Fall break October 14th

We had/have an opportunity to host a super fun foreign exchange student from Spain. He is 16 and his name is Guillermo. His regular host family had a family emergency and he needed a place to stay for the week of fall break. The previous week he was staying with friends of ours, but they were going out of town for fall break so they asked us. We said sure as long as he is cool with camping. He attends my alma mater. Bella and Olivia asked their friends at Sahuaro if they knew the foreign exchange student. Their good friend Jordan is his friend so we invited Jordan to go with us. 

We went camping for fall break to Parker Canyon Lake. 

His host family is still out of town. He was supposed to go to a different family but he's been having to move around so much we offered to keep him till the host family returns. We have had him for 14 days now. He is outgoing and loves soccer and can play just about anything on the piano!

Benjamin and I back in school!

On Friday night Benjamin and I went to aa wate harvesting class. It was so much fun. We learned all about water harvesting in Tucson. They showed us pictures of the 1940s when the washes and rivers were running in Tucson and then they showed us subsequent photos of the 1980s when all the washes were dry. The aim of this group is for people to learn how to rain water harvest so that the water table below the surface will rise up and be able to maintain what we naturally should be able to have here in Tucson. People think when they see water running down the street to washes that that's helping our aquifers. But it's not it's really just running past Tucson into Marana & beyond. They want to teach people in Tucson how to capture the water so that we can grow sustainable greenery here. We had an awesome storm today and went out and watched where our water runoff takes place. We can't wait to capture this rain water to change our landscape. They offer a consult to come out for a fee and then they make a plan for you on how to capture the water, we're so excited. Especially because our neighbor does not want to sell her unused well. Now maybe we won't have to buy it from her!

this is at the west side of our property several neighbors use this road that floods every time there's a heavy rain. Can you imagine if we could harness this water before it hits the road?

These two pictures are of our wash. We're going to keep that water booyah!

Ain't no damsel indistress!! September 29th

The kids and I went to a lovely Eagle Court of honor Saturday morning at the Fairmont Chapel. Costco is just down the road I convinced them to go grocery shopping with me for a promise of a hot dog and a soda. Even though it is 2018 Costco still sells this lunch for only $1.50. It really is the cheapest lunch in the city of Tucson. Benjamin was helping with Stake youth baptisms at the Stake center. We grochery shopped, had our lunch and hit the road. Well tried to. We had a flat tire. I called Benjamin to let him know we were in a pickle and asked him what we should do. He said we have a spare so we needed to change it. I got off the phone and Bella, Olivia and I sprang into action!! Two weeks earlier we had a Young Women activity were we learned how to do just that, change a tire. We felt so impowered! We crushed it with minimal help from the internet! We had a hard time figuring out how to release the tire from the undercarriage. Once we got the spare tire it was easy sailing. Holman took pictures to document our success. Benjamin arrived at the end but the three beautiful damsels were almost finished. We only had one person ask if we needed help, the parking lot was full of people. It was guy parked next to us :) I think people saw very competant, strong women and walked on by. It was over 100 degrees with no shade but we got it done like champs.

20 years of marriage!

I can't believe Benjamin and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary! Time flies, it really does.

September 19th is the actual day. We went to the Tucson temple to renew our vows. Then on Thursday after preschool we headed to Strawberry Arizona. Summer expenses hit us hard so we celebrated with time away in a small town enjoying hikes and yummy food.

Tonto State Bridge. This thing is massive!

Fossil Creek. Apparently a tough hike. 8 miles round trip. There were several warning signs stating the number if rescues and deaths in recent years.

A cool cave. We swam in climbed on a ledge then jumped. Benjamin lost his sun glasses and managed to find them underwater!

 Our cute hotel, Strawberry In. It was adorable!

 View from our hotel.

Love spending time with Benjamin. His rung inscription says "my love forever and a day" . Still true.  Can't believe in 10 years we'll be 50!! 

Nana's birthday! 68 years young and birthday service project

 Every year Nana throws a birthday bash on Labor Day. Her birthday is September 2nd so it is always close to if not on her birthday. I can't remember when this tradition started, every year Nana picks a service project that helps the community. We have made meals for the homeless, made hygiene kits for runaway teens, we have picked up trash at local parks, participated in graffiti abatement...just to name a few. This year we made blankets for the cops to hand out to victims of violence or displacement. As per tradition, Nana provides breakfast before we start all the fun.

 Nana saying help yourself, "but don't take all the fruit, remember there are people behind you."

Bridgett throwing peace to everyone.

Breakfast burritos, fruit, yogurt and bacon...yum 

 Hungry sharks ready for food

 Holman and Joshua presenting their tying abilities

Hillary and Mom explaining, "pull the needle all the way through"

Noah and mom looking thrilled as Hillary and I soldier on.

 Robin making sure the teenagers keep progressing.

Nana with her favorite quilting buddy :)

Olivia showing how stylish these blankets were!

For lunch, I made pistachio cupcakes for moms birthday dessert. Lindsey isn't the only culinary genius in the family :)

Lindsey flew in for the festivities, it's always better when she is around. Her crew was back in Pullman. They were missed but never forgotten and we count down the days till we see them again.

She wanted to take a goat home so that she can make goat cheese but they wouldn't allow it on the plane...








So glad my mother was born. She is a terrific woman who would literally do anything for any one of us. She is the first to volunteer to help and makes any project joyful. So grateful I get to have the best assistant ever in preschool too. My preschool was already A rated but mom takes it to A+ status. Because that is who she is!

Tea Time's Birthday! Sunday September 9th 2018

For over a week Anna has been planning a tea party for her bear who is called Tea Time. She hand made invitations last week and had us sign them stating that we would be there for the party. Today after church was the day. She had Benjamin help her put up streamers. Olivia made cream puffs filled with pistachio pudding and chocolate pudding and Bella helped sew a dress for the bear. Everybody attended including the Pokemon family and everybody was required to wear a hat. Anna also served Ritz crackers, cream cheese, salsa and lemonade. Everybody was required to wear a hat. What a sledid party!! We love Anna and I love how her older siblings helped her to full fill her vision. What a party!

 This is a picture of Ann'a bedroom. I just love it. See all the animals nestled around the entire bed. Her beautiful art on the wall and a family picture quilt on her bed. It is the essence of a happy childhood for me (at least that is my prayer, that my children have happy childhoods).

Cousins sing and D-backs play! Saturday September 8th 2018

Last night we drove up to Phoenix to watch a Diamondbacks game. They were playing the Atlanta Braves. We mostly went up to see Reagan and Lola sing the National Anthem with their girls chorus. Unfortunately when Benjamin and I are together we loose all track of time. We totally missed it :(  Grandma and Grandpa, Pete, Scott and Suzie, Amy and little Nate made the trek. Jens parents came too.

 The game lasted 10 innings with the final score of 5 to 4. 

Jen tickling little Nate

Nate, Bella and me

Lola, Parkin, Reagan

 Anna and Charlotte

Most of the Howe's are Braves fans but Benjamin. He just likes to be contrary. We were cheering on the D-Backs ans so was Aaron and Jen.