On Sunday we traveled through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. It was crowded and smoky but beautiful! We went to the paint pots, grand canyon of the Yellowstone, Bridge Bay, Colter Bay, and Ginny Lake. We drove a LOT and after night fell, drove another hour and a half to get to our hotel in Afton, but the kids were great sports and played games in the car and entertained Kevin and I with their laughter and good spirits. It was a fun day!

We saw a bear!

Monday was Labor Day and no school! We spent it driving home through traffic and heavy winds. We got home in time for the mountain just south of our canyon to catch fire. Sirens blared, the sky glowed into the night, but an Arctic storm blew in and Tuesday morning saw low-hanging clouds, a steady drizzle, and snow on the tops of the mountain. I've never felt such a feeling of true welcome to a snow storm!

Monday also meant we met our new neighbors who moved behind us. They have a son Ben's age WHO EVEN GOES TO HIS SCHOOL! We are so excited! And by "we," I mean Ben and myself and our whole family, but also Max (the son) and his whole family. So far, things have been spectacular. Ben and Max play every day and even take turns riding Max's four-wheeler around his property. Did I mention that Max has four older sisters? He needs a brother as much as Ben! Now they have each other. I'm so happy with who God picked out! :)

Cali and Cheyenne had two home meets this week afterschool on Tuesday and Thursday. They played great and had a super time. They've been very busy with homework, as well, and have been wishing they had more free time! Still, Friday night they helped their friend with the "Midnight Marathon" and didn't get home until 1am!

Bethany has continued with cross country and had her second meet on Friday. Cheyenne and I went to watch and she plugs away all the way to the finish! Go Beth! She had Siena over Friday night and the Mila's and Eden over on Saturday. I'm happy to see her with her friends.

Savannah worked for Earth Harbor (McKay's brother's company) on Friday and again on Saturday. She is not sure this will be her new job, but they certainly need help.

Mariah also helped at Earth Harbor on Friday but she did it for service! She continues to have personal study and language study and companionship study. She's hoping to make masks for everyone in her district this week! We received her flight plans and she flies to New York at 8:30am, September 21. We only get her one more week!

Megan and I played a duet in church this Sunday! So, she came on Friday to rehearse with the pianist and then stayed the night! What fun to see her a little more! Extra bonus is that after we played this morning, she is hanging out with the fam all day. Yay! (We played beautifully, by the way.)

We also saw Sarah a couple times this week when she stopped by to visit us (and see Meg on Friday). She tells us stories of her funny sixth graders!