Fall Decor

I LOVE the fall!!! I love the change in the weather, I love the fall colors on the mountains (gradually making their way into our yard) and I love the idea of harvest time. There are great festivals, fun traditions and great decor!!!!

My sis wasn't able to make it up to help me decorate this year, so I hope I did her proud. (I mostly followed the pics from last year's fall decor - in order to not mess it up too much.)

We've had a few visitors come in and mention how they love the "Halloween decorations". I laugh because this is not Halloween - this is fall. Steve made the same comment last year. He said "we have like 100 pumpkins in this house - isn't that Halloween?" Nope - Halloween will be much, much different :) Just wait and see.

Petersen Boys Fishing Trip

Well, the weather is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and the Petersen boys thought they'd better get their last fishing trip of the season in. They decided to go to Mirror Lake. The brothers headed up to the Uninta Mountains on Friday, but since Steve and I were at my Law School Reunion, he and Cole picked up his dad and joined the other brothers Saturday morning. It is the first time in a very, very long time that all the brothers (still living) and their dad were together to fish. They even had 2 brothers in law join them. 

Of course Cole had A BLAST!!!! He caught tons of fish which he reported that they gave "to a poor family". I'm not sure what all was involved in that or how he knew they were poor - I'm just glad that they didn't bring those fish home :)

Cole loves to be with Steve doing outdoor things and he loves his uncles and cousins. He SO enjoyed  being with all of them, fishing, playing around and cooking marshmallows on the fire. Grandpa brought food to make s'mores!!!!

Cole's cousin, Drew, brought his BBgun and Cole was able to shoot it - he loved that (no surprise). 

I'm so glad that those Petersen boys were able to have a last trip all together and that the weather was great and the fishing was too!!! Thanks to everyone who helped Cole fish and play :)

20th Year Law School Reunion

Well, after the craziness of waiting at the Apple Store for over 13 hours, Steve ran home, restored our new phones and hopped in the shower. Cute Shannon came to watch Reagan and Cole and take them to Cole's soccer game while we drove to Provo for my 20th year law school reunion. What a day! 

There was a Dean's Reception in the main area of the main floor of the law school. That was for all classes having their reunions this year. Of course I recognized some of the professors and staff. However, since they have reunions in 5 year increments and we only attend law school for 3 years, I didn't know any of the members of the other classes. Steve and I looked for name tags with pink on them and, finally, we found some classmates. It's funny that, even if I wasn't close friends with these classmates during school, I still felt sort of bonded to them. Law school was hard - really hard. I think that as we studied all day and night and almost lived in the law library and as we researched together and wrote papers together and competed in Moot Court against each other, we became a sort of family during those 3 years. Many of my classmates had it harder than me though. One of the ladies (the one in the picture above who is in all black) had 3 year old triplets and a 9 month old when we started law school. She would nurse in the ladies restroom as they didn't have a "mother's lounge" then. Other classmates had to work all through law school while, my first year, all I had to focus on was school. I worked during my 2nd and 3rd year when I could better control my class schedule. Anyway, we made it through and I was thrilled to have been there. I do keep in touch with several of my classmates on my own, but none of them were at the reunion (for various reasons). Oh well, I get to see them periodically anyway. 

Some people (mostly spouses) were asking if Steve Young was coming. He actually did graduate with our class, which is why there was news coverage of our graduation at the Provo Tabernacle. However, he wasn't really a part of our class. He only attended law school during the winter semester and sometimes later in the semester, depending on how the 49ers did that year. He happened to complete his coursework during the year that we graduated, so, he joined in our graduation, but he wasn't really involved with our class. I didn't expect him to be there and neither did any of my classmates.

We began our class with 154 students and I think we graduated with 138. At this reunion, we were SO not well represented. Only 15 of us came, some from far away. I'm sad that more didn't come but I enjoyed getting caught up with those that were there. Most of them are still practicing and some are still in Provo. Others have varied jobs in and out of the law. I told Steve that I had a bit of angst in that I have chosen to leave the practice of law. I don't have any regrets but I thought that some people might question my decision. When we first started law school, a couple of the male students were critical of the female students "taking a spot from a man who needs to support his family." It was a seriously ignorant position but I remember the division it made in our class. I don't care if I never practiced a day in my life, I deserved to be in that class (I graduated with a 4.0 from undergrad - I couldn't have done better!!!), I am a better mother, a better wife and a better person for getting my law degree and I loved practicing law for the 11 years that I did. Well, no one cared a bit that I left the practice. In fact, two of my friends said "You're living the dream!" I am - mostly thanks to Steve, my life is a dream.

