Happy Fall Ya'll

I love fall! If summer followed instead of winter, it would be a favorite time for me. Around the end of September I go to the shed and get out me harvest decorations and happily set them out.

It's kind of hard to see in this picture but my newest addition to my fall scene is the pumpkin pitcher. (On the right side of the piano.) It's so dang cute, I just wanna pour pumpkin juice with it. :)

One if my sweet neighbors brought me several stocks of corn from his garden. I didn't go all out this year, but it's still fun to pull into our yard and see the beautiful signs of fall- the changing colors, the wonderful clean smell, and the tiny chill that is a sign of the cold on it's way.

Brit's Presidential Run

This past week at our house has been campaign headquarters as Britnee made her school presidential run. We made posters and stickers to pass out last week and yesterday was the big day.

At 8:00 am all of the candidates sat in front of the school and one by one took turns telling the school why they should be voted into the school council. Brit's skit was very well prepared and thought out. She asked members of her class beforehand to help and most importantly, it wasn't too long.

When Britnee called me later in the day it was to tell me that she didn't win the elections. She was a little sad for awhile but got over it quickly. She told me when she got home from school that she was happy for those that won this year because she got the chance last year and the kids that won needed it more than she did. I'm pretty sure Brit's an old soul and I'm so proud of her for being willing to try new things.

Staff

This spring I got a phone call asking if Candice and I would be willing to be on the staff for the Time Out for Women event held in Logan. We agreed and worked throughout the summer helping to notify people of the dates and of the service project.
Friday, September 10 at 4:30 pm we met for our staff meeting. Our special assignment was to retrieve Dalin Vail Bayles' tie from the hotel on campus.
The next day we helped with the service project, putting together hope kits for a local women's shelter.
Being on the staff was a great opportunity. The best part selfishly being that we didn't have to wait in line forever to get a good seat. The event itself was very uplifting and I can't wait for next year.

Brit's Birthday-Murder in the Wild West

This year for Britnee's birthday she wanted to have a mystery party. We looked at several different parties and decided to do an old west murder mystery. Britnee picked out who she was going to have play each part and what she wanted to serve for food- fried chicken, potato salad, pickles, cookies, and root beer.

Surprisingly, the boys that she asked to come were the most excited. They dressed up and played their parts well.

We had seven girls come to be detectives and try to figure out "who dun it" by listening for clues.

By the end of the two hour party, we found out that the bank manager shot the sheriff, and that the Indian's brother had ran through the streets of the town without his clothes on so everyone called him Running Bare. That one bit of useless information ended up being the funniest part of the whole party. Oh, what 11 year old's find funny.
Anyway, it turned out great. Happy Birthday Britneee!!

I'm Glad for Firewood

Getting firewood is a necessary fall chore, one that I have to say is not really my favorite. (Sorry Matthew, that's how I feel.) This year went very well though, we were able to get all the wood in one weekend. One load Friday and another load on Saturday. We're pretty tired but instead of complaining about it, I decided to play the Glad Game.

*I'm so very glad that Jo and Brady came up to help us. I can't even say how much this meant. They spent a holiday weekend working their tails off and never once complained. Thank you Jo and Brady. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
*I'm glad that the weather was good. We had sunshine and a small breeze, perfect wood getting weather.
*I'm glad that no one was hurt. Well, besides a few bruises and sore muscles.
*I'm glad for our kids who worked just as hard as we did and didn't quit, even though I'm sure they wanted to.

*I'm glad and very grateful to Matt's friend, Mike, who was kind enough to lend us his wood splitter. God bless whoever invented this amazing little machine.
*And last but not least, I'm glad that we're finished. Our wood is split and neatly stacked just outside our back door. Ready for winter. (That is still a long way off, Right???)

Measuring Up

The Monday before school starts is a special time at our house. After dinner we have Family Home Evening and then we go to the pantry and dad measures each child to see how they've grown over the past year.

We've had this tradition since we moved into our home 6 years ago so there are several marks for all three kids.

It's funny to watch Cody pass where Jaycee and Britnee were. He's catching up with them pretty fast.

After each child "measures up", they get to go with their dad into the bedroom and get a father's blessing to start the school year. This year Jaycee went first and she came out crying. You should've seen the look of of sheer panic on Cody's face; not knowing for sure what awaited him in the bedroom.

First Day of School

Well, it's the time of year again that I love just as much as I hate. Summer's over and the kids are going back to school.
I get so excited for them to go out into the world and learn new things and have new experiences. And to be quite honest, I enjoy the days that I can get to be me a little while before they come home. But I hate to let the lazy summer days go. I love waking up after the sun and doing whatever feels good that day. We'll be okay though. We're looking forward to fall and all that goes with it. And then, there's always next summer.
This is the morning sky that sent the kids off down the road to meet the bus. Beautiful Day!