The Next Few Days

The day after our van and we had issues in Southern Utah, we went to church when a sister came up to me before church started and asked, "What's the holiday today?" I love that we're known for that. I let her know that September 21 was the anniversary of when Joseph Smith saw Angel Moroni who told him about the Book of Mormon. And it is also H.G. Wells' birthday. Then we chatted about Fall (since September 22 was the first day of Fall) and the Fall colors.

At home after church, I went around singing, "Do you remember the 21st night of September?" 

Jeremy and I took a big nap after our long day the day before.

Besides being the Autumnal Equinox, September 22 was Hobbit Day so I listened to Hobbit music.

We didn't have time to go out for a drive to look at Fall colors so there was a lot of just hanging out.

 

 Then as you know, I got sick a few days later, so that was the end of celebrating September.

Raking Leaves Fun

See what a difference a week can make?

 

Since the leaves of this tree decided to dump themselves all at once, Jet and I decided to rake leaves. I got everything ready to go. Gardening gloves for Jet and for me, bags to put the leaves in. I was prepared. We got the rake, brought it to the front and got ready to put on our gloves.

Now tell me... what is wrong with this picture?

That's right. They are both left gloves. That wasn't going to work. I couldn't find any more small gardening gloves, so I dug out some Winter gloves and Jet was happy with that. We weren't going to be doing anything too tough and halfway through he took off his gloves anyway, which was fine.

We did have some fun with the leaves for a while until eventually, Jet was ready to go in for some hot chocolate. We did mostly fill a couple bags (they are big bags and I filled a couple more later) and I'd say we earned that hot chocolate.

I appreciate my big helper and that bonding time.

"At Last I See The Light"

One night I made dinner of tamale casserole and easiest Spanish rice, both from A Season of Family Meal Plans, volume 4. That's right. I have been using these books all year and I have reached the last volume with the Fall recipes. Woohoo. I'm sure Jordan Page would be pleased.

Anyway... first of all I forgot I made homemade bread to go with this until after I took the picture and had been eating for a while.

Second of all, I had this conversation with Jr. Jr.-

Jr. Jr.: Why do you have pickles?

Me: I don't know. I thought it would round out the food.

Jr. Jr.: I figured out why you have pickles. Because they are dill-icious.

Mom: Heh heh.

That night I went to a Relief Society activity where I got to make a cute Fall wreath and eat yummy Fall snacks and socialize. I do like to socialize.

When I got home, we headed right out to look for the Northern Lights again, this time with a little better success. They were there where we were at Jordanelle Reservoir overlook this time. It was cloudy, though.

When we first got there and found a parking spot among all the other vehicles who were there for the same purpose (lots of people had been seeing them that night already), we didn't see anything. Jeremy was getting tired and did have work the next morning so we sat in the van and he said, "Let's wait 15 more minutes then I'll check one more time and we'll head home." When our 15 minutes were up, Jeremy got out and looked around and saw there was a change happening in the sky. It was still cloudy but there was definitely something different. Certain parts of the sky were a very definite red that could even be seen with the naked eye.

We got some bad pictures because I don't know how to do really good settings on my phone camera or on our birding camera. But we saw them. Hooray! I would love to get better pictures sometime.

Now It Is Fall!

September 22 was Hobbit Day. Jr. played LEGO Hobbit.

I wore my bow earrings to celebrate my sister's birthday.

The Autumnal Equinox/First Day of Fall was also on September 22. We didn't do anything except mention it.

The next day, however, Jet and I went for a drive up Kyhv Peak Road to see the beautiful Fall colors.

Gorgeous.

That day, September 23, was Great American Pot Pie Day. I made chicken pot pie and for Family Home Evening on National Family Day (also on the 23rd) we played Pictionary drawing by mouse on the computer.

Guess what the word was for this picture:

 

I yelled out, "Trogdor!" then calmly said, "Dragon," to get it right.

Some More September Catching Up

September 17 was Monte Cristo Day. Of course we made Monte Cristo sandwiches. 

Jeremy even decided to "count the Monte Cristo." Get it?

Twice now we've done Monte Cristo Day during Shelftember where I have gone out and bought raspberry jam (you have to have raspberry jam for Monte Cristo sandwiches). One of these years I'm going to buy it in August so I can say I'm really keeping to Shelftember by already having it on my shelf. Tee Hee.

 

September 19 was International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Lucky and I went over to the Orem Library and picked up some pirate themed movies and books. For dinner we had squid pups, carrot hooks, carrot pieces of eight, something red and sticky, oranges to avoid scurvy, some bread, and ocean blue colored flavored sugar water.

 

The 21st night of September, Jeremy and the boys watched videos with Earth, Wind & Fire's music, "September." 

 

September 23 was the first day of Fall this year. I love Fall.

On National Family Day, September 25, we went to another event at the Orem Library. We saw friends there that we had dinner at their house the night before. Jeremy came in a bit late (work) then he and I took turns listening to the music and wrangling Jet out in the hall. Love that kid.

 

September 26 was National Pancake Day. It was also Johnny Appleseed Day (one of a couple in the year) so we had pancakes and apple cider.

 

September 27 was National Chocolate Milk Day so we had chocolate milk with our dinner.

 

Lucky had a presentation about Sevier County in Utah. I told him I went to that county specifically for birding last year. He told me that the inventor of the frisbee was from that county.

Another time, he made a salt dough map of Utah. Way to go, Lucky.

 

Jr. Jr. had his first public performance for orchestra. At parent teacher conferences the beginning orchestra showed some things they'd been working on then afterward, the students were able to teach those that came to support them how to hold a bow correctly. Way to go, Jr. Jr.

First Day of Fall

First Day of Fall on September 22 was a perfect day for apple crisp topped with ice cream.

This instant pot treat came from a Six Sisters' Stuff recipe.

Since September 22 was also Hobbit Day, we listened to music from "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" movies.

Cascade Springs... Again

Even though we didn't use Jr. Jr.'s National Parks Pass as much as we used Jr.'s when he was in 4th grade (it's the season), we did make sure to use it one last time before it expired just like we did with Jr.'s. How fun that the last time we used it to go to the place where we used it the first time. Cascade Springs.

Nichole and Jr. took turns with the camera and took lots and lots of pictures.

 

Jr. Jr.: Nichole, get a picture of the reflection.

Then Nichole had fun getting pictures of ripples.

The leaves were just starting to change color. Fall is on its way but it's not here quite yet.

While we were there, I asked that we get a picture of Jeremy and me together with the water in the background. I did my usual, standing on my toes while in a picture with my husband. Yes, I'm that short.

Apparently I forgot to ask Jeremy to look happy in the picture with me.

Yes, my husband makes me roll my eyes.

After getting a nice picture... finally... Jr. Jr. told us to take another picture because he wanted to do something in the background.

click on the pictures to see them larger

Our kids.

And my husband.

It was a nice trip but it wore everybody out. Sigh.

My mom texted that day to say, "Today is National Thoughtful Day. Just to let you know.👍💗😘"

I responded, "How thoughtful of you."

Somehow that one got missed on our calendar for August 28 so I appreciated her saying so.