September 30, 2017

Those eyes!
He is strong-willed and he never slows down.  Lately he delights in saying, "Ha, ha!  Me get the last one!"  or "Ha, ha!  Me winning!"

But he also gives us hugs, and is sweet to Greta, and I adore him completely. 

And look who started standing on her own today!  She was quite pleased with herself!

Her smile is my favorite thing!

She's a little ways from walking, but she's only 14 1/2 months.  That's the age of our earliest walker (Bethany).  Faith was the latest at 19 months.  I'm guessing she will be about 15 1/2 months before she takes off.  

George up in a tree.  Peter on the roof.  Clearly, Daddy was in charge.

Faith and Takara-- twinner cousins at the recent Women's Meeting of General Conference.

Peter at the Water Works section of the Museum of Natural Curiosity.

The perfect place for George to tinker around.

Greta loved the babies water table!  

We were there last a couple weeks back while Cannon was at ballet.  There was almost no one else there, so George and Peter got a private lesson about animal skulls.  George was so excited.

 The boys playing a little D&D in the basement.  

And finally, I present you with "Underwear head".  Which never fails to amuse me.

On His Turf

Over the past six months he has really gotten into hiking and his favorite trails are Oquirrh Mountains at the South end of the Salt Lake Valley.  He's spent many hours exploring and getting to know these mountains.  And he's gotten himself into great physical condition as well.
Last night I asked if I might accompany him on a hike this morning.

 He graciously invited me along.  And he was patient with me as I huffed and puffed my way up the mountain.  SHEESH!  I am out of shape!  I suppose it was good to know how far away I am from where I'd like to be as far as my fitness.

But what was REALLY GOOD, was spending the morning with Clark, being somewhere and doing something he loves so much.  I felt honored to share this place with him.  We talked about school and life plans, the upcoming mission and his childhood, his gifts and talents.  It was wonderful!

We were a little silly at the top.  I blame my lack of proper oxygenation.  I don't even know what I'm attempting to do here.

I enjoyed the morning so much, I am considering begging one more outing with him this fall.  He'll just need to plan a little more time than it would take he and his speedy little friends.

When he's on his mission and if Abe and I get to missing him too much, we'll just go on on one of his trails and look for lizards...

... meanwhile he will be moving on to other life adventures.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

On this beautiful day of the year, I make a massive batch of pumpkin chocolate chip cookie dough, and we eat cookies pretty much all day.  It's a beautiful thing.  Greta joined in the festivities this year and she was a very happy little lady.

Greta has the widest, happiest, most beautiful smile.  She is smiling for pictures now and it brings me such joy.

She was a two-fisted cookie gal!

I was sad to discover (yet again) that it's not impossible to overdose on pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  In my mind, because they have vegetable in them, you ought to be able to eat as many as you want with no ill effects.  Not so.  But so worth it anyway. 

And yet, I may make another batch tomorrow.  There is a beautiful quote that says, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

All day long I kept thinking, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are pumpkin chocolate chip cookies."

And I'm so glad I live in a world where there is Greta.

A World of Possibilities

On Thursday, September 21, 017 this arrived in the mail.  For whatever reason, we weren't really expecting it until the next day, so even though we knew it was possible, it did catch us a little off guard.  I texted Clark down at UVU with the message, "It's here!"

That envelope contained every possibility in the world.  I was really trying to calm my nerves, but I've never been good with the surprises.  If it had been up to me, I think I would have liked it to be just our family for the opening, but Clark had other ideas.

We had a very full house!  We would have fit better outside, but it was a cold and rainy evening, so inside it was.

 The time had finally arrived...

He begins to read the letter...

...And it Texas, Dallas Mission, Spanish speaking, entering the Mexican MTC on December 29th!  

 And both mama and son are VERY VERY happy!  He gets to learn a language, and I get to have him stay in the country!  Best of both worlds!

It was a wonderful, happy moment.  I speak truth when I say, that as soon as he opened his call and I knew where he was going, my worries and fears completely ceased concerning his going in a mission and being gone for two years.  I am thrilled for him to go to the Texas, Dallas mission. I feel certain it is exactly where he should be and he will have amazing experiences there.  

In the last 24 hours Abe has become the world's biggest Texas fan!  

With Grandpa Cannon, who has just a bit of missionary experience himself.

It was so good to have cousin Alexis come up from BYU.  Of course she had to be there for this special occasion.

I

I adore this picture of Clark and "Schramm" (Jakob).

Clark and Zach-- Zach will help carry on the Prototype X tradition in Clark's absence.

Clark and one of his long-time mentors, Adrianne.

Clark was so happy to have his robotics buddies come.  They cut short a team meeting so they could be there.

Lots of wonderful family.

Lots of Foxes from Utah County.  Fox family can fill a house to capacity on their own!
I didn't expect Texas for Clark-- I didn't have any idea where I thought he would go, but I had a few places I was somewhat afraid he would be called.
I hear everything is bigger in Texas.  If that is the case, then I can't think of better place for Clark's big personality, big voice, and big spirit. 

We love and adore you, Clark, and will anxiously await the start of your grand mission adventure!

Kidz Bop Concert--- Oh Yes, We Did

We were given 5 tickets to a Kidz Bop concert Saturday night.  I was somewhat familiar with the kids group that covers the latest popular music, but I've never been a big fan.  Even so, an opportunity to spend an evening with Abe and Team Middle Kids sounded very enjoyable, even if I didn't think I'd enjoy the actual music that much.

But WHATEVER!  I was totally digging it!  It was really fun music and I must admit the precocious, somewhat obnoxious kids were loaded with talent.
Let it be known that I have not spent much time at rock concerts.  If I had, I might have known I was doing the heavy metal sign totally wrong.  It should have just been the pinky and pointer finger.  Instead, I am clearly announcing to the world that I'm a 40 year old mother of 8 at a Kidz Bop concert-- who was thoroughly enjoying herself!

Abe and George doing "The Robot".  Of all the kids, George was most able to cut loose and have a good time.  He even left his seat a few times and headed up front to dance in the mosh pit of little people.

It was a struggle for Cannon.  He's spending too much time with his classical music in the ballet studio.
I suppose Kidz Bop was a little too low-brow for him.  He has such taste and dignity now.
Whatever.

Abe and I were so happy to get to spend the evening together.  We just don't see enough of one another lately.