Van Natter - SEPTEMBER

(Written 27 January 2015)The weather started turning cooler early in September - no complaints! Addie started back to Aunt Heidi's Yellow Kite Learning Center. Until her house was done in October they held it at Emily's.

We heard that the colors were changing early so John and I took a drive up to Snow Basin. Turned out the reports weren't very accurate. There was some color but not a lot.

John started painting the computer room. This meant emptying it entirely except for the computer, which he would cover with plastic when he needed to. The painting project took forevvvver! John is a perfectionist and was never happy with his work so he'd just keep repainting! It was after Thanksgiving before he was fed up enough to say it was done!!

I had this desk for most of our marriage (37+ years) and it was Dad's for as long as I can remember before that, but it was time to say goodbye. I'll be getting a new one. Lots of memories attached to this one. I kind of miss it, but I'm more excited about getting something new...soon!

Ian left for his 3 week European adventure on the 9th. He posted a bunch of photos here on the blog to illustrate all the amazing places he visited and sights he saw. He traveled with 2 girls, so he saw things that he might not have had he alone planned the trip! He sent this photo wearing a hat he bought in Sienna, Italy.

Linda and Mark made a visit to Utah, and I was invited to come to Annette's and sew for a couple of days. We made clothes for Zoey and had the best fun!

Annette fed us like Queens - she is amazing in the kitchen. We raved over every meal!

While there we went to the Hale to see Beau Jeste, which was delightful! And I went home with this adorable outfit for Zoey, as well as a Halloween witch costume, and a hiking outfit. We ran out of time to make Zoey! So Linda made her and sent her to us! So kind!

September 21st was the Ogden Temple re-dedication, which we attended in our Stake Center. It was really meaningful to John since he was at the first dedication in 1972. Looking at the new temple, it's hard to believe it's the same place! As soon as it was over, John had to leave for the airport and fly to St. Paul. While he was gone I emptied my pantry and corner pantry and reorganized both. The pantry will probably never be easy to use since I let them redo it during the remodel, but I put some large lazy susans in the back corners and things are more accessible now.

On the first day of Fall I pulled out my bear - I bought her in Galena, IL on a trip more than a decade ago. For some reason she really speaks FALL to me!

I picked Ian up at the airport and he wanted to stop at Emily's to give gifts to the little ones. Addie adores UncaIan.

He had this nativity shipped home from Austria for me!!

 

On the last Sunday of the month, John and I went looking for Fall colors again, with little luck. We even drove up to Park City where we saw a little orange at the higher altitudes, then over Guardsman Pass where we finally saw some golden Aspens.

Happy Fall ya'll!!

Ian - Europe 2014 (picture heavy)

Sept 9th & 10th - SLC - Paris - Switzerland

We left SLC at 5:00 on the 9th and landed in Paris on the 10th at around 11:00 am. We then boarded a train and headed straight to Bern, Switzerland for the night. A long train ride (6.5 hour or so). Luckily our train passes let us use the first class seats, which are great and come with a waiter so you don't have to walk the 200 feet to the restaurant car.
We made it through a few train changes and arrived in the Bern station. We pulled up the hotel on Google maps and had our first experience with how terrible it works in Europe. After wandering in circles we finally made it to our hotel. Google Maps really sucks in Europe.

Random photo from around Strasbourg

Weird chair in the hotel in Bern. It was highly uncomfortable

Strasbourg Station

View from the hotel in Bern

Sept 11th - Bern, Switzerland to Florence, Italy

Went to the temple first thing. Ran into a family from Idaho who were on our flight from SLC. The dad was Swiss and we talked in German for a long time before we both realised we spoke English. We then headed back to Bern and grabbed a train to Florence, Italy, which is a very dirty city.

