September 2022

We spent Labor Day weekend with Mitch and Jill Dabo and their kids at the cabin. The weather was magnificent. It was beautiful and the water was inviting. Todd broke out the zip line and we set it up, not knowing if we'd get complaints and have to take it down. It was worth the risk; everyone on the lake was stoked and wanted to try it out as well. We had that baby running for four or five hours almost nonstop. Todd rode down upside down and then dived into the lake - ultra cool! Everyone played on the kayaks and paddle boards as well, and it was super chill and fun. 

Jack is literally as old as possible to still be in primary. He started resisting going to activity days, and it was a battle, but we didn't want him to just stop participating in church activities, so I went to the bishop and asked if Jack could start attending Young Men's weekday activities a few months early. The transition was approved, and it's been a good move. He's been boating with the youth a couple times, which is Bishop Anderson's favorite way to interact with the kids. 

The kids decided to participate in Livermore's fall tree sweater project. People can sign up for a downtown tree and create an original design to decorate it for a couple of months. Hazel's tree was in front of the Sauced (a BBQ restaurant) and Todd encouraged her to honor Peppa Pig since she's been a running gag for Hazel and her friends for the past year. Jack went for a more classic look. 

After years of hollow smack-talk, Todd and Hazel finally tried P-90 Ab Ripper X together. Funny, they talked big, but they haven't done it again since. I've got horror memories from that program Todd tortured me with pre-kid ....

Hazel got braces. She is sad that her teeth took longer than expected to fall out and grow in and couldn't get this experience over with last year while she had to wear a mask to school. She is not as disciplined as Gemma with the naughty foods list. Hopefully she won't have long-term consequences such as cavities or stained teeth. Fingers crossed. 

Hazel and Jack both joined the Cross Country team at school. I loved that they were there together. Hazel enjoyed it and Jack tolerated it, but they both stuck it out the whole season. Stay tuned for October's post to hear about meet results! 

We had the Dix family over for dinner. Hazel has been getting arm wrestling tips from Todd and inspiration from me, because I beat the high school state wrestling champ in an arm wrestle (when we were in 6th grade) and was able to use that as serious bragging rights for years. Anyway, Hazel had an undefeated record from the boys at school, but Spencer destroyed her streak in about half a second. 

We got some glorious rain for the first time in months. The gutters were gushing and I goaded the kids out the door to splash and enjoy. Hazel came back to the porch to watch with me after a couple of minutes. I told her she wasn't too old to get back out there and enjoy herself and that I didn't want her to miss out on the memories. Well, she flipped the script and told me I wasn't too old, either. I grabbed my rain jacket and went out to play, and baby, it felt amazing! I was so grateful to Hazel for giving me that gift. 

I had a nice birthday week. On my actual birthday, I spent the morning going for a walk and having my Wednesday Friendsday phone call with April, and then I went and had an amazing massage, but the afternoon was packed with a cross country meet for Hazel, a cross-town piano lesson for Jack, a tennis class for Jack, and a volleyball class for Hazel. I went out for lunch with Katie, Karrie, Elaine, and Joleen the next day at The Press and left feeling so grateful for the good friends I've made here, and for all the dear friends I've been blessed to have at different stages in my life. My family got me a Spotify Premium account so I can listen to music without commercials, and let me tell you, it has one thousand percent enhanced my listening experience! It's so much more fun and relaxing without interruptions. 

We had the youth from our ward up to the cabin that weekend, and it was a total blast! Katie came because she's YW president, and Chris Cowan came for the YM/bishopric. We got up there Friday night, had dinner, and then headed out to the kickball field for some night games. The stars were workin' it! We had a stunning sky. The kids loved running around in the dark with glowsticks. It was a fun energy. 

The girls slept up in the loft and the boys on the living room floor. Only adults got real beds. Saturday was full of games and plenty of time at the lake. The kids all seemed relaxed and happy and inclusive, and I think it was really good for them to all be together and have a break from their phones. 

August 2022

We had a couple ordinary weeks in between family reunions. Construction has begun at Todd's work site for a larger office space, so there is a forklift on site. Todd invited the kids over to drive it and ride in it. Work perks!

My lady friends had our most epic game night of all time. Joleen invited us over to use her pool and hot tub, and we all came expecting a night of chatting without the games, but no! Joleen had ladder toss, water balloon games, giant bouncy ball races, and more! It was an unexpected rush. The neighbors must have loved us! Soooo much laughter and excited shouting! 