Thanks to Steve for being my handsome date - I'm sure he was bored as my classmates and I reminisced and brought each other up to date on our lives and families. I can't believe it has been 20 years. Seriously! I think of 20 years as SUCH a long time. I guess time just flies when you are having fun ..... and I AM!!!!! 

New Phones!!!!! New Phones!!!!!!

Anyone who knows Steve knows he loves his electronics. We are HUGE Apple fans. We buy almost everything they put out because we feel the products work well, they work together and they are always beautifully designed. So, we bought the last new phone that came out - the 5S. Now, Apple announces a new, bigger, better (in SO many ways), and lighter and thinner phone - the 6 and the 6+. Well, we knew we wanted them.

Apple lets you pre-order about a week before the launch date, with the phones being delivered on launch day. That is always what we have done in the past. We simply wait at home for Mr. FedEx to bring them to us. This time, because we upgraded our phones less than a year ago, we were not eligible for an upgrade. No matter, we will just buy the phones outright. I got up at 1:01 am to order them (as I have in the past) but you cannot order them on Apple's website and pay full price for them. You can only order them there if you are eligible for an upgrade .... which we. were. not. Drat!!!! So, I went over to AT&T's site and tried to order one there - same deal. UGGGGGHHH!

So, we decided we would have to go to the Apple Store on launch day and buy one there. Steve went to the store the day before the launch to figure out what the deal was. He was told by an Apple employee that the line starts up when the mall closes the night before - about 9pm but that the majority of people line up between 3 and 4am. Then, the mall opens at 6am and the line comes inside. Shortly after 6am, an Apple employee will come through the line, take your order, get your email and will give you an appointment. You can then come back anytime that day and get your phone. No biggie - right? Steve decided to get up at 2 and be at the mall by 3, wait until he got an appointment time shortly after 6 and be home to kiss the kids goodbye before school. Well, all the best plans laid .......

Steve got to the mall at about 2:45am. He took his chair and a bottle of water and an umbrella, just in case. Well, it rained harder than he had ever seen. The wind was blowing the rain so hard that his umbrella was useless. Plus, it was raining so hard that the drops were splashing back up on him. He was soaked! He estimated that he was about 250th in line. Well, as time went on, more and more people showed up and joined the people in line in front of him. SO frustrating!!!! At 6am, the mall opened and the line moved inside - with more people joining the line in front of him. He and his cohorts tried to discourage or disallow the joiners, but there was largely nothing they could do. They kept waiting for the Apple guy to come around and take orders and e-mails...... nothing. They later learned that when the East Coast stores turned on their system, they crashed and, therefore, crashed the system of every store. UGGGGGH!!!! So, they could only wait until the store opened at 8am. Well, by that point, the system was still down and they reported that they were trying to get some sort of manual system put together to sell the phones. More people were joining in the line and Steve was getting very discouraged. He and the guy next to him took turns saving places for each other to get food, walk around, etc.

After dropping Cole off at school (Reagan was sick), Reagan and I went to the AT&T Store to see what we could do there. The line was about 20 people - I was encouraged. As I talked with the people at the end of the line, one of them mentioned "Hope you don't want a 6+ - they are out." What?!? Turns out the AT&T Store only received 7 iPhone 6+s that day and they were gone immediately after they opened - Uggh!!!!

