Together

I feel like since we got home from Africa, our lives have been busier than ever! We finally had a night at home together… all of us.

We had Chili Verde for dinner and then the kids went outside with Casey. They wanted to ride, so Casey saddled up the horses and took each of them for a ride down the road. CJ LOVED it! He was like a noodle, no stiffness in his body at all, just flopping around in the saddle as Casey led Birdie! These pictures make my heart so happy! I love watching them together.

Fall Hike

Taylor got an assignment for school to make an animal out of leaves, so Taylor asked is we could go on a hike. Sunday afternoon we hiked up the trail at the top of the divide. The kids were having fun picking lots of different leaves. Casey told CJ to climb on a big rock on the side of the trail. He wasn’t sure about it, since he wasn’t on the path anymore. It was at that moment that we realized that we had never really taken our kids on an actual hike. This was their first time! AHHH! What kind of parents are we?

We kept hiking, and CJ started to get tired. The girls wanted to keep going , but we decided to head down. I told them that going down was the best part anyway… they asked me why? SO I had to demonstrate how to run down the trail. They loved it, and there was only one big spill. It was a great time together. I sure love this family.

(Hannah stayed home for a nap with Grandma Coleen… thanks Mom!)

Pumpkins and Ponies

This morning we all went to soccer games, split up again. Then after soccer I took the girls to the Pumpkin Patch at the Weston’s. They helped me pick out pumpkins for our Relief Society Meeting on Tuesday, and each got to pick their own.

Then the kids enjoyed riding Birdie. They have loved getting to ride more lately. CJ loves to trot, and Taylor is really trying to learn about controlling the horse. Sometimes she gets frustrated, but her Dad calmly helps her rationalize and think it through. He is such a great teacher!

AFRICA!

Our trip was completely amazing. There are not words to describe it all. It is true that it has changed us. Most of our time was spent doing the daily things that Bruce and Sharon are able to do. We got up at the same time each morning, ate breakfast, and were on the road by 7:30am. We drove to the Kilunga Hills, where the branches are that Bruce and Sharon are serving. We were able to sit in on family class, priesthood class, keyboard class, and also do family visits at some of the branches. I think our favorite days were Sundays. The people are so quiet and soft spoken, yet when they sing, the whole hills are really filled with music. They have big singing voices and know the hymns. They also know their scriptures so well! I have to admit that I was embarrassed sometimes at how much they knew… more than me.



We also enjoyed a few days on our Safari. Going in to it, we both thought we would enjoy it, but we really loved it. We were very up close and personal with the animals. At one time I could have reached out to pet a cheetah after we saw it stalk and kill a gazelle. We also had a hyena jump on our back spare tire of the jeep, and came very close to almost every animal you can think of. We stayed in an awesome tent, and had some really good food!


While on the safari we visited a Masai village. It is interesting to hear about their culture and how different their lives truly are from ours. They included us in their welcome songs, which Casey did NOT enjoy. Casey also joined in the jumping! The Masai young men have a jumping contest… whoever can jump the highest, the longest will win a wife.

The traffic was terrible, and the plane rides were worse. But all of it was worth the experience.

The best part was being with Bruce and Sharon. It was so nice to be with them, and visit each day. We will always be grateful for the example, and love, and that we were able to share a small part of their mission.