Grandparents--again!!

I think the last time I wrote anything was in January so it's about time again.  It really is a wonderful life and I feel so thankful all the time for our blessings.  But, oh my stars, is it ever a busy life!!!  I have a hard time finding time to blog or send letters or keep up with everyone's needs.  Mom assures me that this will change over the years but so far, things are still hoppin'!  We had a whirlwind summer with all of our girls involved in the Jr. Musical throughout the month of June.  They decided to do three different casts because they had so many kids try out and wouldn't you know it--Lyndie was in cast 1, Kallie and Sadie in cast2, and Faith in cast 3!!  So, between all of the practices and performances (2 for each cast???)  I could have done the show as a one-woman monologue because I almost had all the parts memorized.  Besides all that, we were trying to get all of Daniel's mission preparations taken care of.  We dropped him off at the MTC on June 26th and it was a great experience that morning to see all of the kids--even Kaden --crying and hugging him as we got ready to leave.  I think we all wondered a little what it was going to be like because it had been a hard year.  He was excited to finally be on his way and we were happy to send him.  Just because it's hard to hold a young adult to curfews and family rules etc. when they are ready to be on their own.  It was such a relief to go to bed that night and know exactly where he was and what time he was going to be in bed and I didn't have to monitor that ANYMORE!!  It's still a bittersweet moment as you drive away though, and think about how time changes everything and your baby and adorable toddler and lovable preschooler, and frustrating teenager is just where you want him to be now.  We cried and laughed a little over the past and then stopped at Nielson's Custard for an ice cream to help us feel better.:) July started with a visit from Mat and Jill and their family and we loved having their kids get to know our kids better.  They all loved the flume and Faith introduced Livvy to LOTR (sorry Mat and Jill) and it was fun to get to know Warren too!  We celebrated the 4th together and enjoyed Jeff and Kimi's pool and went swimming at the aquatic center and Skyview pool and Kaden and Faith had their camps.  We went camping as a family up at Willow Flats and at the Heritage Center campground for Grandpa Larson's birthday with a lot of our Larson cousins. Fun, fun, and more fun to come!  The kids had some sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa's with cousins and then it was time for the rodeo and parades.  We had such a good time at the rodeo this year because we got there early and had plenty of room for everyone (it's also easier without babies) and then we spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa and family after they spoke in church that Sunday and were set apart for their mission.  Whirlwind!  Two days later we were on our way to Wyoming to spend the week with Kris and Travis.  Troy and Travis did some tiling and Kris and I fed and cleaned up.  It doesn't sound that great until you remember that we were together and we got to watch movies in the theater every night and it's just great to be together!!  The kids had a good time playing dress-up and going on paddle-boats and swimming and pulling weeds and playing tennis and making music videos and getting to know Jeremy (Brendan's friend who was staying there) and going to Wingers for half-price shakes and staying up talking until 3:00am???   While we were there, our friends called us to see if we had heard the news.  Daniel was going to Dallin's mission to wait for his visa--WHAT?!!??  When we got home, we had two messages from Dallin's mission president asking us to call him and assuring that nothing was wrong.  Troy called and had a nice visit with him and he asked if we would help him keep it a secret from Dallin that Daniel was coming.  He wanted to record their meeting at the airport.  Daniel left on the 6th of Aug. and we had to wait until Aug. 12th to see the reunion.  President Anderson had someone in the office put together a video with music and everything and put it on Youtube.  We sat and watched it and cried to see our boys together like that.  Troy said it was the best birthday gift he ever got.   The next week was high school registration for Kaden and Faith, Jr. High reg. for Kallie and we did some school shopping in shifts.  Faith tried out for soccer and made the JV team, Kaden was busy with exec. council and the younger kids enjoyed playing and going to the fair.  I had promised that we would try to go to Bear Lake this summer since we never made it last year and realized that summer was at an end.  Desperation took over sane thinking and I announced we were leaving one Thurs. morning. even though Faith had soccer and Kaden had an exec. activity later in the afternoon.  We drove over and found that the beach we love was covered and they no longer allow vehicles down to it anyway so we had to go to the North Beach which has a fee.  I went to the gas station so everyone could use the facilities and bought a  bag of licorice to share.  Unfortunately, I didn't check the price and smiled willingly as I handed over my debit card to the clerk.  It wasn't until we got to the van that I looked at the receipt--$7.59!!!  Then I was mad because everything had gone wrong.  I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea-- that I have a problem with profanity--but my children will tell on me any way.... "Oh my heck !" just wasn't strong enough....didn't go deep enough!!  So, I ended our glorious summer, swearing, with all my kids listening in.  All in all, I would say it went pretty well... no one ever said "I'm bored!"  Now that school has started, things are a little more routine and even though it's still busy, I have a few hours to myself to think and catch up from summer.  I just wanted to let everyone know about the beautiful baby girl that was born Sept. 4th.  7lbs. 6oz., 20 inches long and thick, dark hair.  It's just like Jessica's when she was born except that it's SO dark.  Her name is Isla (eye-la) Grace and she is so sweet.  Hope you all get to see her and us sometime during the holidays.  Dallin comes home the 29th of Oct. and Jeff and Josie are supposed to be home on the 24th of Oct.  So it's party time at the Larson's--come if you can.  Love, Jen