Scary close call...

This is what I've been thinking about for two days. 

 

In the picture above on the right is my brother's home in Herriman Sunday night.  We came home from our trip to Boston (post to come later) to a phone call, while still getting off the plane, from my mom saying there was a wildfire in Herriman and Koy's family had been evacuated.  Koy's house is right on the mountain and really no houses standing between it and the brush.  They literally go on hikes in their backyard.  I was scared.  I can only imagine what they felt like since it was actually their home in danger.  My sister, Trina, and her fiance were babysitting that night when they were evacuated so they had to get everyone out and went over to my sister's house. Needless to say it was terrifying for them, but way to go Trina and Brian.  You did a great job.

We spent a couple hours in front of the TV when we got home hoping to catch some news or picture that said their home was still standing and not on fire.  Thank goodness that so far their house is still standing.  Koy and Cassie are still displaced and unable to get into their home because it is still in the danger zone if the fire should get out of control again.  But, the police allowed them to go back into their home, with a police escort,  for a few minutes to get some medicines and clothing they weren't able to grab that night.

Cassie said after seeing the destruction around their home and their neighbors' homes, it is only a miracle they are not homeless.  The hill in their back yard is torched and the fire came so close to some neighbors' homes to actually melt the fences.  But, there is no visible damage to their home and are going to have to wait until they can get back in to see what damage the smoke may have done.  For now, we are all grateful for the miracle it is that more homes, especially Koy and Cassie's, weren't burned.  Keep praying they can get the fire out completely so we can all breathe again.

Miraculous...

We got together for a whole family picture on Saturday.  Boy did the photographer do a great job.  It's got to be hard getting 32 people - including 17 kids from age 11 to age 3 months. But Jen did great!  I'm amazed.

Oh, boy was the grandkids picture a fun one. But, still a cute one.

Let's just say Miles was not liking it one bit. 

I love the mountains in the background of this one.

 

All of this, because of these two...

 

Aren't my parents so cute!

Jen also did some photos of individual families, but Sara had a piano thing that night so we were in a rush and couldn't get them done, but everyone else's look amazing. Here's the photographer's website.  She did our family pictures back in May.  She did a great job!

Preschool

Wednesday was Kamri's first day of preschool!!  She's been anxiously waiting since Sara and Evan started the school year.  It finally came and she was so ready!

 

 

When we got to the school she was ready to jump out of the car.  When I unbuckled her seat she said, "Love you, Mom."  But she was okay when I said I had to walk her in.

  

She got right down to business and barely looked up to say goodbye to me.  Oh, she's growing up!

Our fifth year...

Ok, Labor Day was this weekend which means so was our Lombardi Half Marathon.

  

 

These were the participants at our first one four years ago.  We only had seven participants.  (I was a few months pregnant with Kamri and this year I think was the first one that someone wasn't pregnant.)

And these were the participants this year.  We've grown in size and have enjoyed having non-family members join our tradition.  We've since included kids and biking as part of it.  It's a fun thing to do as a family (SO IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN JOINING US NEXT YEAR let me know.  We'd love to have you - REALLY).  My brother and his wife map out a course and provide water stops along the way.  It's great to get out and get some exercise together.  And then munch on some yummy bagels and fruit - and of course some treats.

I walked/ran the whole thing with my little sis Trina and her soon-to-be husband Brian (but he got ditched toward the end and walked with my mom and dad - sorry Brian).

Crossing the finish line

Here's the family - participants and non-participants alike.  

Ben and the kids couldn't make it this year so the picture's not complete, but here we are in all our sweaty, smelly glory.

Sara's baptized!!

Can you believe it?  This little girl of mine is a baptized member of the church!  

Last Saturday, September 4, 2010 Sara was baptized and confirmed by her dad.  We've been looking forward to this day for 8 years.  She was so excited and made sure everyone knew about it.  She would go up to family members and say, "Something special is happening to me on Saturday."  She recognized that this was a special event and we talked and taught about it for a while.  She made her own decision to be baptized.  It was an awesome thing to see my child dressed in white.  Congratulations Sara!  We love you!

 

Some people who came had already left by the time we were able to get every one together for a picture, but here's the family.  (We have family pictures on Saturday which should be interesting with 30+ people including 17 children).  Everyone in the family, minus one, was able to make it.  Plus our friends the Smith's, a few ward members, and her piano teacher.  She had a big group there to support her.

Months ago I found enough skirts at the Down East clearance center to turn into skirts/dresses for all the grand daughters. (Remember this post)  It took me a long time to actually get to it, but when Sara asked if all the girls could wear their matching skirts at her baptism I knew I had to get busy.  (Cassie made her three girls')  Don't they look adorable!  There were only seven skirts so I just used the scraps from them to piece together a skirt for the baby and made matching onesie to go with it.  (The outfit turned out super cute.  I'll have to post a picture of it as soon as I can get one.) 

 

We went to Village Inn afterward to celebrate and she got her own set of scriptures and ...

 

a case that I had to embellish to make it look cute and different.

It was a great morning.

The I-won't-eat-unless-I-feed-myself is definitely not my most favorite stage.    Anyone want to come over and clean my kitchen floors, highchair, and baby 5 times a day?

 

There's no question he's having fun though.

Temple model

Sunday we took the kids to the Temple Square to see the new Salt Lake Temple model on display at the visitor's center.  It was really cool.  I was amazed at all the details they got into such a small model. 

We spent a little time playing with the water at the waterfall in front of the conference center.

Look at this model.  The details are amazing.