September

A few highlights from last month, for your edification and enjoyment.

While Grandma and Grandpa were here for Emmie's blessing, Grandpa took Nate and a couple kids to the other side of the mountain to see some of their pioneer ancestors' graves.

Nate's birthday tradition is to go on a solo monster hike. This year he started at Beus Canyon and went to the top of Mount Ogden.

He found a helipad at the top!

On top of the world.

While Nate was off hiking, the kids and I canned peaches. The kids amazed me! There was one point when I was upstairs nursing Emmie, giving instructions over the baby monitor, and they were doing it all on their own.

A rainbow loom charm that Bryn made for Nate's birthday.

Leah gave Nate some of her most treasured things for his birthday.

Nate's mama got him birthday doughnuts.

After six long weeks of waiting, Bryn got to switch out her earrings!

So much love for this baby girl.

We've discovered that Emmie's name is quite singable and can fit into several songs. Our most-sung are Clementine, that one on the seminary soundtrack that talks about "Emily, my friend," and this one. Asa's come up with his own version.

Nate had a big payday at work when his latest big project hit the shelves! The first volume of a new four-book history of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. Saints is inspiring, eye-opening, and a great read.

A press conference about the book.

14 languages!

The launch party was way bigger than anyone expected it to be!

While we were at the launch party for the book, Bryn misplaced a large chunk of change that she'd worked really hard for weeks to earn from the neighbors. We searched EVERYWHERE! And then lo and behold, what showed up in the mail from the Salt Lake City Lost & Found? Her money. Sometimes Heavenly Father answers our prayers through grandparents.

Kim's birthday is the day before Nate's, so she and I spent a night crafting while Nate took all seven children out hiking! They had a great time, and we did too!

I took the girls to Claire's, and their world was rocked. I think Leah has new career aspirations.

Asa found a couple leaf bugs.

Nate's done a couple presentations at the Salt Lake Institute. One of the times he was highly embarrassed to find posters of himself all over the building, including in the parking lot. They were clearly excited to see him. He ended up with some pretty sweet swag, which the children have enjoyed.

We went to the state fair and had a great time, despite my bad attitude. Look at this butter statue!

Amazing cakes!

The circus there was so awesome! All sorts of acrobats knocked our socks off. The kids loved the "intermission," where a clown led them in all the classic dances - YMCA, the macarena, the chicken dance, and the hokey pokey.

Motorcycles in a cage. Scary stuff!

My sis Shauna made this dress for Leah to wear at Megan's wedding reception. I was so happy that Emmie got to wear it before the weather turned cold!

We were witness to some amazing acrobatic feats.

We usually go on walks around the neighborhood on Sunday nights. On one of our walks, Mike, our cat, tagged along. For the entire time! It was delightful!

We had our primary program at church, and it was a delight to watch. Addison and Bryn each sang in a small group, and all the kids did great on their speaking parts. This was Asa's first program, and he was thrilled to have his part memorized!

We celebrated after the Primary program with brownie sundaes. These kids earned 'em!

As soon as the calendar said it was fall, the weather decided it was too, so the last week and a half or so of September found me running around with the kids making sure they have warm clothes to wear. It was exhausting and expensive, but there were some fun times in there too.

We chopped down a diseased apple tree and a dead cherry tree from our yard. We knew we wanted to replace them, so we bought a Gale Gala apple tree, and set to work digging out the cherry stump. Turns out that's a ton of work. But Nate conquered!

Our new apple tree!

Addison participated in his most successful pinewood derby to date! He and Nate teamed up with a couple other scouts and their dad to build this beauty. Addison took 6th place! It was really fun to watch the races. Our kids really got into it. Bryn was hoarse for the rest of the evening.

First place in his heat!

Our Elder's Quorum did a service project for the neighborhood. They teamed up and got organized and helped people who needed trees and branches taken out. We were one of the recipients of the service, and are so grateful! They cut out and hauled off some tall dead aspens from our back yard. It was quite a show for those of us who were watching inside. 

Asa saved up his money to go on a date with Dad to the dart side. He had the time of his life!