Richards Rendevous 2018

We spent a weekend up at Bear Lake with the entire Richards clan.   

The big blue beach house was amazing and the kids had so much fun just wandering around the 3 levels  and the yard just hanging with the cousins.  

On Saturday morning we took off for Bloomington Lake where we hiked in a short ways and then the big kids and even bigger kids  (i.e. the adults who still possess fun streaks) took turns on a rope swing as well as Jeff's paddle board.

Jane's turn....

Emily's turn

Bart....

After eating a few sack lunches (mostly chips for the kids) we made our way back to Bear Lake and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon watching the kids dig in the sand and float on the Lake.

We also took some family photos later that night at the same beach. 

It's been said before by others but the only problem with this trip is it felt like 2 days just wasn't enough time!!  Everything else was perfect!

First Days 2018

The girls went back to school on August 22nd while Aaron had to wait a few days for Kindergarten testing.

Emily's primary teacher told me that she asked the kids if they are excited to start school.  Emily said No so they probed to ask isn't there anything she is excited for?  She said nothing over and over until her teacher gave up.    Ironically around the house she's been obsessed with getting her back to school clothes, school supplies, locker decorations in order and talking constantly about all her plans and hopes with friends this year.  Seems to me there's a little excitement going on even if she won't admit it.

If anyone appears pretty apathetic about school starting it is Jane.  She needed absolutely nothing for school and I think she realized it as well but did ask me to buy her a new pair of shoes and one new outfit to wear on the first day of school.  She was pretty pleased when I told her that when Aaron met his teacher for the first time, she taught 3rd grade last year Jane had her for a subject rotation, found out that Aaron was Jane's sister got really excited saying Jane was such a good student and how she is so pleased her younger brother is in her class this year.   Way to go Jane leaving an outstanding reputation for the family!!!!

Spencer's loved posing in the pictures with his sisters but is happy for now staying home taking over "his" castle and all the stuff in it (including sister's forbidden rooms) without his sisters protesting but boy how he loves, loves, loves it when they all come charging in after school.

Slice of Humble Pie

I love my neighborhood!  It would be ever bit as hard for me to move out of my neighborhood as it would to leave my beautiful house.  I feel like all of my neighbors are friendly and helpful and we are all looking out for each other.   Except for one.   For 6 years this couple has lived close to us and goes to church with us but I've never had even a couple of words between us.  When they drive pass my house and I'm outside I'll wave but it seems they look they other way.  There yards and everything surrounding them seems perfect.  I shrugged them off as self focused, perfectionistic and unfriendly.  That was until the other day when half of one of our dry strip trees fell over.  We found it as Bart was leaving for work and luckily it landed at an angle on our driveway that we could get our cars out but Bart was in such a rush he said he'd deal with it when he got home.   Later that afternoon a neighbor came over to offer his help.   Who of neighbors was it?  Why it was the most unfriendly neighbor of all.  He said he has a chain saw with a fresh chain and would be happy to cut it all up.   So Bart and he went out and cleaned up the big job.   I sat stunned and humbled that the most unfriendly neighbor turned out to be the most helpful.   

It was a good lesson for me to remember to not judge and always give others the benefit of doubt. 

Hilary

When Emily decided to focus more on her Viola and take private lessons we were blessed to be directed toward Hilary.   Emily just loved Hilary and Hilary was just what Emily needed as she began her journey.  The first lesson Emily got really nervous and started to cry and Hilary was so kind to calm her nerves and give her the confidence to succeed.     I tagged along to lessons and throughly enjoyed hearing Hilary play the Viola.  It was breathtaking how beautiful she could make her instrument sound.   She had warned us that she was in the process of applying to big symphony's across the country so it wasn't a huge surprise when she told us she was moving to New York to pursue her dream of playing with the New York Philharmonic Symphony but it still made Emily sad to lose her teacher and friend.  Luckily she left Emily in good hands with a new teacher who is strict yet fair and I think is what Emily needs to take it to the next level. 

So Goodbye Hilary and Good luck!! 

Grandma Becky's Academy

My girls got to spend a week with my mom at her house with the other older girl cousins.   It was non stop fun for these girls.   I sometimes think I'm a tween at heart but my mom takes the cake in this area.  She loves everything girl and G. Becky's Academy hit all the spots my girls love!!!

They took it upon themselves to clean out and organize an old camper trailer into their clubhouse.  They did such a good job I almost want to stay in it! 

She took them to the Castle Valley pageant.

My taught them to play the Ukulele, took them swimming, and even let them do a bake sale in Torrey one evening.

The best part I suppose was the endless hours of riding the 4 wheeler and Can-Am.   At the end of the stay they had a mini photo shoot with my mom.   My mom loves to take pictures and these girls like to be models.  Sounds like a win win time!!!

efore they left my mom sat them down and gave them each some little knick knack gifts.  She also told them that this year in school she wants them to be smart, helpful and kind.   She talked to them about being conscientious and wants to them excel in all they do.  I'm sure they each will take great advice from a great lady.

In search of Autographs.... (always)

Bart went on a few autograph adventures lately.   Clint Eastwood was filming in Georgia so he and his friend Gary hopped on a plane and stayed with one of Gary's friend in Altanta.  

The trip ended up being a bust as it was raining and the security was tight around the film set and they didn't get close enough for an autograph.  He did go to the Atlantic comic con and ate lots of food with Gary but other than that it was time wasted.  

Bart heard about the passing of a "notorious" collector that had been collecting index cards since the days of John Wayne and Audrey Hepburn.    His collection is in the hands of an acquaintance of this mans sister and it is going up for sale soon.   So Bart took a quick trip out to California to see what items he could buy separate from the collection as a whole.   He came out with a few items but mostly drooled over such items not for sale as a vintage Harrison Ford from the 70's and other old stuff like this Beatles set.  

Bart also had us go for the entire Sandlot cast at the Bee's game.   It was a unorganized, long line event but in the end Bart scored a few great photos and was pleased.  

To my health

Compliments are nice.  Especially when they come from Bart 😉 and not creepy old guys at church.   But no amount of compliments feel as good as standing on top of Bald mountain peak in the Uintas knowing just a couple of years ago my body would have never let me do it.    Sure it was only a 3 mile hike but it was straight up a mountain and I'm proud to say I was just behind the small group of mountain goat type of kids who practically bounced up the hill.    I was pushing along just behind a one of the boys who is an Alta High track star who will tell you he is proud to be black because he likes killing everyone in meets.   Just as I was feeling proud that I could keep up with such an athlete,  a couple coming down the hill stopped me to ask if that boy was with me.  I mentioned we are with a youth group and they said you know he's hiking in flip flops.   So I was a little humbled that my fast pace was his hiking in flip flops.    At the top I sat and talked to my secretary Paauna , who overcame drug addiction.  We talked about health and the word of wisdom and she had some wonderful motivating words and then she said let me take your picture.    My deepest prayer is that I can always remember how good it feels to be strong and I maintain my health and activity to continue to enjoy all this Earth can offer.