August Through September 2010

 Our summer break had come to an end and school was beginning.  Arden was starting 1st grade! He was also going to a new school and was entering the Spanish Immersion program.  What an exciting time for all of us.  We have a long commute to his school everyday, but it is worth it.
Throughout the summer I had debated to whether go back to work at my teaching job or to stay home with Maya.  It was a struggle because I do love teaching...but it came down to prioritizing.  Staying at home with Maya was way more important than my job.  I knew Maya needed me at home.  Although she's a cute loving child, she can be quite stubborn and has a strong will.  Staying home has been the best decision this year for all of us. It has been less stressful.  I've enjoyed spending one on one time with Maya.  I didn't even send her to pre-school this year because I wanted to be at home with her.  I haven't had that chance to just be with her since she was born.  There are some moments when things are not fun for us, but overall, we have a good time together.  I'm really glad I can stay at home with her. 
Even though he nor I knew this at that time, Arden also needed me at home.  When I was working last school year, I wasn't helping him with his school work as much and he being a young kinder- gardener he was behind in reading and math.
This year, I've been focused more on his education.  Every day after he gets home from school we will practice reading, math, and whatever else there is for him to do.  Grant it, it has not been easy for either of us.  We spend a lot of time reading and practicing.  It can be frustrating for both of us, but we're learning.  I'm learning to be more patience.  It's not easy for me.
On Labor Day weekend, Arden and Beatrix had a sleepover.  It has become a tradition that whenever there is a sleepover, donuts/cupcakes are served.  Grant it, this is not necessarily my tradition...but Newel really likes to find any reason to buy treats.

Catherine's Pass!


Later in September, Grandma, Aaron Smith, and our little family went on a little hike at Catherine's Pass. The weather was perfect and as always, we had a great time. It wasn't a long hike, but it was an enjoyable trail.






This was one of our last hikes we completed this summer.  Between going to Nicaragua and Florida time flew by so we didn't get to do a lot of hiking in UT this year. 





Ever since our first year of marriage, we've tried to have some type of food storage...but it has never been a lot...just enough, for a few weeks.  This year, it was one of my goals to stock up on our food storage a bit more.  However, we don't have a lot of space...so, I used the garage to stock up.  It's mostly stuff that I use on a regular basis.  It's like having a mini-store in my garage.  This is what it looked like at the end of our summer. 


However, when Grandma and Paka decided to sell their house, we got some of their food storage...so now, the garage (kitchen, bedroom closet, down stairs closet) look more full (stuffed) with food storage.  I don't know how much we have stored, but I feel good about the amount we have.  I know it's the best we can do for now...We even have enough water containers for the 4 of us, for two weeks.  I just hope we don't move soon because I don't want to have to pack all of that food.





I also organized our camping equipment.  Whenever we go camping, it feels like it takes me days to put it all together.  I finally got a bit wiser and all of our main items are all ready to go...by the garage door, waiting to get loaded for an adventure. 

Kind of a funny story:  About a month or two after I organized our tiny garage...I decided that I didn't want our van parked outside during the winter months because I really don't like removing all of that snow in the morning.  I wanted our van inside the garage.  Once I dropped Arden off at school, I began to rearrange the garage so I could fit the van inside.  I moved car seats, toys, rearranged food storage, moved boxes, strollers, etc.  Finally, after about 5 hours of hard work...I was able to fit the van inside the garage!  With all of our stuff in it too!  I was so proud of myself!  Then, I realized there was a problem...even though I could get the van inside the garage, I couldn't get out.  There wasn't enough space.  Not through the front doors, back doors, windows, or trunk.  There wasn't enough space.  I was bummed.  But the garage looked really clean and organized.

Fire!
There was a huge fire at the Oquirr mountains.  The air was so smoky...then, we looked outside and this is what we saw from the front of our house.  Luckily, only a few houses burned down.  I thought a lot more houses would burn. The winds calmed down and the fire was under control.