Steve wasn't doing much better. By 10am, the Apple guys had decided to estimate their inventory and to walk the line and give out cards which would be good for a phone, when you got to the front of the line. That way the people who wouldn't get a phone anyway could leave. Well, they ran out of iPhone 6+ cards by the time they reached Steve and his friend. People were walking around and one guy was holding two cards for gold iPhone 6+ phones. Steve, being frustrated, offered the guy $100 a card. He said "Ok" and Steve pulled out his wallet when the lady in line behind Steve said "I'll give you $200 for each of them." The guy looked at Steve but Steve didn't budge and the guy sold the cards to Steve. Steve continued to wait in line, fairly confident that he would get his phones at some point that day. The line didn't move for the next 2.5 hours. Unsure what was going on, Steve walked up to the store to get the story. Apparently, since the system was down, they couldn't process payments for the phones and they were trying to work something out. While he was walking, he saw people trying to sell their cards for other phones. Being the entrepreneur that he is, he bought some that he had no use for and quickly sold them for a profit, thus lowering his out of pocket cost to buy his own tickets. (Gotta love him!)

Still confident that it was only a matter of time until he had phones in his hand, he saw another line forming which quickly became longer than the line he was in. Again, he walked up to the store and learned that the second line was people who had pre-ordered and were just coming to pick up their phones at the store. Well, the manager decided to take 8 people from the "pre-order" line to 1 person from the "wait all night" line. Steve about lost it! He persuaded the manager to take 2 "wait all night" line to 1 of the "pre-order" line and resolved to wait all night again if he had to in order to get the phones. I was getting concerned as my 20 year law school reunion was that night and I really preferred to have Steve go with me, rather than attend alone. However, I knew that he had to stay. He wasn't leaving without those phones. By the time I went to pick up Reagan and Cole from school, he still hadn't moved into the store. I kept my phone right by me all day long. While I was in line at the school, I decided to try to call Steve and I looked at my phone - I had no service!!!!! Uggh! How could I have no service? That never happens to me! I thought "Be optimistic, maybe Steve somehow got into the store and bought the phones and had them activate my phone. Ok - think positively!

I picked up Reagan and Cole and we headed home to find Steve at the computer restoring our new phones with the backup of our old phones - YEAH!!!!!! He had convinced the manager to let more of the wait all night people in and they helped him. (Or maybe he bugged the manager enough that he wanted Steve out of there!!!) Whatever it was, he came home with the 2 phones that we wanted. What a process. Steve said "I won't ever do that again, but after I had waited there for 8 hours, I wasn't leaving without our phones." The end to the story is that we LOVE our new phones and that we made it to the law school reunion just fine. Whew!!! Steve was one tired puppy by the time we returned home that night and he crashed into bed with his new iPhone 6+ resting on the counter in the kitchen. Ahhhhhh.

Gratitudes

So, on Facebook, there is this thing going around where someone tags you and you have to say 3 gratitudes each day for 5 days. My cute yoga teacher nominated me - uggh! I have just finished my last post and I figured I'd post them here as well (remember - this is our own, little, family scrapbook). Like I said in the post, I give thanks in my daily prayers and I hope that I have a grateful heart all the time, but having to formulate them into written word for all to see made me think a bit more about them. I usually hate these "chain letter" type things but I think it was actually good. Maybe my friends (or family even) know a bit more about what I am grateful for now. I bucked the system by not nominating other people each of the 5 days, but some people's gratitudes are personal and private (looking at you Steve :)). So, if they want to share, I think that's great. Of course, this is only a small list - 15 items. I could go on and on. We are so very blessed and have so very much to be thankful for. Maybe I'll try to take a few minutes each day to consider what I would write if I was still in the gratitude challenge. Here's what I wrote:

Day 1 - Thanks so much Robin Dale for nominating me - I'll return the "favor" soon  
1 - I am grateful for my husband. He is my everything and has made all of my dreams come true.
2 - I am grateful for my children. I never imagined how much I would adore and cherish them. I LOVE being a mother and am grateful for the opportunity I have to be with them so much.
3 - I am grateful for this time of year. The chill in the air (it was 55 degrees when I dropped my kiddos at school), the fall colors starting to come further down the mountain and the beautiful changes that mountains have. I just love fall.
K - so I have to do this for - how many more days? Get ready ya'all - I've got gratitudes coming!!!!

