September Stuff

September is already half done and we'll be ending summer and starting fall (officially) this week.  It's hard to believe the kids have been in school for a month already.  This month began with a long, weekend trip for Robert and I to Miami.  We went over Labor Day.  It was an early, surprise birthday present for him.  His parents came down to watch the boys for us.  It was nice to relax on the beach.  We also went to a movie, went shopping, enjoyed the bay/port.  One morning we rented bikes and rode along the intracostal waterway, through the mangroves and along the water's edge.  It was so much fun.  Next summer we'd like to rent a canoe or kayaks (if I muster up the courage) and takes the older boys out. 

I've also been busy with my calling.  I'm really enjoying it.  I like visiting the other wards/branches and seeing how their Relief Societies are going and getting sense of where the sisters are out in their lives and what we as a stake RS presidency can do for them.  We had stake conference this past weekend.  It was busy for us. Saturday afternoon, I held my first leadership training meeting for the RS presidencies.  That went really well--so-so attendance but great participation.  Saturday evening was the adult session.  I spoke at that.  Sunday morning was the session for everyone.  We had a new bishopric put into our ward.  Robert is back in, as the 1st counselor.  I'm excited for him.  I think he's going to enjoy it--great men he'll be serving with it.  Crazy side note:  the wives of the new bishopric all served together in the RS presidency.  So, it's fun to think we're all back together again. 

1st Day of School

Yesterday was the 1st day of school.  It was a half-day so they got out at 11:45am.  As you can tell from the photos, neither Adam or Matt were too thrilled to be going back to school.

 

 Matthew is in the 2nd grade.  His teacher is Miss Spore.

 

 

 Adam is in the 4th grade.  His teacher is Mrs. Currin.

 

 

Only Gavin was excited to have his picture taken.  Although the happy face turned to tears when he realized his brothers were staying at school and not coming home with him. 

 

Today is the first full day.  And Matt is already sick.  Yesterday afternoon around 4pm, I found him lying on the couch with a fever.  He had a high fever (104) all night with many bouts of throwing up.  He finally fell asleep about 4:30am.  He seems to be feeling a bit better this morning, but some much for perfect attendance.  

Visit to Logan Utah Temple

Robert and I were married in the Logan Utah temple 15 years ago.  We decided to visit on our way out of Utah.  This was our first time back in 15 years.  To be honest, the boys were not interested in the temple.  They much more enjoyed the big hill in front.

 Matt running down the hill.  He also rolled down it a bunch.

 

 

 I love this picture of Adam--the sheer joy and excitement of running down a hill

 

 

 Of course, Gavin wanted to be in the action, too.  He just needed help getting back up the hill.

This extra trip to Logan added an extra 3-4 hours onto an already long trip.  We made it to Cheyenne, WY late Saturday evening.  Sunday morning Gavin woke up with a high fever and threw up.  We debated if we should stay in Cheyenne or make a run for home, hoping he wouldn't get sick in the car.  Thankfully he didn't but he was so hot and whimpered the entire drive home to Garden City. 
 

Hike to Cecret Lake

Hiking up to Cecret Lake has now become a bit of a tradition while at Snowbird.  It is only a 2-mile there-and-back hike so it's easy enough for the kids.  Adam and Matt quickly took the lead this year (they're the oldest) while Gavin sure tried to keep up.  This resulted in a couple of spills and skinned knees. 

 The start of the hike--

 

 The middle of the hike--can you find Adam and Matt?

 Gavin hiked the whole way--

 



 Last time we did this hike was two years ago.  Gavin was only three months old.  I carried/held the entire way up, sat on this exact rock, nursed him, and then carried him back down.

 

 

 Matt at the lake--

 

 

 All the boys enjoyed throwing rocks into the lake.  What boy doesn't like to throw rocks?  Robert and Uncle Owen quickly taught Adam and Matt how to skip rocks.

 

 Matt and Uncle Owen collecting flat rocks to skip on the water--

 

 

The Leonard cousins--(l to r)--Matthew Kennington, Gavin Kennington, Evan Leonard, Greta Leonard & Adam Kennington



Snowbird Activities

Most everyone bought an all-day activity pass, allowing them to ride the Alpine slide, Tram, Zipline, Chairlift, etc, all day long. 

Robert and Adam on the alpine slide.

 

 

Aunt Holly and Matt on the alpine slide. 

 Gavin is still a bit young to go on the rides so he and I spent lots of time at the playground.

He loved this car, calling it 'Gavin's car'.

 

 

 



Homemade Water Slide

There's not a lot to do here in Garden City.  And it's been a LONG, HOT summer.  But this was one of those fun ideas that just popped into our heads and the boys loved it.  Early one morning this month, Matt, Gavin and I were sitting in the backyard.  We had let the water out of their pool and it had spilled all over the patio.  They started jumping in the puddles.  After their pajamas were soaked we changed into swimsuits and decided to thread the hose onto Gavin's little slide, making our own waterslide.  They had so much fun. 

 

Monument Rocks

While Robert's parents visited us earlier this month, we drove up to see Monument Rocks.  This is about an hour north of us.  It was the first time we had been there (although we've lived here nearly seven years).  These are rock formations millions of years old left over from the sea that once covered Kansas.   Matt isn't in either picture because he was busy climbing around.