Mike, the boys and I had a great time last night attending the BYU/USU football game in Provo. Teresa's friend Brad got us great tickets, and we enjoyed meeting them before the game for dinner. We were happy to only add 45 minutes to the drive down, and to zip home after the game in just 2 hours. Luckily we mostly avoided rush hour and game day traffic. Luckily too that the game went BYU's way, otherwise, I really hate showing my face anywhere in Logan. . .
Last Friday night, I got the dreaded phone call at 10:30 p.m. with Jessica on the phone saying "mom, I got in a crash. . . but it wasn't my fault!" I knew what was coming as soon as she said "mom. . ." Happily it wasn't her fault (guy failed to yield left turn) but it's been a hassle this week with just two cars, and the guys insurance company is being a joke. We're pretty sure the car will be totalled, as the damage is estimated at $3200 and I'm not sure it's worth much more than that. . . just what we don't want to do right now- look for and buy another car! Mostly because we're needing to do that with the van. The transmition is going out, so instead of putting another penny into that LEMON of an automobile, we think we'll look for something else. Stay tuned. We've got to wait until Mike isn't working ridiculous 15-16 hour days however, and that should happen after October 15. Mike reports that this year may be his worst ever for how busy he's been prior to this October 15 deadline. For those of you who know Mike's work schedule and what it's been over the past 20 years, you'll know he's in a bad way. Pray for him.
A quick football update on the boys: Cam's team who was 6-0 before this morning, just lost their first game to Box Elder- who is undefeated as well. Those boys were huge! Their QB was 6'2" 200 lbs. Hello- that's 2 of Cam! It was a tough loss, but our boys will still be in the playoffs next week.
Jake's team, on the other hand is having a tough year. A lot of Sophomores are playing varsity, so that leaves his team lacking a bit. They have yet to win a game, but he's hanging in there.
I'm hoping to post some pictures of the beautiful Cache Valley fall weather as soon as it warms up a little and I can get out on a hike!
Our backyard garden- small as it is, produces the perfect amount of vegetables for our family.
We love having it and eating (or sharing w/ neighbors) about this amount of vegetables every 3-4 days.
I made some yummy salsa last night with 6 pounds of tomatoes from two different days pickings. I discovered the easiest recipe that I'm so excited about. In the grocery store, you buy a packet of Mrs. Wages salsa seasoning, add it to 6 pounds of tomatoes, and 1/2 c vinegar- cook and process, and you're done! It was very easy- and it's so good.
One night last week, all three kids were busy doing homework, Mike was doing his LHS stats,
and I was at the stove making peach/raspberry jam. Again- thanks to Aunt Lorna, I've been making the easiest, best jam. You can use this same recipe w/ whatever fruit you want. Just remember 666 (or the devils recipe!) Bring to a boil 6 cups mashed fruit, and 6 cups of sugar. Boil for 6 minutes. Remove from heat, and add 1 large box of jello (flavored whatever your fruit is)- let cool- put into containers, and freeze. It's so tasty- especially on freshly baked bread.
I was ready for a change of hair color since my dark roots show too quickly when I go so blond, so here's what I ended up with after Stacie got done with me. I love it, and love having a change. And I know it's a change when Mike notices- which he did.
I took the boys' school pictures today. It was pretty quick and painless. I can't believe I used to pay for school pictures. No need now with today's digital cameras. I think they turned out great. It's always a relief to have over.
There was plenty of clowning around between shots.
Yesterday Ann, Trace, Mom and Ryan C. joined us for the awesome BYU vs. Tulsa football game. It was a great game to watch, and especially fun when the backup quarterback, Riley Nelson got in in the 4th quarter (since BYU was ahead by so much) and scored a touchdown. Riley was a standout QB at Logan High, and has brothers Cam and Jake's age who are their good friends (and also amazing FB players). I spent hours making a copycat recipe of Cafe Rio's sweet pork salad. YUMMY. It was worth all the work because it tastes just like the restaurant. Let me know if you want the recipe. But beware- it is time intensive. While we were watching the game, Jessica was over with the three little kids she was tending for the weekend while the parents were out of the country. The little 2 year old fell on the trampoline, and got a bad cut on his forehead, so Jess called our peditrician who's in our ward, to see if it needed stitches, and sure enough- the little guy needed 4! It was scary and traumatic for Cooper, and Jessica! She was very mature and responsible in handling it all- I was impressed with her. She's going to make the best mom someday.