Gratitude challenge - Day 2

1 - I'm grateful for our grown daughters and our grandchildren. The moment I met them (over 18 years ago!!!!), they were kind and welcoming to me. I have loved watching them grow and become. Rachel has been such an example of faithfulness and grace, especially through losing her husband last year. I'll admit I was shocked that she found love again so quickly, but I am so glad that she has a companion and is happy and that our grandchildren have a stepfather who loves them. I became a grandmother before I was a mother and it suited me just fine! Having your grandchildren be about the same age as your children is so fun - they get to be great friends. Now that they are moving back, we won't have to drive 4 hours to see them - yeah! Shannon is the most optimistic person I know. She is as beautiful inside as she is outside. She is always serving others and is a superstar at work. She puts an extraordinary amount of time into her relationship with Reagan and Cole which means we get to see her often  We don't get to see April as often as we would like, but when we see her, she is happy and cheerful. Although her health problems have plagued her for years, she serves others often. She has a memory that I admire - she can remember the most obscure dates, phone numbers and random facts  She has such a sense of humor and cracks me up. I love you girls ... er ... women!!!!

2 - I'm grateful for technology. I benefit every hour of every day from the inventions and imaginations of others. I love new ideas (we are CRAZY excited for the new iPhone and Apple Watch) and look forward to things that make my life easier or free up time for me. I hope that I use that extra time to contribute or to serve or to benefit others. Although I have no creativity (seriously - none), I'm grateful for all of those who do and who make fun, beautiful and cool things that I can utilize in my life.

3 - I'm grateful for our health. With the obvious exception of our SIL last year, our family has been relatively healthy. We have a great pediatrician with a great nurse who have helped us throughout Reagan and Cole's lives. We have a great OB who helped us get them here  We have many friends and neighbors who are very involved in helping Primary Children's Medical Center. We try to support them at every festival, fundraiser and activity as we are so glad to have such a wonderful hospital so close to us. We are even more glad that we have never had to use it (knock on wood). Many of our friends and family have, though, and we are blessed to have it as a resource.

K - that was a long one. Sorry, but these mean a lot to me  See you tomorrow ......

Gratitude challenge - Day 3

1 - I'm grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has given me direction and purpose for as long as I can remember. It blesses every part of my life. It gives me the chance to serve (the YW currently) and to learn and grow. I am also so grateful for the atonement. Not only does it give me the chance to be forgiven for my mistakes and mis-steps, but it helps me during trials. Especially during the dark days when our SIL was in the hospital last year, we could feel palpable comfort, peace and strength. Our faith teaches that families can be together forever and I'm so grateful for that promise. I know that our grandchildren will be with their Dad again and that our little family can be together long after our time on this earth. I'm so glad that Steve, Reagan and Cole are mine forever.

2 - I'm grateful for the wonderful blessing of friends that we have. I have had such great friends throughout my life. They have been there for me in good times and in bad. They have supported me and lifted me and encouraged me. I'm grateful for the friends that our family has now. They help us be better parents and better people, they make us laugh and they have fun with us. I wouldn't dare to name names, but I think you all know who you are - thanks!

3 - I'm grateful for the beauty of the earth. I love the diversity of the areas of this earth and for the opportunities that I've had to visit different areas. From the deserts of Arizona to the verdant hills of the Swiss Alps, to the beaches of Hawaii, to the jungles of Central America to the glaciers of Alaska to the gorgeous mountains in Utah. I know I have much more to see, but I love the difference in seasons and the beautiful vegetation and scenery that is everywhere. I love sharing some of my favorite places with Reagan and Cole and can't wait to show them more. Our favorite place to be - obviously - is tucked up against the mountains of the Wasatch Front. We are so blessed to live in this gorgeous area and to experience nature right in our backyard. We have deer, birds and squirrels constantly in the yard and have a den of red fox that live on the other side of our creek. We have been visited by raccoon, porcupine and snakes (eewww) but we love it all. There's no place I'd rather live 

