This week was Sarah's birthday! The girls helped plan an all-day celebration. Bethany decorated. Megan made cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole for a late breakfast on Wednesday. Then games were played (Wacky 6), a movie watched (Atlantis), a game with Dad (Acquire),  crafts were made, and a dinner of enchiladas eaten! Meg also made Rice Krispie treats for a birthday treat and we put candles in it and sang Happy Birthday! It was a really fun day and we are so glad that Sarah is part of our lives!

That day also marked one year since Beth's surgery. Beth knew it would be a hard day for her so she stayed home from school and tried her best to enjoy Sarah's birthday festivities. Beth is glad it is this year and not last year but it's a day that changed her life. She had hoped to be feeling better by now and is instead dealing with a whole lot that she didn't used to have to deal with. So, it was a hard day.

Thankfully, the rest of her week went pretty well! She got to get started on her driving hours with a driving instructor. On Friday night, she and two friends went to see a play and had great fun! And on Saturday, she and I watched a scary movie together. Fun times!

Ben had guitar this week and a full week of cross country. His knee has been hurting so on Thursday and Friday he did cross training by riding his bike. He even got our neighbor, Max, to go with him. They've been going FAR. On Saturday, though, he decided to try the bike course they made by the water tower near our house and he crashed. Poor kid! He's pretty scratched up and his chin got the worst of it.

Savannah had a full week of work! She's been able to help Sarah with her little ones a couple of times this week, too.

Kevin and I went to a ward activity Friday night up the canyon and also to a ward temple session on Saturday afternoon. He taught second hour today for fifth Sunday and I taught for a few minutes, too. So, that's been fun. 

Our four-wheeler also got some time this week. Kevin took Mariah for a ride on Tuesday afternoon and took his mom for a ride on Thursday. On Saturday, Sarah and McKay took it up the canyon for a ride by themselves.

 Bethany went to Homecoming last night! She had so much fun. During the day they went up the canyon to play Frisbee golf, then they came home to get fancied up. Megan came over and did Beth's hair with lots of curls. They left here about five and went up the canyon again for pictures, then they had dinner at someone's house. They went to the dance and stayed there for awhile and finished the night playing Code Names at Sam's house. Beth had a super fun time and she looked beautiful!

Benjamin ran in a cross country meet on Friday. He was going super fast his first mile but then he fell! And someone fell on top of him and kneed him in the calf. He got back up and finished the race but he was in so much pain! He was very teary at the end. Poor kid! We were very worried about him. Ammon came and looked him over and felt that he would be ok the next day. And he did feel a whole lot better on Saturday. Yay! In other news, we found him a Chinese tutor that he really likes so I am happy we have a way to support him in that goal.

Savannah made it to everyday of work this week! Way to go, kid! It makes her so so tired, though. She is going to get an appointment with a doctor next week to see what he suggests. This weekend, she watched Sarah's girlies for a couple hours and went on a walk with Eric.

Kevin and I were able to get away for a few hours on Saturday early afternoon to go four wheeling up the canyon. It was so pretty! The Maples have turned red and it is stunning. Also, in the kitchen the baseboards are in, and we started work on our new sandbox outside. I love having projects to work on.

 I went to Tuacahn this week with most of my sisters and my mom! It was super fun! I drove to Maggie's on Thursday afternoon. She drove me and Becca and Keith down to St. George where we met Grandma and Diane for dinner. Then we all went to the outdoor Tuacahn theatre to see Anastasia. What fun! Afterwards, I stayed the night at Maggie's and drove home Friday morning. I had a great time visiting and making memories with my family!

Benjamin had cross country practice all week and a race on Saturday. He had his best time, yet, and felt super good about it! The race was in SLC, but Kevin drove up to watch him. Also, Mariah made it even though she ran a MARATHON in the morning! (Kolby did get her to sit in a chair and watch from only one spot, though, which was a good choice!) Ben also had guitar and some tennis this week and a lot of homework!

Bethany had play practice this week tho not everyday which was nice. She's still feeling very tired and yucky but plugging along. She went on a date on Friday night and came back in high spirits and full of laughter which was so fun to see.

Waiting for her date. Isn't she cute??

On Saturday, Kevin planned a financial planning educational meeting for all his kids presently in the continental United States. He got a chance to share everything he's been learning, his kids got some good ideas, and I got to play with Lyla and Avery! What a great afternoon!! Afterwards we had hamburgers, made by that same generous dad, and then played some Jackbox games instigated by Benjamin's enthusiasm. It was a really fun way to spend a Saturday.

