TRIP TO UTAH

My little sister Kammi got married!  In an attempt to choose a somewhat centrally located temple they decided to get married in St. George.  With family and my alma mater so close we decided to take a few days and drive up to Provo/Salt Lake before the wedding.  We spent time with Mike's brother Tyler and his family.  We walked around BYU, went to the bookstore and creamery, and hiked the Y.  We also went to Salt Lake and spent the day with Mike's grandma.  We walked around temple square, had a tour of the Conference Center, went to dinner, and visited Mike's grandpa's grave.  Mike and Tyler had never been to the grave and his grandma hadn't been in years.  Mike and Tyler cleaned it off and cleared away some of the overgrown grass.  They both felt their grandpa near.  It was a very fast but very fulfilling trip.

Shane, Alex, and Eliza

Maggie loved the slide.  She walked all the way around, climbed the stairs, and slid down by herself.  She did it several times and was quite sad when we had to leave.

THE NEW JOB

A few months ago I was frustrated with our debt, how long it was going to take us to pay it off, how long it would take us to buy a house, etc.  I hate how so much of our money is going elsewhere instead of things for us.  In that spirit of frustration I looked for some part time jobs.  I applied to several and then didn't think much of it.  Randomly a few weeks later I was contacted by a local community college (Columbus State Community College) to come in to interview for an adjunct teaching position.  The interview went well enough but I didn't feel it went great.  They told me they would get back to me by the end of the week.  The weekend came and went with no news.  To my surprise the next week they offered me a job as an adjunct professor!  I happened to be in Arizona on vacation.  I hadn't checked my email in a few days and the offer told me to complete several hiring to-do items within a 24 hour period.  By the time I saw the email the 24 hours was nearly ending.  I scrambled to get the items done.  Luckily I had information they needed on my computer and had my computer with me.  I was able to finish the in-person items when I returned and will start my first class this semester.  I'm hoping to be able to teach multiple classes in the future.  I hope this semester goes well.  On a side note, I find it ironic that their mascot is the cougar and their school colors are blue and white.

FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE

Alex is so excited to start school again.  Shane is sad to be home alone and he just missed the birthday cut off to enter kindergarten this year.  We'll see how this year goes.  I made the traditional "first day of school cookies" but used a new recipe.  They did not look pretty but they tasted good.  Next year I'll stick to the tried and true recipe.

MINIATURE GOLF

For Christmas last year my sister gave us a gift card to a local miniature golf course.  With being pregnant and having a new baby last year and all the travelling this year, we didn't get to it until now.  We had so much fun golfing.  The kids loved the features at each hole.  Maggie hung out in the backpack and enjoyed watching us.

MAGGIE WALKING

Maggie has been taking a few steps here and there for the last month or so.  If she has something to push or a walker she can go across the room.  Recently she has started taking several steps and even goes for several feet sometimes.  She is so happy and proud of herself when she does.  This stage is so cute.

POOL OF NOT WATER

It has been unusually dry for the last month.  The kids have resorted to using the small pool in the sunroom as a pretend pool, bed, etc.