Shots, Meets, Youth Council, Salsa, Rotten Tomato War, Girls Night, Field Trip, Sadie Hawkins

We have been busy these last 10 days!  I will update with the highlights.  I have really started into working since it is flu shot season.  It is a great fundraiser for schools in the area so there are quite a few that sign up to have us come in to do flu shots for the students, teachers and their families.  I was lucky enough to help run the clinic at my kids' home elementary school.  Since I was working Aaron rounded up all the kids and brought them in to see me.  However, they weren't as excited to see me when they figured out they were going to get a shot--haha!  After giving the kids their shots I made sure to give them a hug just to let them know I still love them even though I gave them a shot.  Poor kiddos!

 Daniel was the one who had the hardest time working up the nerve to get the shot.  After he got the shot he wanted nothing to do with the table that had the needles on it.  I can't say as I blame him.  Although I have no problems giving the shot, getting the shot is another story.  I hate getting shots, too.  This was the best hug picture I could get from Daniel:

 Matthew was really vocal about not wanting the shot, but in the end he didn't give me any trouble when I gave it to him--thank goodness!!

 Aaron even got his shot.  I kiddingly tried to find the biggest needle I could, but lucky for Aaron all the needles that were sent with us were all the same size which was a really small 25 gauge.  Good thing he still loves me after getting a shot!

Josh had a cross country meet at Roy High school last week.  Their course was a bit wonky, but I guess it got the job done.  They ran around a couple fields, took a lap on the track, then went around another field before they finished.  Here's Josh on his track lap:

 Sprinting towards the finish line:

 Unfortunately, last week a cross country team member committed suicide.  It was a big blow to the team.  It was hard for all the kids to process it.  They took two days off from practice to try and come to terms with it.  Friday to show him support they all wore ribbons pinned on their team shirts at the meet.  Josh's ribbon is right next to his bib:

 Last Saturday was the student who committed suicide's funeral.  All the team went to the funeral and after grabbed some pizza and hung out.  It was a sad day.  I can't imagine how hard it must be for his family.  I was glad they had a good support team for the students and were able to show support for their lost team member.  I am glad mental health is starting to become a more discussed topic, but until things like this stop happening we have a ways to go.  My heart goes out to his family and friends!

It turned cold this weekend.  I had one last round of tomatoes I needed to do something with.  Since I was going to make a mess in the kitchen I sent Aaron out to the garden to gather the rest of the tomatoes before it froze. Daniel and Sarah went out to help.  Before long it turned in to a rotten tomato throwing contest at each other.  Ew!  They had fun and I got another 1/2 bushel of tomatoes to add to the other 1/2 bushel sitting on my counter.

 While I was peeling and cutting up the tomatoes Sarah asked if she could help.  I told her to come on over and she was my little helper for a few hours.  I love canning tomatoes, but they are so messy!  I thought I cleaned up the whole kitchen after I was done only to find more tomato squirts on the wall I didn't see before. Oh well at least we got the last of the summer tomatoes taken care of.

We got quite a few quarts of salsa so I think we are set for salsa for this upcoming year. Wahoo!

After finishing up the salsa Sarah and I got dressed up for our Mother Daughter date to the Women's Conference.  We went to the conference then afterward grabbed some dinner and did some shopping. I loved having the one on one time with her--hopefully she did, too!

While the women were away the guys did play.  Aaron made a batch of jalapeño ribs which the boys really liked.  They also watched a movie together after dinner.

 Monday Josh and I had some excitement.  It was time for Josh to get his allergy shots.  I signed him in and when he got called back to get his shots, the fire alarm went off.  It was really loud!  I made sure Josh got his shots and then we went to see if we really were in immediate danger.  Luckily, we were fine.  I guess someone had really burned some toast and set the fire alarm off for the entire Tanner Clinic medical building which is a pretty big place.  Whoops!  Oh well it just made for a bit longer of an appointment, but it was more exciting than usual.  Here you can see Josh is really excited for his shots in both arms (not really):

 I got to be a chaperone on the 4th grade field trip this past week.  The 4th grade went out to Antelope Island to check things out.  They got to learn about water sheds and why the Great Salt Lake is salty as well as what a terminal lake is.  They got to build their own water shed, too:

 Then we went to the beach where we learned about oolitic sand which is organic material mixed with calcium carbonate that has formed in to tiny spheres which makes up the sand on the beach.  To show it was calcium carbonate they got to pour vinegar into the sand to watch it bubble.  It was pretty interesting.

