September Stuff

I still maintain that September is my favorite month of the year, even after spending LOTS of time and money in dental offices, orthodontic appointments, etc.  Waiting an additional 3 hours past his 2pm IV sedation appointment time (an 8-year old with no food/water - and it was 5pm before they called him back) just about put me over the edge....but Quinn has been a trooper through it all.

Sept. 15 - Quinn after having 2 teeth pulled & front teeth worked on.

Sept. 21 - getting top braces

It's official!  Quinn has joined the club.

I realize this is only the beginning of future orthodontia care for Quinn but he's taking this initial experience like a champ.   Proud of him for being diligent in this regard!

We love our Blendtec.  It's been part of the family for over 8 years now.  The jar has been leaking for awhile but doing the research to replace it didn't make it to the top of my 'to do' list until a recent conversation with my friend, Jane.  Finally, I made a call to find out what my options were (this is an expensive kitchen tool).  When the customer service gal looked up the date of our original purchase, I learned the warranty for a free replacement jar expired in TWO days!  What?!?  It's still covered?  I did a happy dance on the spot!  Oh, and for a mere $20, I upgraded to the larger sized jar.  The timing of that call was fortuitous!  And I've been busy making "power balls" and "energy bites" ever since.

coconut lime yumminess

peanut butter chia bites

cranberry almond joys

Aaron's birthday gift

Keeping things organized inside the house is something I'm pretty passionate about.  And until recently, that ability hasn't exactly been utilized in the garage.  I figured that was more of Aaron's domain.  Ha!  Not anymore.  It's a work-in-progress but we're getting the garage cleaned and organized - FINALLY.  I don't know who was more excited about his birthday gift - Aaron or me.  And why have we waited all these years to figure out a workable solution to storing/organizing his tools?  

We now hang skis, golf clubs, camp chairs, folding chairs, Aaron's bike rack, etc.

We splurged for our 21st anniversary and had some heavy-duty garage storage racks installed.  I anticipated this day like a kid in a candy store!  Couldn't wait to put everything in a designated location:).  No more looking for this or that in an overstuffed but under utilized garage storage room. And we also kept finding items to donate to the Deseret Industries.  Liberating!

Allows for off-season rotation.  A few bikes are still parked in the garage.

The overhead storage rack is dreamy.  I haven't wanted to part with my double-jogger (grandkids someday) but it's bulky and takes up space.  Along with camping gear, picnic tables and other rotational items, they are now out of the way yet still accessible.  We will be able to pull in the mower and small 4-wheeler for the winter and still have room to walk around and get to items on the shelves (gardening, fishing, paint supplies, food storage, etc.).  It will be nice to actually fill my 5-gallon water containers and set them on metal shelving along the wall.  Making progress...

Anna is the oldest in her Beehive class and will be moving on in a few months.  The girls modeled modest clothing for their mothers at a recent activity and taught about the importance of this hot topic.  Well done girls!

Our ward has experienced a lot of change in recent months.  Many families moving in and a few leaving the area.  We often take brownies over to meet and greet the new neighbors but have fallen sadly behind in this friendly task.  Elsie has new activity day leaders and they planned a fun mother-daughter evening together last week.  We were too busy playing games, eating food and chatting with others to take any pictures (besides this invite).  It was nice to be in Ferney's old barn during the rainy downpour happening outside.

selfie on the sofa

Friday afternoon (the day after our 21 years on the 21st) Aaron and I drove to SL where we ran a few errands, ate dinner at Texas Roadhouse and stayed at the Hyatt House in Sandy.  Our multi-purpose getaway also allowed us to attend the funeral of Scott Griffiths the next morning.  It was a sad occasion that brought Tricia's family members together but the services were spiritually uplifting.  The music was incredible and each sibling did a wonderful job celebrating Scott's Christlike attributes and other contributions made during his life.  Hilary also drove down and we fit in as much talk time as possible with McKay's family before parting ways.

The next day Cameron was ordained a teacher in the Aaronic priesthood and they caught a return flight to England where they are currently living (McKay is doing a 5-month academic sabbatical).  It was a whirlwind trip for them.  We were grateful to have a few hours together.  My parents were unable to attend as they were in China attending Will's baptism on the same day.  They have been out of the country for about a month now and during their travels, they received their mission call to serve in the Missouri Independence Mission and report to the MTC on November 6.  Their primary assignment is to labor in the Kansas City Missouri North Facilities Management as physical facilities specialists.  My kids are intrigued by what this will include but one thing is for certain, G-ma and G-pa P have skills!

Aaron laughing with former Arbor Senior Care employee turned famous singer - Camille Nelson

Hilary, Tricia, McKay, Heather, Aaron at cemetery

Tricia's family

Jessica, Cameron, Thomas

Cam, Thomas, Tricia, McKay, Jessica - at luncheon

Aaron and I returned home to many responsibilities but appreciated our brief time away.  The circumstances gave us much to ponder and appreciate about the goodness of our Savior.  We love being members of His church and are grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that provides peace, direction, hope, encouragement and everything else necessary to navigate mortality.  We enjoyed the piano solo Anna played in sacrament meeting the next day,  a beautiful arrangement of "When I Am Baptized".  It brought Aaron to tears.

Quinn chasing Kai.

Shifting gears, we are winding down our fall sports season.  As a member of the "Patriots" team, Quinn just completed his flag football season.  Playing with a group of Hibbard-ites provided a much better experience than last year where he was mistakenly put on the 'wrong' team.  And Coach Hank is about as easy-going a football coach as ever walked the earth.

Back: Kai, Ryker, Micah, Quinn, Jace
Front: Creed, Bodi, Levi, Dallis, Cooper

Anna - #10 red

We're wrapping up another soccer season for Anna this fall.  For the first time (since age 4-5), Jantzen made the decision NOT to play.  He was a member of the freshman team last year and most moved up to play JV so I asked him more than once if he was really "done" playing soccer.  His first love is basketball and he wants to focus more on one sport.  It was kind of strange to have such a 'simple' soccer schedule after years of juggling craziness.  I'll admit, it made my life easier:).

Payton & Anna

Another learning experience this season for Anna's team.  Last year she was "moved up" to play with older girls - most of which are now playing JV (no freshman girl's team). Since Anna is only in 8th grade, she and two other 8th graders (Lacie & Addie) could not play JV and are now with the girl's their own age.  It's a completely different team with a skill set that has not yet been solidly coached.  She enjoyed playing with her schoolmates/friends but the action on the field was a bit frustrating at times for her.

Brinley - being answered by Hunter M.

Homecoming was early this year (over Labor Day weekend - unfortunately).  The high schoolers are already prepping for the Bobcat Boogie in October.  No doubt it will be a 'smashing' success for Brinley when the date/dance arrives in a few weeks.

With Harvest Break upon us, Brinley set out for an exciting adventure with her Dad.  Since Aaron was already in SL for a HCP leadership retreat, I sent Brinley on the shuttle where the two of them met up at the airport.  More on their adventures when they return!

We will have our own set of adventures during Harvest Break but starting out with a little applesauce-making wasn't exactly what the kids wanted to spend their first day of 'freedom' doing.  While Jantzen focused on mowing, trimming, working in the yard, the others helped wash, cut, cook, puree apples!

Good times!