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.

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!

Basketball

Basketball started up again!  We love the jerseys this season.

Catherine had a double-header on Saturday.  They lost their first game but won the second!  She's scoring, defending, and stealing!

Thomas's team also won their game.  He moved up to the 12-14 year old league, so he's on the younger end, but holding his own still!  He made three 3-point shots! 

 

Rancho Mirage

Since we were taking Lydia out to Redlands, we decided to spend the week at Rancho Mirage.  I took Thomas and Cat for the beginning of the week, and Brian joined us after work on Thursday.  It was super hot all week-- 113*+!  We played some tennis, pickleball, and basketball, but mostly spent hours at the pool every day.

After I got out of the pool one time, a fiery skipper came and landed on my toe for a drink.  It was so cute!

Catherine picked out this cute turtle.  Her name is Shelby Yertle.

One day I took the kids to a movie- Minions and Monsters.

We also checked out the zoo early one morning.

sunset on our last night there

It was a fun week to get away!

FSY

Lydia attended her first FSY conference this week in Redlands.  She had 2 girls from our ward sign up with her.  She had a great time!

drop off

dorms

her company

She made some goals at the beginning of the week and accomplished all of them!