Brothers

Nothing like having brothers that pin you down and use the leaf blower on you.  Sariah was playing along, or it would have been different.

End of Season

Because my phone battery is about shot, Damon's picture will have to represent last week's Cross Country meets.  Sariah ended the season with a 1st place.  Bryant ran at Leslie Grove Park for his last regular season meet. He PRed and was the first Chiawana runner in the JV race.  When it was all said and done, his JV time beat the Varsity Chiawana #7 guy by 1 second!  Way to go Bryant and Sariah!  You both had a fantastic XC Season!

Earlier that day, Sariah and I went to her school conference where her academic performance was as stellar as her athletic performance.  Afterwards, she had her first Subway sandwich--bun, ham, turkey, and cheese.  And that's it, not even any mustard or mayo.  But...she loved it!  Then she and I had some time to kill so per Grandpa's recommendation we visited the Red Brick Store in Connell.  Very interesting place.

Friday, Kiersten Price came and she and Sariah decorated cupcakes while we helped her memorize the new YWs theme.  It warms my heart to see this particular friendship blossom.

Bryant was a great sport and dressed up as "Dwight" from the series, "The Office" for his XC Halloween party.  I've never seen it, but apparently he makes a great Dwight.  He had a great time and I'm so grateful for the friends he has made on the XC team that left the party with him when they started the R-rated movie.  Bryant is completely trustworthy when it comes to things like that.  We have had the thought that perhaps one of the reasons he felt to stay at Chiawana and not go to Connell is because the good boys his age needed a good leader.  And that he is.

Fall Carnival

Rex and Lyle decided they want to be Spartans this year for Halloween.  I think it had something to do with Talmage being a Spartan for his Mr. Riverhawk costume.

I felt very blessed to find a metallic fabric on the clearance aisle when I went to get faux leather.  It saved us cutting and spray painting cardboard for the breast plates.  And it looks pretty awesome too!  So, I sewed the breastplates and girdles on Tuesday and on a beautiful Wednesday early release, Rex and Lyle pounded the holes in the leather to thread for their arm and shin guards.

Hyrum decided to be a baseball player and rocked his costume all by himself.

He had me add his black marks under his eyes.  Just looked it up, it's called "eye black."  They were all very excited for their Fall Carnival.

Sariah discovered a new talent at the Fall Carnival.  Bryant organized the National Honor Society's service at the Fall Carnival and helped to run a booth.

Uniforms and Outings

I finally got these two Cub Scout uniforms in order.  We found them at the Provo DI this summer and I finally got the patches that didn't belong off, and the ones that did belong on.  The uniform that Lyle got had the sticky adhesive that really bothered him so I had to cut off some of the bottom of the shirt and make a "patch" of sorts for his pack number.  Happy campers now!

And they got to wear them to their outing to the ambulance and firehouse in Eltopia.

Twister

Spechts were out of town and Grandma was at a meeting, so we had to entertain ourselves at Grandpa's house last Sunday night.

Adios Tacoma

After quite a bit of work, James finally got his truck sold.  James says I need to make this an accurate journal account: 2000 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab, 2WD, 233,000 miles.  Sold for $5300.  One less vehicle in our driveway just in time for him to bring home the Accord that he has been working on.

Great Mom Moment

This is the text Sariah sent me at the end of Youth Conference yesterday.  Made me so happy!  (That's a crown emoji after the word "important.")

Borne of Four

This week we had the privilege of getting Tyler Freeman to and from school. It took four of us to get his wheelchair, foam wedge, support board, pillow, backpack, and walker into the van.  Plus Tyler.  Everyone had their job.  We got it down.

James brought to my attention Mathew 2:3, "borne of four," and we had to get a picture.  Tyler is a very special boy.  So grateful we got this opportunity.

Spirit Week for Sariah

I wish I would have taken a picture every day as Sariah showed her school spirit.  This was "Pink Day" for Breast Cancer Awareness.

One day this week James had a late start and in his white shirt and tie went to throw the football with Rex and Lyle before he had to leave.  It was a crisp morning before school.  They loved it, and I loved watching it!  We have a book called, "My Dad the Magnificent."  I was reminded about that book as I watched them.