A few years ago for Christmas, the Raymonds gave us an awning to use in our backyard. We thought it would be fun, but decided it would be in the way of mowing and watering the grass, so we put it in the garage and didn't really think of it until this summer when Mike remembered it and suggested we set it up and see if it would fit over our patio furniture and give us some shade. Sure enough, it fit perfectly, so we moved our swing under it too (since I had ruined the shade covering for that a few weeks earlier) and we were set! (awww- look at cute little Sal :)
I loved the look, it provided great shade, and we really enjoyed it for about two months. Our fear was that with the first strong windstorm, it would blow away, but it withstood several of those with no problem. Then came the rain. . . This past Sunday and Monday morning, it rained here like I haven't seen or heard since I don't know when. At 4:00 in the morning Monday as I lay in bed listening to it pour, I just knew our fun little covering would be no more. Sure enough, when we got up, here is what we saw. . .
Several of the bars were bent, and there was just no salvaging it. It was so sad to just junk it.
So now we're on the lookout for something similar, since we can't go back to a bare patio. Please be on the lookout with me.
The kids started back at school this week, as well as me back at work for my 4th year at Mount Logan Middle School as an ESL aide from 12-3 every day. It was tough for all of us to give up the fun, carefree days of summer- but it must be done.
Here is Jess starting her Sophomore year at USU
This is Jake's Sophomore year at LHS.
And Cam is a big 8th grader at MLMS. Make it a great year kids!
I've known this day was coming for five months. I've tried to prepare myself. I'm not going to dwell on my sadness at Kylee and Brody moving. That would be selfish. . . I'm just going to think of the positives. I'll get back to you on those when I figure out what they are. Kidding. I'm excited for them to have this experience of moving off on their own. Mike and I did it- and it was great. We just have loved having them around so much, and have been spoiled these past 2 1/2 years since they got married and lived 5 minutes away, and especially spoiled these past few weeks having them living at home. It has been so great, and we've done some fun things. The following is a sampling:
This past weekend, the Bundys and Densleys came for a fun going away party. First we ate,
played beach volleyball, then went to Lundstrom Park for some night-time ultimate frisbee.
Then back home for a competitive game of scum.
Sunday after church, we played more beach volleyball. I don't know what I love more on a summer day than a rousing game of beach volleyball. It's so much fun. That evening, the Searles, Ericksons, and Griffins came for munchies, a game of Apples to Apples, and to say goodbye. 
This morning, me and the boys joined Ky, Brody and Salomon on a bike ride up Green Canyon. It was hard/beautiful/fun all at the same time. We then helped them pack up the moving truck with their belongings that had been stored in Brody's sister's garage these past 2 weeks. 
They left the truck at Brittanys house and came back here to load up what they'd been using the past 2 weeks and to get Sal. Luckily they didn't have to go all the way to Glendale like this!
And then they were gone. I can't really say more than that at this time. I just got done reapplying my makeup- and I don't need to be ruining it again. I am so glad we were able to have such a fun time this whole summer as a family.And now to answer the burning question I'm sure many of you have. How did it go with Sal the dog? I don't know if I've been more surprised by anything in my life than by how I feel about this dog. I might just have to say I love the little guy. I know, I know- I've had many a negative thing to say about dogs in the past. They drool, they dig, they lick, they bark, whine, jump, poo, shed, stink. I was prepared to tolerate all these things just to have Ky and Brody here. But, to my amazement, Sal doesn't bark, dig, drool, whine, jump, shed or stink. Well, not much. He is a good boy. He's smart and rather entertaining and quite fun. For the first few days, this is where Sal was most of the time:
I couldn't take it! Look at that face! I could practically hear him saying "whatcha doing in there? looks like you're having fun! I wanna come in and have fun too!" So, slowly by slowly, he made his way into the house and into my heart. I know! It's shocking!
I lost any fear I had of being drooled on, jumped on, or licked. OK- maybe that's exaggerating. But I did improve.
Here are some more pictures of us having fun with him:
Now, lest you think the world has gone completely mad, we're not going to run out and get a dog of our own now that Sal is gone. But I won't be dreading having Sal come back for Christmas- even if it means he'll probably stay inside the house THE WHOLE TIME.
I've been making a list the past few weeks of things I'll miss about having the Hatchs live here:
*every other sunday dinners
*wednesday dinners and LOST afterwards
*drop in visits
*shopping and lunchs with ky
*brody's awesome discounts on outdoor equipment from nordas
*rook and other card games
*going to the temple together
*get-togethers with the bundys
*working out together
*hikes and bike rides
*seeing the green jetta or red dodge in front of our house
*driving by their house on the way to the weyerts or cliffside
*backyard beach VB, croquet, badminton or bocce ball
*celebrating every birthday and holiday together
*passing each other driving around town, or seeing Ky walking Sal on the island as i'm driving by
*brody's laugh
We have a lot of wonderful memories that will see us through until we make more. Good luck Kylee, Brody and Sal in your new home and town. I love you guys (great--- there goes the make-up. . . )
I loved learning how to make these "peachy" cupcakes, and my neighbors who I delievered some to loved it too!
