To Love

I've done of bit of light reading this month. Books I recommend:
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (read and signed by the author)
The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott
Beauty by Robin McKinley
Remembering Isaac by Ben Behunin
Kiersten's book is a super-fun quick read.
Louisa's book is the first novel she ever wrote and is filled with a delicious hero.
Robin's book is filled with romantic magic.
Ben's book is slow but has message of faith and love.
As has been noted before, I only read romance novels, so if you have any recommendations, then please tell. Austin and I are headed on another cruise, and I will have many, uninterrupted hours to read.
(Austin just told me that this post is boring. Sorry.)

Many mornings this past month we have spent our time feeding the ducks. Usually we take our left over waffles or toast. Yesterday, the ducks were extremely fortunate to receive an entire batch of mom's white rolls(the yeast was bad and the rolls did not rise). Maisie and Nick are always sad when the bread is gone; Maddie eats the bread and occasionally throws a piece here or there.

Austin is finally in Utah with us. After a month separated, we are together. Friday evening we celebrated by going to the Brad Paisley concert at USANA. The evening air was pristine, the company superb and the entire event and huge success. Nat, Ash and I all bought the same t-shirt; our boys all paid high prices for them. We have such nice husbands.
Mr. Paisley's trailer.



Four siblings. (Jim sang every word to every song. His date loved that!)

Last night we ate dinner and had FHE in the canyon. The trees are just beginning to change color and the mountain air was pristine. The boys played swords and they cut off the limbs of the multiple princi (plural for princesses) while running around the amphitheater. What a grand time we had -- Nick's expression tells all!

Yesterday was the 9th annual Hawk Walk at good ol' Highland Elementary. Basically, the entire student body walks around the track for an hour, laps are recorded, pledges are collected, and this fundraiser is painless for the PTA. Mom, the children and I were there in full force, and we were happy to be there, because our kids ran not walked. As adults, we ran many laps with our children. I suppose this activity falls in the category of wholesome recreational activity.
Andy ran 24 laps, 4 miles, the most in his class.

Meg ran 28 laps, 4.75 miles, highest girl in her class.

Emily ran 31 laps, 5.2 miles, highest girl in her class.

Nick, Maisie and Maddie were sure patient during our 3.5 hour ordeal (each of the children ran during different hours).

Tonight Austin told me that he checked this blog. I apologized because I haven't been faithful about it. He said, "It's OK. But, those are the only pictures I have of the kids." Love, here are a few more pictures.

Today Maisie turned 5! We spent the day with cousins, eating cake and candy and playing outside. Maisie was remembered by many both far and near; she was sure happy today. Her one sad moment was this evening when she couldn't talk to Austin before bed, she wanted to thank him for her gift, but he didn't answer. Although we had a wonderful day, we miss our daddy.