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Gratitude challenge - Day 4

1 - I'm grateful for the rights, freedoms and opportunities that this great country affords. From when I was 11, I knew I wanted to be an attorney and to go to BYU Law School. It happened and I've been so lucky to work in an area that I love, to decide when and where to practice .... and when to stop practicing in order to be a mom. I am fully aware that in many parts of the world, a female could only dream of being able to attend school, much less a school she wanted in an area of study that she chose. I realize that many women in this world are not permitted to obtain an education, own a business, own property, vote or even drive. I am able to worship as I please, to express my opinion, and to take part in the governing of our country. For the most part, I am not concerned for my - and my family's safety on a daily basis, I have enough food to eat and clothes to wear. I encounter "first world problems". I am extremely blessed to have been born in this country and to be given the opportunity to live my life in the way I see best. Although I am seriously concerned about our present leaders and the direction they are taking this country, I am grateful for the freedoms and the rights and the opportunities I have here. Our leaders seem to have shifted away from many of the values and visions of the founding fathers. I hope we - as a country - will choose to return to those values which are a big part of what makes our country great. There is no other country in the world like this and I hope we can keep this one in tact.

2 - I'm grateful for my parents and my in-laws. My parents have always supported me physically, emotionally and financially through all that I have tried to do. They always told me I could do anything. Anything! They made sure that I was always learning and that I had many opportunities to experience life (who gets to miss a week of school in 6th grade to go on round up and be a cowgirl?). Dad always said if I asked for something and it was at all possible for him to say "yes", he would. (I would say he said "yes" a bit too much - seriously - driving at 11 Dad?) They always inspired confidence in me and guided me through all the serious decisions in my life. Dad has fought (and beat!) cancer several times. I'm so glad that he is still here and that he and Mom have such a great relationship with Reagan and Cole. I love them so much! My in-laws are amazing as well. They raised 11 children (I can barely keep up with 2) and did a fabulous job. They instilled in Steve what it means to be faithful, honorable and industrious. They have always been so wonderfully kind and welcoming to me and also have a great relationship with Reagan and Cole. They both turned 80 this year and I hope that I have as great a life as they do when I reach that age. Love you so much!

3 - I'm grateful for English Photo. I know this might be weird to include in my gratitudes, but we have a beautiful collection of photos documenting Reagan and Cole's lives to this point. Allison English Watkins is an amazing photographer. During Reagan and Cole's first few years, we had photo sessions quarterly. Since then, we have had sessions once or twice a year. Every Christmas card we have sent has been created by her. I remember going through sessions and thinking "the baby cried the entire time and was fussy and had a dirty diaper. That session was a waste of time." Then, I would get the proofs and cry from the beautiful pictures she had taken. I don't know when my child smiled or looked up with angelic eyes during that session, but whenever it happened, Allison caught it. I cannot describe how precious these pictures of Reagan and Cole are to me .... even the blooper ones where they were falling over or making a crazy face or fighting Everyone who knows me knows that I'm always hauling around my camera, taking pics of Reagan and Cole (which is why I have 1.5 TB of pics on my computer - ugggh!). Documenting their - and our - lives is really important to me, but I'm such an amateur on the camera that I can

only go so far. Allison has no such limitations and takes gorgeous pics and then enhances them to be my treasures. Thanks Allison!

Gratitude challenge - Last day!!!

1 - I'm grateful for our siblings and our extended family. I'm lucky enough to see one of my sisters every other week or so and another sister about once a month. My other two siblings live in Southern Utah so we don't see each other as often, but we get together on special occasions. We live within 30 minutes of all of Steve's sibs. We get to see our families fairly often and I'm so glad that Reagan and Cole can be with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Steve's girls are some of the oldest of his parents' grandchildren and Cole is the absolute youngest. From his parents down, the Petersen clan is over 175 people now, so, when we get together, it is a big group. The Smith group isn't as big, but we are growing. Our extended families aren't without drama or conflict, but we all love each other and we are blessed to have so many family members to love and support us.

