Happy 14th

Blake had a birthday last week.  His most wanted item was lemonade. And many people heard about it.  The lady he works for made a pitcher of lemonade for him at work and his Sunday School teacher gave him lemonade.  He also got money for his Nintendo Switch fund.  After he pays his tithing he puts 20% of each pay check aside for it.   

He enjoys working hard.  Last year he just did it because he needed to, but this year he said he actually enjoyed the work.  It is making him tough.  

He regularly shows us his growing muscles.  Much to Leah's delight.  Haha!!

He really is a good kid.   He is a hardworking man-child that loves fiercely.  I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for him in this life.

Leah said she looked homeless in this picture.  It was right after baptisms with wet hair and rushed out for pictures.  But still, I got great kids.  Happy Birthday Blake.  Thanks for being who you are and staying on the covenant path.  Stay strong, stay solid and don't' let others influence you.  We love you so much and are proud to be your parents.  Even through all the odd talent shows and the constant showing of armpit hair and mustache (peach fuzz) growing. We love your humor and kindness. Keep being you.

Welcome Home Grandma!!

Myrna returned from her 18 month mission in Montreal.  We went up early and Leah did some shopping and Dave exchanged his socks from Bass Pro Shop.  We then quickly ate lunch in the car as we drove to the temple.  Our kids had not been to the Calgary temple yet and I thought this would be the perfect time.  We invited all the cousins and parents that wanted to to come with us.  After baptisms we went to wait at the airport until Myrna landed.

We had made a banner to welcome back and so had some of the other grandkids.

The kids waited and played until it was time for her plane to land.

All of us waiting to greet her.

After her landing and hugs all around (it was fun to watch her hug Blake and Ashton, they have both grown up so much since she left) we gathered luggage and went to Atwood's for a delicious BBQ and catch up. It was so fun to hear so many stories and experiences that Myrna had.  They following weekend we all got together.  Everyone came in Thursday night.  Friday was raining and cold, so we spent the day indoors just hanging out.  Saturday warmed up a  we went to the pool for a few hours.  Leah had to work all weekend, but got to spend the mornings with us, and Cora called on Saturday to say hi to everyone.  Sunday Myrna spoke in church and did a fantastic job.  It was so well done.  That night she had an open house and floats.

What a great example Grandma has been to all her grandchildren.  Grandma did it and did it with honors.  Congrats on a mission well done.

July

Every one has been busy working this month, but we have managed to squeeze in a few fun things.  Dave usually does not have to work Friday's.  By the time Friday rolls around he has most often worked over 44 hours that week. And Leah usually starts work between 1 and 3 on Friday's.  So we have been taking the boat out Friday morning for a couple of hours.  It is beautiful in the morning and nobody else shows up until around 11 and that is when we are pulling out.  It is peaceful and warm.  I have really loved these mornings.

Both Leah and Blake have gotten up on skis this year.  Blake didn't give it much of a try one day, so the next week he decided he was going to try as long as it took.  He got up first try that day.  His face was hilarious.  He was more shocked then anyone.  He got a nice long ride, but we are still working on his form.

Leah can get up pretty easy, but she goes straight left every time and falls going across the wake.  She has tried different pressure on her feet and stills goes that way.  We can't figure out what she is doing.  Because of this, she hasn't been able to stay up longer than about 15 seconds.  Last time she almost successfully got across.  If she can cross the wake then she will be great.  Still working on that as well.

But it has been really fun.  We take breakfast out.  Tube for a while, eat breakfast, swim, and either try skiing or kids tube again.

 Blake had a tumble on his dirt bike on the way to work a few weeks ago.  Shook him up quite a bit.  Won't' admit it now.  He thinks he was cool and collect.  I thought he had broke something so I took him up to the clinic.  But all was well.  Just very scrapped in the elbow, back, and head.

We got to go out to Kailey's homecoming.  She gave a great talk and we enjoyed hanging out with them after for dinner.

Also attended Alora's baby blessing.  Cute little girl and another fun day with family.  We drove two cars so Leah could attend and then she had to quickly get back to go work. (Leah has found the days she wears bright colors she gets more tips. Interesting!)

