Tanner Time

This has been a big week for young Tanner and so we wanted to share some of his accomplishments. He just got back from the church where he had his board of review for First Class Scout.

Only a First Class at 11 years, 9 months can smile like this. He already has a plan for when to be an Eagle Scout. Much of the credit goes to his wonderful scout leaders and a motivated stake Primary Presidency. Oh, and many hours with mom at his side.

Here he is helping his scout leader, Brother Beus cook a spaghetti dinner at one of his campouts.

About 1.5 miles into a five mile hike.

Tanner also played soccer this year for the Prowlers, and they were the champions of the boys under 12 division.

Here's Tanner with the hardware.

Lining up for shin guard check before the championship game.

After the game, showing who the champs are.

Helping Hands

This last Saturday Riley and I had the opportunity to go help with the clean up effort in one of the fire zones. We spent the day clearing brush, trees, and other debris from a home that had burned completely down. It was dirty, messy, sweaty work with dust and ash flying (we had to wear masks to breathe), but it was also a very humbling experience.

Before the project started - still clean!

After - and we had already brushed most of the ash off so we wouldn't completely ruin the car on the ride home.

Fortunately we remembered gloves.

Treats only, please.

Here are some pictures of our trick-or-treaters...

Aarrgg! Avast!

What's left of our shrinking family. It used to be a big production to get the kids out on the road on halloween. Now they can almost go by themselves. You Thomas Dolby fans will recognize that Alicia went as "Europa" this year.

This is the official start of the holiday season. November 1st is when the thanksgiving decorations come out, and the day after Thanksgiving is "Decorate for Christmas" day. Luckily, we have an extra week of "Christmas Season" this year with the early Thanksgiving. We hope your holidays are fantastic!

Lost and Found...Pictures

Disneyland + family = FUN

Some people were more creative than others.

Turns out you can't remove your head, lift your feet, drink water, or throw gang signs and expect to get your picture published.

BYU sisters made the trip complete.

Geyser! Geyser! Geyser!

Nice headband, horsey.

Cute.

Before nap time.

Are we having fun yet?

"Together we are strong." - Natalie S.

Mom went on a ride. You can always count on us to keep an eye on the cousins. Who knew that big wet pole was behind us?

And in this corner...

Tanner is really enjoying his first year playing soccer. He's been nicknamed "the bullet" and has become proficient at slide tackling. His coach really likes him. I think this is mostly because he skips water breaks at practice to work on new moves, and never gives up running for the ball. After several games the coach has praised Tanner and asked the team to try and play more like him. Today Coach Cesar yelled at the ref because he didn't call a foul after Tanner was knocked down. (The play before our team was penalized for Tanner's zeal.) I worry what Tanner is taking away from this experience. Today after the game he asked me if I could please open my file cabinet to check the soccer schedule. He wanted to see who he is fighting next week.

Marathon Moments

The marathon shrine at Tyler and Kristen's.

Riley's game face the day before at the Dixie Center.

This was one of my least painful memories, and I was pretty sure this would be an annual tradition.

Lauren and Brooke psyching up with Spidey.

4:50 am race day.

Riley finished after running 19 miles with shin splints. Lauren's first words after crossing the finish line, "I want to do this again." Brooke finished first in the family with a sub-four marathon.

Celebrating a moment I never thought I'd have in this life. (Yes, I was pretty sure I would run fast in the next life.)

Wendy and Abram supported the whole family. Sam, pictured in his aerodynamic running suit, would have come in with a chip time of 26.2 minutes but the finish line was not set up yet.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

In honor of our children beginning school tomorrow, I offer my photo essay on how I spent my own summer vacation.


I went to Brooke's graduation from San Marcos High School where she graduated with honors.


Family camping trip at San Onofre.


Alicia's birthday party (the extra kid is Riley's friend Zack).


All the women folk after Jonathan's baptism (also Lauren's birthday).


Tanner shooting rifles at scout camp in Balboa Park.


Playing "sardines" for Family Night.


We all anxiously awaited the release of the new Harry Potter book, which we read with reckless abandon finishing in about 2-3 days.


Big beach bash with Grandmary and Grandpa in Huntington Beach.


One word... "Annie".


A scary occurrence as we painted our bathroom, after sighting a King Snake (Basilisk?) in the yard a few days before.

It was a great summer. What did you all do?