2 - I'm grateful for the example and skills of those all around me. I admire so many things in so many people. My institute teacher, Sally, is amazing. Her knowledge of the scriptures is incredible. I have learned SO much from her classes over the last 13 years. I admire her ability to remember the things she has studied and to impart that knowledge to her students. My friend Kathy has been a surrogate mother to me. I appreciate her advice and her kindness. She has helped (and saved) me more times than I can count - I want to be more like her. We have a neighbor, Pete, who is so kind to Reagan and Cole. He lets them come and help in his garden. I admire his knowledge of gardening and wish I knew more about that. My friend Jennifer is from the South and is an amazing cook. She has taught me about ways to cook, tools to use and given me recipes. She is also a great listener. We talk while we work out each day and I appreciate her suggestions and advice. I admire her so much. My other friend Jennifer stayed with me for days when Reagan was first born and helped me be calm and trust my motherly instincts (Reagan was born over a month early and was a little 5 lb munchkin). I admire her ability to care for babies (and mamas). There is a lady at the gym whom I don't really know well, but she is always smiling and is so friendly. She has a set of triplets and a set of twins. I admire her positive attitude and her kind spirit. My friend Kelsey is so unselfish - she is always (seriously!) serving someone else. I admire her ability to see a need and fill it. I admire my sister Amber's honesty and her ability to organize. She can "see" things that I don't and she can decorate beautifully. My friend Valerie can create beautiful quilts. I am in awe at her sewing skills. I admire Steve's intellect and his ability to process lots of information. He can also negotiate like nobody's business. Anyway, that's just a few examples, but I'm so glad for the great attributes of those around me, that I can learn from them and benefit from their talents.

3 - I know I said on the first day that I was grateful for Reagan and Cole but the fact that I get to be a mother is a separate gratitude for me. I had Reagan when I was almost 37 and I had Cole when I was 38. Even though I looked forward to being a mother, I had no idea how much I would love and cherish being a mother. Thanks to Steve, I have been able to be a stay at home mom and to spend my entire day with them. I remember someone telling me "Enjoy every moment - it goes so fast." I think I really have enjoyed each moment. Reagan, Cole and I have done so many wonderful things. We have visited museums, watched plays, hit every park around, and had playdate after playdate. We participated in mommy and me swim classes, dance class, Kindermusic and primary activities. We went to the zoo and the dino museum and farm country. We hiked, swam, ran, played and jumped. We talked and read and sang and discovered. They were awesome little shopping buddies and I loved just being with them. As a result of having his own business and a very competent staff, Steve was able to join us on so many of our adventures and activities as well as every school party, program or event. We have been able to travel a lot with them. I miss them so much now that they are both in school all day. Don't get me wrong, we still have tons of fun but I don't have them by my side all day, every day. Each new stage is great and I truly, truly love being their mom. It is one of my most treasured gratitudes.

Whew!!! I've never posted so much on FB ever - I don't know how you daily posters do it  I guess I'm bucking the rules of this challenge to not nominate other people. However, in the last few days, I've talked with different people and realized that some people consider their gratitudes to be personal and private. I would hate to nominate someone and "force" them to proclaim their gratitudes. If any of you would like to share your gratitudes, do it. I have appreciated this opportunity to vocalize my gratitudes. I express my thanks in my prayers daily and I hope that I have a grateful heart all the time, but it has been good to formulate them into written word and to think about them as I write. So, thanks Robin Dale for nominating me - You are the best yoga teacher I have ever had and a good friend as well. I am grateful for you 

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Labor Day Hike to Cecret Lake

We had a lazy morning on Labor Day (sort of ironic I know) and were thinking of things to do that day. Steve suggested a hike - maybe Bell's Canyon, maybe Silver Lake. He decided to call his brother, Brett, and see what his family was up to that day. Well, they were on their way to a hike and were 10 minutes away from our house, driving right by us to head up Little Cottonwood Canyon to hike to Cecret Lake. Perfect!!! We got ourselves together and they were at our house.

We drove up to Alta and it was quite chilly. I hadn't even thought of grabbing a sweater. I had sunscreen and mosquito repellant, water, snacks and tissue. It was so warm in the valley that it didn't dawn on me that it might be cold up there. We waited at the ski lodge for the shuttle bus until we found out it would be a 20 minute wait and we might not even fit on the bus (we were 3/4 of the way to the back of the line. They said it was about a mile walk. We considered that and then Steve offered to drive us up and, if he couldn't find a spot, he would drive back down, park and hike up. We all piled (I mean piled!) into one car and headed up the bumpy, dirt road to the trailhead. There were about l2 parking spaces and after a short wait, we scored one!!!! Yeah!!!! After seeing the trail up from the lodge, I'm questioning that "mile" quote. It was also very steep, so, we were glad to start at the trailhead, rather than the lodge.

