September

Sweet September.

We started off my favorite month by spending it camping in the mountains and picking apples at Sky Top Orchard.

Delicious hot apple cider donuts and cold fresh apple cider are a tradition at Sky Top.

Dad helping the girls reach the best ones up at the top.

After apple picking we headed to the North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville. All sorts of apple treats and every kind of apple you can (or can't) imagine. My favorite variety was called the Divine. Yum!

The kids loved playing in the river near the camp ground.

Maycie all tuckered out after all those apple activities.

Cami Day.

In memory of my friend, Cami Southwick who died too young two years ago this September, many people in our area baked cookies and delivered them to friends.  We miss you Cami!

Only 6 weeks after loosing Grandma Rabiger, my Grandma Ann passed away. This one was a little more sudden and unexpected and because of my closeness to her it was a little more emotional and difficult for me.

One of dad's favorite childhood memories with Grandma was on Sunday nights watching the The Wonderful World of Disney and eating snacks. Snacks usually consisted of anchovies on crackers and oysters with mustard (or something like that). Dad attributes his sophisticated pallet to this tradition. So in memory of Grandma after the funeral we watched a Disney movie and tried to recreate the snacks. 

Liesl and I adoring our new baby nephew, Jack. Caitlin and Trevor's first.

As a last minute treat Marilyn and I traveled down to Cedar City for the evening to see Peter and the Star Catcher at the Shakespeare Festival with my mom.

Happy 35th, mom!

To celebrate my birthday we had Chinese food night with chopsticks. We hope to make it a regular thing.

My healthier cake creation.

In my attempt to go sugar free I tweaked my favorite chocolate cake recipe. Rather than flour, I ground almonds to make my own almond flour. Instead of sugar I ground dates. I also used a healthier coconut oil. The result was delicious. In fact my friends and kids preferred it to the regular cake that was also there.

Sweet Kristin gave Sandy and I a little party to celebrate our birthdays.

August

Grandma June Rabiger passes away.

August started out on a bit of a tender note. I almost said "sad" instead of "tender", but the truth is while we'll miss Grandma June dearly she lead the greatest life she possibly could have and it was not sad to see her return home. She spent her entire life serving her family, those around her and living the gospel, all with a song in her heart. She left a legacy.

Kristin and I had fun reminiscing funny things about grandma.

Happy coincidence. By chance I discovered my dear friend and former neighbor in Huntersville was in town from Texas also visiting family in Utah. I met up with her and her darling boys: Gavin, Ryan and Liam for some breakfast at Chick-fil-A.

FAMILY CAMP 2013

While I was finishing up my trip in Utah the rest of family headed up to, what we hope to be, the first annual Family Camp at Camp Wayfayer. I caught up with them on their 2nd day there. Sandy Abbott has been the stake girls camp director for 5 years and was chummy enough with the owner of the camp they use that he allowed Sandy to bring up several families to have our own camp experience. We had a wonderful time canoeing, jumping off the blob, swimming, catching critters, rock wall climbing and putting on family skits. Some of the families that went were the Abbotts, Smiths, Harts, Morrows,

Best Buddies: Alex and Josh with a salamander.

Isaac and Declan with snacks.

We celebrated 3 birthday while at family camp, including Addilyn's.

Breakfast in bed is always a tradition no matter where you are on your birthday. 

Addilyn trying her skill at the rock wall. She almost made it and probably would have gone all the way if she had worn shoes.

Upon returning home from Family Camp, we proceeded to celebrate Addilyn's 10th birthday. We got a babysitter for the younger kids and took her out on the town. First stop: ear piercing. This was much anticipated. She had been begging to get her ears pierced since she was about 7, but my rule is you have to wait until 10. There are 2 reasons for this. One, I don't want them growing up too fast. The second, and probably the main reason, is I want them to be old enough to take care of the ear cleaning themselves. Addilyn was pretty nervous about getting her ears pierced. She's pretty fearful of pain and the anticipation of it is worse that the actual pain. First she read a letter of encouragement from her best friend, Ella. Then she nervously clutched dad's hand.

A little pop. A not so little scream. And voila: pierced ears.

Then we went to Addilyn's favorite food: Mexican at Azteca. She got serenaded by the wait staff.

Party On!

Later that week Addilyn got to have some friends over for cake and ice cream.

Now that I have a tween in the house Claire's is a frequent request. Addilyn in so generous. She ended up buying something for everyone.

Playing in the rain.

Brotherly and Sisterly Love!

First day of school.

J.V. Washam Elementary.

Alex: 1st grade (we skipped Kindergarten) - Mrs. Pratt

Maycie: 2nd grade - Ms. Sheiperpeter

Addilyn: 4th grade - Ms. Humes

Maycie with Mrs. Sheiperpeter

Alex, starting his morning work.

Addilyn so excited to have her good friend, Emily, in her class.

Yay! Coming off the bus.

Back to School Feast 2014.

"If the Savior Stood Beside Me...

Would I do the things I do?

Would I say the things I say?

For He is always near me."