The Solar Eclipse of the Heart

Our perpetual sunny/cloudless skies were destined to be a perfect point at which the solar eclipse would be viewed.  It was not meant to be.  We had clouds.  Ryan and I did make a view finder via the NASA website, and we sat outside and loved the cool morning.

 Eddie came home with this awesome hat.  Nick went to Tuzigoot to get in on the action.

We practiced knots in Webelos this week.

Tuesday morning we finished reading the Book of Mormon as a family.  We started it the week that Molly was born, so it took us about ten months.  I know that it is the keystone of our religion, and that I can get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.  How blessed I feel to have a testimony of its truth and divinity.  I pray that each of my children will also come to know for themselves and be special witnesses of the book.

 We ate lunch with Eddie again.  He loves showing all his friends his baby sister.

Tuesday nights between dinner and church Austin often works in the yard.  Look at that eggplant!

 How about that cantaloupe?!

 Then when the mower turns on, the kids come running to wait for their ride.

 Wednesday was cross country.  I put this soup in the crockpot before we left.

 Maisie placed 10th in her first race.  Way to go!

 I feel like I look worn out like this most moments.  How glad I am that Ryan captured my nightly demise so accurately.

 Thursday morning I had tons of chores and reality to face.  I was a bit discouraged.

 So I turned on some music and we danced as masked animals; it brightened my mood and strengthened my character.

 This weekend was stake conference.  We sat with these two lovely folks.  That was a treat!

 Mother's lounge was not missed this week.  I was surprised we had it to ourselves.  I conducted the primary choir, and it went well.  I was told that I had plenty of animation.

 Just a little random picture that I found from tonight.  We went to Grandma B.'s house, sang in family choir, read scriptures and prayed together.  Today was certainly a day of rest.  God blessed us!

(Andy's face didn't make the post this week.  He was not forgotten.  Three friends came over for six hours yesterday and I fed them and nurtured them and drove them home.  I am nice.  Meg's face didn't make it either.  She had tests and practice and spent the day in Flag with Rylie.)

Repost

HAHAHAHA! I posted the same week twice, but I think I dated it differently.  That about sums up these past two weeks of school.

The Weekend

Friday after school.

 I found all these pictures on my phone which were taken by Andy.  He didn't take one of Meg.

 We hosted the ward BBQ yesterday.  The bishopric did such a nice job planning and organizing it.

 I snapped this picture in primary today.  I did get Maisie or Nick in it.  Maisie only has one more week in primary.  I'm very sad about that.

 This is classic.  Someone ate all the sprinkles off these cupcakes.  That's funny.  I think it was Ryan.

First Day of School

Warning: This post contains way too many pictures.

 Our last day of summer was spent with friends in the pool.

 We came inside and ate our traditional "cafeteria" dinner.  Naturally no one complained.  Tater tots and fish sticks for the win!

 Find the photo bomber!

 Those place mats were colored paper, and Eddie stayed at his place up at the table longer than ever before.  Both he and Ryan put those new crayons to use!

 Wednesday was the first day of school for MVP.  Andy is in 8th grade.

 Maisie is in 7th grade.

 Nick is in 5th grade.

 Maddie is in 3rd grade.

Eddie is in kindergarten.

 Ryan is 3.

 These six kids will be missed like crazy.  My heart feels heavy.

 Eddie walked into his seat in his classroom and barely waved goodbye.  We did get some hugs before that.

 Ryan and I missed him all day.

He was all smiles after school!  Success!

 Miss Molly is all about mischief.  While I made my bed,

 she dumped all shoes,

 and she dumped out my bathroom cupboard.  I can't keep up with her.  Cupboards now have rubber bands on them, the baby toys are always dumped out of the bucket, and if the dishwasher is open, she either empties the bottom shelf, or stands up on it.

 After school one day.

 Thursday we hosted pack meeting.  Our yard is so green and lovely.

 Friday we had six couples over for a pizza night.

 Sunday was a special day because the Tucson temple was dedicated.  My five oldest are all eligible to be apart of that special occasion.  The nice grandparents watched the three littles, so we were able to attend together.  What a treat to listen to the speakers, listen so that I could be prompted to do better, and be snuggled into Austin the entire time.  We are just so blessed.