The Derby

An epic event occurred a few weeks ago

that involved a lot of preparation...

The Pinewood Derby

Not that I know how these things go

But this was pretty impressive

The cars were down to milliseconds with photo finishes and instant replay

Cody ultimately didn't win, but he did AWESOME!

I heard the secret is slicking up the outside of the wheels somehow.

Cody and Ben definitely put graphite in the wheels and spun them, something everyone I talked to seemed to already know, but was a totally new thing to me!

(This winners put the whole track-and-technology together, own the track, and win every year...so no one was surprised when both their sons took first and second, but it is something to try to beat next year!)

Cody named his car the Blue Dart.

  I also heard through the grapevine that some of these shiny impressive cars were purchased on amazon. Haha!

The engineers

The cheerleaders
Such a well organized event and one of Cody's favorite things ever.
He can't wait until next year!
****
Mackayla asked me a few days ago if we could buy a baby.

I asked her where we buy babies.

She didn't know, but said they do go in tummies.

Then again the next day, she asked about buying a baby. A boy baby. One she could teach things.

Ideally he could crawl and say goo goo gaga.

I asked her again where we would buy this baby

and she thought about it

and decided it was at the temple.

Maybe she is trying to think of a way not to be the youngest :)

Of course I didn't laugh (because Mackayla does not like to say "cute things," and hates more than anything to be laughed at, even if she is being "cute") but I thought this was the sweetest thing ever. 

I hope it's because she knows that the temple is the best place on earth 

and it's all about families.

We got the flu vaccine today at our doctor's office.

Cody went first-no sweat- then Mackayla - a few tears of relief and stress, but it was over, phew. 

Macey was last and most incredibly, intensely nervous.

I had to hold her on my lap with her arms pinned down and watch her head while the nurse quickly shot...

FLUMIST into her nose.

The girl cracks me up.

Healing

My mom had brain surgery on August 25th.

She went in to the eye doctor for vision problems which led to the discovery of a tumor (thankfully non-cancerous).

Pituitary tumors are taken out through the nose, and this is how they performed the surgery.

They didn't get it all, but they knew they wouldn't because it was large (almost the size of a fist).

My mom doesn't really know how to "sit and rest."

and I'm sure "resting" didn't sound very fun.

But it was so very fun to come hang out with her for a couple days.

She is doing remarkably well considering she had a tumor and brain surgery.

She doesn't sleep and has painful headaches (because they were "digging around in her brain"), and still can't see out of one eye.

We are still praying for her continued healing - these things take time!

My sister Becky lives nearby and has taken such good care of my parents-staying all night at the hospital, meals, cleaning, recovery care more attentive than even the nurses.

We are all grateful that their family is close and willing to help.

Years ago my mom took care of cute Micah while my sister worked at an eye doctor.  In a full circle moment my sister was able to get them the doctor appointments they needed through her previous employer - in minutes - with a world renowned surgeon, when it could have taken them weeks and weeks. 

My parents and I ventured out one ambitious day for a drive to get a raspberry shake in bear lake...but we made it to Logan instead. Driving can be hard on the head so we had to be careful! We got to visit the Aller's, friends from Minnesota days - since before my birth!

 And just because we were right there we drove past the first apartment Ben and I lived in.

 The drive was so pretty it was totally worth it!

The leaves haven't turned in full force, but there were pockets of bright red, orange and yellow poking out everywhere.

 We got some peaches from Brigham City for some of the "best peach pie" my dad has ever eaten.

We never actually made it... but I did when we got home-

And it is to die for! I love that the peaches aren't cooked. I'll stick the recipe, with no bad picture, at the bottom.

Ben and I have moved so many times over the years we haven't put roots down yet, and this is still home to me.

It was so nice to relax and enjoy it, kid-free, just like when I was growing up. 

I especially enjoyed roaming through the garden and making fresh salsa, mowing the lawn (I really love mowing the lawn), sitting in the massage chair, and watching Cinderella.

On Friday morning I met up with the Crosland's for breakfast at the Sunshine Cafe. It was DELICIOUS!!!

I love hole in the wall restaurants with amazing food.

 I didn't take a single picture - so that may or may not mean it actually happened.

Bonnie did a lot of driving the day before and that day - back and forth - so it was extra nice that they fit that breakfast in and it was so good to see everyone - Amy, Blake, Logan, Jessi, Oakley, Bonnie and even Jeff. 

We had a fire and roasted marshmallows one night.

Becky needed the ashes for her chicken since she's taken to chicken farming :)

We watched LDS Women's Conference on Saturday night.

I usually like to have a project because I listen better

but that night I just drew pictures to keep my hands busy and added some of my favorite quotes of the night.

Lynette's sister in law was in one of the videos, kind of fun to see someone familiar.

 My mom had made a list of the years all the apostles were made apostles and their ages. It's pretty interesting. These are great men.

 Lynette flew in the last day I was there.

This is the first time I've met Annabelle.

She is the most perfect adorable baby.

Some great thoughts from conference were for you!

"When you cannot do what you have always done, then you only do what matters most."

This was true of my mom, who, even with limited vision, reads the scriptures, ensign, etc. every day.

and one ironic but true thought-

"Physical restrictions can expand vision."

We love you mom

And will keep praying for you to keep healing!

Fresh Peach Pie

Heat on stove until melted:

1/4 cup milk

1 bag marshmallows

Whip until stiff:

1 pint whipping cream

1/3 cup sugar (add after whipping cream is firm)

Fold cream into cooled marshmallows.

Slice fresh peaches.

Put a layer of marshmallow cream on cooked pie crust, then peaches, and top with rest of marshmallow cream.

Don't eat this every day. But do eat it once. It's divine.