Girls weekend

 

Addy and I ended up being the only ones home on Friday September 24th.  Kev had gone with Hayden on a Deacons campout and Parker and Halle were at a Seminary tailgate.  I took Addy to eat at Mod Pizza.  She had never been there before and enjoyed picking out all the toppings for her pizza.  We had a great time laughing and talking. 

On Saturday September 25th Halle and I went to our wards Super Saturday! We had fun working on crafts together. Halle had signed up to make some wooden pumpkins. 

We both were able to take a class on how to make gourmet caramel apples.  We even got to sample some at the end.  Halle couldn't get enough of the red velvet cake pops they had for a treat.  

I made a candy cane decoration out of burlap.  It had been a long time since I had got my craft on and I had so much fun.  It was also a great way to meet some of the women in our new ward. I found out later that day that it was also National Daughters Day.  I love my girls and am glad I got to spend some time with just them this weekend!

Cedar City race

 

The boys had a mountain biking race in Cedar City on Saturday September 18th.

We drove there on Friday September 17th for the pre ride. It is a beautiful venue for a race. 

It was Hayden's first time trying out the race course.  We stayed that night at an Airbnb at Brian Head.

Hayden raced the next morning.  Luckily, the sun was out and it was not too cold. 

We had fun cheering him on from different spots around the course. 

I took this picture of Kev and Hayden checking out the score board to see what place he finished. 

While we were waiting for Parker's race another storm blew in.  The girls and I went back to the car.  We couldn't have timed it better because it started to pour.  As were siting there two of the car doors opened and we found several unfamiliar boys staring at us.  In their hurry to get out of the rain they had opened our car doors by accident.  It gave us all a good laugh.  Parker really wanted to race and was discouraged by the bad weather.  They had already canceled one of his earlier races in the season.  The girls and I said a prayer that the weather would improve and that he would be able to race. The storm did pass and Kev and I found these great spots up on the slick rock. 

Parker had to start the race in 92nd position because he missed the last race.  It was his first time racing with his new mountain bike that he purchased. We loved seeing him fly past us and over the slick rock.

We were so excited when he passed that finish line. He gave it his all and finished 30th place!  It is extra impressive when you realize that he passed 62 bikers on the course.

You can see how big his smile was after the race. We are so proud of him!

He had fun racing with his buddies.  Some of these guys he has been racing with for the last three years. 

We stayed another night at Brian Head.  This was our view of the trees the next morning. The colors had already started to turn at that high elevation. 

We drove around and took the scenic way back home. I'm so excited for the Fall season!

September highlights

 

Parker sang and danced to the song "September" by Earth Wind and Fire. He made this fun video to send Kenna. We were lucky to hear the live version on a daily basis!

I was able to go with my bestie Brekke to Swiss days on Friday September 3rd! I enjoyed it even more this year since it was canceled last year due to Covid-19.  I had fun shopping and bought a painting for our new house.  The artist Youngsun Kim was there and signed it for me.  I also went and got a slice of my favorite coconut pie.  My favorite part was getting to hang out the entire day with my best friend. 

The girls and I made pumpkin cookies on September 5th.  I can't get enough pumpkin at this time of year. It was my first time baking treats in our new oven.  Halle likes to tease me that she uses our oven more than I do.  There is some truth to that.  She loves to cook these days and is always making treats. 

We have been enjoying the good weather at our new house.  Addy and Kev love to go for bike rides together.  There is an open dirt field across the street from our new house.  Hayden loves riding his bike over there.  There are some great dirt jumps. 

I was enjoying sitting on our front porch one night.  Parker jumped on top of his car and was rocking out to 80's music.  He had just got back from Mountain biking practice and was wearing his racing gear. He was my entertainment for the night. 

On Saturday September 11th I was able to make an appointment at the Mount Timpanogos  Temple.  I was able to participate in some initiatories. It was nice because there wasn't even a wait.  I used to wait for around 45 minutes each time.  It was the first time I went back inside that temple since February of 2020.  Being there was a tender mercy for me.  It brought me the peace and comfort that I needed. 

On September 24th I was so happy to get  a postcard in the mail form Kenna!  She said, "Hi Mom! As promised here's a postcard for you! Whiteby is a beautiful town and it looks exactly like this postcard. Add it to your Europe tour. I love and miss you! Sister Foster

Labor Day

 

We celebrated Labor Day on Monday September 6th. It was nice that the kids had the day off from school and Kev from work.  We drove down to Provo to spend some time with family. 

My Dad ordered lots of pizza and hot wings for everyone.  It was fun to have Loni's mom, Darlene, there with us.  

We went swimming that afternoon and it was nice to have the pool all to ourselves.  It was our last times swimming before they close the pool for Winter. 

I had fun hanging out and talking with Kayley and Amy.  We even got to Facetime with Kenna since it was her p-day.  She also got to talk with her grandparents and Aunts.  We are glad that Kenna is having such a positive experience on her mission! We really miss her but know that she is where she needs to be.