This October was filled with wonderful things, and it wasn't as packed as it usually is - which made for some relaxing and enjoyable days together. August this year was incredibly busy (like, something every single day - not just weekends) and I was a little worried about October because it's usually our busiest month of the year but I was pleasantly surprised and I would even go as far to say that it was pretty much as perfect as they come. Here are some of the highlights from our month.
(p.s. I love Fall!)
General Conference
Let's be honest. Watching General Conference with kids is not the same as watching it on your own. But this year we made little apostle bags with coloring pages/activities/treats inside and it was awesome! As each apostle spoke we opened their bag, talked a little bit about what was inside, did the activity and ate the treat. There were some fun things like "President Monson has homing pigeons" with a picture of a pigeon. Or other random/fun facts. Then we hung the pictures and activity on the wall so by the end we had a wall full of apostles and facts about them. (With things David and I learned from their talks interspersed.) I love general conference and am so grateful for the opportunity to be so spiritually uplifted and blessed.
Spooktacular Fall Festival (Take 001)
We didn't get Cornbellies passes this year because... $$$. But the Seven Peaks Fun Center decided to host their own mini-fall festival "Spooktakular" and we got free admission with our pass-of-all-passes. It was certainly not even close to the level of Cornbellies, but our kids loved it and it was perfect for our family. They had a "hayslide" that ended in a corn pit, bouncehouses, and other activities like painting pumpkins and hay mazes. We went as a family on the first day that they opened and it wasn't very busy at all. We ended up going several times again through the month and the kids really enjoyed it. I'm grateful for fun activities like this to take my kids to.
Baptism/Bruce Party/Josh Leaves on Mission
Our niece Aubrey was baptized on October 8th. She had requested a dress to be baptized in, instead of the jumpsuit that you usually wear and so Sue and I got together several times over the months leading up to the baptism to work on sewing her baptism dress. It turned out beautifully and I'm glad that she was happy with it. It was a neat time in the Rencher house because not only was Aubrey getting baptized, but her oldest brother, Josh, was leaving on his mission the very next week and had his farewell on Sunday. Because so much was going on - Bruce flew in from New York and we all pretty much blocked off our calendars for the whole weekend and just spent time with everyone. We had a pizza and game party one night and while everyone was playing Telestrations Lydia decided she wanted to play, too. I was worried because I didn't think she could play, but she just happily say in the middle of the circle and drew pictures to her hearts content and she had a great time. (I was having some weird pregnancy-related nerve pain in my leg and wasn't actually able to walk for much of the party. This is the first time that I've experienced something so extreme during pregnancy and it was a little frustrating. But it was still a nice evening, even if I just sat on the couch for most of it.) David took the kids to Josh's farewell, because I was teaching sharing time in our ward. Afterwards they had a luncheon and that I was able to make it over for and it was really nice. Josh and Austin have a special relationship and at one point we looked out the window and Josh was playing with Austin on the trampoline while a big group of his friends was on the other side of the yard talking. Austin's going to miss Josh while he's gone - but we're so proud of him for choosing to serve!
Gymnastics
Lydia's been doing a gymnastics class in conjunction to the online-preschool that we have her enrolled in and she loves it!
Austin
He's just really cute. Whenever a toy runs out of batteries he goes to the drawer and pulls out a screwdriver so that he can try to put in new batteries. I love him.
Spooktacular Fall Festival (with Jenna, Camille & Jason)
We were able to go to the Seven Peaks Fun center several times over the month - but one of our favorites was when Jenna, Camille, and Jason came down and went with us. We love those guys.
#cousinsmakethebestfriends #andsistersmakethebestfriendstoo
Refinished the Deck
This was not the project that we wanted to do. But we wanted to replace our deck in the spring even less - so we made it happen and we are equal parts relieved to have it done and impressed with our home-owner skills. (Several times we had to tell ourselves that we weren't looking for an A-grade. It was pass/fail. Pass was coating it well enough that we wouldn't have to do it again for several years, regardless of how perfectly it was applied. Man, being a homeowner is hard sometimes! But we feel proud of how good it looks and hopefully it will last a long time.
Before/After
Ward Fall Festival
I somehow ended up being in charge of the Ward Fall Festival. It was a lot of work, but everyone turned up to do the things they said they would do and I think that it went well. The kids loved it, at least. We had each auxiliary pick a booth to host and then let kids go to each booth and earn tickets then come and turn those tickets in for prizes. I'm relieved it's over! I told the ward council that next year I wanted to be in charge of the Ward Walkabout instead because it falls at a much less-busy time of the year Primary-wise (we are preparing for our Primary Program right now, as well as trying to get our 2017 year organized and it's a lot!). But as I said, I think that it turned out well.