We had a wonderful hike up to the lake. We took some pics and then relaxed on the huge rocks up there. We had some snacks and just hung out. Then, Meg started doing yoga (she is really flexible that one) and Steve tried to join in. The kiddos climbed all over the rocks. Then, we headed back down and actually ran in to some friends who used to be in our ward before they moved to Germany and then to Chile. Fun! We piled back into the car and bounced as we headed down to the lodge on the bumpy road. Then, we divided into our cars and met for lunch back down in the valley.

We love hanging out with Brett and Annie and their family. Even though Brett is 21 years younger than Steve, our kiddos are close to the same ages, so, we have a great time with them. They are super fun, always up for something new, and easy to hang with. We've even met up with them in Hawaii before. Love them!!!!!  Ps - can you spot Cole in the pic below? He was pretty far away but I could find that cute boy anywhere :)

Oh .... She's Good.

So, we stopped at Smith's on the way home from Cole's soccer game Saturday. We just needed a couple of things for our Sunday dinner. Steve saw a sign that said "Get Your Flu Shot Here" and he decided to check it out. Reagan, Cole and I went to get our groceries and then joined Steve at the pharmacy. He had signed all of us up to get the flu shots. I, knowing that the children usually get the mist, asked about the possibility of a mist. The pharmacist said that Reagan and Cole could get the mist, but Steve and I would get the shot. We agreed and sat down to wait while they processed our paperwork. Reagan immediately said "I'm not doing it." I replied that she was indeed doing it or we would have to set a separate appointment at the pediatrician's office just for her (that is where we usually get our flu shots or mists). She said "I don't trust these people." I tried to explain that I trust them and she trusts me, so, she should do it. I mean, after all, she just has to sniff up when they say to in order to get the mist up into her nose and sinus. She was adamant "I'm not doing it." Steve tried cajoling her and even a little threat of taking away the book that we bought her earlier that day upon condition that she obey us and be helpful the first time she is asked. Nope - no go. She apologized for disobeying but said that she didn't know these people and that she didn't trust them. I kept telling her that I trust them and her reply was that I didn't know them either. I tried to explain that all places that give flu shots or mists have to give the same, exact ones. So, I compared it to when I give her Tylenol. I said "If I pour the four pills out of the bottle and hand it to you or if I give the pills to Cole to hand to you, it is the same medicine - you are getting the same thing, it is just a different person giving it to you." Her reply was "But if some stranger on the street walked up and tried to give you medicine, you would NEVER take it. These people are strangers to me and I don't trust them and they are NOT giving me medicine. Only Dr. Schmidt or Melissa (the nurse) are giving me this medicine."

It ended up that they couldn't even find the flu mist in their system. They were working on it and said it would be another 15 minutes after the 20 that we had already been there. Steve told them to forget it and just give him the shot. I said that I preferred the mist and would get it when I got it for Reagan and Cole. They gave Steve the shot and we left with Reagan apologizing profusely, but not backing down. We tried to talk with her about us being the parents and that she should trust us.

Obviously, I'm concerned because I cannot have a child who won't do what I ask her to. There is no way that it is acceptable for her to announce to me that she simply isn't doing what I have told her to. That being said, I have to give her points for her logic. We've taught them about strangers and being careful all their lives. She is right, I wouldn't take medicine from a complete stranger, so, why am I asking her to do the same thing? Obviously she doesn't know about regulations, the FDA, lawsuits and licensing. All she knows is that she doesn't know these people and so they don't get to give her - or us - medicine. When Steve and I went to bed last night, he mentioned that his arm has hurt ever since they gave him the shot. They must have hit a muscle or something. We laughed that Reagan might have been right all along. Steve said "Maybe she was sent here to keep us in check." That really could be .....          Why does she have to be so good? Geez!

First Day of School!!!!!!

It's here - it's here!!! It's time for the first day of school. We packed up our new backpacks with our school supplies (found everything on the list thank you) and got ready to go. Reagan and Cole were super excited.

