Skating, a Shower, Reuben the Duck and So Forth

On a whim, Mike had us take the kids roller skating one October Saturday night. I did not try it myself. (My knee. It's so discouraging.) But I did let them try and give me five as they skated past. :)

My sister Shannon threw such an amazing bridal shower for Goldie at my mom's house. So many aunts and cousins showed up. Shannon told Goldie that she wanted her to know that all of these women love her and are there for her. And then she did something I loved so much. She had scoured my blog (which I've had for 18 years) to find little snippets of touching and funny things I'd recorded about Goldie over the years to read out loud--reminding her that she has always been loved so much. (And it also made me realize that there is value in my efforts to record things!) It felt very much like surrounding Goldie with a circle of wise and good women. Thank you so much, Shannon!

No, brother John is not one of the women folk. But his wife Missy (far left) has been taking care of her ailing dad so much lately that she said she and John had to find any time to be together that they could. And so, we happily welcomed him into the circle of women. :) (My mom and sister-in-law Priscilla are also in this picture.)

Allred cousins Addie, Charley and Maddie.

Harris cousins Gwen, Claire, Allison and Maggie.

Sister-in-law Debbie and sisters Amy and Megan

Kenya. (She came all the way up from Provo for the shower. Abe came too and took Jesse and Anders climbing while Kenya was with us.) Mette and Penny.

Cousin Lila, sister Kathy, cousin Tessa.

Two of Goldie's good friends with Daisy.

Two of my stinker kids with cousin Lila.

Gayle and Mike's sister Lisa.

Goldie's best friend Becca is on a mission, so she sent her mom (and a cardboard cutout of herself) in her place. :)

Goldie and Addie.

This was a recreation of a photo from when they were both small. I need to find the original to put here with it.

My mom's living room full of women who love Goldie.

A cool shirt Penny won at the shower.

My shower gift was a huge supply of groceries--staples for baking, etc. as well as some fun foods. I didn't want to haul them all to my mom's so I just gave them to Goldie before and then, at the shower, gave her a gift card to get fridge and freezer items as well.

A recent book Hans wrote. I adore Hansie.

Starling's teacher has each student be the special student for the week. Every day they get to do something special. One of the days they sit in a special chair while everyone in the class gives them a compliment, another day they share a poster all about themselves, another day they get to teach the class about something that interests them, and on this day I got to come read books to her class. 

Goldie and Wyatt at Bear Lake for their honeymoon.

Abe, Kenya and friend Noah took a day trip to Goblin Valley.

It turns out that if you have outdoor cats (as we do--Shasta and Biscuit), you end up attracting stray cats (the food left out). We now have four strays who are nearly always at our door looking in pleadingly for food. Three of them are completely wild and scared of us, but this one was a kitten and occasionally actually sneaks in our house and lets the kids hold him (her?). I don't know what to do about all these strays when we move. 

Kids watching a movie.

My friend Jessica came to Logan to visit.

Summer with Reuben--the orchestra class duck that they take turns taking home to practice with. Summer thought we ought to give him some good adventures at the farm to share with her orchestra group this go round. :)

And that wraps up this post.