We finally got Leah out in a tractor.  Something seems to come up every year when it is her turn.  She was nervous, but after said it was not hard at all.  Kinda fun but at the same time very boring.  She took her headphones and talked to a friend that was also riding around in a tractor. :)

Blake and Gilbert went camping again.  This time they took their dirt bikes so they could ride in the coulees.  Gilbert has land in the river bottom.  They went swimming in the river.  Their food worked out better this time.  There is a fire ban on, so they took down the camp stove.  It was a very hot day.  They got all set up, swam, rode bikes, ate and played lots of card games.  Before they left, Blake kept saying he was sure he was forgetting something, but he couldn't think what it was.  We told him to just text us or make due without it if he did.  Turns out he did forget something.....the tent and sleeping bags. It was very nice of Arren to come back for them.  It doesn't make me so nervous anymore.  These boys have proven themselves very responsible and it is such a neat thing for them to be able to do. 

After a few tries of days that didn't end up working out, we finally got to Shakespeare in the Park yesterday.  We had let a few people know that sometimes come with us.  Just let them know we were going if they did or did not want to tag along.  As it turned out it was the same night that Leah's friends YW group was going, so all her friends she invited where there anyways.  Macbeth was the play this year and it was so good.  It is amazing what they can do with just a few props.  We did the whole traditional day.  Met Dave after work, Pizza Hut, play and frosty's at Wendy's afterwards.

It has been a great summer so far.  Leah works most evenings, but has managed to fit in time with friends.  Her boss is pretty understanding if she asks for a few hours off.  Our garden is growing lovely.  We are barely keeping up with the lettuce.  We have eaten a lot of salad this summer. Can't wait to harvest the rest of it.  Love fresh garden vegetables.  Haying is done, just need to finish moving bales.  Jared started on that last night. It has been very hot the last couple of days, so far our house isn't to bad. Dave has got the Jeep running and Leah enjoys driving that around. So funny story to end on: The Jeep is pretty beat up and old.  Definitely not in the prime of it's life.  Dave got it dirt cheap years ago.  Leah had a guy come into work and start grilling her about if that was her Jeep or not.  He proceeded to tell her that he bet she thought she was pretty cool driving around and that she really should not show off like that.  It makes everyone else feel bad about themselves.  She totally thought he was kidding, since it is so old and barely runs.  But apparently he was serious.  She thought it was so funny.  Especially since after he walked out and drove away in a brand new car.  Weird. 

Much Behind

 School is over.  The kids survived their finals and didn't do to bad. Blake ended up with an 88% average.  Way to go!!

He performed at the school end talent show again this year.  He dressed up in his church clothes, carried a stool out on the stage, sat down and proceeded to eat a granola bar.  He got much laughter and cheers.  It actually was pretty funny.  Him dressing up like it was a great performance was a nice touch.  Leah didn't have an exam that day and so she came with me to watch.  She thought it would be hilarious to fight in front of the kindness wall.

Dave has set up the car hospital in our garage again.  For a few days we only had one vehicle running.  That was fun.  Luckily it happened in the time Dave had time off work. Blake has been busy taking apart the 350 again and seeing what is wrong with it.  He has stripped the engine right out and is working on getting it back together.

In the mean time he is riding the 100 for work and fun. When it's not raining.

On our way to move cows. 

Last week of school Leah and I attended her sports banquet.  We went for softball and was quite surprised when they actually mentioned the basketball team.  And so were pleased that not only did it get a mention but that Leah won the Coaches Award.

