Welcome to our World

I feel spoiled. My parents and our whole family around a dinner table was perfection. Hubby provided roses & a grilled steak, roasted potatoes, and fresh salad dinner complete with chocolate cake (decorated by Michelle).  My mom and dad bought me sweet and thoughtful gifts (including a mug Natalie had painted when my mom took her to Crackpots this summer) and even stayed to watch K Pop Demon Hunters in the basement. We thought it would be hilarious to watch them watch something so different from their favorite shows. They did not disappoint. It was a joyful evening that made me feel much better about turning 45 than I felt earlier in the day.  Below you’ll find what I had written before we celebrated.  Photo credit goes to Kate! 10 Years Ago I filled out interview questions for my 35th birthday and 5 years ago I did the same, adding 5 more questions.  I really don't think I should add 5 more every year because this is probably already too much information for an...

Our county fair always coincides with back to school time so it's kind of like the finale to summer.  I think Michelle was our winner for amount of time spent there by going with friends, coworkers, and family on different days.  The artwork was amazing and the pigs made me want to try being a vegetarian again but it was so fun for all of us. The biggest news around here is that we have a senior!  Here she is visiting a horse with friends and at her school's senior sunrise.  Senior photos are set up and she is beginning to think about her senior essay and free application day.  Kate is taking a much harder course load than she has before (3 AP classes!) but I know this girl can do anything she sets her mind to.  Congratulations on making it this far, K!  I'm grateful for these photos because on the first day of school she had an open block so didn't have to be there until after the rest of us left for school and work.  So these will have to do for...

Summer is still in full swing with Natalie going to her Young Women's camp and having a wonderful time hiking, tubing, star tipping, and glamping (in a barn).  She continued to take softball and cello lessons every week or two (until her coach hurt her shoulder and the school year began) and hanging out with friends, listening to audiobooks, baking, and being a help around the house. Michelle is working hard and was caught by a coworker falling asleep on the way back to town next to her friend from the Waldorf school.  She showed me that most of their group text is photos of everyone asleep in the vans on the way back to the fairgrounds.  But she'll take this over school any day and hopes to be able to get this job again next summer.  They have a policy to only hire back up to 50% of the previous summer's workers so only time will tell. Can you spot me in my pioneer dress and blue bonnet?  We had a fun little pioneer activity for the ward primary doing things li...