My sweet counselor Julie invited my kids over to use her pool on a hot afternoon. We brought Kaitlyn Zoerhoff with us, because the kids usually enjoy bringing an extra buddy along. 

The rest of our time off consisted of all the normal things: piano lessons, chess club, play dates, youth activities, weekly phone calls with April (Wednesday Friends-day!), babysitting gigs, pool parties and date nights. 

Then it was up to the cabin again, to host the Bonner family reunion. We only had two cousins join us, Shaylee and Carli, which the kids were initially bummed about, but the five kids played super well together the whole time and seemed to love every second. They didn't seem hampered at al by being outnumbered by adults.  

My picture upload is super mixed up because I only took a few pictures myself and borrowed most from others who were there, so it's a random mix that is not consecutive at all. Oh well! 

Todd and I brainstormed with the kids and came up with several fun games to play with the group, in between time at the lakes. The kids picked out hilariously gross prizes to hand out, and I am sorely disappointed we didn't take a picture of them! Hot pickles, fish flavored potato chips, dried squid... The kids raided the Asian market down the street and found a treasure trove. 

We did a gummy bear drop from the loft down to the living room, trying to drop and catch in mouths. The candy was exceptionally bouncy and almost no one was successful. 

The kids enjoyed the hammocks in the loft, and they also spent a lot of time jumping off the deck onto the old futon, and riding on the tree swing. 

We came a day early and set up camp at Utica Lake so we could claim a space large enough for our group. We were nestled in a private cove next to some big rocks that were the perfect height to jump off of into the water. Todd enlisted the help of everyone in the group to set up a zip line over the water as well, which was a big hit. 

We spent one morning at the field playing kickball and Four Corners. Everyone was a good sport and had a lot of fun. 

There may have been a leg kicking/flexibility challenge that I rocked. 

We set up a slack line at the lake camp, but since we accidentally ordered the set without a top balancing line, no one used it except as a chair or a place to hang life jackets. Too bad. It could have been a hit! 

The paddle boards and kayaks were a success, of course. 

Erika brought her boyfriend Stu, who was fun to meet. 

The cliff jumping was a party. 

Setting up the zip line was a chore. It was hard work! And Todd enflamed a muscle in his neck that traveled all the way down his back and bothered him for the next two weeks. But allegedly it was worth it. 

I was feeling nostalgic on Grandpa Holley's birthday, so I made Hazel play Othello with me. I did, however, point out strategy moves to her and try to teach her how to play the game, instead of just quietly chuckling as I destroyed her. I miss you, Grandpa!

We had an open Saturday the weekend before school started. The kids wanted to do something fun to celebrate. They suggested heading to the beach. The parents overruled their vote and we canned applesauce instead. The house smelled amazing, everyone worked hard, we rocked out to a Taylor Swift soundtrack, and now we have a pantry stocked with goodness. 

Todd braided hair for the very first time (only the plait on the right - I did the other side) and felt very proud of himself. 

The first day of school was on August 23rd. It's Hazel's last and Jack's first year in middle school. Gemma is ruling Croce Elementary on her own. So far, it's been a happy beginning. Gemma's teacher was a wild card, but we are learning she just might be the secret gem of the fourth grade. Jack is enjoying changing classrooms and teachers throughout the day. Hazel was hoping to get early morning PE so she would have room in her schedule for an art class, but sadly, that did not work out. She is still waking up early, though, and finding a variety of ways to fill her time: baking, painting, running, guitar practice, teaching piano lessons, the list goes on and on. This girl is interested in everything! 

I went out to lunch with Katie and Elaine to celebrate the kids returning to school, and fell in love with this scrumptious roasted corn and peach salad at The Press. It was so good Katie and I went back a week later and both ordered it. Then I tried to replicate it at home, but the dressing fell flat. I must keep trying! 

I drove Sasha down to Newark to celebrate Chrissy's birthday with her. We went out for matching pedicures and lunch. It was a good break in my routine, but it made me sad how close she seems to live to me - and how hard it is to get to her house! The traffic is always gross. We made plans for a Sunday afternoon get together, when the traffic is usually lighter and the whole families can hang out. 

I've had a couple sweet experiences with Relief Society lately. Theresa Baron went through the temple for her own endowments and I was able to be there to support her. That was a special day. And I've been receiving a lot of inspiration on ministering assignments that I hope will help give more life to the program in our ward. I also counseled with a sister who told me she could feel Heavenly Mother's love for her when I looked in her eyes. It was one of the most meaningful compliments I have ever been given.