Mt Lemmon and Mesa travels

 Megan made sure to enjoy her time with Pooh while she had him. And it got us a few extra pictures of what life is like many days. In the afternoons after homework and chores are done the kids often play board or card games together. 

The first weekend of September we helped move Marie into a new place across town. She stayed in Todd and Savannah's house this summer while they were in Georgia and Utah, then have been staying with us since then. She had been debating moving to Washington to stay with her parents or to stay in Tucson. We're glad she ended up staying in Tucson. Peyton and Kenzie still come out in the afternoon/evening most days to sleep here while Marie works nights, then Savannah takes them home when she goes to her classes at the U of A. 

We had some leaks pop up this summer in our roof. With it being the second wettest monsoon season on record there were a lot of people needing roof repairs, so we were glad to get someone that could replace our roof. The other estimate we got said he could probably get to it around December.

The roofers worked through the weekend and finished Sunday mid-day, just in time for a big storm that blew in that evening. Phew!

The storm blew in while we were at Grandma's. The weather made everyone feel the need to get cozy, so they got out a bunch of blankets.

The kids decided instead of Sunday scoops, hot chocolate would be more appropriate. It did drop probably 25-30 degrees in a half hour or so from near 100 to 70 degrees.

The following day was Labor Day. Savannah had lots of work to do so the rest of us decided to head up Mt. Lemmon to make sure we stayed out of her hair. We did a short hike to look for a geocache, and found lots of cool, large rocks to climb on along the trail.

Pooh, of course had tot come along. 

After a picnic lunch and hanging out by a stream for a while our girls were ready to head home. Todd and his crew wanted more fun, so Ryan hopped in with them and Grandma and went to search out another geocache while Jacob and I and the girls headed down the mountain. When we were about a half a mile from home we got a phone call telling us they had been in a car accident and everyone was fine, but they needed a ride down the mountain so the kids wouldn't have to wait for the tow truck. So I dropped everyone off and headed right back up the mountain. Apparently the other guy's tire popped, which pulled him into the other lane right into Todd. Thankfully it was at a curve in the road, so they were both going relatively slow, and it was at a part of the mountain road where there was a good shoulder and even a road that gave plenty of safe space for the kids to hang out while waiting for me to come.

We all felt very grateful that the wreck wasn't worse and that no one was injured. The car didn't fare so well. With a broken axle insurance decided it was a total loss, so now Todd has to find a new car. And with the car shortage going on right now the prices for used cars are crazy high. 

The family reunion in July that we didn't make it to turned out to be a COVID spreader event. Unfortunately Jacob's uncle, Robert, caught it and ended up passing away because of it. Friday there was a memorial service for him in Mesa so Jacob and I drove up while the kids were in school. As funerals usually are, this turned out to be a nice mini family reunion and a chance to visit with some of Jacob's cousins and aunts and uncles that we don't see very often (even though we only live 2 hours away). 

Janet, Sharon and Cari were able to fly down, so it was good to see them. We visited at the luncheon afterwards and for a little while at Uncle John and Nanette's house before we headed south to try and beat the traffic.

Ryan and Jacob matched today for church. We had to get a picture of my handsome men.

August

 I guess my diligence with posting has taken a hit. There has been a lot going on. Luckily, there have been no new quarantines or sicknesses after the first batch those first few weeks of school. 

In my new stake YW calling we jumped right in, planning a youth conference as the first big activity since before COVID. Friday night was at the Allens farm with dinner and just playing and hanging out.

The next day there were lots of different classes to choose from. It was also Jared's birthday and I managed to sneak a name tag that said "It's my birthday" onto Jared's back. :) This is Jared helping to build Little Libraries as a service project.

After the classes we had lunch while the missionaries put on a pretty great talent show. There was a big group service project and a youth panel, then they wrapped things up with a bunch of youth, including Rachel and Jared, singing a song they had just learned in one of the class rotations that morning. 

The whole conference was great. As we drove home Jared told me how he had felt the spirit all day, not just when someone said something true in a "boring sermon." Rachel also had good reviews, especially enjoying the quick choir and the meals in minutes class.

Knowing it was Jacob's birthday on the weekend of youth conference, I had a friend put me in contact with her mother-in-law that is starting to sell her gluten free creations. She made this delicious chocolatey creation.

Besides the cake and some Thai food for dinner, Jacob's birthday was pretty low key. We sure are happy to have him around, though. 

Rachel continues to enjoy volleyball. After the first few games the coach decided to re-do tryouts and moved some of the girls around. Rachel ended up being moved up to the B team and has been doing a great job there.

When she played against Rincon Vista she was excited to see one of her good friends from elementary school, Isabella. Super fun to catch up with old friends!

A few days before Jacob's birthday I saw that Dry Bar Comedy had a show coming to Tucson. Jacob and I watch Dry Bar a lot since it's always clean comedy, so I knew he would like it. Todd and Savannah decided to come along, too, so we made it a double date. So a few days after his birthday we headed downtown for the show.

It was very strange being crammed together with all those people we didn't know in such close quarters after all the social distancing we've done the last year and a half. 

The show was great with 4 great comics. My cheeks were tired from laughing so much by the time we headed home.

With a Relief Society activity (the first one in person in a year and a half!), Dry Bar, and a trip to the temple, I knew Megan would not be too happy about being left home without Mom at bedtime for three nights in a row, so I made a deal that we would go on a mommy-daughter date that Saturday. She had a good attitude for Rachel, who was left in charge those nights, so we went out for ice cream at Candy World. 

The following week Megan was super happy to get to take Pooh Bear home from school for the week. She had to write about their adventures in the class journal so other people could read about where Pooh has been (and as a fun writing activity). 

Tuesday, August 31 we were able to go see Annie be inducted in the National Elementary Honor Society. 

Out of about 150 students in 5th grade at DWE, there were just about 20 kids selected to be involved in NEHS based on their scholarship, leadership, and service. 

We're super proud of Annie.