Happenings

It's been a busy week with Back to School Nights and activities. Lydia had a swim party at YW this week.

Brian took Tom to the Chargers vs Rams game.  They always have fun together.

Catherine and I finished this puzzle.  The picture looks faded from here because the color comes from colored font.  The whole puzzle together has the scripture story of Lehi's family crossing to the promised land written tiny on the pieces in the colors that make up the picture.  It was different from any puzzle I've ever put together before!

Thomas and Catherine's teams won their basketball games this week.  They both played very well.

After the games on Saturday, I got to go with the youth to the Yorba Linda Temple for baptisms.  I hadn't been in the baptistry since the open house so it was fun to see how it worked and I love being with the youth!

Brian took Cat out to ice cream while we were at the temple.

 

Birds

 We spotted some turkey vultures in our neighborhood earlier this week!  I've never seen them so close!

The bluebird nesting season has ended!  I've loved checking in on my 6 nest boxes weekly to see the bird's progress.  Most boxes had 2 clutches of eggs over the last 4-5 months.  Overall, I saw 57 eggs, 53 of those hatched, and 48 of those hatchlings eventually fledged (flew away) the nest!  We had one clutch of eggs/ new hatchlings get eaten by something-probably a snake, and a few other baby birds died in the nest before flying away.  Catherine has helped me this season.  We have come to appreciate the hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow" even more as we see the incredible process of these birds in nature.  Here are some pictures of their development stages.

Day 0

Day 7 (one egg didn't hatch)

Day 14

D

By day 21-25 the birds fledge!

Our Week

 Thomas and Catherine are doing well in their basketball season.  Both teams won this week!  Tom’s team even beat the undefeated team.  

Catherine made creamy chicken casserole for dinner one evening all by herself!  She’s quite the cook in the kitchen.

Back To School

 

The kids went back to school this morning.  This year we have 3 different schools and just me to drive! ha ha!  It will be a great year.  Lydia is in 10th grade, Thomas started middle school in 7th grade, and Catherine is in 4th grade.

Thomas had an early out day without a lunch break, so it's been our tradition to have a one-on-one lunch.  He picked In-n-Out.

Utah Trip

We made a trip to Utah for our end of summer vacation.  We flew into Provo and stopped by my old school that I taught at.  It was fun to see it again.  That night we stayed at Gawbie and Grandpa's house and hung out with Danny and Laura's family the next day.  Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures, but it was fun!  That night we met Grandma and Grandpa Cleghorn and Jonathan and Lau at Olive Garden for dinner.  We were so happy to meet Lau!

The next day, we drove up to Willard, UT for our family reunion on my mom's side (Skinner).  We got to see my Grandma Marilyn and all my mom's siblings.  

The next day we went to Temple Square.

Jonathan and Lau joined us for The Music and the Spoken Word.  I've seen it many times but never been in person.  The sound was incredible!

Then we toured the visitor's center at Temple Square.

We found this quilt made from people around the world.

They have a new exhibit with model rooms of the temple.  It was cool to be in them and take pictures!

Afterwards we went to Chiptole and then got some ice cream while we visited.

The next day we headed down to Gawbie and Grandpa's house again.  We got to see the cousins one last time before they headed out on a trip.  I got pics this time!

Alyssa just got home from her mission in the Philippines.  It was so good to see her!

Then we went with Gawbie and Grandpa to the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point.  They had an America 250 exhibit.

Then we toured the statues of Lehi's Dream.

holding to the iron rod 

at the Tree of Life

with Captain Moroni

The next morning, we hiked the Y!  We were so happy to make it!  Then we went to BYU campus and the kids went swimming at the hotel.

On our last day, we walked to Bridal Veil Falls.

We also spent some time at Provo Beach with some fun activities.  We did laser tag, bowling, ropes course, mini croquet, and arcade games.

That afternoon, we met the grandparents at the Orem Temple for Lydia and Thomas to do baptisms.  Catherine got to hang out with the grandmas in the waiting room.  Such a beautiful temple!

Afterwards we went to Brick Oven together!  We had a wonderful week!