92°

Why did it get up to 92° in the middle of October? It’s not right. 

Adi’s roommate complications continue. It’s not that they don’t get along, it’s just tricky.

Our high school girlies have kept their grades high 80’s and 90’s, which is amazing.

I did all my errands during the dance drop off and we had loaded baked potato soup for dinner and Frankie drove Delaney to youth activities all by herself. 

And we’ll call that a Wednesday. 

Inklings

For inklings this semester we’ll be reading the Book of Mormon along with studying the conference talks. I love a focused book of Mormon challenge and i love a pretty Book of Mormon. I actually bought a pretty Book of Mormon with journal while I was in Utah because I kind of forgot about this challenge. Good thing I’ll read it again and can use it next time.

So EBF showed us the coolest Book of Mormon and of course we all want it.

Sarah had acrylic markers for us to decorate our BoM’s and I looked for ideas beforehand. I learned about this beautiful Australian Aboriginal art last year in the Liahona when they showcased the Salt Lake temple art competition, probs because one of my friends entered it and had some pieces accepted. 

Anyway, I looked up ideas and I love this tree of life so I attempted it and mine is v v v amateur hour, but ok. I guess I should have grabbed a picture of it. Imma make Frankie do the front because I want it pretty. 

Yesterday morning Matt was like “come outside right now, don’t get your shoes on!” Which is a big deal because Matt can be weird about socks outside. But anyway, for the first time in our 17+ years here, we got to see a rocket launch! That thing was trucking across the sky and very cool. 

I went to inklings and then after we’ve been chatting for another hour or two and it’s nice to visit and also nice not to be home completing tasks. 🤣

I made a yummy pasta with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato for dinner and then Sarah and I went to RS for Alecia’s fun general conference game. I think my bad sportsmanship is all in fun, but in my older lady era I’m trying not to be too much so i always pep talk myself and I think I did a good job letting other people talk and just giving some light trash talk. It’s just hard when things pops in my head not to say them. 🤷‍♀️ I know I am an acquired taste for some, and I’m trying to be more mild. 🙃

I finally put away our summer bucket list. We are an optimistically hopeful crew with lofty goals and we completed half of them, but managed not a single bingo. Whomp whomp. There’s always next year. Or fall, winter, or spring. 

10/12

The one where I finally caught up. 

Some four way good morning convo’s. They are always wild and loud but oh how I love them!

We braved the mud and went to the pumpkin patch today. 

These two girls couldn’t be more opposite in a lot of ways, but in the most important ways they are the same. They love each other and try to do what is right. ❤️

I still can’t believe we are in this waning period of life. It’s wild. 

Frankie and I hung out on the swing while we waited for friends. Matt picked up Danny and they were chatting and this goth kid on vacation enjoyed the hay bales. 

Despite my repeated warnings, Frankie wore sandals and regretted her decision. Delaney piggy backed her but that lasted about 10 hilarious steps. 

Alecia is a more fun mom than me and played tag with her kiddos. 

Alecia and I have ridden this hayride of life for a lot of years together. Love this family!

 👯‍♀️ And yes, this is the same Jack-o-lantern sweater I always wear. It’s old and soft and comfy. 

We picked our perfect pumpkins and apples and mums and then for a little bit more adventure stopped at Zimmerman for treats. But not donuts because they don’t sell donuts. 🙃 

Turned out to be a beautiful muddy day. 

I made more vanilla when we came home but I think I put too many vanilla beans in each jar. 🤷‍♀️

Frankie took her first solo drive and drove herself to Carter's house while Delaney was at ballet. 

Cute autumn porch!

Adi’s family home evening is sledding at the dunes tonight and these girls have got their bags packed for school tomorrow and I’ve got my to-do list written *and* I’m caught up on blogging. 

🎉🎉🎉

10/10 & 10/11

 Homecoming day was a busy one! I took D to dance and picked up Kendra from Valley Lee, picked up Frankie from home and dropped them off for pedi’s, picked them back up, and then picked them back up and made appetizers for getting ready lunch.

