The Bits: September 1st Through September 10th

SO FAR BEHIND!  Here is the first of many catch-ups to come.

How the heck is it September?!  It was May like 3 seconds ago!!  (Saw that in a meme on the 1st and it's so hilariously true)...(and even moreso considering I'm finally getting to finishing up this post in November). 

Some September Bits:

Ben ran in his first cross-country meet on September 1st, and he is still as impressively speedy as ever.  He finished 2nd, covering the Air Academy High mile-and-a-half course in 8 minutes, 33 seconds, just behind another great 8th grade runner that we know.  He feels like he could have placed 1st, he just got an elbow to the gut at the starting line and that took a bit of recovery.  Such is life!  But now he has a goal for the season.

The youth from our ward took a trip up to the Denver Temple.  Hello beautiful men at a beautiful place!  Love these faithful guys of mine.

The School in the Woods naturalists had their traditional sleeping under the stars rite-of-passage overnight.  Ummm....  Coolest school EVER!  They fell asleep to the chirping of crickets and the howling of the coyotes.  Luke's favorite part was when they hiked to the Grandfather Tree and listened to the folktales told by a professional storyteller.  

My Forever.

I am so glad we were able to go to the Fort Collins Temple open house as a family.  It is a beautiful temple!  It was important for me to share this experience with my boys, even though it meant another 4-hour round trip drive, because I remember going to the Timpanogos Temple open house a couple of years before I joined the LDS church.  I have such a strong memory of walking though and feeling a deep peace at that time.  I hope the boys remember the feelings they had on this visit as much as I do of that time and that it is a place they'd like to return to.

Fourteen thumbs up for this great, beautifully crafted movie!  A fun way to round out the Labor Day Weekend adventures.

One more playdate with the Gillin boys, Connor and Dominick (and their little brother Barrett), friends of Luke and Tommy's since Luke was in 1st grade, before they move to Ireland.

Colorado sky.

He wins some.  He loses some; but no matter the outcome, it's always a joy to watch him fly!

Ben and buds.

Ben was chosen for a second year to be part of the middle school's Student Leadership Team.  Way to let your light shine, Benny!

PTO Reading Olympics was a success!  We had a great speaker, Candace Vering, once a player for the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team.  She talked to the kids about being a True Sport, not quitting when things get hard and encouraging and cheering on those around them.  The event raised over $7000!

Ben, orange monster and I on the way to the AIES Family Dance!

Without Ben and Josh playing, and Zac playing for the high school, Soccer Saturdays were dominated by Tommy this year.

We had a wonderful time at the "What If.... Festival!"  Next year we will definitely allow for more time there.  We didn't get to a fraction of all the neat things to do.  Above: Ben adding his unique thread to the Unity Project; Josh about to go into the Cave Sim; Tom and Zac 'Spraying the Love' on a fence that will go up in the city; Luke playing the didgeridoo; all the boys by the sidewalk art created for competition by our elementary school's art teacher, Mme. Angoulvant!

LOVE