Busy, Busy, Busy!

There is too much going on now for details, but here are some highlights:

All of the kids are enjoying school this year and doing well. They are spread out between three different school, which has made for crazy calendaring with different days off and early release days. We also have Josh leaving for school at 6:57, Elizabeth, Michael and Rebekah at 7:30, and Rachel at 8:30, so it's a constantly moving morning around here. Elizabeth is in an early band class at the junior high, so she takes the bus with Michael and Rebekah. She is learning to play the flute, so we have flute, piano, clarinet, tuba, and trumpet players.

Michael got to play on the starting line for the first time for his football game Saturday! He was really excited about it. Michael doesn't let me take pictures if he knows the camera is around, but I caught him a few times. I love Michael's stance, something about it is really cute. He always stands with his hands on his hips, and his toes pointed outward. Michael is #13. They won this game, and Michael got in on some tackles and blocked a PAT.

I have started taking a weekly institute class on the book of John, and I am really excited about it. I have been in primary for so long, it is really nice to take a class with other adults. I am also in the process of becoming a regular temple volunteer in the cafeteria. Today was my third time helping, I work a 4-5 hour shift once each week. It's a lot of fun. I help with cooking, serving, and running the cash register. My bishop has the paperwork to make me official, and once it is turned in I will be set apart by the temple president. I am really excited that I can serve in the temple.

We have successfully completed two back to school nights, and have the high school tonight. I am scared, I feel like I really shouldn't be there because there are so many parents who are my parent's ages. It's a bit awkward, but I've got to go, so I'll grin and bear it :)

Rachel and Elizabeth tried out to be munchkins in our high school's "The Wizard of Oz" production. They both did great in their audition, and Rachel got a part. She is super excited. I think that Elizabeth is just too tall to be a munchkin - she has an amazing voice and really did well during her audition. The director was a bit overwhelmed by the turnout - they had about 150 kids try out, and had planned to cast only 20. They decided to cast 40 instead because of the amount of interest. The performances are in November and should be a lot of fun.

Rebekah is in cross country and has her first meet tomorrow. Josh is the team manager for her team (Josh was at the junior high's first practice watching Rebekah, and the coach asked him to be the team manager. He was on the junior high team for two years and did not join cross country this year because he needs to focus more on grades. So much for that idea!)I think he likes the power- a lot of the kids think he is really cool. I will let you know how Rebekah does in her first meet. She ran two miles yesterday in under 14 minutes, so she is doing really well in her training.

I finished writing the primary program last week and got all of the parts distributed to parents. Now I am working on the seating chart (very important - this can make or break our program!). I will be really relieved when the program is finished. We have our first practice this Sunday, so I also need to print packets for all of the teachers with the program and music. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed!!! (but I do love primary, and I love my calling - thought I needed that disclaimer!)

Mushroom hunting adventure

Every year we go to Mt. Ranier searching for golden chantrelle mushrooms and huckleberries. It's a tradition that started with Paul's grandfather when Paul was a teenager. Grandpa is gone now, but we really enjoy going with our children and Paul's mom. It is so much fun to go tromping through the forest looking for those priceless gems. We picked about 15 pounds of mushrooms this year. For the first time in fifteen years we were not able to pick huckleberries :( It has been too cold this summer, and the berries are still green! It was a little disappointing, but we had a fun day anyway.Rachel and Elizabeth cutting some mushrooms - they are tricky to spot sometimes, so you need to keep a sharp eye to avoid stepping on them, or missing them all together!
The happy hunters!

Here's what the mushrooms look like on the ground. I was hoping to get a picture of a giant one (we find some that are about 2-3 inches across on a good year) but most of them were pretty small this year.
Rebekah is a willing picker, but does not like to eat mushrooms! She said that she will continue the tradition with her family as far as huckleberries go, that might be it though.
Michael cutting a mushroom - they need to be cut rather than pulled so that they regrow.
Josh the manThe kids had fun riding in Grandma Debbie's trunk. They rode up and down the road while waiting for us to finish coming down the hillside.
This is what they look like after being cleaned - it takes a long time to clean them because of pine needles, dirt, moss - but they are well worth the effort, and fantastic in stroganoff, gravy and spaghetti. I can the extra mushrooms when we come home with a lot, but this time we are just enjoying them.