Sep 18 - 24

Monday, September 18 - We had a super fun time at the Blackridge Elementary Color Run! This is an annual fundraiser that the school does each year and my kids love it! They are always a mess but it's worth those smiles! :)

Tuesday, September 19 - Check out my brace-face! Okay, so you can't see them all that well but I got Invisalign braces on today. I am tired of my bottom teeth being so crooked - especially after having worn braces for over 3 years as a teenager! I will only need these for about 6 months and they were much less expensive than we had anticipated so we went for it! Yay!! Straight teeth, here I come!

Wednesday, September 20 - Simon won a raffle drawing at the MACU Benefits Fair and ended up with this Storm Trooper helmet. It changes your voice with an internal microphone and everything! It is valued at $110! Not sure what we'll do with it but it's super cool!

Thursday, September 21 - I was so excited to get my braces until...this. Check out the wicked canker sores they are giving me! I consulted Google about this problem and it says that it takes about a week for your gums and cheeks to get used to the change and then it gets better. Here's hoping!

More importantly, I had my last Relief Society activity tonight. It was called "House of Order" and it turned out really well. Sweet Carli Bringhurst, one of my new young women, made all of the cupcakes for it. She is an amazing girl!

Friday, September 22 - I asked mom if we could get together to can tomatoes. She grew a ton in her garden and I want some! :) Jenni and I went over this morning and got to work. I can't wait to eat the rewards of working so hard! Tonight, Nick and Simon left for a scout camp so I met up with Erin, Jessie, and all the kids to have shakes and ice cream at Arctic Circle. It was fun getting to visit with the ladies and the kids loved getting their energy out on the playground. 

Saturday, September 23 - While Simon and Nick were at Strawberry Reservoir catching nasty crawdads and watching the spawning red salmon swim upstream, I was enjoying an amazingly cold game of soccer with my parents! Zack did great and is really coming along as a defender on the field. Being such a cold day, my camping boys were excited to get home and take hot showers!

Sunday, September 24 - Happy birthday to Kenny! I can't believe my baby brother turned 27!! Where did that time go!?!? We celebrated at mom and dad's with a yummy spare rib dinner. Kenny requested a chocolate cake so I did a "naked chocolate cake" for him. Happy birthday bro!

Sep 11 - 17

Monday, September 11 - Bowling has begun! And it was...a little rough! Ricki was happy as a clam when we were playing in the play room but once we had to bowl, it was all tears and needing mommy. I don't know how long I'll be able to do this. :(

Tuesday, September 12 - We had a full evening of sports! We started out at Zack's soccer game at 5:45 then headed out to Nick's tournament game at 6:30. It was a single-elimination tournament and unfortunately, we lost tonight so the season is over. I have absolutely loved watching my boy play baseball! He went from being in the outfield to third baseman. He's doing so great and I couldn't be more happy with him!

Wednesday, September 13 - Nick got his fitness watch in the mail today. He is one happy kid!

Thursday, September 14 - It's like Christmas!!! Girl's trip is finally here! We left bright and early to get a head start on the drive. We stopped at the bakery in Lehi for doughnuts before hitting the freeway. We made it to St. George by lunchtime. Meanwhile, Simon took Ricki on her super fun fire station field trip. (She actually cried the whole time except for this picture.) We went to "linner" at Olive Garden and spent the evening shopping, laughing, and watching movies. 

Friday, September 15 - We got up and got going this morning. We went to Kneader's for the best french toast in the world then went for a drive. We ended up at the temple. We toured the visitor's center and watched the new installments to the movie, "Meet the Mormons". After the temple, we went up on top of the bluff and did some exploring. None of us were in great hiking shoes so we didn't go very far but it is so fun up there! Tonight, Simon went to an Activity Days Father/Daughter Date. They played Minute to Win It games and had lots of fun. :)

Saturday, September 16 - Jenni introduced us to the Pizza Factory and YUMMERS! It was so good! We did a little more shopping (doughnut I look great?) then we went back to the house to relax. Jenni and Katie were clearly enthralled in their computer work so mom and I built this puzzle. 