Frankie wanted a cute banner for flower bouquet making, and she did most of it last Sunday but then never came back to it. And then since our craft tablecloth was already out and they were finishing the banner, they went ahead and painted their fake flower bouquets there too. The problem is, the dining room is a catchall room so our Halloween costumes (pictured) plus every other random thing I’m getting rid of, needs a home, needs fixed, and whatever other clutter’ish item was in there with our guests. 🙄 

Literally the one place I wouldn’t want people to be. 🤷‍♀️

The girls got ready and then instead of going out to eat we ordered pizza and Carter came over. Then Matt and I took them to take pictures. A few of the other girls couldn’t make it, so it was just the three of them. 

This was my suggestion and we had to teach them a fireman carry. 🤣

We went from the beach to downtown Leonardtown but it was getting dark so it was a little tricky. We used our flashlights though and made it work. 💪🏻 

We watched a movie with D and for another taste of how life will be in two years. It’s going fast. 

I picked the dancers up from at 10 and everyone reported having fun. One funny thing - while we were eating I playing a cheesy homecoming mix from YouTube and we joked about one song in particular “Boots on the ground,” being played at the dance and when I picked them up they let me know it was. So random. 🤣

On Sunday bubba sent me a picture from Amy and Sandy’s house. The first time our 2 New York families got together and Lu and I were so jealous! I requested a shot of:

Sandra hooked me up! And max made the little cowls they’re both wearing. Ruby even got to take that little dirty home. 🤣

Matt helped me with an easy Halloween Disney dinner. They’re a little less involved than the regular dinners, so that’s nice. I really love homemade, so Matt first made the enchilada sauce for these Happy Haunts Mexican pizzas and it turned out so good! I’m sold!

Gracey’s Graveyard Layered Dip. 

Bloody Wedding Cupcakes. Last Disney dinner I froze the extra cupcakes because we did not need 24, and so I had them ready to frost and it was super great. 

And some Grim Grinning Brides to drink. These were tasty pomegranate based drinks. 

We watched Haunted Mansion and had a lovely evening. 

Later we FaceTimed Adi for 2 hours and caught up on all the things. She’s got all A’s and is rocking this college thang, even though her rating went from 7/10 to 6/10 last week. Praying for a better week!

And finally, a throwback to long and late nights/early morning sickies. 

10/7-10/9

My cute little Greek succulent from Taylors clipping while we were on our cruise. I love it so much!

I finished my puzzle as far as I could and then ran into an annoying problem. I don’t have a lot of patience for this kind of thing, but thankfully I’m married to rain man, and he’s really good at this. It took him awhile to get to it, but he fixed it for me. 

Some rando pictures from Sarah C’s young women posts. 

They did an international food night and Frankie picked the good ol’ US of A. Matt helped her make a peach cobbler. 

On Thursday Alecia, Carol, and I went to the temple and had a lovely day. Unfortunately we didn’t take any pictures. Thursday was a no picture day. 

Friday was a big day! Frankie had her driving test that morning!

She did it! 🎉🎉🎉

I set up a cheer fundraiser for Chelsea to make personalized sweatshirts and we got to wear ours to the Homecoming game Friday. 

Fixed. ✅

I’ve been making vanilla! I had to order more vanilla beans - my third bean order - and then I should be able to finish them. 

The HoCo game was really fun. It was completely packed and they had cute games and giveaways

Halftime was super fun with all the JV and varsity. 

And… we won! Will wonders never cease. 🤣 

Frankie got a sweatshirt too, but you know. 

She was super happy because Carter finally asked her to homecoming. They were always going together, he just hadn’t done the cute prom-posal thing. 

I love the cheerleaders social media!

We took her home from the game, hopefully for the last time since she has her license now, and prepared for the homecoming dance on Saturday. 🤗