Welcome to our World

The tail end of summer has been so much fun.  The weather has been fantastic and we've all had special occasions to look forward to.  First up, a family party for Natalie's softball team that included pizza, whiffle ball, and seeing the girls just have a good time together as a team. Here's my favorite photo from when Michelle helped her friend, A, celebrate her 16th birthday.  Although she has been friends with A & Z since her time at the Waldorf school, Michelle ended up hanging out with a lot of strangers and had a wonderful time.  I love seeing her branch out and make new connections while maintaining her core friend group. Homecoming week included a BBQ, Powder Puff game and drone show, parade past the middle school where I was volunteering at the Rattler Run, plus a very exciting football game that even Hubby attended by being one of the basketball parents to man the concession stand. Danny did a great job tossing candy instead of throwing it and the basket...

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...

The time has come!  Our first baby is a legal adult!  Sometimes I wonder where the time went.  I pulled out the baby scrapbook that my mother, Shannon, and I had made her.  To see little baby K was such a trip.  We were all very different people then.  So many memories.  I am grateful to these girls who helped her celebrate her special day.  I love all of them.  Kate requested a catered Chick Fil A meal after they went to the lake together and before they watched a movie in the basement.  Hubby and I were more than happy to oblige.  My favorite part was overhearing them laugh together.  We built this house with children in mind and now those children are turning into grown ups.  Here's to being old enough to vote and beginning her senior year next month! Kate actually celebrated early because Hubby and I joined Danny in Memphis for his last out of state tournament.  We had never been to Tennessee before and it was the...