My Favorite Holiday

I believe that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the feel of Autumn. In Merced, the leaves are still in the process of changing colors and only about half have fallen to the ground. Everywhere I drive it is so beautiful and everywhere I walk has the musky aroma of leaf piles. On Thanksgiving morning, I ran 5 miles and it was so nice to exercise at 7:30 in the morning rather than in the dark at 5:00am. The run was quiet, with very few other pedestrians on my path. A light fog was lingering in the trees, but behind the fog was the warmth of the sun. I listened to the Great American Trombone Company and felt so satisfied by the time I returned home. I love that families gather and we feel one another's gratitude for blessings. I love that it is few days of resting and being outside and talking and just feeling happy.
Here was my contribution to the family dinner - Dutch Apple Pie, and Banana Pudding.

On Friday, Emily and I went for a bike ride. When we returned I decided to take off her training wheels. Matt tried this last Spring and she wasn't very excited about it, but this time she was ready to try. Doug and I took turns running beside her and in about 5 trips down the street she was starting, riding and stopping all by herself. She even wanted to try Tommy's old bike which is a size or two larger than her bike. After a few trips down the street and back, she was riding this bike standing up and winking at dad. I love that Emily wants to try new things. I also love that she likes boys toys....she didn't need pink or flowers and instead she was very excited to be on the rocket-ship bike.

On Saturday, she and I rode 4 miles together. Whenever she rides her bike and her legs get going, she says it feels like her "legs are pumped up". I think that is such a cute expression. She probably rode another 4 miles around and around the driveway. I love that as we rode, she looked up at me and said, "I just love riding a bike". I do too.

The boys gathered for gaming and I was so glad to hear such laughing and hollering. Especially from Matt who is going stir crazy resting his back.
We had lovely weather (although you can't judge by Doug because he wears this all the time), the boys played a lot of hoops and Matt shot off several rockets that he and Thomas have built for friends and cousins.
I am thankful for this time of year - for time to reflect on all that is good in my life. I am thankful for family and friends, my children and for Matt. I love the world I live in. My life is good.

What I Love About 1st Grade

I love that in First Grade a child believes everything a teacher says. Emily has been so concerned that her Halloween candy might be poisoned by some mean stranger - a fact explained to her today by her teacher. Did they ever really find razor blades in candy or was that a myth from my childhood?

But the best story this week goes like this.....we are standing in front of the bathroom mirror brushing her hair, I look up at her reflection and her eyes are crossed. She then says, "don't worry mom I won't do this for long because if you do it for a long time your eyes get stuck and then you have to go to the doctor and he has to put sharp things in your eyes to fix them and then you have to wear glasses for the rest of your life."

Oh the things you learn on the playground.

Guess Who Has an Allergy

Mom, here are a few of pictures of Emily. I am hoping that the rash peaks today and then begins to diminish. The doctor checked her ears and the infection is gone so hopefully, she will be better in a few days. Who new that she would have such a reaction to Amoxicillin.

They're Off

It was a blue Monday when we sent Ben and Karin off to Utah. We have loved, loved having them spend so much of their summer with us. Ben enjoyed a successful internship with Ernst & Young in San Francisco. He came away with "high marks" for his performance there. Our family loves Ben so much, he is such a great example and so fun to be with. He is a story-teller extraordinaire, has a great sense of humor and is willing to try anything. Life was crowded whenever he was with us, we definitely could use a home twice the size of the one we own. But, Ben never complains AND is helpful in the kitchen. Love, love that man.

I loved having Karin with me. A mother/daughter relationship is so special. I am so proud of her attitude and the way she survived the SF living conditions and weather. My favorite week was "girls week", I enjoyed quiet time with her, me helping her sew (mother you would be so proud I actually put in two zippers) and she helping me on my computer. She is so kind to her brothers and sister, no wonder we all cry for a few days when she leaves.

Scott will be leaving tomorrow. It's been a quiet summer for me without him here. I love our conversations and book discussions and even our debates. He loves BYU and is such a happy kid. Tonight was special as he received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was ordained to the office of an Elder. His cousin Jeffrey returned from his mission in Guatemala just 30 minutes prior to Scott's ordination. My heart was filled with joy as I watched them talking together. I'm glad they will have time together at BYU.

So now my house will be quiet and I'll probably get organized again and maybe even clean out the closets that were on my "to do" list for the summer. But I'll be crying and wishing for the chaos, laughter, fun and family.

First Day of School

Monday was the first day of school here in Merced. Emily was very excited. Her favorite class this week was EP where she practiced hoola hooping. Karin figured out that EP is actually PE, I can't wait to hear her talk about EP all year long. Today on the way to school, which is Purple Friday - which means that if you wear purple you get an extra 10 minutes to recess in the afternoon - she pulled out a loose tooth. She was so excited! I think to be in first grade is very nice.

Thomas started middle school this year. He was nervous Sunday night and Monday morning but came home very happy and loves his teachers and is making new friends. Love the hair?

Doug is way too cool to show much enthusiasm for school. However, he just got his driver's learning permit and you should see him get excited about driving.

A Few of My Favorite Things

All of our children were home with one last weekend to enjoy before school starts tomorrow. We spent it in the mountains - one of my favorite things to do. This is Rainbow Pools.
Scott and Doug jumping together.
Ouch for Ben.
Camera in hand to catch all the action.
I love this picture of all four of the boys jumping together.
This is my favorite outfit - shorts, tshirt, baseball cap and backpack. I'm so glad Emily likes this outfit too.



Devils Postpile at Mammoth Lakes, California.


Rainbow Falls



Some of the boys wanted to catch a little fishing time.
Others just relaxed.
I love this picture of Matt helping Thomas.
My brave Emily, (actually very afraid of heights) did great on a zip line.
And both Emi and Tom tried climbing.
The four boys did some mountain biking. Unfortunately, Ben came back wounded.

We also visited Obsidian Dome and then ended the weekend at church in Yosemite Valley.