This girl is keeping me exhausted.  I have said it before and I will say it again.  I really think I got more sleep with a newborn then with teenage.  There has been a lot of parties and outings the last few weeks. Yesterday she didn't work and was supposed to got watch some basketball and go hiking.  But she decided not to go and stay home.  I guess even she was partied out.  Leah and her friends are trying to make the most of this last summer together.  Next summer they will be moving, going on missions, etc.  She is having fun at work when it is busy, still more party invites.  We let her go to one the other day since she knew the guys' friends.  She  was only allowed to stay 30 mins and said it was a blast.  Dave and I had an adventure last week.  We were on our way to town at 5 in the morning.  We got half way and we heard a big clunk clunk.  I slightly panicked and asked what it was.  Dave said the same thing happened the day before and when he checked it all was fine so it was probably just rocks from the gravel coming off.  Right after our battery light came on and the temp skyrocketed.  Turns out the belt had fallen apart and come off.  We pulled over and thought about our best option.  We knew Leah wouldn't be awake yet to answer her phone and come get us.  He had to be to work in half hour.  What to do?  He texted work and explained he had engine trouble and we decided to drive home to switch cars.  If we could make it. As soon as we turned on the car, it was super hot again and Dave was worried the battery would die.  To try to make a long story short, what we did is turn car on, we could go about 1/2 mile before temp was in the red.  Dave would pop it in neutral and turn the car off.  We could coast for about a mile.  Then as car slowed down he would put it in second and pop the clutch so the car would start itself and save the battery.  Go 1/2 mile again and repeat.  It took a prayer and over an hour to go 30 miles, but we made it home.  Amazing what you can do with a stick shift.  We then woke up Leah and told her she would need to use the truck in the morning, but we would be back before she left in the afternoon, then headed back to town.  Crazy!

 Update on Cora: She has been transferred to Lichfield.  Here she is eating local ice cream her last night on the island with Sis Goodwin. She had served 5 months on Jersey.  Totally loved it but was ready for the change. She met some great people and had some wonderful experiences.  Cora is back with her MTC companion Sis Carter.  She said they worked really well together in the MTC and was looking forward to serving with her again.  Cora would mention once in while that she wasn't sure if the ward like the missionaries.  One time I asked her why she thought that.  She said that she had been told the previous Elders had just worried about getting investigators baptized and not following up with them.  When she got transferred to Jersey, the island had been switched to different England mission and had not had missionaries for 6 months.  They were opening it back up.  And she felt that their job was to build that relationship up again.  She said she felt like they were preparing the field, removing grass and trees, plowing it, and getting it ready to plant. She said they worked so hard to build up that trust again, to become friends with the ward members and less active.  Cora mentioned this a few times over last 5 months.  In her final letter from Jersey she said, "So, the flat in Jersey is in the middle of a wheat field, which is hilarious because this whole time spent in Jersey I feel like I've been prepping the field, mostly planting and now it's finally time to harvest."  She was a little sad to miss the harvest but is pleased with the work she did and knew the rest was some one else's job.  She is looking forward to new adventures and experiences in Lichfield.  Her letters show how much she is growing and learning.  I mentioned to Dave a few days ago, one of the things I love about her letters is how much she talks about her love of obedience. Cora always like to push the line.  She was obedient, but didn't like all the rules and didn't understand some of them and would push as much as she could.  But on her mission she often writes about how obedience is key.  How it brings greater blessing and greater joy.  She has thanked us for all we did and the rules we set. How she has gained a testimony of obedience and the love she has for it in her life. 

Road Trip

My parents had asked me if I wanted to hop in to their car and head to my brother's house for his sons baptism.  I totally did and totally didn't.  I had not seen Taylor's kids or my brother and sisters for a few years, but for some reason the thought of the trip was making me really nervous.  I would get panicky at night thinking about it.  Twice my mom called to say they might not be able to go and both times I was thinking, good we aren't supposed to be on the road.  In the end it was a really really great time and I was so glad we had done it. Wednesday Leah had a game in the same town my parents are in.  It was also Levi's birthday.  We all drove out to the game.  Dave did a temple session then met us there.  She played ball and we then had a birthday dinner at Cannon and Nicole's.  My family went home after and I stayed at my parents' house.  We left early Thursday morning and drove all day.  My mom had an Uncle Glendon in Ogden that we stayed with that night.  Sidenote: I got to watch part of the NBA finals at their house.  Whoot whoot!! Friday they made us a lovely breakfast and had a wonderful chat. Then we continues to Salt Lake.  Taylor had his kids Friday and Brody got out of school early afternoon.  We met at a park and colored, snacked, and threw a ball for a few hours and then checked into the hotel so the kids could swim.

