Back to School

Its is back to school time again!! I don't love back to school as I wish I could have my kids around all the time, but since I work and am not home as often anymore, it is good for them to get back to some structure and routine. 

Channing is a sophomore at Atascocita High School. She is taking all honors classes and doing Soccer and Varsity choir. I hope she continues to develop her talents and has a great year. 

Deacon is in 7th grade at Timberwood Middle School. He is still playing the flute in band, and is going to try out for all the sports. He is currently in football season and they are trying out for different positions now.

They are great kids and I am sure they will do amazing things. It is weird to only have half my kids returning to school now. Here's to another great school year! 

A weekend in Nashville!

I had the opportunity to go to Nashville, Tennessee last weekend for my friend Angelas 50th birthday. Her husband Dan flew me and 2 friends in to surprise her and celebrate for the weekend. 

Jen and Kelsey flew with me and we had a fun time chatting and touring Nashville after we landed.

We stopped by the Grand ole Opry first which was a cool area. I would have loved to see a concert there. 

We couldn't go to see Angela until we surprised her at the party, so we just walked around to sites throughout the day, then we went to Dans sisters house and surprised her with her family. The party went really well and we had a fun time. I think she was really surprised we were there. 

We got to stay in this cute Air B&B which was adorable. 

We had some downtime, so I read, napped and looked at the beautiful nature. It was wonderful. 

The next day we toured the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. It was neat. 

We took a clogging class and did our best. Even I went out of my comfort zone and participated. 

We spent some time off and on with her extended family who came in for the party. They were kind to let us tag along. 

That afternoon we toured Broadway street and met up with Kristi and Niki who both live in Nashville! 

In the evening we had someone named Holly come teach us Mahjong. It was fun, but takes some time to learn. 

Let's just say, I didn't win. 

We stopped by the temple which is in the same parking lot as her church. 

It was a fun girls weekend and I am so grateful I finally got to see Nashville and we got to go. I am grateful for good friends. 

Deacon is 12!!

Deacons birthday was this week and he turned 12 years old! A lot of his friends are out of town for the summer this week, so we celebrated with mostly family.

We began the day with our traditional birthday donut. He is into the blue with sprinkles right now.

He loves checking the mail and getting mail. 

The kids are often in my room playing something together. I am glad they get along and like to be with one another. 

We went to Main Event and played arcade games and Deacon got 1250 tickets just from one machine. He got himself several balls and a puppy stuffed animal. 

Then we played a couple of games bowling and their mother whooped them ;)

We went to Culvers for dinner as he almost always chooses. Then we had his favorite red velvet cake and played games with his grandparents and Aunt Natalie

He opened presents and got a couple new soccer nets, two new balls, cleats, a rechargeable charger for his xbox remotes, clothes, Messi legos, a book, Raisin canes gift card, ankle weights, money, a rubix cube and other random items. I hope he felt special. He is a special kid. He is often playing upstairs with a ball in the playroom. He loves FIFA and RocketLeague on the x box, extra cheddar goldfish, the color red. He loves all things soccer, and he really loves to play chess with his brother right now. He still plays the flute, but hasn't practiced much this summer. He still likes Math as his favorite subject. He's looking forward to starting football this season.  He is now 5'2 and 118 pounds. He still doesn't really like to sit to watch movies, but will occasionally. He is gentle, kind and thoughtful. He is intelligent and has common sense. He is happy to hang out with anyone who wants to play sports with him and never has any problem making friends. He adores Cavin and does everything like him. He is going to miss him a lot while he is on his mission. He really is a great kid and I am so grateful he is in our family. 

Speers Family Reunion

July 1-6 was our Speers Family reunion that we do every 2 years. We flew into Las Vegas and drove 3.5 hours to Orderville, Utah and stayed by Zions park at Zion Ponderosa resort. The weather was beautiful. Highs of 80 and lows of 50. It was so wonderful to be chilly in the morning and evening and it be pleasant the rest of the day. I absolutely love running and being outside in that weather.

We took the same flight as my parents, and then stopped at Costco for groceries. We then drove through Zions National Park which was beautiful. 

We had so many groceries, the kids had to share a seat for the drive. Thankfully they are good sports. 

The first morning we went on a Kan-am ride through Zions for a canyoneering/repelling adventure. 

It was great. Everyone was very brave and went down 2 repells after a short hike. Corey went first, then I went since we both had repelled before. 

I waited at the end of the first decline for every person to go through. Some were much faster than others. 

You could tell there was fear, but everyone overcame it and made it down safely.

When we got back, the boys went on a Tactical shooting adventure. 

Even Deacon went and did really well. 

They shot with a 22 gun, a 9 mm, a AR style rifle, and a sniper rifle. 

Ragnar was in heaven, and Cavin also did very well. I hope they will be able to protect me should they need to ;)

While the boys played, the girls went for a swim and rested. 

The next day we went on another ATV ride to a canyon where the narrows were amazing, but tight and tricky to get around. We climbed many rocks but had an amazing view. I was so proud of everyone who made it through. You could tell it was very difficult and physically taxing for Natalie, but she did well and made it in and out. 

My mom did not join us as she is physically not able, but all the rest of us were there. 

It was cool down there and so pretty.

We then went to get ice cream afterward. Which my dad loves.

On the 4th of July, we went to Kanab for their town parade. 

It was a cute, hour long parade and the kids got candy and had fun. 

That evening we were supposed to go hike the canyon overlook, but a fire began in the forest and our power went out. We could see the smoke from our vrbo rental. We had to hurry and pack to be ready if we needed to evacuate! Thankfully we did not have to leave, and the fire was contained early on, we missed the hike, but tried to have cake and ice cream to celebrate grandpa, Corey, and Liams birthdays.

The next day went went to church and the time online was incorrect, so we missed the sacrament, so our family and a few others went to Glendale to another ward and took the sacrament there. It was a nice meeting. That evening we played minute to win it games. 

Even grandma and grandpa were good sports and played. We watched movies, talked, and just enjoyed being together. 

Parts of Coreys family, Ella, and all of Chris' family were not there. I am so glad Corey at least made the effort to attend with James, and we really missed Chris and his kids. They did not attend the last one either. I hope someday our family will heal and they will rejoin us. Until then, it always feels like a piece is missing. I pray that someday our family will be together again. It was a lovely reunion and I am grateful for the efforts my parents make to continue to make it happen in whatever form they are able.