All Together, right now

Since all the grandchildren were finally together, in one place, we had to take some pictures. So here are all 12 of the Kerksiek grandchildren, youngest to oldest (not shortest to tallest because the tallest is not the oldest(much to Toby's chagrin)).

I think we took about 50 pictures trying to get a good one. These are the best ones of the bunch. At least everyone is looking and has their eyes open.

But this one is my favorite:

It shows the true picture. I love that Clara looks aghast at what everyone else is doing. And that McKay is unsure if she really wants to be silly or not. Everyone else is just embracing the instuction to show me their "crazy self."

Found in the sand box

We found her tracks first --slithering lines in the sand box. The next day Toby picked up this lovely snake. I always worry when my kids find a snake. Texas has most of the deadliest snakes: rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, water moccasins, coral snakes. And most of those have been seen either in my neighborhood or while on camping trips near here. (The girls found a coral snake and a rattlesnake at girl's camp this summer; coral snakes are the most deadly, you die before you can get any help.) However, this snake that Toby found is a western ribbon snake: a good snake. Although the bites still hurt, as Nate will tell you. He found one early this summer and it bit him pretty hard. But the kids were careful and everyone got to hold it, even Hazel. She doesn't want to be left out of avything.

Cousins

One of the things I am most sad about is that my children don't get as much cousin time as I would want for them. Texas is just too far away. But this summer, all the planets aligned, and all of the cousins were in one place for a few days.

Amalia and Hazel got along famously.

We did some swimming. (Hazel's pose cracks me up, she is so serious.)

All 12 grandchildren are in one place and looking at the camera!

Karl entertained all the kids: played Risk with the older kids, messed around with the little ones.

And Toby found someone to play chess with.

We miss everyone. Can't wait for Christmas to come around so we can see you all again.

Little girl's tea party

Hazel and her friends love to have "real" tea parties, which means using real food. So the girls dressed up and ate their "tea" in the living room. Everything is mini. They even remembered the flowers for the centerpiece on the table. I love this part of childhood.

It's hard work

Toby gets up early for seminary each morning at 5:15 am. Since this is about 6 hours earlier than he got up most of the summer, this is how I often find him about 9:00 in the morning. He is supposed to be doing his school work, but he sometimes falls asleep in the middle. I don't blame him. I had to drive the carpool this last week since Nate was out of town. I am not a morning person. It was hard. Toby gets himself up every morning. He has only missed one day of seminary since he started last year.

Before and After: New Floors

Way back in December of last year, I got fed up with the dirty carpet in my living room and tore it out one afternoon. It looked like this:

We debated many options: paint, stain, polish the concrete, new carpet, wood floors? I really wanted the wood floors, but it wasn't the least expensive option. While I was in Utah last month, Nate found a good deal and installed some beautiful wood floors.

And though it was very fun to be able to draw with chalk on the living room floor, ride scooters without leaving marks, and not worry about mud or food or anything on the concrete, it was more fun to love my new floors. Thanks Nate!

Labor Day

On Labor Day, Nate ran his first triathlon. It was the Austin Triathlon. And Nate participated with a few friends. He did the Olympic distance: 1 mile swim (which he did in under 35 minutes!), 25 mile bike ride, 10K run. Finished in about 3 1/2 hours. I am very proud of him. He trained all summer while I was gone.

I wish I could have been there to see him, but we had another activity that the rest of us were expected at:

Our scouts did a pancake breakfast on Monday morning. the 11 year-olds did advertising,
The teachers cooked, and the deacons served food. Parents were expected to set up and take down, and various quality control jobs. So, despite the rain, and heat, the scouts did a good job.