Playtime Fun!

We told the little kids they couldn't watch TV so they ended up coming up with these fun things together, making shapes on the floor with their bodies. And Nathan really enjoys building with the linking cubes and built a really tall tower.

 

Travis is FOURTEEN!

Travis had his birthday this week. He turned fourteen. I can't believe how grown up everyone is getting. He had a football game on his birthday, so we didn't celebrate until later in the week. He didn't get to play, of course, due to his collarbone. Travis is such a great kid. He works hard in school and at football, he loves to cook, he's fun to hang out with, he's just an all-around good kid.

 

X-Rays, Tacos, Lawn-mowing and Oreo Cookies

Travis had another x-ray of his shoulder. The doctor said it's looking good.  He is not cleared to play tackle football yet but it is fully healed.  He can participate in running and exercise drills.  He has another check in five weeks, at which point he might be cleared to play.  We are crossing our fingers and hoping for it.  The season is starting and he has to sit out the first few games on the sidelines.

We made homemade Oreo cookies.  They turned out good, but were a little salty.  I think if we make it again, we'll add less salt and do something to make the cookie part a little less dry.

We got to have a free taco night for dinner one Friday this month because our friends in our ward who are realtors do these promotional events for clients and people who've given them referrals.  We've given them a referral, so we are on their list.  I like getting free stuff and free tacos are great!

Corey is teaching Jonah how to mow the lawn now.  We realized that he is already nine and the other boys had started learning around this age.  Time to step up our parenting game!

 

Lacey's Birthday

Austin and Paige's youngest, Lacey, turned one on September 4th so they had a family swim party to get together and celebrate her birthday. Adam and Eve's family was able to come and I came with all the kids who were able to come. Corey was working and came later and Westley had to leave for work during the party. But it was great to get everyone together and spend that time. It was probably our last swimming party of the summer too, since we just are so busy and the water is getting colder now. And, coincidentally, Adam and Eve's youngest, Claire, turned two earlier in the week (September 1st), so we brought her a present as well. Adam and Eve are busy moving to a new house so we were esepecially glad they could come.

 

Nathan's Four Year Pictures and Willy

Nathan turned four in February and two weeks later, everything shut down because of covid. I was going to get his pictures done the week after Spring Break, but that didn't happen because the portrait studio was closed. It's a good thing we didn't squeeze it in before all the closing because we would have had to wait months for the pictures to be returned! Well, as soon as I saw the portrait studio was reopening, I signed up for a slot for Nathan's pictures. It wasn't the greatest experience, since they couldn't use any of their props and the photographer had to wear her mask the whole time. But we brought his Captain America toy from home, bought him a new Captain America shirt, and he got some great pictures! It helps that he's so photogenic and doesn't fight getting his picture taken. 

I also took a few photos of Willy because we haven't taken very many pictures of him and we need to take more. He's been better since we got our trampoline. For some reason, that keeps him from trying to jump the fence. He hasn't gotten out at all since March!