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.