly, does that work?

And a few more popsicle smiles for the road....

Congrats, Stephanie

Meet one of my favorite people, Stephanie, and her two lovely daughters. Steph is a single mom raising 5 children and doing a great job. She recently graduated from BYU with a business degree, not an easy task when you are raising children on your own and working full time. We are just so proud of her, and we (book club friends) had to have a small get-together to celebrate her accomplishment.

Yes, that is a yummy cake from Costco and yes, it was super windy!

Our book club first met in the fall of 2002 (is that right, girls?) and we have been reading and playing together ever since. We have read well over 50 books (Heather, how many?) and saved countless dollars in therapy fees by getting together every month and sharing each other's lives. Between the 7 of us, we have 23 children, 19 of which are pictured here: Christine, Danielle, Miles, Joshua, Caleb, Ben, Cassidy, Garrett, Samuel, Libby, Abby, Kaylee, Taylor, Emily, Kierra, Thomas, Tait, Logan, Devin, Ellie, and not pictured are Everett, Reese, Camden, and Ellie S.

Some more of our cuties:

And this, my friends, is what I get when I ask R to hold the camera for me:

What, am I posing for a spot in a headache commercial? It always makes me laugh to get the camera back from Rich and see what he has snapped. I guess I'm just happy that I'M still the one in his viewfinder, even if I look like a weirdo.

Special congrats to Stephanie, and special thanks to all my book club friends. I love you all more than I can say!

Drive until the map turns blue (or to a swimming pool, whichever is closer)

Aunt Melissa

It's super-fun to have a favorite aunt come visit for a week from California.

We tried to do our part as good hosts. There were

picnics in the park

silly faces

 and rare moments of non-fighting, picture-cooperating children.

There was a cookout in AF Canyon

with lots of picture taking opportunities:

A few marshmallows were eaten

as well as some dirt

There was also

mini golf at Trafalga

bowling at Fat Cats

and

bread-making and jam-making.

There was a trip to temple square sans children

and a trip to This Is The Place Heritage Park with children

There were less-than-glamorous moments too, like when my temporary crown fell out in the middle of lunch at a restaurant and when I tried to serve an undercooked chicken casserole for dinner--yuck. But I think it's fair to say we had a few laughs, made a few memories, and took several hundred photos. 

Thanks for the visit, Melissa!