Griffin Turns Into a Wolf

At our monthly pack meeting, Griffin received a handful of awards, but the most important was his wolf! He didn't really want to be bothered with that whole thing, but wanted to play on the swingset and trampoline in the backyard of our committee chair. (Who wouldn't?)

The First Field Trip of the Year

Less than a week into school and I was already on a walking field trip with the fifth grade to the Central Utah Water Conservancy. It's this little "park" for lack of a better word that's probably a mile from our house. I've always driven past it and wanted to stop in, so this was my chance. The whole idea behind this project is to illustrate how you can still landscape beautifully while choosing plants and flowers that use less water. I was intrigued since I seem to choose flowers for the front of my house that can't handle the extreme afternoon heat and have to replace them every year. Now was my chance to figure out what I could use!


So we walked the three fifth-grade classes from the school, across the busy street, and through these gardens while some local BYU or UVU students taught them about how to use our desert resources wisely.

McKenzie Hone, Miranda Call, and Ellie

The Annual Ward Extravaganza

Each year, our ward has a big party at the local park around the end of August. This year's theme was a western one. (Last year it was a luau, incomplete without a roast pig, though.) It gives us an opportunity to have fun, dress up, act silly, and for the youth to learn new dances and performances. The owner of the company I work for was kind enough to give me a gift card to a local spa for going "above and beyond." I scheduled my appointment for the same day and figured I'd go show off my new look at the ward party. (I know that's a risky thing to do, but I knew I was in good hands at Remedez.) I'm really happy with the result, but I don't have a very good picture of it for you. They took some family pix at the extravaganza, but really only Ellie, Maggie and Ian look good in it. I've included it for your amusement.

Anyway, back to the party. There was a horse for the kids to ride, games, inflatables, entertainment, and great food. I'm sure it's a ton of work for our activities committee, but it's something the kids look forward to every year.

Griffin and Ellie both get to ride Smoke

The advantage to having it at the local park

Ellie's turn to dance

Maggie and the young women doing a variation on "Rhythm" from Girls Camp

Ian and the young men do a western-themed stomp

Pat and Malcolm (his hat may look really tall, but it's Sr. Merryweather's arm behind him)

Maggie wins the race down the inflatable slide

A Happy Reunion

I had the chance to visit with a friend from back home, Sarah Downing. We were in the Reading Stake together and then at BYU together for a year. We married the same year and went our separate ways. Every few years, we've had the opportunity to visit, usually when she gets the chance to come to Education Week at the Y. I saw her last five years ago when she came out with a friend. This time, she had undergone an amazing transformation and had lost over 100 pounds! She looks amazing! We enjoyed a treat at Cold Stone (where she had the willpower to get the fat and sugar free sweet cream with fruit), some time at my house to chat, and then out for Thai food for some more chatting and catching up. As this trip was a needed break for her, it was a refresher for me as well.

90 Day Post-Op

I had my next post-op visit today. I was thinking today was the last one, but there's another one around Thanksgiving. He showed me the x-rays (not the one pictured) and I could see where the bone has begun to form where it was taken out. I was joking with Maggie that I should have said to people when I was tired, "Leave me alone! I'm growing bone here!"

I still can't lift more than 25 pounds, but I'm allowed to start singing again. He said that I shouldn't plan on any solos as it typically takes a while for a singing voice to come back and that most people are okay with that. It may be that my singing voice will have permanently changed; I guess everyone around me will find out on Sunday when I get to sing in Sacrament Meeting again. Maybe some of them will hope that I hadn't been given the go-ahead.

I asked him if there's anything I shouldn't be doing, and he said, "Well, I wouldn't paint a room or anything like that." Oops! I informed him that I'd already done that, and he asked me if it hurt. I assured him that I was fine, as verified by my x-rays. So hopefully by November, I'll be free and clear.

This whole experience really has been miraculous. So many people have helped through my recovery and I'm truly grateful for everything.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...part 2

Yes, today was the day moms wait for all over the valley. The kids were up and ready to go bright and early. Unfortunately for the little ones, they're school day doesn't start until 9:15 and they're not supposed to be there any earlier than 9 (unless they go for breakfast and then they can be there at 8:45), so to keep them from climbing the walls, we decided to go run some errands. I was in the office by 9:15 and was able to work until 12:45 uninterruped by any phone calls of, "Mom, Griffin just spilled his bowl of cereal on your bed," "Mom, there's a spider downstairs," "Mom, can all my friends come over to play while you're gone," etc. Everyone noticed the spring in my step and the song in my voice. The house was still clean when I got home and there were NO dishes in the sink. Ian got home at 1:30 (Monday is early-out day in the school district) and yelled, "I'm going to love this year!" Maggie was thrilled with friends that were in her classes, although she has already declared that one of her teachers is certifiable. Griffin and Ellie also had a great first day which is always good news. I do have to say that Ellie has probably the best teacher in the school, so this year should be spectacular. Griffin's resource teacher, Miss Becera, already has him scheduled in, so no repeat of last year when we had to repeat the testing so he could qualify for assistance. But he said he has some of his best friends in his class and that Miss Shumway was so awesome.

Ian, 12th grade, Mountain View High School

Maggie, 10th grade, Mountain View High School

Ellie, 5th grade, Westmore Elementary

Griffin, 3rd grade, Westmore Elementary

The only sad face in the house

I love this day!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...part 1

Today is the day our school district welcomes the new 7th graders to junior high and the 10th graders to high school. Since Maggie is a sophomore, and Ian is in student council, two of the four kids are at school today! (I feel like I need to give an acceptance speech like, "I'd like to thank the school district for giving me the opportunity to have a few minutes of peace and quiet; my house is grateful for the few minutes of order it might enjoy. . ."). It's just a half day for them with an assembly, tour of the school, and barbecue. Ian's been gone most of the week getting all these things set up and ready for today.

I can't believe that I have a graduating senior this year. He has worked so hard to be a part of student council, and when he lost both elections and then was appointed, it made his, well, life! I also reflect, though, on when Pat was a senior and I was a sophomore and I felt he was far too protective. I find myself hoping that Ian will be the same with Mags, although she has a much better head on her shoulders than I did at her age.

In case you were wondering, there are only 72 hours left until the other two go!