Noble's Skillz

It took a while for Mike to convert Noble to skateboarding. I think he bought him a skateboard when Noble was about 6, but Noble wasn't very interested, except insofar as could use the skateboard as a component in his varied inventions. But about a year and a half ago Noble decided he wanted a long board. He took to it and  hasn't looked back. Mike reports that Noble has now far surpassed his abilities... there's nothing more Mike can teach him. It's a pleasure to watch him. 

He's smooth like buttuh'.

Here he is this morning, sporting his homemade sliding glove, demonstrating his slide techniques. 

Girls only like guys who have great skills. (**Napoleon Dynamite**)

In which case, Noble's got it covered... ha ha ha...

And Now On to August

...actually, August is almost passed. I always feel a little sad as the summer comes to a close. Sad, but relieved. Sad because I will be homesick for the kids when they go back to school. Sad because I am reminded that they are another year older in school. (I cried this morning thinking about Sully starting kindergarten.) Relieved because having 6 active kids in the house all day, along with a multitude of friends (and I do mean a MULTITUDE) is really tiring and chaotic. Relieved because I am all worn out from spearheading the outings, adventures and projects. Relieved because I might actually be able to get the kitchen clean for more than 10 minutes. And I just need that...psychologically.

We've had some magic moments (and some not-so-magical) this month.

Here are some photos from the hike we took at Noblett's Trail a few weekends back. It's a little bit of a drive (near Kamas), but SO beautiful. It's a shady hike (for most of the day), next to a bubbling stream, lots of moss, flowers, wild raspberries for the kids to snack on along the way, and butterflies. It was absolutely lovely. I always feel so refreshed when we get out into nature...but this hike was especially rejuvenating. Thanks Helen for the recommendation.

I love Sully's expression in this picture.

Raspberry picking

Jupiter was a happy hiker

Mike stealing kisses

Sully on the hunt with his butterfly net in the wild flowers. 

Oh...sweet Sully... 

The annual end-of-summer-guy-trip to Strawberry

Crawdadding before the big crawdad boil at lunch.

They had a blast...as usual.

Some of Mike's Teachers' Quorum members came over one night and were goofing around in the driveway. This stunt ended spectacularly. We left the scooter there as a reminder. 

 Jess competed at County Fair. She had a pretty good show, and qualified for state again. That will happen the end of Sept. She loves this horse. They are making some great memories together. Thanks again, Grandpa...for everything.

On a more sad note, Mike sold his Tacoma last week. The first vehicle he's ever owned that he chose just for himself.  It was nothing fancy (his parents' old Camry that he's driving now is more comfortable), but he loved it. I keep telling him he is just making room for something even better to come.

Then yesterday we heard the news that my Dad's beloved horse, Rojo, had to be put down. He was getting old and in a lot of pain. It was time.

My dad loved that horse more than any other he's ever known. He likes to tell one story in particular about that horse. On one Unitah trip, years ago Mike, his brother Tim, and my brother-in-law Derek got separated from the rest of the group on their horses, and had been missing for hours. My dad went out searching for them on Rojo for a long time without any luck. But, as my dad says, as soon as  Rojo could sense what he needed, he turned his head and lead the way right to them.  For that act alone, that horse has been forever endeared to my dad. And to me too.

***

And then today the kids started back to school. The first day of school is always a little hard on me. It is a reminder of how OLD my children are getting...in a hurry.  Here they are, leaving at all hours today: 

Jess ready for early-morning seminary at 6 AM...

These three waiting for the carpool (Grace 6th, Noble 7th / middle school!, Tillman 4th)...

 Sully ready to leave for afternoon kindergarten (he was a champ when I dropped him off...I wasn't.)...

...and Abner wanting in on the school action (notice the back pack he's holding behind him)

Changes are sometimes hard, I try to remind myself that change leads us to better things to come. One season ends and another begins. Summer fun comes to a close. Mike hands the keys of the Tacoma over and moves on.  A beloved animal gets old and dies.  My babies go to school...and grow up (Jess gets her learner's driving permit next month). 

It is all leading us to greater things. Remember that (speaking to myself).

Opening the next door.

July is for Reunions

I don't know why it's really hard to keep up with this blog thing sometimes. Especially in summer when life comes at us at a million miles an hour.

I have been wanting to post some updates, but there is so much stuff to write about, and it all turns into a mental bottleneck. You know? Like how my ironing basket grows and grows, and I try to ignore it until one day when no one has anything to wear, and I am forced to face it. So here we go. I will try to keep this brief, but I have a lot to say. Some highlights:

July.

We met up with Mike's brothers and parents in St. George for a few days of R&R.