Sunday, September 17 - We are so bummed to be going home. :( Jenni had to be home early to watch Jake perform a song in the primary program and I wanted to get home to be called to YOUNG WOMEN'S!!!!!!! More on that later. :) Goodbye Girl's Trip. Next fall can't come soon enough!

Sep 4 - 10

Monday, September 4 - Grandma Sharon gave me tons of peaches so when life hands you peaches, you make jam and pie! I did 3 batches of pineapple-peach jam and made a yummy peach pie all before noon! :) 

Tuesday, September 5 - We played a good game and coach is pretty happy with his team here! Nick hit the ball...wait for it...3 TIMES!! All 3 on the first pitch too! He is doing so great!!

Wednesday, September 6 - Callie Sainsbury graduated from nursing school and passed all of her boards so we went out to celebrate! Leatherby's with good friends is always fun!

Thursday, September 7 - What did you do all day today? Oh, I made cards for card group tonight! Seriously, I shouldn't leave these things until the last minute! (They were kinda fun though!)

Friday, September 8 - Viewer digression on this one! I felt like my tub and jets weren't super clean, despite me constant cleaning. I ran some jet cleaner called Yuk through it and yep, it was even nastier than I thought it would be!

 

Saturday, September 9 - Stacy Wilson invited me to a fundraiser at her daughters' dance studio. I took Kendra with me and we hung out Scentsy-style for a few hours. The BY-Utah game was tonight so of course, I was sporting my U team paraphernalia!! P.S. We won! P.S.S. Go Utes!!!

Sunday, September 10 - This is one happy boy! He wanted to buy a $150 race car track but Simon and I were having a hard time seeing him spend every single dollar he's worked so hard all summer to earn. We finally encouraged him to buy a fitness band. This is him on Amazon ordering his new Garmin VivoFit Jr. watch. He is so excited and we are happier with this purchase (which cost half)!

Aug 28 - Sep 3

Monday, August 28 - Nick has shown so much improvement. We went the entire spring season wishing and hoping for a hit...with no result. Tonight, not only did this star hit once, he hit the ball twice! He is getting much more confident and I am continually amazed at his knowledge of the sport!

Tuesday, August 29 - Finally, the first day of preschool!!! This girl has been asking me every single day when school is going to start! She was elated when I woke her up this morning and told her we had to get ready for school. I still can't believe she's old enough for preschool!

Wednesday, August 30 - My view almost every night during baseball season. The lady in front of me had a shirt on that said, "Some people wait their whole lives to meet their favorite player; I raised mine". I love that! I could watch Nick play ball every night for the rest of my life and be one happy mama! Go #5!

Thursday, August 31 - This is kind of a silly picture but this is what I spent a lot of time on today. My mom is having a ward activity and she's the coordinator. We called it a "Porch Party" but what it really is is a walkabout around the neighborhood. We divided the ward into 3 sections and they will parade around each section over three weeks. I have helped her along the way with the plan, invitations, map, and even lanyards that people will wear each week. It's been super fun but lots of work too. I hope it turns out well!

Friday, September 1 - I really can be horrible about taking pictures each day. Simon and I were finally able to make dinner plans with Amie and Adam. We met at Salsa Leedos for dinner then came over to my house so that Amie could pick out some Scentsy for her brother's wedding. It was so fun hanging out with these two and getting some non-kid, uninterrupted chatting time. Love my BFF!

Saturday, September 2 - Things were a little bit crazy and busy when we came to the Bee's game a couple of weeks ago so Simon decided to take Nick back to another game. It was just a father and son outing and they had a blast!

Sunday, September 3 - As we were sitting in my mom's backyard after dinner, I looked over and saw Ricki climb up on my dad's lap and then insist that they swing. They were so cute and cuddly together. I love how much she loves her Papa!