 Then they let the kids wade out in to the Salt Lake to try and catch some brine shrimp.  Sarah was really excited to get out there and catch a shrimp.  The cold wind and water didn't seem to deter her at all.

 It was a fun field trip and I was glad I was able to go.

I have been working quite a bit lately.  I have had clinics from West Valley up to Logan which is crazy (thankfully I get paid for my mileage which is an added bonus!)  Anyway, right after Sarah's field trip I had time enough to come home to change and then I had to head to work down in West Valley.  After finishing the clinic down there I made it back up in time to watch Josh get sworn in as a Youth council member by the mayor and the city council.  It was by the skin of my teeth, though.  I parked (illegally) and had to run inside before they closed the doors.  I was glad I made it.  It was fun to see all the council members and their leaders.  This is the first time we have seen them all together.  They have a really busy schedule coming up, but it will be great service opportunities for them all.  Of course, Josh is the super tall one in the back row.

Josh had his first service project with the youth Council a few weeks ago.  They helped with running the Relay for Life.  They helped set up and then I guess Josh got a chance to dance up on the stage.  We weren't there, but one of the advisers sent us videos of Josh dancing and entertaining anyone within earshot.  Now me being so quiet and not liking attention drawn to me I don't know where Josh came from.  He is the opposite of me in that whole regard!!  I guess he had a good time, though.  Here's one picture of him helping to set up:

 I had a scare yesterday.  Yesterday Josh had a cross country meet which meant I had to check him out of Jr. High and take him over to the high school to catch the bus.  As I was pulling into the high school parking lot, I noticed a bunch of kids standing outside the seminary building as well as a police car.  I then saw Matthew standing next to the policeman flapping his hands like crazy. My heart sank.  I was expecting the worst.  I pulled over and asked if everything was okay.  Matthew got super excited just by seeing me pull in the parking lot so he couldn't really answer.  Luckily, the seminary teacher walked over and said that things were okay.  Then the officer walked over and told me that his son was Matthew's peer tutor in seminary and that the officer came to show them his police car and all that.  Phew!!  I was thinking that Matthew had pulled the fire alarm or something like that so I was relieved when I found out that it was for fun the officer was there.  Afterward the officer texted me this picture with Matthew showing two thumbs up letting me know things were okay.  Again I had a sigh of relief....

 Josh had a cross country meet yesterday.  Here's all the junior varsity boys that participated in the race right after it started:

 Here's Josh sprinting to the finish line:

 He did great.

Right after the meet it was parent teacher conferences for the Jr. High.  We stopped by to see how Josh was doing.  It was funny because Josh is not a quiet person.  As soon as we sat down and told the teacher Josh's name they didn't even need to look at their books to know who he was.  There is something to say about that since each teacher has about 210 students a day in their classes.  Anyway, I guess Josh loves to participate in class.  His science teacher even told us there are times where he has to tell Josh to let the other students have a turn to answer questions.  All in all Josh seems to be doing well in his classes.  I must say that I am glad they let parents see what their child's scores, missing assignments and grades so we can 'help' them be successful--haha!  I can't believe school has been in long enough for parent teacher conferences!  This year is going by fast!

We had to leave parent teacher conferences early so Aaron could go to scouts.  It was Daniel's last scouts with Aaron before he goes into the young mens program.  It makes Aaron a little sad not to have Daniel be in 11 year old scouts with him anymore, but Daniel is excited to go into young mens.

When everyone got home yesterday we had dinner then we played some games.  You haven't played a game hard enough until someone ends up in tears.  This time that person was Sarah.  It didn't help that she hadn't slept very well the night before, but what can you do?!

 Don't let her sadness fool you because she came back to win the next game we played so all was not lost for Sarah.

This morning was updose time for Daniel.  It is becoming so routine that the receptionists know who we are as soon as we show up in the waiting room.  They say, "Oh Hi Daniel!" then hand us the same questionnaire we have to fill out every week.  Daniel decided he wanted to start filling out the questionnaire so I let him.  Since it asks all about last week how he handled the cashews, if he is regularly taking his asthma medications, whether he has an food exposure emergency plan, etc.  I figure why not let him fill it out since I have to ask him all the questions anyway when I fill it out.  Wahoo!  One less thing for me to worry about, right?!

