Pep Rally

I actually made dinner today.  This is the first time I tried 'dinner in a pumpkin'.  It was my cousin Jana's recipe.  Except I added some squash.  The only thing that wasn't delicious was the squash.

A few weeks ago, Ashley asked Mike and I if we could come to Alta's Homecoming Pep Rally to be introduced as alumni.  I thought we were going to have to play weird relays and I had been dreading it.  I convinced Sherry and Shannon to come too.  Turns out they just introduced us.  It was funny because Ashley asked for an accomplishment she could mention about us.  I texted back, "Oh boy. Mike was Student Body Attorney General, on the wrestling team and on the Academic Decathlon team.  I just went to class."  When Ashley introduced me she said, "Stephanie Smith.  She went to class and married her high school sweetheart."  I guess I did that too.  When Shannon was introduced she did a summersault.  Sherry then one-uped her and did a roundoff.  I don't think she did a backhand spring, but I didn't get a perfect view.  It was super funny.  Sherry was on the gymnastic team.  She was also MORP queen.  Haha!

Mike has started making a door and a window for the playhouse.  He sure has fun with his projects.

Mike

 Mike & Preston

Labor Day Swim Party

We were anxious to have one more cousin swim party before Connor left on his mission.  Today was the only day he could do it.  Lisa's family had plans with her in-laws.  Luckily we were able to adjust the time and they were able to squeeze in a few hours.  Mike worked so hard getting our house ready. The kitchen was pretty clean, but several areas were still disasters.  He was able to get the shelves back on the walls.  I love it!  We need to decide if we want the tree in the middle or something else.

He also hung up cabinets in the laundry room.  They are from our old kitchen.  They look really good in there.  It is so nice to have them up and the room functional.  Yay!

I went outside and saw Preston swimming in the new cooler thing Mike bought.  What a wacko, and that had to be COLD!

Preston and Xander

Shannon wanted a picture with all of the cousins.  We have everyone here except Spencer, Aimee and of course Jessica.  I was taking pictures looking to see where would be the best with the shadows.

Maysen - she wasn't feeling well.

 Nathan & Matt

 Poor Miah!

 Poor Weston!

 Miah, Jorja, Derek, Melissa, Nova, Michael, Jonah (Michael's friend)

Erica, Tage, Xander, Connor, Brandon, Jacob, Preston & Weston, Maysen, Stockton

 Maysen & Preston

 I have no idea what Preston is doing.

 Miah

 Connor & Tage

 Melissa, Derek & Nova

 Derek & Preston

 Preston

 Melissa, Nova and Derek

 Nathan & Lisa - Nathan's poor finger from Lake Powell!

 Stephanie looking very old trying a hamburger/chicken sandwich

We had a great/exhausting say.  We are so lucky!  What a great family we have and such a wonderful place to live.  I couldn't be happier!

Mike & Jorja 

Papa's Birthday

We have now made it home!  I had a hard time sleeping on the flight. Preston did not.  He slept in-between Mike and I and was perfectly adorable.  Before he fell asleep he asked us to save him some Biscoff cookies.

Preston

I texted my dad to let him know we had arrived.  He had forgotten to pick us up!  He remembered at 5 in the morning, then forgot.  That must be where I got it from!  We didn't hurry to get off the plane. Our carryon luggage was scattered everywhere.  We wanted to make sure we didn't leave anything.  We made our way to baggage claim, picked up our stuff, crossed the street and got there about three minutes before my dad.  Perfect timing!

Lisa had called Mike yesterday about having a surprise birthday party for their dad over at her house. Mike took the kids and they parked behind the church and walked to Lisa's house.  I had Young Womens. We just did a swimming activity at the Riddles.  They have a ginormous house.  They sold it last month and will be leaving at the end of this month.  SAD!  They sold it to a family in our ward.  Two of my beehives will be living in their house soon.  I really am going to miss Lisa (Riddle).  She has such a great help to me.  They have lived here around 18 years, but they wanted to downsize now that their kids are grown.

Sister & Brother Riddle, Ebony, Majena & Hadley-Kate

I left early and made my way to Lisa's house.  Sherry and her family had left, but everyone else was still there.  Tage had gotten in a motorcycle accident and was covered in road rash.  Poor girl.  Mike, Lisa, Nathan, Aimee, Scoop, Steve and I all played cards while the others watched The Lego Movie.  It was a nice time.  I took the kids home and left Mike to play more games.  It was quite late when we left and I am exhausted!

Mike, Stockton

Preston, Jorja, Scoop, Maysen