An amazing man named Dr. Suess

If you didn't know this before I am here to tell you now! I am obsessed with Dr. Suess! He is one incredible guy! I am 14 and still read his cute, fun, and inspiring books. But what do I like mostly about him? His Quotes! They always make my life so bright and happy! Take a look for yourself:

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
― Dr. Seuss

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”
― Dr. Seuss

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
― Dr. Seuss

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
― Dr. Seuss

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
― Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday to You!

“We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”
― Dr. Seuss

I remember when my dad told us whoever could memorize the entire book of Fox in Socks we would get a blizzard. We all tried and we all failed :) But reading that tiny excerpt from below is hard on its self, don't you think?

“When beetles fight these battles in a bottle with their paddles
and the bottle's on a poodle and the poodle's eating noodles...
...they call this a muddle puddle tweetle poodle beetle noodle
bottle paddle battle.”
― Dr. Seuss, Fox in Socks

“They say I'm old-fashioned, and live in the past, but sometimes I think progress progresses too fast!”
― Dr. Seuss

“Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more....”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Oh and I love The Grinch too!

“Just tell yourself, Duckie, your real quite lucky.”
― Dr. Seuss

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.”
― Dr. Seuss

Well, I think you get the idea, but seriously take a look at Dr. Suess quotes whenever you need a smile!

Thats it for now!

Sarah's Distinguished Young Women Dress

Sarah wanted some pictures in her dress that she wore for the Distinguished Young Women program (clear back in March). Here are a few of the images that we took.

Matthew's Intensity

We have Matthew's costume all worked out.  Not because I am on the ball, but because Matthew is so determined to make his plans that he will not give up until mission is accomplished.  This year Harry Potter is what he chose to be.  He found his costume on the internet.  We told him it needed to be cheaper.  He found a less-expensive version.  He said he wanted to order it.  We said not until we have a week of no tantrums.  He agreed but wasn't perfect.  We gave him 3 strikes each day.  Finally, he was good enough to order it.  We found the site.  They were all sold out.  Despair presented itself.  We found another site which was even less expensive.  We ordered it.  It came a few days later.  He said "Can I open it?"  I said no.  He said it 300 more times. I finally gave in.  A week later he opened the treasured package.  I said, "you need to be careful something might break".  Hopefully that tragedy doesn't occur.

His next mission--black hair paint.  After two days of informing us and then pleading with us that he won't really look like Harry Potter because his hair isn't black, I agree to go to Walmart on the condition that we walk.  He agrees.  Paint purchased.  Next project---to sew a pocket in the cape for his wand.  He wants it done now.  I say, "I don't sew on Sunday."  I bet you can guess what I will be doing tomorrow.

Matthew approaches everything with the same energy.  When his mission is to earn a bead in scouts, we have to say "no scouting after 8:30 p.m." We also have to request no discussion of the subject either.  We only go to the extreme to save our own insanity.  Don't get me wrong.  I am thrilled that he is driven, but there are times when parents just need a break.  He is also being the advocate for Spencer who usually doesn't put in any requests for Halloween.  But maybe this year he will be what he so desires because Matthew is on the job.

Potato Harvest

Well, potato harvest vacation has almost come to an end.  Most of the week has been rainy and cold with a snowstorm hitting us on Wednesday.  Not ideal weather for the potato farmer.  They have to delay digging when it is to wet so many of the high school seasonal employees will miss school next week.  This puts Dave in a bit of a bind because his concert is one week away and he needs his students at school.  He'll have to make the best of the situation.

Yellowstone was quite enjoyable.  Monday was a nice day--the last of the summer days.  Then on Tuesday the cold, rainy weather hit the park.  We saw a lot of animals and beautiful fall scenes.  Dave was able to locate some popular spots where photographers often take pictures.  They were indeed breathtaking views.  We stayed in a log cabin motel/resort near the town of Hatchet (just east of Grand Teton National Park).  The price was good and we didn't have to pitch a tent, thankfully, since the weather was quite chilly.

We missed our older girls.  Of course, they are fully involved in their studies and do not get to enjoy a potato harvest.

Here are a few pictures of the sights in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

All of us at Schwabacher's Landing in Grand Teton National Park 

Pronghorn Antelope in Grand Teton National Park

Bull Moose in Grand Teton National Park

Spencer and Matthew assist the ranger in retiring the flag at Coulter Bay Visitor's Center

Dave and Julie with Jackson Lake in the background (nice bokeh here!)

Early morning at Schwabacher's Landing in Grand Teton National Park

Bison and young in Yellowstone National Park

The family at one of the geothermal features in Yellowstone

Bull elk near Madison Junction in Yellowstone National Park

Mt. Moran from Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park

Panoramic view of Mt. Moran and Oxbow bend in Grand Teton National Park

September Scenes

We are enjoying fine weather here in Rexburg.  We haven't covered our tomatoes yet which is very unusual for October 2nd.  We have nice looking tomatoes but they mostly are still green.  We have enjoyed several red ones.  

Dave and the children will be enjoying the next week off because of the potato harvest tradition.  We are planning to spend Monday and Tuesday in Yellowstone as our year long pass expires this month.   It is a nice time to travel through the park: less crowds, active elk, and last year at this time we came across a grizzly at close range.

Kirsten finally acquired a job down in Provo.  It is probably considered a low-end job but it will provide her with a little income.  Her job entails cleaning the catering kitchen at the end of the day--3 days a week.  One of her most unpleasant tasks is to clean out the drains containing the food of the day.  She says it gives her greater incentive to keep looking.  My advice,  "we all have to start somewhere".  She at least has a job and now can pay for her daily living.  She is taking Chinese which has brought her a great deal of enjoyment.  As far as majors go, she has been looking towards majoring in economics with a minor in Chinese.   But education also continues to come to her mind.  I think she has given herself a month to decide.

Camille just returned from a trip to Utah where they visited 3 hospitals including Primary Childrens.  It was basically a trip to help them learn about availability of jobs when it comes time for them to look.  She will be finishing up in April and then take her test shortly after that.  She said jobs are very hard to come by in Utah and Idaho because there is an over abundance of experienced nurses who are also looking, so jobs don't usually go to inexperienced nurses.  In Texas and California there is a much greater need for nurses.  

Sarah and Catherine are in the high school musical, Footloose.  They get to do lots of fun dancing and dress up in the styles from my high school years. Sarah might even use the bridesmaid dress from my wedding, (if mom can locate it) in the high school prom scene.  

Spencer and Matthew have enjoyed attending local football games and participating in their own neighborhood games.  I have recently been called to two new callings in our ward.  One being the Wolf assistant Den Leader ( I get to work with Matthew) and the other being the Valiant 9 primary teacher.  I teach 7 girls and 2 boys.   Dave is Catherine's Sunday School teacher.  Catherine's only request is that he bring occasional treats.  

Sarah and her homecoming date, Mason Small. 

The Scouts

Sarah in the Homecoming Parade with Distinguished Young Women winners.

Just Sarah (Dad likes to take photos!)