August Wrap Up

Here are few things from August.

We have the best kids. I don't even know how it started, but Lucy decided she wanted Austin to be her table for breakfast. Austin is such a sweet boy and he gladly obliged by laying across two chairs. Lucy was so happy to have her Austin table. 

One of our kids favorite things is, "taste for a taste." It is so cute. Whenever they have something that they can share, they just say, "taste for a taste" and then if they agree they each get a lick of what the other one has (suckers, ice cream etc.). 

It was cousin weekend and the kids had a great time at the Haderlies house while Shantel and I had a date weekend. 

We had a massive rain storm - they kids came running and asked if they could run around in the rain. Of course we met them and Audrey, Ellie and Anderson Ward joined in too. The kids ended up totally soaked and so happy. When they got cold, we brought them hot chocolate that they drank while sitting on the porch watching the rain. 

The Ward kids are such great friends for our kids and we are glad they can spend so much time together. 

Austin and I in our matching shirts. 

We went to see Jacob talk before he left on his mission. We are so excited for him to serve in the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Mission. 

Lucy and Juniper and Junipers Birthday Party. Also, we went to the Lehi Outdoor pool with our free passes from doing the summer reading challenge and had so much fun. 

I had a conference in Minneapolis (New Partner Training) and we went to a Twins game and had a great time. 

Shantel did haircuts for the boys who really needed them with such long hair. 

My Dad came for dinner on Thursday evenings and the kids love when he plays with them. 

We had a family home evening lesson about feeling the spirit and Austin gave a talk in primary. 

I took the kids to Sam's club and the kids got to pick a few treats. They picked a pizza and drink plus a slushy to share. 

Shantel made some Ranch Chicken. We keep working towards Ranch bottle #100. This is Ranch bottle #96. 

Austin has gotten big enough to start mowing the lawn. I asked him if he wanted to earn a few dollars to mow part of the backyard and he did such a great job with it. He earned $3 and it was so nice because I could work on trimming and a few other things while he mowed. He is a hard worker. 

Shantel

Here are some things that I've been up to:

I have been feeling extra grateful for my darling friend, Ali, this month. She hosted the MOI group this month and I love this picture we snapped of each other. I can't help but feel her goodness rubbing off on me whenever I'm around her. Ali has this tender love of pictures of sheep, especially as related to Jesus as the Good Shephard. She has a whole collection, and when I saw this picture I knew she would love it. I also love it and hope to hang it in my home someday. 

These Coconut Bites are so good. I went to a baby shower and they served them and it was the best part of the party. (And also being there to support and spend time with good friends.) 

I killed this plant when we went to Nauvoo and I'm trying to nurse it back to health, but I do not have a green thumb. I've enjoyed having the plant in my home over the past six months and I would be so sad if it died. Wish me luck. 

Feeling so grateful for good friends in my life! 

This dress was my grandma's and I loved wearing it to church. Lucy took this picture of my when snapping pictures during sacrament meeting and it makes me smile. Also this week I subbed in Primary and I had the kids make mini Title of Liberty's and it was such a great day. 

As a stake leader, I was asked to come help prep for the Stake Women's retreat. It was so cool to see so many sisters coming together to prep for a really neat activity for our stake! 

Stake Women's Retreat

This is one of the highlights of our year. Lydia and I get to gather with all the women of our stake for a weekend of nature, classes, food, and strengthening. It was a good weekend. Highlights: Family History Class with Lydia, 5 am Sunrise Hike, hanging out with the Wards, and singing songs at the nighttime devotional. 














I bought these little hats for Rugby and Pippi, then surprised my dad by making the pups wear them (as a joke). I think I'm so funny. 

We visited my grandma for her 91st birthday. Happy Birthday Grandma! 



We did a pool and school day and I set up my camera to take a picture of Lydia doing her homeschool by the pool, She moved before the camera snapped, and it ended up just being me. I do love the picture though and love remembering this day of hanging at the pool with my kiddos while all the other kids were back in school. Just soaking up the last few moments of sunshine before Fall arrives. 

A few screenshots from my phone. 

-I've been waking up early early early in order to get everything done. I'm tired, but feel good. 

-Lucy loves listening to music on my phone and she has a whole playlist of songs. My very favorite song right now is "Somebody to Love" from the Cinderella movie. It makes me really happy and if I'm having a bad day, it has a magic ability to cheer me up. Sometimes Lucy will ask to play her favorite song, and sometimes she will ask to "Play your favorite song" - meaning this song. 

-I'm part of a general conference study group and have been enjoying studying and discussing so many amazing words from our leaders. 

-The Stake President asked me for my input on this "Youth, Mission & Life Prep" class for the stake. He specifically asked me for my thoughts about what to teach the youth about priesthood power. It was so neat to be able to share my thoughts and some things that I've studied. 





I love serving on the stake council. I enjoy meeting with others to counsel together about how to strengthen those in our stake and in our stewardship. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from these faithful men and women and to be a part of the work of the Lord in our stake.