Our ward has weekly assignments to go muck homes in Vidor, Texas. Due to Dallin's work schedule, I was only able to go once. It was so devastating to see streets piled high with people's belongings 

While I was working, they asked us to come out to meet someone. It was Elder Ronald A Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! He even asked to take a picture with "the ladies with the tools."

Our ward was also assigned to provide cookies for the volunteers that had traveled in from Dallas to help. We were assigned to bring 3000 cookies - the sisters pulled through and baked or bought 4200 cookies! 

The next week we received another cookie assignment. This time I brought my helpers to hand them out and thank the volunteers. 

They has a great time offering cookies. Shy Jack circled the gym five times and talked to everyone there. 

I'm so proud of how they stepped up to help! 

While times of crisis are hard to witness, it's heartwarming to see all the people rush to help and lift one another. 

She told everyone she saw that it was Monday and Monday was the day of ballet class. She inherited her friend Sydney's dance bag and thought she was pretty big stuff 

When she got to class, she was excited and nervous. But once she got started, she loved it. 

They learn tap 

Ballet 

And tumbling. She is in heaven and can't wait for it to me Monday! 

We love our tiny dancer! 

We went for walks 

And enjoyed playing with friends at the park 

 

The sun always feels brighter after a storm 

We had lots of tasty food 

And then the rains started to come down 

We got about 15 inches of rain, not much compared to the 50 inches in parts of Houston and Beaumont. We were lucky to have lulls in the storm that allowed us not to flood. Those other areas were not so lucky. Just 30 miles east of us, there was widespread flooding as the rain just poured down over them. 

School was cancelled for 3 days. We tried to fight the stir craziness. During every break in the storm, I sent the kids out to play in the mud. They loved making all kinds of mud creations. 

We took a walk and discovered all kinds of displaced wildlife, like frogs and crawfish 

We are so grateful that the storm was not as bad here, but are so sad for our Texas neighbors that lost so much. 

After already taking two baths to get ready to go to a birthday party, she decided to paint her face to be extra pretty for the party. Needless to say, she ended up taking a third bath and may have still had some paint on her face at the party. 

Jack started third grade. His teacher is Mrs Guillory and this year they rotate classes, so they have one teacher for math, one for language and a third for social studies and science. He says third grade is the best grade ever 

Lucas is in kindergarten with Mrs Dillon, who taught Uncle Andrew many years ago! He has some friends from church and other activities in his class. 

We are looking forward to a great year! 

The kids all seemed to hit it off pretty quickly, especially the three year olds, Evelyn and Kate 

They seem to have a lot in common, including knowing exactly what they want 

They even matched! 

We had a fun time playing together - we swam, jumped on the trampoline, and grilled. 

Even though it was a quick visit, it was a great time for the kids to get to know each other better! 

It was a special day. He was baptized and confirmed by his daddy 

Aunt Sass gave the talk on baptism 

And Nana gave the talk on the Holy Ghost 

We were blessed to have lots of family travel in for the baptism, including Grammy 

And a surprise visit from Uncle Dusty, Aunt Liz and all of the Iowa cousins 

Jack was also blessed to have many friends there to join him. Every seat in the room was filled! 

It was a great day and our family is so proud of Jack for making this big step.