Two weeks ago was Daniel's last soccer game.  I had to work so I missed it which made me sad, but what can you do?!  Luckily, Aaron was there to coach and G&G T came to watch.  During the middle of the game Grandma T told Aaron she wasn't feeling very well and they needed to leave.  Come to find out, though, Grandma T had fallen when she sat down in her chair.  When she tried to steady herself by reaching out her left arm as she fell, but she hurt it.  The pain got too bad so they had to leave and go to an Instacare.  Unfortunately, she broke both arm bones bad enough they had to send her to the hospital to get them fixed.  They were broken bad enough that she needed to get pins put in her bones to piece things back together.  She ended up breaking both her Radius and Ulna bones (lower arm bones).  She got a nice hospital stay to make sure she did okay.  Jeez--it seems my family is dangerous for G&G T to be around!!  Haha--not really, but this is the second bone she has broken and needed surgery for while being around us in the last year.  We need to wrap her up in some bubble wrap for sure!!

As for Matthew we both had our semi annual dentist appointments last week.  Thankfully, we are both cavity free, however, Matthew is getting to the age where he will need his wisdom teeth pulled.  I got a few referrals from the dentist, but I am dreading that whole thing.  Luckily, the dentist said it wasn't urgent at this point and that we had a year or two to think about it, but I am still dreading it.  Ugh!  Hopefully, the oral surgeon will be able to handle him....

One exciting thing did happen this past week--Matthew got invited to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance at the high school.  I am so excited for him.  The dance line team is inviting the special needs students to the dance.  They sent home an itinerary of the day and they have it planned out pretty well.  Again I am so excited for Matthew.  I am also grateful for thoughtful girls who really love going out of their way to include the special needs students!!  We are really counting our blessings!  We have a month to prepare Matthew so hopefully this will be a good experience all around!

Holy War, Cross Country, Frightmares, Salsa, Soccer, Sick, Work

 Another 10 days have flown by!  Last weekend was the Holy War--aka the BYU U of U football game.  We have an ongoing feud between our family (BYU) and the Einzingers (U of U).  Josh happened to have a cross country meet really early Saturday morning.  When Aaron dropped Josh off for the bus he then swung by the Einzinger's house to help them 'decorate' and show support for their team on the window and their garage door--haha!

I am sure they really appreciated that--haha!!

 Josh's cross country meet was over at Soldier Hollow which is by Midway, Utah.  It was a chilly morning, but I loved it because I had a reason to wear a hoodie which I LOVE!!  There were quite a few schools at this meet.  Here's the starting line up for the cross country junior varsity boys right after they started their race:

 It was a beautiful, but difficult course.  There were quite a few hills they had to climb.  However, the last stretch was a huge downhill so it was a nice way to end a race.  Here's Josh on the last turn before the finish line:

 He was DONE at the end of the race as you can see:

 I wanted to give him a hug, but he was incredibly sweaty (ew!) so we did the finger touch hug instead.

 Wahoo Josh!  It was a really pretty 3 mile course as I will say again.

 They got to run through the mountains with the leaves changing colors.

 Josh stayed with the team for the rest of the meet which left Aaron and I a few minutes to swing by Dairy Keen to pick up some lunch.  Aaron wouldn't even think of driving all the way up right next to Heber and not stop by Dairy Keen!!  We split a Train burger and a fresh peach shake.  YUM!

 On the way out of Dairy Keen they had these huge peonies planted in front of the restaurant.  The flowers were HUGE-- bigger than Aaron's hand in all different colors.

 We made it back home to clean up and make treats for the football game that night.  The Einzinger's came over to watch the game with us.  Josh made sure to arrange the cookies he'd made just right:

 All of our family were wearing BYU shirts and all of their family were wearing U of U shirts.  They younger kids just had fun playing together.

 The older ones watched the game with us.

 It was a disappointing game (BYU lost), but it was fun to watch with friends.  We can't wait until next Holy War next year!!

Our garden is producing tomatoes like crazy.  I have been canning salsa to use up the tomatoes.  However, Sophie is not a fan.  She would come lay at my feet or right next to me while I was in the kitchen and give me her most pitiful face.  She feels that I should be sitting down petting her at all times when I am home.  Here's how she watched me make the salsa all day long:

Poor neglected Sophie.  I must say she does have that pitiful look down pretty well!

Whenever I would sit down she would immediately jump in my lap and claw at my hands until I pet her.  What a crazy dog!!  Anyway I did get another 11 quarts of salsa made.  This batch I made spicy just for the rest of my family.  I am a huge wimp when it comes to spicy foods so I won't be eating this batch, but I am sure the rest of my family will enjoy it.

 Josh, Daniel, Aaron and I have been anxiously awaiting the release of the final Michael Vey book which came out this week.  Since I am the one who bought the book I got to read it first.  Josh and Daniel split their time to read it.  Josh got the book during the school day and Daniel got the book during the afternoon and evening.  It only took them two days to get through it.  Aaron was nice enough to let them finish before he will try reading it.  It was a pretty good series.

