Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Campaigns and Flash Floods

Nick is running for 8th grade class president so this afternoon he and Anders worked on making his poster. He's the kind of kid that has good ideas for slogans and asking to dances (although he obviously isn't asking to dances yet. He has good ideas he's passed along to his siblings).



While he and Anders were making the poster (you can't print anything beside a photo, so Anders was tracing the Geico Gecko and coloring it), I made homemade pesto. We have so much basil in our garden. It was super easy and turned out delicious!


Nick is hoping to break the "Shaeffer curse" of all the kids running for office but not making it. I ran and lost a lot too. Let's see... 6th grade, 7th grade, Jr. High cheerleader and High School cheerleader. I finally made it for class office my Sophomore year (three girls ran and two made it) and Junior year (that felt more like a legit competition.)

Courtney ran a couple of times. Actually, she made 6th grade council. Marty ran more often and didn't win. But he had THE BEST campaign ideas (Old Spice guy). And we did get the story of the baseboard out of his losses. Chris had some back luck each time he tried to run. The teachers wouldn't allow him to run in 6th grade (they pre-selected candidates) and also for SBO when he missed the citizenship by a fraction of a point (that seemed mis-calculated for the cut-off number). I don't usually make excuses for my kids, but he was definitely legit robbed on those two. Also the teachers VOTE in Jr. High which means boys with a lot of personality are at a distinct disadvantage. Not saying Nick is at a disadvantage, because he has the personality they like. But Chris and Marty, well it's complicated...


But I'm glad they try. It's sad to lose, but you get over it. It's good to know that when you lose, you're not sad forever. You move on. It's good to have empathy for other people when they lose. And it's fun to make it sometimes too. (I always suspect that the reason I say "yes" to so many volunteer positions and President of different things is because I liked finally "getting chosen!" However, now I've finally got that out of my system!)


That evening Dan texted to say his plane was circling and wasn't sure if it could land because of the storms. Fortunately it did. But it wasn't raining at all where we were. Then about 30 min. later it started to pour. And we got flash flood warnings on our phones! When we looked at the river a couple of hours later, it was rushing and very high. Our irrigation ditch was at the rim as well. So crazy! I didn't take pictures, sadly. It was so cool!


Monday, August 20, 2018

First Day of School!

Senior Year

8th Grade

Chris drove the bus to school and picked up all his friends. 
What a riot! (Notice the Sigma Uce sign hanging inside the bus. 
Shout out to Courtney & Carine!)




 This clock and thermometer were in Nicholas' room. This is how cold he likes it! 
We were trying to prove to him that his room was plenty cool and he didn't need to turn the thermostat down even more!

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Last Days of Summer

Nick had a burning ceremony in the backyard fire pit. 
All of last year's school notebooks went up in flames.
(Dan stood at the ready with the hose.)



Courtney went home today. Sad! I always hate having to say goodbye because its always so much fun when she's home. Makes our family complete. Well, of course we don't have Marty either. 
Miss these kids!

I taught my first YW lesson today and gave the same one for FHE. 
The most useful tool for going back to school is a testimony. We talked about how important it is to do the little things: Prayer, Scriptures, Church. I also read Sheree's Parable of the Token.
Her awesome experience of gaining a testimony and why we won't get one if we go about it half-heartedly. I even had a girl come up after and ask if she could have a copy of the story to share with a friend.

Also this deer came round for a snack.
I just opened the back door and said in the nicest voice possible,
"Those roses aren't for eating!" 
and it ran off.




Saturday, August 18, 2018

Goodbye For Now!

Chris and friends left to drive home at 5:30 Friday morning. They needed to be home in time for the first football game where they were in charge of the Tailgate party and getting the student section excited and cheering for the team. They were super excited so it was easy for them to get up early.

I was excited for them to make the road trip on their own. They're growing up!

Dan took Luke and Nick to town to golf and Courtney, Carine and I hiked up to the ice caves and overlook, then down through box canyon to the first bridge. 


Nick and Luke came home and went fishing (Dan let them sneak over to Montoya's pond) and Nick caught a 17" trout! Yay, Nick!! She was a beauty. Good to eat too.



Saturday morning we flew home. 
We will miss you, Pagosa! I don't think anyplace could be more beautiful!


Flying home in a private jet wasn't too bad either.





Friday, August 17, 2018

More Pics Not to be Missed

Llamas
Admiring something at the old schoolhouse

Beautiful views from the schoolhouse... and pretty mountains too!
























Thursday, August 16, 2018

Pagosa Photo Shoot

This is about 1/20th of the photos they took. Just a fraction.








They love doing LOVE photos.