Where Did September Go?

Time has been flying by and I have not posted throughout September like I wish I could have. 
I thought I'd share a few things from the month...

Speaking of things flying by...earlier this month Josh learned to fly fish!

He was invited by one of his clients at the gym to go on an escorted day trip into the mountains to learn how to fly fish.

He was a success and became hooked ;)

 Grandma Jenn and I took Allie to a farmer's market and she got to go on a pony ride. She also LOVED looking at all the cute little animals there.

Every Saturday morning has been spent on the sidelines of a football field watching Marcus play football. His position got changed to inside middle linebacker. He loves football & he loves to hit!

Rob and Allie have been caught playing "In N Out" lately...they are getting pretty good at it. Marcus thinks one of the kids should work their when they get older so our family will get a discount. HaHa!

We like that thinking Marcus! Four more years for you!

This past Sunday morning the kids that I've been teaching on Sunday mornings performed in front of the whole church. I've been working on teaching them fun Christian children's songs. It filled me with such joy to hear from various parents that after my first class of teaching them that their kids couldn't stop singing them at home. 
There favorite was Pharaoh, Pharaoh! 
I'm so proud of all of them. They did such a great job!

Other things to mention...

Josh was blessed with the opportunity to preach a revival at our mother church in CA. It was the first time since we've lived in UT that the kids & I didn't go with him :( We missed seeing everyone, but we were happy the revival went well.

I've really been enjoying helping at Rob & Allie's school twice a week.

I'm back on the tennis court! Yay! I haven't hardly played at all since we moved to UT. I've realized how much I love (and have missed) the sport and look forward to more tennis days...even throughout the winter on indoor/covered courts!

A new women's Bible study has begun which I'm very excited about.

Josh took the boys to an area wide Men's Discipleship meeting.

We all went to Marcus' parent teacher meeting at his school and heard outstanding reports about him from his teachers.

We were given an electronic basketball set up for outside where it keeps your score and you can compete against another person. It's been getting a lot of use in the last few weeks!

Fall has begun and it's starting to cool down. 
Fall is one of my favorite seasons in UT!

Star Students of the Month

Rob and Allie were BOTH chosen by their individual teachers to be the September Student of the Month in their classes!

When the kids were told that they were getting the Student of the Month award, Rob asked inquisitively, "...What's Student of the Month?"

The kids found out what Student of the Month was when their teachers got up in front of the school and shared why they were being honored with the award...godly character, respect for the teacher, attentiveness in class, and first time obedience were some of the things mentioned.

Marcus had Friday off from school and was able to come to Rob and Allie's school with Josh and I to see them presented with their awards. It blessed us so much that he was so happy for his brother and sister.

We all celebrated and went out to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen and then to TCBY for frozen yogurt.

It was a great day celebrating three great kids!

Celebrating Birthdays

September is special because Josh and I both celebrate our birthdays.

Josh's parents were able to be here for mine. We were so blessed because he preached two services, a men's discipleship, and a marrieds class! We had such a special time together.

love the CA grown sticker on the lilies Jenn gave me

lunch at my favorite sushi restaurant...we missed you Danny

new shoes for playing tennis from my kiddos

Josh made me an amazing chocolate sheet cake

Josh's Day...celebrating with a great lunch after morning service

new golf clothes

Singing happy birthday ;)

Birthday celebrations are so fun and a major tradition in our family!

Happy times for everyone! 

Back To School

With the kids going to school this year we decided to make some special cookie jars that I found online (as well as a new cookie recipe) that they could give to their teachers. The kids and I made them and they each gave them to their teachers on the first day of school. They were a hit!

Chocolate Chip M&M Pudding Cookies...
(you can freeze cookie balls to bake later too)

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter (softened)
3/4 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (3.4 ounce) package of vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup Mini M&M candies

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and M&M candies. Drop cookies in rounded balls on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 10- 12 minutes in the oven. Edges and tops will be golden brown.

And to help with the routine of making lunches I took the 
brilliant pinterest idea of having food baskets to hold the stuff for their lunches. 
I simply pull out both baskets, get the sandwich stuff out and we're good to go.

one small basket for the fridge

one larger basket to hold dry goods that sits in the pantry

I have to say I LOVE the baskets! 
Genius idea to make things quick and easy!

Special Guests

We were so blessed to have Mrs. Luz and her daughter, Carla, come visit us over Labor Day weekend.
Mrs. Luz was one of Marcus' preschool teachers back in Santa Monica!
Marcus loved having Mrs. Luz as his teacher!
They have a special bond.
They share their memories of those days when they see each other.
Marcus has always had a special place in her heart and she had to come see him play football.
We had a wonderful time.
Thank you so much for coming Luz and Carla!

Marcus hurt his left hand at his game, so we are praying for complete healing.

Mrs. Luz and her sunshine!