Annual Gardner Village Visit
Each year we try to make it to Gardner Village with Melissa and Zachary to look at the witch displays. This year Austin was big enough that he wanted to run around with the big kids and we all had a great time. This is one of my favorite traditions that we've formed.
#seriouslycousinsmakethebestfriends
Collage Roommate Meet-Up
Some of my favorite college roommates got together one evening to visit and catch up. It was nice to see them. I was only planning to stay for a few minutes because I had Lydia and Austin with me and it was already past bedtime when we arrived - but they were troopers and I ended up staying way later than I had planned. Both kids were asleep before we got home and they both slept in the next morning. I'd say that it was a win all around!
(Pictured: Shantel Peaden, Karissa Johnson Humphrey, Hayli Dickey Nelson, Amanda Lee Olsen, Cassie Maughn Delahunty)
Hobbies
I've had an incredibly creative-ish month this month. I've had sewing projects coming out of my ears (not literally, just figuratively). Along with the baptism dress that I mentioned above (that included several evenings of hand-beading after the sewing was completed and the lace was applied), I made two pie-iron carrying cases (with hand-cut applique personalized for the family receiving them), I finished a huge sewing project with my sister (no more details - it's a Christmas surprise), a child buckle toy with ribbons and buckles for a friend going on a road trip, another top secret and large, sewing project, AND Lydia and Austin's Halloween costumes. I haven't sewn so much in years. I've also decided to take up a new hobby - paint by numbers. I just started this month and I'm super excited about it! David gave me the canvas for my birthday, then I ordered myself a set of brushes and an easel and I feel like a painting professional. I'm actually really enjoying it and I'm excited for the new hobby. (And grateful for a husband who has let me escape a few times to work on it while he plays with the kids.)
Detail shots of the dress:
Rising Star - Eide Bailly
Earlier this year, David was awarded Rising Star award for the Utah offices of Eide Bailly. It's a new award and it's very prestigious (and well deserved). Here’s part of the email that they sent out about the award and David’s recognition:
As a new manager, David has risen to the role and taken on additional responsibilities. He has also continued to serve as the senior on many of his jobs, all while growing into the manager role. David works hard to set himself apart, but never at the cost of another team member. He leads by example. David has been an integral member of the recruiting team and has helped us build strong relationships at the universities. His leadership and talent has not only been recognized in our office, but also Firmwide. David was invited to serve as a Firmwide trainer for the Knowledge Coach implementation. He took this responsibility on top of his already heavy client load. David is now seen as expert in Knowledge Coach throughout the firm, and one who representative of our Utah office.
David clearly takes great pride in his work. He has worked extra hours and sacrificed precious time his family. We want to thank David for risingabove and demonstrating his commitment to his team, his clients, our Utah office and the Firm.
About the Award - The Rising Star is being presented to someone in each office who:
· Lives the Eide Bailly culture through their everyday actions.
· Supports and contributes to the firm’s master plan through business development and recruiting activities.
· Delivers on our client experience by making sure clients feel understood, connected and confident.
· Serves as a mentor and advocate for others, helping them develop their knowledge and skill sets and helps them advance in their careers.
· Understands Eide Bailly’s business and rises above in their work and leadership role.
I couldn't be more proud of David for how hard he works and for all he's accomplished in his career. October 24th and 25th was the annual partner meeting and the company paid for David and I to stay in downtown Salt Lake at the Little America on Monday night and Tuesday night (the hotel was waaaaaaay nicer than I thought it was going to be! so fancy.) They had an award ceremony at the partner meeting Monday night, sent us to Park City on Tuesday (complete with massages, lunch, and shopping), and we got to go to dinner with the CEO, COO, and other leaders in the firm on Tuesday night. There were about 30 other rising stars/spouses at the dinner and we ended up at the table with both the CEO and COO of the company. It was so neat to be able to sit and talk to them for such a long time (and for the most part we didn't say anything awkward or embarrasing - go us!). I'm so impressed with Eide Bailley and even more so after this opportunity. And did I mention how proud I am of David? He really is the best.
It's a...
Boy! We're so excited to be getting another little brother around these parts! Now to start figuring out a name for the little guy.
And last but not least....
Halloween
We had a great Halloween and loved our little bumblebee and Zuma-pup.
What a wonderful October it was!