Savannah taught Sunday School again today and merged get-to-know you with scriptural discussion in a brilliant way! She also went with her friend, Joanna, to see the National Parks in concert last night. She had a great time! She had a hard week health-wise so we were happy to see her healthy enough to enjoy her weekend.

Monday was Labor Day! In the afternoon we met the family up the canyon for games at Jolley's Ranch. Grandma and Grandpa came, too. We played a rousing game of kickball, bocce ball, and head's up. Avery and I explored the creek and we all talked and enjoyed being together in the beautiful out-of-doors! Megan and Ammon brought their hammock, too!

That night Kevin cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for the YSA ward and invited them to our house. We think we fed about 70! Crazy, right? At least two-thirds of the ward is new and they seem like a great group--friendly and busily getting to know each other.

Benjamin had a race Friday morning this week in Park City. His favorite assistant coach, (Mariah, of course!), was there to cheer him on! He feels like he had a good race and has plans for doing even better next time. He and Mariah have matching shirts! Ben also played a singles match and a doubles match for tennis on Saturday. Kevin was able to watch some and he said that Ben did some great things and gave his opponents a good fight.

Bethany made it through school all week and play practice, too! That doesn't mean she was feeling good. She told me that two years ago if she felt the way she does now when she's at school that she would have thought she was super sick and would have come home. One year ago, she did come home. This year she just knows its her medications and whatever her body is dealing with and she just keeps on. This gives me two strong feelings: sadness for her pain and fierce admiration for her toughness. It also fills me with intense gratitude for her willingness to keep facing it everyday. She is finding a way to still find joy in her life. Also . . . she got invited to Homecoming this week! That will be a fun thing to look forward to.

Savannah had a good week at work this week and even made us dinner Thursday night! She is also continuing to work on her recording software. We have had some good conversations.

Kevin finished his new 100-day course and he is feeling great about how quickly he was able to get it done. He's loving the things he is learning about AI tools. He's also been reading a book called, Getting Rich with Dividends that he's finding very interesting. He and Savannah took the 4-wheeler up the canyon on Friday and on Saturday he let Beth and Ben drive it around the block a few times.

This week, I finished painting cabinets! Yay! That really does take a long time. I'm really happy with how it looks, too. I've changed most of the decorations. I still have a couple more ideas to implement, but it's feeling done! I also cut my hair this week.

On Saturday, Megan's sisters-in-law threw her a baby shower! It was so lovely and she had so many people come who love her and are excited for her! She even had some out-of-town family come! My sister, Diane, came with her daughters from St. George and my sister, Maggie, came with two of her daughters from Cedar City! It was so fun to see them. They even hung out at my house to visit longer before they had to drive home. We are all so excited for Meg to have her little boy!

 Lyla turned one-year old today! What a sweet and fun little baby she is! To celebrate, Sarah had a party in the park for her yesterday! We had sandwiches, chips, pasta, and watermelon. Megan made the most beautiful cake and cupcakes! We opened presents and sang, visited and played. It was really fun and such a beautiful day to celebrate Lyla's presence in our family. We are so grateful for her!

Savannah had to work an hour earlier everyday this week! In return, they got a half-day on Friday, but oh, that was hard on her! Still, she made it! It was great fun to have her at Lyla's party and she went on a date Saturday, too.

Bethany had play practice everyday after school and has really been enjoying it! Her energy is still low and she feels yucky everyday, but her spirits are high and it is fun to see her cheerfulness. We got some bloodwork done on Saturday and hopefully we will get some more answers. She and Megan and I watched a scary movie together Saturday night and that was fun!

Benjamin had cross country practice everyday afterschool and a race on Friday. He is also doing a small tennis league that practices Monday and Wednesday evenings and has matches on Saturday mornings. He still goes to karate when he can manage it, but he is pretty tired. Plus he has homework! Crazy, I know. He is working on getting used to the idea of it.

Kevin has been busy with work and YSA things. He did an intensive this week at work and has been developing more online content when he's home. For the YSA ward, he performed a marriage this week and on Sunday the ward quadrupled in size as BYU and UVU begin classes this week. There are lots of new faces to meet!

Kevin and I also got to have Matt & Lynsey's family at our house for a night as they were here to drop Conner at the MTC. What a privilege to be part of that in some way. It is heart-wrenching to drop off a missionary but also so so good! It's beautiful to be part of something so much bigger than yourself. It was super fun to see them.

As for me, I did homework, drove kids places, and painted cabinets. What do you think?