Catch Up and Books

Since I last blogged, a lot has happened. A LOT. I sat down today to try and catch you all up, but I just don't really have it in me. So instead of a lot of pictures I'm just going to settle on a couple pictures and a quick overview.

We went to Utah in August. It was a wonderful trip. We stayed with my in-laws in their wonderful new home in Lehi. We played with cousins and met some family we hadn't met before. And played. And it was exhausting. I needed a break from my vacation. The main reason for the visit was to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary (it's actually in November, but August was when we could all get together). My entire immediate family was there, minus one nephew: 5 brothers with their wives, my sister and her hubby, and all the grandkids, 25 in all. It was absolutely wild and wonderful. We also spent an evening and went to the temple, my parents and siblings with spouces, and Hubby and I. We did some sealings and a session, where we took Nathan's name through. It was so special and wonderful to be in the temple, surrounded by family, knowing we were helping our brother with something he really wanted but couldn't do himself in this life.

Gondola Ride in Park City

Gondola in Park City

At the Zoo, the only way to travel.

The cake I made for my parents' Anniversary

Sweets started Kindergarten. It's crazy that we are now back in the school world. It's been quite an adjustment for her. She went from being home all day to being at school almost all day. She's learning though, and seems to be getting better. She doesn't complain much anymore, although she has said it's boring lately. (I think that has more to do with the fact that I watched some friends of hers the other day that are homeschooled and she felt left out of the fun, having to go to school and not stay home.)

Ready for the First Day!

Bumpkin, not to be left out, is a part of a Joyschool group. We are with 3 other kids and the moms are share the teaching responsibility. It is twice a week and she loves it. It gives her something to do that is hers and it's really working out for her.

Somewhere in all that we've gone to the beach a couple more times, hiked in Shenandoah, and went to the National Book Festival (saw John Green, Lois Lowry, Walter Dean Myers, and a little of Jerry Spinelli). Not to mention picking apple and blackberries at a local (1 hour away) farm. Yeah, we've been busy. Maybe I'll get around to sharing some pictures. Maybe.

When I started this blog, it was a place for my thoughts. It's kind of turned into a keep-you-posted-on-major-things blog which is good and bad. I want to share some thoughts again. Mixed in with my life. Cuz I really can't separate the two.

I've been reading a lot lately. Like, devouring books. It's wonderful. My children probably don't think so, but I'm loving it. I found a new author: Jessica Day George. She writes YA/Middle Grade fantasies, most of them re-told fairy tales. And they are fun. With great female main characters. I read one, then quickly read all her other ones. Dragon Slippers and sequels were delightful, and Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow was her best YA, although her Princess at the Midnight Ball was great too. So if you're in the mood for that kind of thing, I recommend her. I'm currently working on two non-fiction: Team of Rivals, which is a biography/history of Lincoln and his cabinet. It's facinating, but long and I only get it in spurts because of other books I have to read. The other is Stiff, which is by Mary Roach and is about cadavers. Sounds grusome, and it is in parts, but it's oddly interesting and she mixes some tasteful humor in there, so I find myself laughing. About cadavers. Yeah, I'll let you know my final thoughts when it's done.