BYU vs. Norte Dame

Friday after work Greg and I headed to Utah.  We left the girls at home so Emmy could take the ACT and Lily could get to Nutcracker rehearsals.  Saturday morning we met Tom, Rachel, and Mark for breakfast then we hung out with the kids for a while before getting lunch with Gayle, Ric, and Grandma Nani.

It was fun to catch up with the kids and we got Nani to Provo so she could go to the game with Marley.  Greg and I caught up with Grandma and Grandpa Dame at the NACC tailgate.  We filled up with yummy food then headed over to the game.  On our way in we ran into the entire Kelly Dame crew.

It was a bit sunny for the first quarter but the game was so intense we managed to ignore it.

We ended the first half in the lead and we were on cloud nine.  Andrew came over to visit during the half.  We were so close to the student section we got to soak up all their energy and we could see Andrew's head now and then.

The third quarter had us worried but we pulled it together and won 28 v. 24 - BYU #8 beat Notre Dame #2.  One of the biggest wins in BYU history.  That was such an awesome experience, glad Greg and I were there.  Greg wanted to rush the field but we left it to Andrew and the rest of the students and we slowly found our way to Marley's apartment, picked up Nani and drove her up to Gayle.  

Listening to BYU radio  kept us awake while we drove to Burley to stay for the night.  The first few hours we were still rolling on adrenaline but by our 2 am arrival we were ready for bed.  We left early enough the next morning to get Greg home for his meetings.  Greg struggled to conduct Sunday because he had lost his voice at the game but so worth it.

Fall Fun

While Emily, Andrew and Greg were in Yellowstone Lily and I picked up Sammie and spent the evening helping her find her birthday present and going out for dinner.

She really loved this purse but decided not to get it, but wanted a pic to remember.

Ditten enjoying childs pose.

We went for a walk on the Weiser River Trail for Labor Day and grandpa met us there on his e-bike. He was wearing suspenders, flannel shirt, and a baseball cap; he looked like an old Idaho farmer.  We were dying and Greg snapped this photo.

That Thursday night while lying sick on the couch Emmy got asked to Homecoming by Jessie Smith.  The next day after work we headed to Provo to see the kids and catch the BYU vs. Arizona game.  We enjoyed square donuts at Lehi bakery and then picked up Natali and took Emmy dress shopping.  She was thrilled to find a dress she loved and I was thrilled that it wasn't mid thigh and I only had to make minor alterations to keep her bra straps from showing.  

We caught lunch with Hattie and Andrew in the Cougar Eat then headed to the game.  Unfortunately, it was painfully hot that day.  Only in the 80's but with the sun shinning straight down with hardly any cloud coverage we were all dripping by the time the game was over.  Emily was suffering with her cold but she was a good sport and thankfully, it was a good game.

A few weeks later the girls bought themselves a cinnamon roll slime kit.  Yep, weird.  They loved making their beautiful cinnamon rolls then mussing them up into piles of slime.

 

The last week of September the Iversons came to McCall.  The girls and I drove up Thursday after dance and got to spend 24 hours with the cousins.  We did a lot of chatting, went to Burgdorf Hot Springs, played games, and Emmy went out on the side by side and did some hiking with Erik and Niels.  We left after dinner - it was a short trip but worth it to get time with the Iverson's.  We listened to the classic, The Picture of Dorian Gray on the drive, the girls were sufficiently creeped out but also totally entertained.  Got to love a good classic.

Emily's First Homecoming

Emily looked so beautiful in this dress - it was a great style and color for her.  I did her hair but we never got a great pic of the back of it - which was the actual cool part.

She liked spinning in it.

She and Jessie looked so cute and happy together.  They had a great time swing dancing the weekend before and going to an escape room the day of the dance.

Greg was out of town but I did manage to snap a few photos before they left for dinner and pictures.

Here are their pictures with their group.

She had a fabulous time.

A Day with Baby Girl

Mack started school on the 24th and that was the day that the day care was doing teacher appreciation so they were closed.  Mack didn't have any good options for who could watch Blake since Sophia had to work so I volunteered to drive up - worth it to spend a whole day with Bean.  

I arrived Sunday after bedtime, but it was nice to catch up with Mack and Sophia.  The next morning Mack and I got in some early Blake fun with her 6 am wake up.  She wasn't so sure about me, but she warmed up.  

I got to feed her yogurt an hour later when she woke from her nap.  She said bye to mom and dad and the two of us had the day together.

I loved getting to hold her and feed her her bottle.

Since it was a Monday, we called Kate and she got to enjoy watching Blake play, singing to her and talking while Blake ate.

To get some exercise I took Miss Blake for a walk, Mango wanted to go with us.

In fact, we spent a lot of time with Mango and Bailey; they are Blake's favorite play things.

After putting Blake to bed, Mack and Sophia went to the movies and I went to sleep on the couch.  The next morning I hear Blake's early wake up and played with she and Mack before telling her goodbye when she went down for her nap.  I dropped Mack off at school on my way out of town.  It was sad saying goodbye because I don't think I'll see them before Thanksgiving.  Man I love being with that little one and I love watching Mack and Sophia love on her and take such great care of her.

First day of school

My last two years with Emily 😢 have started.  Emily is a junior and loving it this year- especially choir and musical theatre.  She is thrilled to avoid a certain math teacher by taking math online in the library.

Man I love my two little buddies - although they aren't so little any more.  They are so good to each other, rarely argue or get impatient with each other. They genuinely enjoy being together.  It is such a wonderful phase of life for me.

I can hardly believe what a beautiful, mature girl my Lily is becoming.  She is loving 8th grade with jazz band, 8th grade band, and percussion TA.  Her online science class is getting her high school credit and time with her favorite librarian.

I don't buy the school pics but it is fun to see them 😂

Kids in their ballet classes are always surprised to learn they are sisters with their different skin, hair and eye colors, but they are great sisters 💖

Easton Reunion

The last weekend of summer we headed to Utah for an Easton reunion and Whitney's reception.  We headed down Thursday after work.  Upon our late night arrival at our hotel we discovered that we only had two queen beds, no couch or roll away bed, and five people.  Emily volunteered to sleep on this chair, it didn't work well and she eventually moved to the floor.

The next morning we met up with cousins at temple square and got to tour the new visitors center.

The model of the remodeled temple and the temple experience were super cool - made me really excited to walk through the temple during the open house.

The next morning we had a delicious breakfast on Beth's porch and Emily enjoyed kitty time.

Then we headed to the lake where Brett spent all day taking the kids out and letting them try wake surfing.  They had a lot of fun.

From there Greg, Emily, Natali, Miguel and I went for a hike to get a little exercise before dinner.

Emily's hair looked incredible in the sunlight.

We ate pizza at the air B&B while the sisters got Laurie's house ready for Whitney's reception the next day.  Sunday we went to church then headed to Laurie's.  We helped with all the food and decor and got to enjoy a few minutes of the party before we hit the road.  We had to get home at a decent hour because the girls started school the next day.