Daddy's Birthday

James turned 44 this week and this is how we celebrated with the man who holds us all together--Salmon.  We are so grateful for him and all his providing and protecting.

The kids were as excited about Salmon as he was.

Rex and Lyle helped to make Dad's favorite German Chocolate cake.

It was a fun surprise to see this on a video this week.  Uncle Vard is famous!

James came home on Friday to find Rex and Lyle dropping the pea gravel on each other's face.  They don't get so dirty so often anymore, but it makes me happy to see their "little boy" is still alive.

Sariah had Connell High School's Sports Illustrated pictures taken with Josie.

Before the race at the Connell Invitational on Saturday.

Running against her Chiawana friends, Carley and Brinlee.

We couldn't miss the chance to take a picture with our amazing daughter for National Daughter's Day.  She is amazing!  Today she was sustained and set apart as her YWs class president.

Kids playing Sunday afternoon games.

Got this photo randomly yesterday from a sister who said she just enjoyed a meal with Elder Hales who is such  "a great missionary with such a fun personality!!!"  (Yes, three exclamation points.)  We try not to talk to him too much about it, but we are getting so excited to see him and be with him again.

 

Football and Roller-skating

On Friday, James was home from school sick--a very rare occasion.  We decided to drive out to Connell, watch Hyrum's football practice and take the kids home from practice.  Hyrum got a lot of reps.  He's good football player especially considering this is his first attempt.

Hyrum in stride with the reception.

Sariah's selfie as she patiently waited for me after church while I talked to the Bishop (I was released from YWs).

Yesterday afternoon, Spechts invited us to join them at the roll-arena.  Reichert was a good sport and Rex and Lyle loved roller-skating through his legs.

Talmage recently had the opportunity to play the piano in the oldest still-standing chapel of our faith in England.  It was built by another faith, but the church bought it and used it for several decades.  James E. Talmage dedicated the building and so he now knows he has stood in the same place where his namesake stood.  Pretty neat!

 

Spreading Wings

That title is my effort at trying to be positive when there is another empty chair at our table and James took a leaf out.  More about that later.

Monday was NO SCHOOL for Labor Day.  James and the kids put fire crackers on paper airplanes and had a blast.  No pun intended.

I had a really bad night on Tuesday and had to have a substitute for Glory Academy on Wednesday.  At that point we realized it wasn't a good idea for me to take Bryant to Rexburg on Thursday.  James scrambled to cover his classes and he, Sariah, and Bryant left for Rexburg on Thursday morning.  A lot of tender hearts and tears.  James gave Bryant a blessing before he left and Bryant gave James a blessing.  Rex tried to stow away.  No one wanted to say good-bye.

On Friday, the three of them hit campus early.

Found a friend--Doug Edmonds

Went to orientation after they got B's Icard, books, and found his classes.

James and Sariah in the I-Center for parent orientation.

Bryant at his first apartment complex.

Moved in.

Looking all college-like.

After several hours grocery shopping (and several hundred dollars), it was more hard good-byes.

James and Sariah left Rexburg mid-afternoon so James could be back for his Sunday obligations practicing for the Primary Program next week.  And...Bryant is on his own.  We got some late night texts that he had gone to I-Night, met some new friends, and won the dating game.  I'm so glad he got out and had a taste of all the fun to be had.

In the meantime at Glory Academy...

Rex got a little push-up personal training for PE.

Taneil was going to go down to Rexburg with me and instead she just stayed here at the house while James was gone.  It was so good to have her here and she is so good to plan for meals and entertainment for the boys.  They loved putting her Harry Potter Lego sets together and playing LIFE with her, eating popcorn and watching Star Wars.  It was such a treat to have her here.

Saturday evening we went up to ML for Mia's baptism.  It was a beautiful evening, the seasons are changing.  

These three are all trying to adjust to the demands of middle school life and found relief being together.

 

School Starts

One of the only pictures we got from Sariah's Girls Camp experience this year.

By the end of the week of Bryant's surgery he still wasn't moving around too well.  We cancelled his wisdom teeth removal for that next Monday.  By the middle of the next week he was feeling good enough to take a walk for the annual zucchini boat race.  

Bryant was the 2021 Zucchini Boat champion and Lyle came in 2nd.

Back to School Night

Sariah and I went to take care of Oakley while Brandon and Tiffany went to the temple.  We took Oakley later and helped her get into the temple and ready for her sealing.

Pretty precious.

Fishers of Men on the Sabbath

First Day of School - Fifth Grade

Hyrum's first day of Olds Junior High.  He stayed Sunday night with Jhett so he didn't have to ride the bus by himself (nor get up so early).  Uncle Dave took good care of them.  This week has been a huge adjustment for Hyrum.  He leaves at 6:15 and gets home about 6:15.  He's one tuckered boy after that long of a day and football practice.

I didn't even take a picture of Sariah on her first day, but maybe it was good luck.  She said, "That was probably my best first day ever."

James had to take a selfie for his first day--starting his 19th year in the Tri-Cities.

They put the irrigation from the canal down to the lots along Columbia River Road this week (bummer).  On one of our afternoon walks, Rex and Lyle thought these implements were a good fit.

James and I were able to go with one of Bryant's best friends, Nick Zornes, to the temple on Friday night as he prepares for his mission.

Overdue on the haircuts, a before and after.

They go MUCH smoother than they used to.