Backpacking, friends and ward BBQ

After a big first week of school, I didn't think that Ben would be anxious to come home on Friday afternoon and pack his backpack for an over night camp out, but I was wrong! He couldn't wait to camp with his buddies and then come home on Saturday and hurry to mountain biking practice. Nice job Ben!

 Luke's best buddy Brett isn't in his school class this year so he looks forward to getting together with him whenever possible. Friday afternoon it was a light saber fight at Brett's house.

 Saturday evening was our annual ward BBQ. These guys smoked a whole lot of meat for the event.

 It's so great to get together with neighborhood friends on a beautiful summer evening.

First grade

Our baby on her first day of first grade.

 She couldn't contain her excitement.

 Showing off her new smile with a missing tooth.

 Meeting up with friends again.

 First one on the orange dot!

 And just like that she was gone. I'm glad Sara was so excited for school. It was easier for me to send her knowing she was so ready. It is strange to have a quiet house during the day. For the past 15+ years, I've had at least one little person by my side. This is going to be an adjustment.

 And just like that we're back into the homework grind again!

 Michael decided to switch to AP World History after taking one day of regular World History.

Fourth and Sixth grades

Ben's first day of 8th grade was also Mary's first day of 6th grade and Luke's first day of 4th grade...

 Our beautiful 6th grader all ready to go with her new contacts.

 Our amazing 4th grader...

 These two are awesome...

 And I love that they love each other...

 A sweet note I found in my make-up after Mary left for school...

 That day, I took Sara to school to meet her teacher...

 and find her new desk. She wanted to stay at school that day. She was ready to go to school like her older siblings and waiting 1 more day was torture!

 Especially when I had to take her shopping while I found a dress for our upcoming trip.

 However, I redeemed myself when we practiced for school lunch at home.

 And then we cuddled while the thunder rumbled outside. Sara doesn't like thunder!

 Then... on the night before first grade, Sara lost her very first tooth! It was very exciting!

Eighth grade

Ben set up his locker at Back to School night- the night before school started.

He was thrilled to have a top locker this year.

 Day 1 of middle school for Ben was Day 2 of high school for Michael so they had breakfast together.

 All ready for Eighth grade.

 Dad came home from exercising just as the boys were leaving for school. I had to take a picture of these guys and their beautiful flowers in the yard this year.

High school

Our Michael started 10th grade at Bingham High this week.

 I kept thinking about how it seems like just yesterday I was sending him off to his first day of Kindergarten in Colorado.

I'm honestly lost for words at how quickly time passes...

 As I dropped Michael and his friends off at school, I said a prayer for him just like I do for each of my kids everyday. I pray that they will be watched over and protected. I pray that they will stand up for what is right and be a good friend. I pray that they will know how much their dad and I love them and how grateful we are to be their parents.

Solar eclipse

The solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 was a total eclipse visible within a band across the entire contiguous United States, passing from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts. In our part of the country, we experienced a 91- 93% solar eclipse.

The eclipse started at 10:20am. Our original plan was to watch the eclipse through Michael's Cheerios box that he made into an eclipse viewer thanks to an internet tutorial. However, while we were at our orthodontist appointment at 10:00 that morning, he gave us two pair of ISO certified solar eclipse glasses. Those glasses completely changed the eclipse experience for us! We caught our first glimpse of the eclipse as we were leaving the orthodontist...

 Then we hurried home and watched the rest of it in our back yard with some snacks.

 Todd watched from work.

 It was amazing to watch!

 The crescent shaped leaf shadows and the arch shadows between our fingers were incredible.

Crescent shaped shadows on the slide

 It became strangely dark in the middle of the day and crickets started to chirp.

 The temperature dropped around 10 degrees. It was so fun to experience this rare phenomenon.

Grandpa and Grandma and a Bees game

Todd's parents came into town for our nephew's mission homecoming. As soon as they arrived, we whisked them away to a Bees baseball game.

Dad started the treats with cotton candy and kettle corn while we watched the pre-game excitement.

 Grandma loves cotton candy as much as the kids do.

 It was so fun to spend time with grandpa and grandma. We miss them!

 Grandpa continued the treats with ice cream later in the game...

 Todd's sister and nephew came to the game with us. It was so great to see them and spend time with them too. Connor is a great kid and we loved hearing about his mission to Virginia.

 The next day we stopped at Sprouts to get grandma's other favorite treats...

 And later we went to lunch with cousins.

It was a wonderful weekend to be together with the Stepan family.