Kita had booked hotels for up through an app that she got a great deal.  We were all surprised one night to find out that my moms handicapped room was free. Natalie, Kita and I stayed in one room and my parents another.  Brock and Star came up from each of their houses to spend some time with us that night as well.  We grabbed dinner and chatted at the hotel until Tay needed to take his kids back.  Before bed my sisters did a little late night yoga.  And Kita had a cute purse she gave us.

Saturday Taylor wanted to be nice and early to get changed for the baptism.  As we waited for Brody to arrive, Natalie got a little last minute primping done and we took what Cora calls a brick pick.

Don't these boys look handsome.  I loved Brody's suit.

Such cute kids.  Taylor did an excellent job.  It was a really nice baptism.

After the baptism and a few pictures we went and got some lunch then off to watch Brody's flag football game.  I have no idea who won, but they seemed to have fun. 

The rest of the afternoon was just my siblings and parents.  We missed having Cannon with us.  We did some shopping, napping, ice cream eating.  There was a lady sitting next to Kita at the game that was talking loudly about an ice cream place she wanted to visit after the game.  She gave her friend instruction on how to get there.  Kita took mental notes and we went as well.  Haha, it did not disappoint. Some times eavesdropping is a good thing. A take away dinner and more talking, staying up late and having a blast.  Finally off to bed.  Sunday we pick a church near by and then met back up with Taylor and headed down to Provo to have dinner with Mckay and Josie.  They had kindly invited us to eat on their anniversary.  It had been my parents anniversary the day before and Taylor got a cake for us all to celebrate. Josie made us some delicious enchiladas, we saw their baby room.  Brock and Star joined us also.  After dinner we went and saw Star's house to see where she lived.  Natalie and Kita had had breakfast with Brock and then they headed back to Boise.

We dropped Taylor back off and headed back up to Ogden to get a jump start on the next days drive.  Monday was the long drive home.  I had a wonderful time with my parents.  It was so good to see my siblings and Taylor's kids.  I am really glad that I was able to go.  My own kids and Dave did very well cooking and cleaning as I was away.  It was a wonderful little holiday and we made it back safe and sound.

Sports Wrap Up

Last week Blake had Track and Field.  He entered the discus, javelin and 400m.  Just the day before they changed him from the 400m to the shot put.  He had practiced the javelin and discus a lot.  A LOT! And it payed off.  He ended up getting second in discus and qualified for zones.  Tuesday we headed off early in the morning.  It was a long drive.  Blake was nervous, especially when he saw the big boys he was up against.  He threw a personal best and made it into the top 8.  His next 3 throws were not great, stepped out the front once, out of bounds once, and he was disappointed.  In the end he tied for 4th place.  They can't have a tie so they look at the second farthest throws and he had missed it my 2 cm.  Taking home 5th.  I still thought this was great for our little school competing in zones, but he was not happy with his personal results.

It was a long day for one event.  We got groceries and headed home.  I had just returned from Utah the night before and really enjoyed spending the one on one time with Blake.  We had some good talks and laughs.


Wednesday I got to spend the whole day with Leah.  My house was not getting cleaned or laundry done or bread made, but I really had a great time these two days as I had just returned, to catch up with my kids.  Leah and I had some deep heartfelt conversations.  This girl is going places.  It was their league finals for softball.  They lost the first game by 2 which put them to the B side.  By the end of the tournament they were so glad they had lost the first game.  The A side had some tough teams and it would have been a short day.  They won all the rest of their games, one in overtime (extra inning? not sure what you call it).  I had no idea that softball could be intense. They ended with 5th in the league.  Not to shabby at all. And the rest of the games were just fun to play.  It was a good day.  Picture of all the Grade 11 players below, photo bombed by their coach Mr. Monts. :)

For randomly deciding to pick up this sport after the season started, Leah did pretty good.  She worked hard each practice and learned a ton.  The girls were all so patient and helpful and the coaches were amazing.  She loved being on a team that was there for the love of the sport and kind to each other, with out any drama.  They supported and encouraged one other.  As a team should.

Leah is looking forward to next year already.

Things are wrapping up as school comes to a close.  Leah has one week left until exams, Blake has 3 weeks.  Weather is beautiful, we need rain. Leah is enjoying her job, but still wishes she could get more than a few days notice for work schedule.  She has been invited to many beach parties after work by boys at the park.  She thinks it is funny.