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This last weekend the kids had a bit of fun. Saturday morning we went to our ward's morning breakfast put on by the scouts as a fund raiser. Nothing better than having someone else fix breakfast in the morning. After we were done I rushed Payton over to Murray High School. The drill team had a workshop for girls ages 3-14 to learn a dance and then perform it at the next high school football game. Payton was WAY excited to go. The drill team taught the girls their parts for the dance from 10-noon. (nothing like watching the little girls dance and move their bum bum's!) They now go back to the school Friday night wearing black pants and tennis shoes and a bandana and they will receiv their t-shirts that were ordered.

As I was at the high school, Greg took Garrison to Lowe's building class for kids and Garrison made a pirate ship that actually floats in water and where one can actually "walk the plank." The kids like going there and building things.

We had a somewhat peaceful Sunday and spent time together.

Rain

Not much to report for the last day or two. Today is a cooler day and its actually been raining. We haven't had rain for some time so it is nice. (It's nicer when you don't have to go out in it (unless you want to) and just watch it come down. It's a good relaxer. . . . okay - back to work)

Garrison had scouts and they did a bbq with hot dogs. The boys needed to learn and pass off preparing and eating a meal. Garrison said they had a good time eating and playing.

Payton is learning to write her numbers in preschool. They just started so she is practicing on numbers 1-5. She's practiced them a few times and have improved in the little bit.

Greg and I are still working everyday (and some days hardly working) Somedays we have pretty boring lives with working and then taking care of the kids. . . I think we need to change that a bit. We are planning on going to Mesquite over UEA weekend in October with all the kids. It's not that far but still far enough without getting too tired of driving. We haven't had a trip yet this year so it should be fun.

It's September

I can't believe September is already here. Okay, a week has already gone by. Greg's parents have been in town for a couple of weeks and enjoyed their time going to Education Week down at BYU. For the last little while they have been staying at the KOA in Salt Lake City. We've enjoyed going over to visit and going swimming. We took the noodles to float with and Payton really enjoyed them. She's beginning to enjoy the water a bit more. (she took swim lessons and half way through decided she didn't like to swim. So slowly we're getting her back into the water.)

Sunday, August 31, 2008, our family had the chance to give talks in church. Thank goodness it was Labor Day weekend and not everybody was at church. Payton got up and repeated her poem like a pro. One would think that at 4 years of age she would be scared. NO. In fact, I think I was more nervous than she was. Our topic was on Prayer and everybody did a great job.

We have the older kids church records down in our ward and is pleased to state that Rachael is now 1st counselor in the Mia-Maids class and Trea is the priet's presidency. . .since right now he's about the only priest. He is also on the stake Modesty Squad (MOD Squad) to help plan activities for the youth and to represent our ward for the males.

On Friday, September 5, 2008, Gma and Grampy were at the church history library working on their geneology and Greg and Payton went with them. They called me up and we all had lunch in the cafeteria at the church office building. It was fun to eat with them in a place I'd never been. I think that was one of the few times Greg and I had lunch together on a Friday since I've been working down town. Thanks Greg and family.

Garrison is doing well in school and just got his first 100% on his spelling test. He is reading every night for 20 minutes and does a great job.

Payton has started preschool at her daycare center. Last week they talked about numbers 1 through 5 and are starting to learn how to write out the number.

FAMILY PARTY

Nothing like typing in everything and then somehow it disappears. I hope I remember everything.

Saturday, August 16 we had a family party over at my parents for Isabella and Ciara's birthdays. We were told the party had changed from 5pm to 4pm so that Beth and Ramsey could get back through Parley's Canyon before they closed it for bridge work. Well, Mark and Ty showed up, we showed up and were waiting. At 4:30 Dave and his family showed up and then we were all waiting for Beth and Ramsey. 5:00 - still waiting. . . . 5:09 still waiting. . .around 5:20 p.m. they come strolling in. Apparently Beth did not remember Dave called and moved the party earlier. . . . that's a conversation that will stay between teh two of them.

We had a bar-b-que, opened presents, had cake and ice cream and watched the kids play while the adults chatted. And of course when it's time to go - it's always too early for the kids to stop playing. We'll have to make a play date for all the cousins to play one day.

Sunday was hectic for us. Debbie brought down Trea, Nathan and Rachael for the day (the weekend was messed up a bit). They came to church and then afterwards Greg was able to set apart Trea as a priest and Nathan a teacher. Finally.

After we got home Greg gave a father's blessing to Rachael, Garrison and even Payton. In fact, Greg got a father's blessing from HIS father. Wait. . . . I didn't get a blessing. Guess I'll need to get one soon from Greg.

School starts this week for Trea, Nathan and Rachael and Garrison starts on August 25. I can't believe that school is starting so soon. . . . the kids definitely are NOT ready for that. Well, enjoy it. The sooner you start - - the sooner you get out.

Random thoughts

Nothing like going out on Saturday to look at houses and then afterwards going to Macy's store to buy a new blender and can opener. It's amazing how things can break one right after the other. The best part was we only spent $17!!!!. Yep. That is right. Well, along with the $100 in gift cards that I get from work.

Greg's birthday is this Friday. I wont mention how old he is, but he's old enough to have a 16 year old son as well as a 4 year old daughter.

AAHHH - the nice quiet evening on Monday with kids in bed by 8:00 p.m. Yes, they must be feeling sick to go to bed that late. They were hoping to go to be BEFORE family home evening, but as parents we made them suffer for about 10 minutes. They sure were in a good mood this morning. (I don't think that will happen again tonight.)

Swimmin' Fun

Saturday night our ward had a swim party and had reserved the outdoor pool in Taylorsville. Nothing like swimming from 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. There was a decent crowd there, although I'm surprised there were not more families. The water was a bit cool at first but once you got in you didn't want to get out. Garrison was either on the diving board or on the water slide the entire time. Payton at first just wanted to walk around and not get too wet. Once she did get wet she had fun. She hesitated at first about the water slide but when she saw her friend go down with her mother Payton decided it was her turn also. Walking up the stairs to the slide was a bit cold with a slight breeze, but the water running down the slide was warm. Payton enjoyed the ride. Afterwards the activity committee had brought ice cream goodies and everybody enjoyed a treat or two, or three, or four. . .

SMOG

With all the fires that are buring in California and Utah - nothing like looking up into the blue, uhm blue/gray - sky. Working in downtown Salt Lake there's nothing more than going outside and trying to breath some 'fresh' air. It will all clear out once our temperatures start dropping.

Saturday we have a ward party at an outdoor pool from 8:30 pm until 10:30 p.m. should be a lot of fun. I'll have to take pictures an post them so you can see the fun we've had.

Lately Payton has been getting upset with Garrison because at breakfast time he stares at her as he's looking outside. She does not like that. . .but we tell her that Garrison keeps looking at her because she is so beautiful. Then she gets a little smile on her face and is in a better mood. (I know we're in trouble when she gets older.)