Reagan has to be dropped off 15 minutes earlier than Cole starting this year and 15 minutes earlier than we have ever had to be at school. Getting out the door 15 minutes earlier is going to be rough :)

Reagan walked into her class, said hello to her friends, put her bag at the back of the room and started right in with questions for her teacher.

Cole waits for 15 minutes in the gym until it is time for him to go to class. There are a fair number of siblings in this situation, so, he just kicks it with his friends. Then, he goes to class.

Cole walked right into his classroom and started unpacking his bag of supplies. As I mentioned before, this is the first year he sits at a desk, rather than a table with other students. Yep, we're growing up!

Steve and I are so proud of Reagan and Cole for all their efforts in school (as well as all of their other activities). I'm sure we'll have an adjustment getting into the new routine of school. However, we are excited and ready to go!!!!! Bring on the new school year!!!!

The Ogden Temple Open House

You'll remember that I went to the Ogden Temple Open House with the YM and YW for our youth conference. Well, Steve and I knew that we HAD to take Reagan and Cole to the Open House as well.  They went to the Draper Temple Open House and to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House, but they were so young that they don't have much of a memory of either. We got our tickets and headed up on Saturday.

We waited in the Tabernacle, saw the introductory movie that talks about temples and we headed inside the temple for the tour. It was wonderful to show Reagan and Cole the different rooms and to whisper in their ears about each room.

It is such a beautiful temple. The art in the temple is more modern than the art in any other temple I've seen. It was gorgeous inside and had such beautiful decor that just added to the beauty of the building itself. I'm so grateful that we had the opportunity to take Reagan and Cole to this Open House. When I was growing up, the Arizona Temple was remodeled and re-dedicated. I had the opportunity to tour the temple at that time but that was the only time I was in a temple when I was young. This is Reagan and Cole's third chance to do this. Hopefully this time, they will remember more of the experience. We're looking forward to the Payson Temple Open House and the Provo City Center Temple Open House. What great opportunities for Reagan and Cole!!!!! I love having the chance to have them tour the temple and for us to share with them a place that is so important and sacred to us.

A Visit to the Spa

Though the years, I've gone to many different places for my mani/pedis. It used to be that I had to get a babysitter or make arrangements with Steve for him to watch Reagan and Cole. Then, I started taking them with me when they were a bit older. Then, I discovered the spa inside our gym. It was the perfect solution because I could leave Reagan and Cole playing in the Nest or Kids' Club and I could get my spa time in.

Well, for about a year or so, Reagan has been asking me when she could join me at the spa. I sort of put it off since we do her nails every so often (they are so little anyway) and I didn't want to have her start expecting a routine of something. Well, this week, in preparation for our big 3rd grade year, I took her with me. 

We both had manicures and pedicures and we had a great time! Reagan loved choosing her favorite from dozens of nail colors, sitting in the massage chair and sipping on her pineapple smoothie (I chose mango). She was a bit curious as to what the salty stuff was that they were using to exfoliate her feet, but loved the lotion and foot massage that came after. 

Reagan was so kind to everyone who helped her. She thanked them up and down for going to get her smoothie and for helping her get the massage chair going. I think she really enjoyed her time at the spa. I don't know that we will make this a regular thing, but I'm so glad that we could have a "special day" and go to the spa together. 

Playin' Around

I came outside to join Reagan, Cole and Steve one night after dinner and found them playing a new form of dodgeball. They jump on the trampoline and Steve throws a soccer ball to try to tag them. I think it is fairly dangerous in that they could land on the soccer ball and break or twist an ankle, but what do I know?   :)

They did have fun! Usually they were pretty good at dodging the ball, but when you are in the air, it is kind of hard to change directions. Steve could tag them once in a while. 

Then, we started playing soccer at the bottom of the yard. Reagan and Cole played and then Reagan petered out and Cole and Steve played. Coley has gotten pretty good at soccer and continues to hone his skills. Steve, obviously, had more power than him and - being bigger - could cover more distance than Cole when they were racing for the ball. However, Cole did give Steve a run for his money.

I love our backyard. We don't have the time to use it as much as we would want to, but we always have fun when we are out here. Soon, it will be fall and the leaves will be changing, but I love that time of year just as much. I'm so glad that we can be together and spend time just playin' around ;)