September 2017: In September we...

In September... Gray worked on his letters. We took selfies. Ruby enjoyed her baths. (She likes to slide off the side of the soaker tub in the master bath and make huge splashes.) Ruby used Troy's deodorant as chapstick. Also in September there were some moments of brotherly love, some park days, and a Young Women's activity where we had to touch strange things in boxes and guess what they were. Ha. We enjoyed some cookie dough, some cooler morning bike rides, some daddy-daughter hugs, lego creations, pillow forts, and backyard shenanigans. We found out Clara had pink eye and that Troy passed his written boards! (Hallelujah to the latter, not so much the former.) We enjoyed donuts and family dinners and got the kids' school pictures back. Gray felt left out that he didn't get school pictures in preschool, so he made his own. Also Troy saw his friend, Bill Wagner from residency at an injection class in Chicago and took a picture of a beautiful AZ sunset.<3 2017="" a="" and="" beautiful="" below.="" blessings="" come="" dad="" from="" gone.="" has="" month="" more="" p="" saw="" september="" sunsets="" temple.="" the="" this="" tired="" we="">

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Sep. 6, 2017: Why yes. That IS Ruby using Troy's deodorant. She thinks it's Chapstick. (She runs for the Old Spice anytime she is lucky enough to make it into our bathroom, and rubs it all over her face and lips.) Ruby is smelling very fresh and manly right now. 🙈

Sep. 6, 2017: Lunch at McDonald's with the Teftellers on Labor Day. It was HOT and we needed to run out some energy. Air conditioned play place for the win! 7/8 kids looking in one photo is pretty good odds.

Sep. 6, 2017: Brothers that read together. 💙

I love it when Jackson asks Gray if he can read to him and Gray says yes. Usually Gray says no because everything has to be his idea. 😬🙄 (LifeWithAFourYearOld)

Sep. 11, 2017: Clara got pink eye two weeks ago. I despise pink eye. As much as I dislike it, I think Clara disliked it more. Giving her drops felt a little like doing aerobics sometimes. 😂 Thankfully it seems like the pink eye is contained for now. Phew.

Sep. 11, 2017: This guy was in Chicago this weekend for a spine course. We all missed him A LOT. When he arrived home last night, Ruby couldn't contain her joy. She kept giving Troy bear hugs and needed to sit in his lap at all times. I love these two together. ❤

Sep 18, 2017: Only 69 degrees on our walk this morning. I almost cried I was so happy. 🙌🏽

Sep 20, 2017: 🎶 I'm so glad when Daddy comes home! 🎶 Troy's arrival home turned into a party in the driveway last night.

Sep. 24, 2017: If ever I decide to lay down on the couch, Ruby decides she should take a load off too. Apparently I am more comfortable than the couch.

Sep. 24, 2017: Our family bike ride yesterday was epic. Being outside has me all 💃🎶🎉 Also, Gray's ninja turtle bike helmet is my favorite.

Sep. 26, 2017: Kind of in love with how this year's school pictures turned out.
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2017-2018
Jackson, 3rd grade. Clara, kindergarten.

Sep 26, 2017: Gray felt really left out that HE didn't have school pictures. I told him he'd get some next year when he's in kindergarten. That didn't comfort him much. He told me he would make his own out of paper. Here is his portrait sheet. (The circles are his head shots.) Watch out, JCPenny. Gray might put you out of business. 😂

Sep 30, 2017: "As we attend the temple, there can come to us a dimension of spirituality and a feeling of peace." -Thomas S. Monson

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To be honest, it was a rough week. The days were long, full of tasks and places to be. Parent teacher conferences, baseball practices, and trying to find Clara therapists left me spent by Thursday night. Troy suggested we trade off going to the temple yesterday afternoon. He's a wise man. It was just what I needed. I left feeling so much peace despite the chaos. I'm so grateful for this place.

Sep 30, 2017: "Don't let life's distractions block spiritual light." -Gary E. Stevenson
Loved this talk so much! #LDSConf#sharegoodness

Children's Museum with the Bramwells

I LOVE that I live close to my friend Stephanie Bramwell again. She is the best. I wish we lived a little closer, (It takes about an hour and ten minutes to get to her house) but we've been having fun meeting up. In September we met at the Children's Museum in Phoenix. We didn't last as long as I'd hoped because it was very busy and Ruby ran away from me and got lost a couple times, :/ but it was still fun to see our friends. Ruby looooved the kitchen/shopping area. Gray loved the bike car wash.

Sep. 29, 2017: So much fun at the Children's Museum with @stephbram and co. this morning. We were a lively bunch, but we sure had fun. We just love the Bramwells! Too bad Ruby wasn't interested in a photo op. 😂

Imagine Dragons Concert

I gave Troy Imagine Dragons tickets for his birthday and in September, we were finally able to go. Phoenix was the opening night of their tour and it was SO GOOD. We loved it. They are so talented and seeing them live was fantastic. So glad we were able to go together.

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Sep. 27, 2017: Imagine Dragons concert with my love last night. I gave him tickets for his birthday. It was SO good. Loved every minute (Well, every minute after the opening act, which was actually quite painful. 😬) We've been wanting to see Imagine Dragons live for a long time, so glad we were able to make it happen. Bless Megan Tefteller forever for watching our kids for us. 😘

Sep. 27, 2017: Imagine Dragons did some acoustic versions of a few of their songs. They were AMAZING. Probably my favorite part of the concert. This version of "Bleeding Out," gave me chills. 🙌 I woke up this morning with Dan Reynolds vocals playing in my head. This concert was LEGIT.