3rd trip to Utah in 3 months

 I just got back from a trip to Utah with our youth conference. At the "This is the Place" park, we each got to make three crafts. It was perfect to bring one home for each of the kids. Nate is crazy about his arrowhead necklace I made for him. He told me he would wear it for his whole life. I also have to point out Nate's tie I got at the consignment store for $2.50. Best deal for the coolest tie ever. It has lizards and snakes on it.

 This summer the girls made a goal to make dinner once a week. They trade off being the head chef and sous chef. I didn't get a picture of Ashlyn's meal last week. She made Chinese chicken salad and Sadie made muffins. For Sadie's turn, she made alfredo sauce from scratch since that's one of her favorite foods. They did such a great job putting the meal together and I love the help!

 Nate has a few pairs of pajamas that he loves but are getting too small. So we decided to pull out the scissors and cut off the feet. Nate was so excited about them. And now they can fit for a few more months!

 The kids have had a blast making their own mail system with our neighbors. They tied string from a tree in our yard to our neighbor's deck. They attached a box to the string. They take turns writing notes and sending messages in the box. Sometimes a note is waiting for them when they get home and they get so excited to go find a new message! It is so fun to watch! They have spent hours creating and recreating this  contraption.

Nate and I were both sad to be apart from each other for 4 days. He made this note for me before I left. In case you can't read it all:
Mom don't go. Don't go. If you do I will not let you go. Love Nate. I will save this note forever. Then when I got home, he hardly looked at me to say hi because he was just dying to show me the lego magazine that just came in the mail with Lord of the Ring LEGOS! The kids are so excited about the new legos and have big wish lists for their birthdays!