End of Term

The first term of this school year is over!  We had a week filled with races and projects that proves that.

Andy ran in his final cross country race.  He placed 12th in all of the county.

Nick's Arizona project was due.  We used pantry supplies.

 Maddie's landform project was due.  Austin was impressed that she wrote all the facts.

 (Grandpa B. was here to help supervise the painting.)

 Maisie's country report was due.  I was thrilled that she chose a country family members had traveled to -- that always makes the oral report easier.

We also spent a morning at Austin's office, no carries here!

And after church while anxiously awaiting Austin to come home for testimony meeting, we documented Andy's truth: I am a hippo.

Finally, Eddie scribed my shopping list while on the way to Walmart.  I called out the letters and he wrote the list.  I might have forgotten a few things, but mostly we remembered everything.

186th General Conference

I finally received a sabbath day full of rest!  These past two days of watching and learning from our church leaders allowed for true peace of both body and spirit.  My little darlings were mostly reverent, and Maddie wins the award for the best note taker.

 In between sessions we ate outside both afternoons.  Today Austin made us the most delicious BBQ feast.

 Ryan fell off the back of the couch and landed on his head.  Austin is helping him keep a frozen bag of brussell sprouts on his noggin.

 I sat still and listened very carefully.  My little journal of ten years worth of note taking is now full.  I reviewed a few of the notes and messages from past years, and the messages are the same as are my goals -- to raise my children knowing that they are beloved sons and daughers of God, and that Jesus Christ is their advocate.  When I obey and live gospel principles, I experince joy, even when life's circumstances are really hard.

P.S.  We played outside as a family all afternoon.  Austin threw football running patterns to all seven children.  Andy certainly caught the most.  Nick was not far behind.  We then walked up our hills and I barely made it down again.  This baby inside of me is BIG!

Los Actividades

Just the compliation of another busy week junots.

Maddie and I made a volcano project.  We are working on an acutal erupting volcano made of salt dough and baking soda/vinegar.

 Ryan found Austin's outside working gear and knew just what to do.

 I had a few moments of silhouette time; Natalie came up with this saying.

 Nick's class held a fiesta, and I made 36 sopapillas for the celebration.

Maddie was "Professor Rock" in her class play.

 Grandma B. and Austin were both in attendance --she's very lucky.

 Grandma B. spoiled both the little boys and me.  A lunch out is always a big deal.

 Andy ran in another race -- in which he was pushed, fell, bloodied his knee, but limped the rest of the race.  Here we are as his adoring fans.  He was lucky that Grandpa and Grandma B. were there.

 Andy started out in his usual top 10 spot.....

 Eddie is reading and connecting words more and more everyday.  He wanted to read a story about his Dad.

 Meg won first place (sophmore division) in her race.  Her new accolades will be added to her stash.

 The children have found a new game, thanks to Maisie and Nick.  Every night they play a roaring game of four square.  Usually no one cries, and all are included.  Our fall weather can not be beat.

Sunny September

Yesterday was our primary program.  It was Maisie's last and Eddie's first.  They all sang beautifully and testified that the scriptures are true in word and song.  (Ryan had to join the picture.  He slept nicely in Austin's arms the entire time.)

 Saturday was the General Women's Broadcast.  We watched from my room and ate treats.  Austin kept all the boys out, made us dinner and cleaned it all up.  What a lovely time spent feeling the spirit and understanding more deeply our divine potential as daughters of God and defenders of correct principles.

 I never took a really good picture of the poster Maddie made for her Star Student week.  She did most of the coloring, and she also chose the pictures.

Austin was home on Friday.  After working most of the day on the second section of sprinklers, he came and found us in the shade of the swing set.  His boys were sure glad he stopped for a bit to be by them.

 Wednesday night was YW Evening in Excellence.  I am busting out of everything these days.

The evening was spiritually filling.  Meg presented her value experience of making the sacrament more meaningful coupled with her testimony of the atonement.  She was lovely.

 Also on Wednesday, my nice friends threw me a baby diaper shower at the park.  I am set for at least the first couple of months worth of diapers.  Aren't they nice?

 Ryan and Eddie found these costimes and are now ready for Halloween.  Check that off my huge to-do list pre baby.

 During family prayer one morning I snapped this picture.  We all look half dead, but we are alive and well in our testimonies of the importance of regualy family scripture study and prayer.

 My morning shadow.

 Sunday we made a baby chain.  Each day we take off another link until our baby comes!

Racers

We travel all over this state to watch Meg and Andy compete in their Cross Country races.  Ryan was lucky enough to come to Meg's meet in Flag early Saturday morning.

Andy's meet was local.  He ran two miles in 11 minutes.

Meg was in the paper for her Prescott run.

 These boys run fast on the mower.  Nothing makes Eddie more happy than riding on Austin's lap.

 Our swimming season might quite possibly be over.  That is very sad to me.

 Ryan makes me so happy.