Mid September

David invited us up to Governor’s Day where the army puts on a big hurrah.  We missed the formations and the speeches because Ken and the older kids when to a stake Family History Fair, but we were there in time for David to show us around and enjoy the fun.  Spencer had a soccer game that morning too, so he and Dad stayed behind for that.

David took us to the booth that showed off a bunch of the military equipment.  That was pretty impressive.  All the military guys there were so kind and helpful and happy.  It was nice.

Abbie, Jessie and Mark did some rock climbing and then they stood in line for the zip line while Neil and Isaac and I walked around trying to convince Neil to uncling himself and do something fun.  Eventually he went down one of the blow up toys, and then there was no turning back…..again and again and again.  He loved it.  He also tried the bounce house and then got to climb in a mini fire truck.

We were some of the last people to leave (I know you’re surprised, right?) so the kids got to go on the zip line again and again while the soldiers were cleaning up and putting all the other activities away.  They even convinced Lisa to try it once.   I thought it would be fun to Neil go too and they helped us get a harness on him and one of the soldiers carried him up to hook him on, but once they got him hooked on it was apparent that he was still a little to small to go down.  Oh well, maybe next year. 

Abbie and Spencer and I were going to pick up a friend for Abbie to play with when we passed the cemetery Abbie looked out the window and saw a turtle on the side of the road.  We didn’t want it to get run over so I stopped the van and she jumped out and picked it up.  He was quite the popular guest at our house that day.  He even got his picture drawn, courtesy of Jessie.  That evening when it was getting pretty chilly and he started digging a hole in our backyard to warm up we took him to a wildlife rescue about 5 minutes from here at a lady’s house.  While we were there she showed the kids a couple of birds they were rescuing, and told them she had been out helping some baby bears earlier that day.  It was a sad moment for Abbie, but a fun day none the less.

Playing one of Mark’s favorite games, Canasta.  Spencer and I were on a team against Mark. Chocolate pudding pops are a fun unicorn horn.  And yummy too!

I made some cinnamon rolls for Ken to take to work.  All he had to do was make some frosting for them in the morning.  The little boys helped… Our annual Brian hot dog roast was delightful.  Neil loves the water pitcher and filled up a glass for everyone.  A little football catching at the end made for a great evening.

We got a ton of peppers this year and in fun colors too!  We had a bunch of helpers in washing and cutting them to freeze. Saturday morning soccer game for Spencer.  The kids were munching on some trail mix Mark had made…only they were just picking out the M&M’s and leaving everything else. On Sunday while Ken and I were home teaching Jessie helped the kids put on a play.  They had so much fun!  Jessie you are awesome!  Can you guess which scripture story they did?

Did you guess the talking donkey from the bible?

A shoulder angel strikes again.

On Sunday we also had a family ice cream night in honor of Brian – mint chocolate chip, his favorite.  The kids had fun looking through scrapbooks….that makes all that work so worth it! After all the little kids went to bed Jessie and Mark wanted to surprise Spencer on his birthday with a banner and a bed full of balloons.  They came up with the idea all by themselves and Ken and I helped them finish it up so they could go to bed before it was too late.