CAPTURING THE EVERY DAY

Fun moments from the life of Scott and my Idaho Adventure:

I made salsa for the first time ever.

It was a good flavor, but way too sweet.

Next time I'll just forget the sugar.

I also canned tomatoes for chili, and taco soup, etc.

I'm so glad my dad and sister planted tomatoes!

One night, as I got out of our car to go to our barn apartment, this hilariously, buck-toothed alpaca decided she wanted a staring contest with me.  I couldn't stop laughing as she stared me down.

And I was excited when I found mushrooms in Idaho.

Scott took his nieces to dinner at a  Korean BBQ.

He ordered mushrooms - just for me!

Here's their server.

His lovely "foodies!"

Sheila and Mariah

We went to Juju Fruit's soccer game on Saturday.

She won 3-1.

And Licorice's game followed.

Another win: 10-1.

Cody and Kiara also took their small family to Comic Con in Utah:

Kiara and Cody dawned Harry Potter robes,

while Skittles dressed as Link from Zelda.

Brandon Mull signed Kiara's book, "Beyonders."

She totally fangirled him!

I definitely recommend his books!

My favorites: Fablehaven series, Dragon Watch series, and the Beyonders series.

My beautiful girl as an astronaught.

The gang!

Kiara met one of the Instagramers she follows.

She was so excited!

Skittles was exhausted after three days.

He decided that "day three is annoying."

Skittles loves dinosaurs.  But he didn't recognize the USS Enterprise.

He thought it was from Star Wars.  Kiara told me it was a parent fail.  I have to agree.

He's just the cutest!

The highlight of this trip was meeting Catnoir.

He got a signed poster.

And Catnoir talked to him in his "voice."

Skittles was so excited - as you can plainly see.

And a couple of pictures from my youngest daughter:

Katia loves her nephew!

I don't blame her.

I love both of these adorable individuals!

ADVENTURES AWAIT

What a week!  My baby boy, Skylar, turned 23 on the 14th.  He was spoiled with Legos and love!  And Katia and Skylar celebrated with attending the Goo Goo Dolls and Fitz and the Tantrums.  They had so much fun!  And I must express how much Scott and I love our youngest child!  Happy Birthday, Skylar!

Skylar and Legos are synonymous

Before the Concert

After the Concert

This weekend, Scott and I attended two country festivals: Art by the River in Starr, and The Indian Creek Festival in Caldwell.  We saw incredible art.  We bought a couple of stocking stuffers.  And Scott really enjoyed watching the cardboard, duct tape, and painted kayacks/boats that were raced down the river.  He's determined to make his own boat next year to race.  The boats were remarkable.  It was really fun to spend the day together.

An inspiring tree house

It was super HOT, but we had fun.  I shouldn't have won black.

These are magnets.

The originals were spectacular!

And Scott spoiled me with new mushroom earrings.

The following 5 pictures are different boats that were entered in the contest.

They were really spectacular esp. the robot and Viking boat.

The Mario boat was playing Mario music which made me smile.

And here are some of the the attempts:

In other news, my dad planted too many tomato plants.  There were so many tomatoes that I knew we (G.J., Ken, Dad, Scott and I) couldn't eat them all.  So I decided to make salsa.  I've never made salsa before.  It took about 5 hours to make 7 pints.  I'm completely exhausted.  But I feel accomplished.

It smells good.  Hope it tastes good.

And what blog post would be complete without multiple, misc. pictures of my grandson.

Skittles picked a bouquet for his mom!

Berry and Skittles are too cute!

I love reading to Skittles and Cantelope.

They make me smile!

I learned how to cut peppers.

I'm proud of myself.

I don't like peppers, but I'm helping.

He wants to work out so bad, but kids aren't allowed to lift.

Being young is so hard.

Kiara made Skittles a hat.

He loves it.

My oldest son is training for a 50K.

Look at his farmer's tan!

Isn't he the cutest?!

TWO WEDDINGS, A BAPTISM AND FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, OH MY!

Warning:  this post covers an entire week and a half of fun... and may take a few minutes to read.

Two Fridays ago, Sept. 1st, my husband and I began working in a new temple, the Meridian Temple.  We work every Friday from 6AM to 11AM.  It's great to be back in the house of the Lord.

Eternal Companions at the Meridian Temple

That evening we got to go through the temple again with my sweet niece and my future niece as they took out their own endowments.  And then:  my wonderful nephew, Ender, married a beautiful girl, Kamryn, on Saturday.  We LOVED getting to celebrate this forever union!  Everything was lovely.  And I was so grateful to be reminded of how important the marriage covenant is - I truly believe that families are forever!

Ender and Kamryn

Scott and Skittles

My happy place, with my grandsons and niece and nephew!

Lollipop, Berry, Skittles and Cantelope

Berry and Skittles playing in the water... waiting for the couple to come out of the temple.

Love these two grandsons of mine.

Thanks for sharing, GJ.

At the reception the boys played corn hole.

Lollipop, Skittles and Berry

Ken and Scott have a go!

And Katia instituted selfies at the wedding:

Kiara, Sheila, Mariah, Katia - and Scott photo bombed

Katia and Scott

Katia, Sheila and Kade

Katia, Skylar, Ender's friend, Chance, Sheila

Katia and Me - Sheila photo bombed

Me and Kiara

I love my oldest daughter!

Me and Katia

I love my baby girl!

Sunday morning, my dad took Scott and I to the airport so we could go to another wedding.  Paige and Jonathan were married Sunday night.  They looked so happy together.  And we were grateful we could make it to the wedding - since Paige has been such a good friend for the past 10 years.

Paige and Jonathan

I flew to Kentucky to meet Bird from Boise.

We spent a few minutes (not enough time) with this amazing couple!

We love y'all!  The Wilders are awesome!

After the wedding, we went to Missouri for Raisin's baptism.  Scott was asked to speak and I played a special musical number on the piano.  She was so full of joy and smiles!  And I loved being able to say that I've been to ALL of the Bettenhausen's baptisms (except Jacob and Starburst - because Jacob had already been baptized when we met them and Starburst is 10 days younger than my grandson.)  It was a truly blessed day!

'

Mark and Raisin

Amy, Raisin, Mark

Birthday Buddies forever!

Scott and I love this girl!

Congratulations, Raisin!

This family belongs to me!!!!!!

I love and miss them so much!

I got to spend the rest of the week with one of my besties!  We are so irresponsible when we are together.  We stayed up past 3AM every night playing games.  We talked.  We painted pottery.  And she even let me kidnap her 4 of her kids so I could spoil them rotten!  That was so much fun too!  I sure love the Bettenhausens!

Jellybean, Apple Pie, Raisin and Marmalade

Antie Anne's, shopping and drinks!

This is how Sundy spoils her kids!

Yesterday, Sunday, Sept. 10, I got to speak in church.  I talked about Doing the Doctrine of Jesus Christ.  And I was grateful for the opportunity because I've already met many new friends due to them "getting to know me" over the pulpit.  

And... now today!  It's the first day of school for three of my kids!  They are doing great things at BYU-I!  I'm sure proud of them!

Cody's last first day of college!

Unless of course he decides to go to graduate school.

He graduates in December. 

So proud of my oldest son!

This girl LOVES school!  Can you tell?

Katia graduates this spring!

Break a leg, sweet daughter!

Skylar also graduates this spring!

I love my baby boy!

I know y'all will be going great places!