Gemma lost her front tooth! That's it, folks, it's over. Once that puppy grows in, I won't have any little kids at home. At least it's really, really adorable. She lost a tooth on the bottom a week later, and her other front tooth is loose. They're falling out left and right! I told her she's not going to be able to eat anything but applesauce for the rest of her life.
We hustled to take family pictures while Gemma has this cute smile. It was windy and it's not looking lovely and fall-ish outside yet, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices ... I have always regretted not getting pictures taken when Hazel or Jack lost their front teeth. This was my last chance!
Speaking of windy, it was pretty chilly when we went to volleyball orientation for fall season. Not that notable, really, but I just loved seeing all my people snuggled up keeping warm. Aren't they cute? Like little Russian dolls...
Not sure why Gemma thought it would be more comfortable to sleep in a beanbag than on her mattress, but yeah, I definitely caught her sleeping like this one night.
The kids had their fun run fundraiser at school on a blistering hot day. My older kids stuck close to their friends the whole time.
My good friend April showed up in a dinosaur suit to pep the kids up. So funny!
I love seeing them make good friends. We've started having them over to the house more often as well. The kids have been doing a good job of playing with siblings and friends in big after-school groups, which I absolutely love! If they can have their buddies over and still remain best friends with each other, what more could I ask for? I see good times coming in the next few years!
Sister Jean B. Bingham, General Relief Society President, came to the area with some of the other women's leadership, to give training to a few stakes in the area. Happily enough, it encompassed both Chrissy's stake in Newark and Suzanne's stake in Sunnyvale, so we were able to make a girls' night out of it and have an uplifting visit, with Hazel and Nova as well. So awesome! She spoke about ministering and seeing the individual needs of the sisters in our congregations.
Hazel drew a picture for Sister Bingham during the meeting and she and Nova went up to meet her afterward and give her a hug. We could feel Sister Bingham's powerful spirit radiating from her. What a wonderful experience!
After school one day, a girls' chain had fallen off her bike. Jack offered to help. He's definitely picked up on a lot of handy skills working alongside Todd. I'm proud of him.
The highlight of September was attending my brother Ryan's wedding (on my birthday!). He and his lovely bride Xiao planned a beautiful day. It was an honor to be able to be there to celebrate their union. My favorite part of their ceremony was hearing their idea that they hoped that life goes on after death and that loving each other makes them yearn for that belief that they can always be together without an end. My brother left our faith several years ago, and hearing him express this wish and strive for meaning in life because of the happiness he feels with Xiao filled a wound I have carried in my heart for him. I'm grateful Xiao brings him purpose and joy and a reason to live well.
I had the fun job of serving their cake at the reception. I liked being helpful.
I loved spending the day with family. Ryan and Xiao had their ceremony, followed by a reception with a luncheon, all at the Memorial House in Salt Lake City. Then we took pictures and helped clean up the flowers, centerpieces, and leftover food.
That evening, Ryan and Xiao had a family dinner at a delicious Italian restaurant. I can't help but feel they might have picked the place so I could enjoy lasagna on my birthday?! We had a reserved section of the restaurant. It was so nice to be able to sit and visit with family before saying goodbye.
The kids chowed down!
And played with cousins... There might have been a game of Red Light, Green Light as well as some leg wars on the couch.
Hazel brought her sketch book and did an impromptu drawing of the bride and groom, which she gifted to them at the end of the night.
It was a very quick visit to Utah, just Friday night to Sunday morning. We were lucky enough to catch Missy's family at home and slept at their house, so the kids got a couple of fun evenings with Carli and Shaylee, and Todd and I got to visit with Missy and Burke.
Fall volleyball started up this month. Todd feels nice and comfortable coaching some of the same girls. It's been satisfying to see them make progress in their skills! Hazel also recruited a couple more friends, so she's having a blast.
The cats proved themselves capable of coming out of the enclosure and not running away. Yay! We've been keeping them locked up at night since they're still kittens, but they roam free during the day. It's been satisfying to see that they mostly hang out at home. They do their exploring in the mornings when the kids are at school, and spend their afternoons lounging in the sun and playing with the kids. Cats for the win! They've been a good pet choice for us.
Although there was some drama taking them back to the vet... At least I knew how to lure them into their carrying boxes this time, but the entire drive was filled with mewing begs and cries and little paws stretching through the holes as they tried to get out. It was hilarious and truly distracting. I decided to put them in the trunk of the van for the drive home so I could focus on the road.
We've still been riding to school every morning (via bike, scooter, roller blades, or even skate board) but it is starting to feel chilly. There is a little bit of color on the trees, luxurious afternoons where the sun feels mighty inviting, and mornings and evenings cool enough to want to pull out the sweaters. I love this time of year!