Other fun things around the house this week:

It looks like an egg in a nest, but when I cut back the day lillies I found this bouncy ball.  I took a picture of it and when James got home to be with the boys that day he showed them the picture and sent them on a scavenger hunt.  He said it didn't take long at all.  They knew where to look.

(I was in Royal watching Sariah's meet--my phone died so I don't have any pictures.  She got 2nd.  She said whoever she says "good luck" to before the race is always the one that beats her.)

I got a kick out of finding the spoon by the cookie dough in the fridge.

These mysterious footprints showed up in our backyard.  We decided they must have been from Sariah when she walked over to Freeman's on the really cold morning.  She must have killed the grass because it was so cold.
 

This was during the more pleasant part of the morning.  James was painting a car and apple juicing, Bryant and Sariah were at youth conference, so these guys and I were on pumpkin selling duty.

   When I woke up it was pouring and I just about decided to cancel, for the first time ever, our Saturday pumpkin selling.  I thought of those kids out in the heat weeding and watering and knew I couldn't do that, although I was skeptical at best about whether or not anyone would show up to buy pumpkins in such weather.  The words from Moroni came do mind, "Has the day of miracles ceased?"  I woke the kids up and we read that second half of chapter 7 in Moroni.  Then we prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for making the pumpkins grow, and the health and strength to plant, and weed, and water.  And, I prayed that he would send the people to buy them.  And He did--even in the wind and rain.  It wasn't busy but there were a lot more customers than I expected--including a few faithful who support us every year.  We are very blessed.

New PR at Lawrence Scott Park

Bryant at the starting line in the dark jersey at the right.

He got 17:11 on 3.05 mile course.

We love watching him!  He has worked so hard this season and come so far. 
He is one lean machine right now cutting back on sugar and eating lots of eggs.

Cub Scout Hike

We are making the best of our remaining time in Cub Scouts.  I joined the boys and Brother Barrow and Cole Barrow on a little hike right here in the middle of the Tri-Cities that I didn't even know about.  The Chamna Preserve.  These guys make quick work of 1 mile.

Rex, Lyle, David Bybee, Blake Freeman, and Ethan Perkins

I brought up the rear so we didn't lose anybody.  Fun to see these little guys just loving the outdoors and the use of their bodies with good friends.

Sunday Afternoon

Sariah pulled out the costume totes last Sunday.  LOTS of laughs and giggles.  They didn't want me to take pictures of them trying on the princess dresses, cheerleading, and gymnastics outfits but I did catch these pics.

I have to admit that this Mike Wasowsky costume of Bryant's was one of my best.  Rex was a fan too.

Surprised they could get into these one last time.

Hyrum decided he wanted to make cookies..topless nonetheless.

And Grandpa, Grandma, and Emma joined us for dinner and Sariah's late birthday cake (which she had already had a piece of).  Happy 14th beautiful girl!

Cross Country and Theatre in Moses Lake

Sariah running strong.  She finished second in the Junior High girls race.

More cross country cousins and their fans.

What a crew!

This picture is missing the stars, Britlan and Mia the "wonder beans."  These girls went to support them in their Missoula Children's Theatre production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

No School Friday

Sariah was the only one who had to go to school on her birthday.  Hyrum was in Moses Lake with Hayden and Jhett.  Bryant went to an early morning XC practice and breakfast.  Rex and Lyle and I headed to the 351 patch.  I was really missing the muscles of the operation.  Forunately, Taneil and Emma came to help.

Spent the afternoon at Woodward's pool with friends.

Rex on Lyle's shoulders

Lyle with the reverse dunk.

And it's good!

Rex had to give it a shot.

Sariah's first creation with Brain Flakes from Freeman's.

Sariah requested Little Ceasar's pizza, chocolate fudge cake, and watching Aladdin the live action movie with the family.  Rex and Lyle lasted a few minutes.  They really are NOT movie watchers.  Sariah was doted on all day from the time she left at 6:20 in the morning and found a candy banner to welcome her at Freeman's.  She was sung to in almost every class and Kiersten plastered her locker with post it notes.  I think she felt very loved.