So Long Sweet Summer

It's always hard to say good-bye to Summer. The leaves on the grapevines and the trees are already changing colors. I love fall and the colors of fall but I don't like the winter that quickly comes after it. In North Dakota the winters are just too long and too cold.So when I see the leaves change colors, I feel the dread of winter. Fall and spring don't last very long and summer is a welcomed friend to me. I love the hot weather and the sunlight lifts my spirit that seems to be gloomy during the cold winter days.

I'll miss all my favorite activities. The baseball games and the sounds of the ball making contact with the bat. Cheering Sam on to victory.

Playing hopscotch, and thinking that we finally can beat Alan at something and then finding out that he's good at that too.

Blowing bubbles and watching them fly away with the wind. Chasing them and popping them and feeling like you've accomplished something impossible!

I enjoy watching the kids just being kids and enjoying the simple things in life. It's a reminder the they don't need everything just your encouragement.
Alan enjoys riding his bike to work and staying fit at the same time. This year it saved us a lot of money on gas too.I love watching the kids run through the sprinkler. Sophie hated the sprinkler, but Evan taught her how to be brave and enjoy it. I love this picture of him holding her hand and guiding her through. After that she love it!

The kids enjoyed being outside and having tea parties and I enjoyed watching them and listening to their conversations.

Working hard setting up the pool so we can stay cool during those hot humid summers days.

It seems like we just got it set up and now it's time to put it away again. The daycare kids love to help Alan put it up.

We enjoyed the pool everyday

Soaking up the sun was my favorite thing.

Jumping on the trampoline is of course something
Sam enjoys the most. Ammon doesn't use it

as much as he use to.This was a rare occasion

so I had to capture the moment.

So, as I bid farewell to my friend Summer, I'll

cherish the memories and look forward to next

year when it returns.

Ammon On Wheels!

Oh happy day! Ammon finally got his license. He took his drivers test last Tuesday morning and passed. We were on pins and needles waiting to hear the news. On the one hand you want them to pass,but on the other hand you're nervous about letting them drive by themselves.
I have done a lot of praying since he got his license because I was so scared he would get in an accident. So far so good! I did drive with him to Seminary just once, because I had to see for myself that he could handle it on his own. I still think he needs some improvement, but through prayer I have been comforted that's he'll be fine. It's been very hard to let him go. That's why I had to result to prayer. It's more for my benefit than his. He was upset with me that I went with him to Seminary.I'm okay with everything now.

The next update is that Ammon got a role on the school play The Pirates of Penzance. He will be playing the policeman. It was the role he wanted so he's very excited about it. Also on Sunday he received his Patriarchal Blessing. It was such a wonderful experience and the spirit was there in abundance. It was such a privilege to be in the room with him. I am grateful once again for such a blessing. I'm grateful for prayer that I can feel the calm about his driving.