We went to church at the historic chapel in Pine Valley. It was much cooler up there and it was so fun to go to church in such a beautiful old building. The chapel at the Pioneer Village at This Is The Place  State Monument is a replica of the Pine Valley Chapel.

Chatting with Aunt Brenda

It was so pleasant and pretty up there. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday.

The Melton boys with Mom and Dad

All the grand-babies

I had to include this one.  It just makes me melt.

 The rest of the trip I think we pretty much swam non-stop. It was so hot, we didn't even bother with Snow Canyon this time. We just stayed within striking distance of the pool.

Celebrating Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary!!

 Jacque treated us all to a show at Tuacahn. Never a disappointment. Thanks Jacque!

Waiting for the show to start!

We were sad to say goodbye to Gary and Val, but Jim and Tami and the boys and Tim all came back to Salt Lake with us to spend a few more weeks bonding. We don't see them very often so we tried to do as much together as possible. We went swimming, the drive-in movie, Seven Peaks, Front Runner, a sleep over, lots of meals together (sorry no pictures of it all - we must have been too busy to take any).... we love our Michigan cousins. I think the best part for me was meeting baby Daniel. Jim and Tami, you guys have a beautiful family! We miss you.

Saying goodbye.

We rounded out July with girls camp, birthdays for Mike and Noble & our 20 year high school class reunion. 

20 YEARS!?

Mike, stereotypically, did not want to attend (it may have had something to do with the $140 price tag). I was also a little reluctant, but I decided in the end that it was important to support the efforts that others had made, and not be too-cool-for-school. So we drove up to Snowbird on a lovely summer night, and walked straight into our past. We saw lots of people we haven't seen for 20 years (or close to), and others we get together with still sometimes. Once we got started visiting with people, I think we could have gone all night. It was a  lot of fun to reconnect. 

Mid-way through the evening they had a slide-show presentation that turned out to be unforgettable. The girl who put it together had been a friend of mine in school. As the slide show progressed a few of us noticed that it was just picture after picture of US  in high school. After about 5 in a row, I turned to this girl and asked, "Are there going to be pictures of anyone else?" She whispered back that no one else had emailed any pictures when they sent out the request, so she just had to use her own. My friend Clark (more prominently featured in the slide show than anyone), turned to me and said, "This is going to be the longest 12 minutes of my life." (ha ha ha ha ha)

 With each new picture of us I laughed harder and harder till I was crying. But the apex moment came when a random picture of me and my siblings (?) on a family camping trip from the late 80's flashed up on the screen. Just us. No high school class mates. And there, larger than life, for the entire BHS graduating class of 1993 to see, were me and my siblings standing there with a string of fish, 

and Holly in her head-gear.  

Immortalized.

At that point I completely lost it, and doubled over with laughter.   I wish (oh how I wish) that I had a copy of that slide show to show Holly. I don't remember how my friend came to possess that picture Holly, but I apologize... sincerely ...although, I still can't stop laughing.

Old friends...

Min, Wendy, Heather and Me

Photo booth shots...Theresa, Me, Wendy, Brenda and Angie O.

 My girls, Wendy and Brenda. 

As a teenager/young adult I had, hands down, the best friends in the world. I love, love, love these girls. At the risk of getting too sentimental, I have to say that on more than one occasion over the years as we have reunited, I have felt like Alma the younger from the Book of Mormon when he runs into the sons of Mosiah after years apart. Overwhelmed with joy. Taking pride in each others accomplishments and progression along different paths, struggling and learning, sharing testimony & knowing that we are still sisters in the gospel. I wish each of them knew what an anchor that is to me. What a blessing.

Brenda (my bff from way back - middle in the photo above) made a point of telling me that she had never "made it onto the blog" and had her husband take a picture of us for that purpose. 

So Bren, this one's for you.  

 Do you remember that time you TACKLED me in the high school powder puff FLAG football game? When I was 10 feet from the goal line (& my moment of glory) after a 50 yard run? And as soon as we hit the turf, you said, "Quick! Give me your flag!" (trying to make an illegal move legit.) --- and I was like, "Sure, no problem." No, I didn't really say that. I didn't actually have a chance to answer at all before you pulled my flag. But that's cool. We have each other's backs like that.  Ha ha ha ha... 

;)

Even though we only talk a few times a year, I think you still know me better than almost anybody else in the world. You have been a great example to me over the years, a practical influence when I've been anxious, faithful, a voice of reason in some of my stupider moments, patient, hilarious, forgiving, thoughtful, supportive, and have always expected the best from me. Could you ask for anything better in a friend? You're like a sister to me.  

 I am so glad you & Brian made the drive out from Colorado for the reunion. It was great to see you.

You're number 1 in my book.

Jedi's honor.  :)