 I had my first real flu shot clinic shift this past week.  It unfortunately fell at the same time as a cross country meet for Josh.  Luckily, Aaron  and G&G T were able to make it to the meet to watch him and take pictures so I could see Josh run, too.  Here's Josh before the race:

Josh at the finish line:

I was sad I missed the race, but it was nice to be back to work again, though.  I do enjoy doing the shot clinic.

Daniel's soccer is wrapping up soon.  They did have pictures done this last game.  The team is doing great.  They have only lost two games, but won the rest.  Aaron is enjoying coaching even though he hadn't planned on coaching the team this season.

 Daniel loves doing soccer.

 Last Tuesday it was Grandparent's Day at the elementary school.  The kids were so excited to have breakfast and show G&G T around their school.  They got to meet the kids' teachers and see their classrooms.  Noah was bothered that they only have regular glazed donuts instead of chocolate that morning.  Luckily, Sarah's teacher was nice enough to listen to Noah's complaints and offered him some chocolate to make up for not having a chocolate donut.  Noah loved it, but I think that teacher realized her mistake since Noah is now going to her classroom every day and asking for some chocolate--DOH!  What can you do?!  What a crazy kid!

Aaron had a bout of sickness this week.  He came home Wednesday night and spent the majority of the time in the bathroom.  He was finally able to fall asleep around 3 am.  I had a doctors appointment the next morning and he was still in bed when I left.  Unfortunately there was a big problem at work that they had to call him in for.  Luckily he was well enough to be outside of a bathroom for a little while, but he made sure he wasn't too far from one when he went in to work, though.  Poor guy!  He had to coach soccer that night, too.  He coached the game while sitting on the bench, but no one complained as far as we know.  By Friday he was back to normal again.  Those crazy stomach bugs!! Thankfully no one else in the family got it!!

Saturday night we decided to try out Frightmares at Lagoon.  The whole park was packed!  Aaron and I got in line for one of the haunted houses while we let the kids go around and ride some rides while we waited in line.  While we waited in line we had quite a few 'visitors' try to scare us.  Daniel was not a fan of this guy:

 My kids can't pass by a photo op so here's a few of the pictures we got:

 We got another picture of the kids with some more dressed up park employees:

 We finally got up to the beginning of the haunted house.  It had a 3 cross rating out of a 5 cross rating on scariness so we figured it wouldn't be too bad for everyone.

 Sarah, Noah, Daniel and Matthew weren't fans, but we expected that.  We were able to talk them into going through another one.  Luckily the second one had a photo op in it which broke up the scariness for the kids.  Here's the photo op:

 After the second haunted house the three youngest weren't too happy so we then went through the kiddy spook house where they got candy.  That made everything all better again--haha!

 More photo ops:

 At some point I need to just bring Josh and go to all the 4 and 5 cross rated haunted houses (there are 4 of them) since we are the only ones that really like that kind of thing.  We did that last year and it was pretty fun.  We like Halloween time.

Yesterday we celebrated Grandma T's birthday.  Her birthday isn't for a few more days, but this is when all of us could get together.  The kids had fun playing with their cousins and the adults had fun talking.  Here's Grandma T blowing out her birthday candles:

 I also got to start volunteering in the kids' classrooms this week.  It is fun to see my kids during the day.  It is even more fun to see the kids I have worked with from previous years.  A few of them came over and gave me big hugs today.  I loved it!  It especially made my day today when a cute second grader came out to read with me.  She stared at me for a few seconds and then said, "You are so pretty!"  That completely made my day!  I love working with the kids and grateful that I am able to do it.

However, as soon as I got home from volunteering today, I got a call from the school.  I HATE calls from the school.  It was the secretary telling me that Noah was in the office carrying a garbage can and saying he didn't feel very well.  DOH!!  He had been just fine when I had read with him that morning when I volunteered.  Anyway, I went and picked him up.  He then sat on the couch and stared at me like this:

 He must be taking classes from Sophie on how to look the most pitiful.  Good thing he only was 'sick' like this for about 15 minutes until he was feeling a lot better.  What a stinker!  I am making him do extra homework so he doesn't try and come home sick again unless he really is next time.

I told Aaron I needed him to send me the pictures from his phone so I could add them to the blog.  I was scrolling through the pictures to find this gem.  Thanks for taking the funny picture and making me laugh, Aaron.  Glad I have a husband who can provide some comedic relief from the craziness of my life!