View from the balcony of the hotel in Florence

View from the balcony of the hotel in Florence

View from the balcony of the hotel in Florence

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

 

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

Swiss Countryside

Swiss Countryside

Italian Countryside (near Switzerland)

September 12th - Sienna, Italy

Headed to Sienna from Florence for a day trip.  I ended up buying a flat cap from a shop that makes the hats in the back room.

Greg Cottrell Family-Summer 2014

These three kids are amazing!! Since they are were all in school for the first time this last year it really made Lindsey miss them. So we partied this summer. Zoo, sonics, donuts, hiking, swimming, parks, camping, smores, Wyoming fun, BYU-Idaho, riding in a parade, rock wall climbing, snow cones, milkshakes, Winter Quarters/Trail Center, cupcakes, etc. Our SUMMER WAS AWESOME!!!(click link) Summer 2014 Adam, Sarah, and Isaac you make us Happy!!!

Van Natter - August

Early August we experienced our first water advisory here in Clinton. Fortunately we'd signed up for notifications and so we got texts, emails, and automated phone calls advising us not to drink the water. Apparently someone had cross-connected their secondary (untreated irrigation water) line with their culinary line after it was turned off for non-payment. And so the city water tested positive for the possibility of e-coli. It never tested positive for the actual presence of e-coli, but we had to use bottled water or boil our water for a few days. People further west had to wait as long as 5 days before they were cleared to use the water. It took that long for the extra chlorination to reach them. Water disappeared from local store shelves within a couple of hours. It was enlightening to go through something like that where we weren't in any danger, but had to re-think how to go about our daily lives without being able to just turn on the water tap.

Jacob came and hauled away a lot of their remaining belongings. I still find things of theirs here and there. It was nice to have that dealt with. Just a random picture of Addie that I love!

Grammy and Linda arrived on the 16th. All the kids came over and we had pizza and lots of chatter that evening. Linda left us all enthralled with Zoey and her many costume changes! Heidi and Emily especially went nuts! Addie too! So fun to be together.

Linda went to Church with John and me, sat in our Sunday School class, then we headed home. We played around in the afternoon and then Linda headed to Annette's after dinner of roast and roasted veggies.

On Monday, Grammy and I went to lunch at Rainbow Gardens, then went to see Emily's house. Tuesday we drove to the Riverwoods in Provo for lunch with Heidi at LaJolla Groves. We drove the scenic route. Wednesday we tried to meet up with Linda and Annette at Dock of the Bay in Provo Canyon but it was closed. So we backtracked to the Kneaders in Heber City that Mom and I had passed, and enjoyed wonderful soup and sandwiches. They headed off to a boutique in Midway and I headed home from there.

Closed the month by celebrating Emily's 30th birthday with lunch at Ruth's Diner up Emigration Canyon. Then we went to the Ogden Temple Open House.

Busy and happy month!

Van Natter - July

Wow, I had NO idea I was so far behind!! A little embarrassed by that.

Let's start with July:

We celebrated the 4th at Emily's. John and Neil played Peek-a-Boo, which made everyone laugh! Before it got dark, Jacob set off some fireworks in the backyard. Addie would run inside and hide behind the sliding glass door each time - she's not a fan of the loud noises. Neil wasn't sure what was going on! We were back home before dark. We watched Captain America to end the day.
Addie is wearing her festive patriotic dress, and Jacob sports her Easter Bonnet.

THRILLED when I got the email about my free Ancestry, My Heritage, and Find My Past memberships. Everyone else should have them by now. I've still only been on Ancestry. I need to figure out the other two. For some fun, be sure to visit Relative Finder and see all the famous people you're related to!!

Neil turned one on July 11. We went over to celebrate. He was not too crazy about that messy cupcake! He did enjoy his new toys. As did Addie!! We got him a stuffed chair like the one we got Addie for her first birthday. (Different fabrics, but their names are embroidered on.)

I started putting together the Teacher Spotlights for the girls' latest venture, Teacher Approved, a subscription service for educators. There are bundles for K-2, 3-4, and 5-6. Each bundle offers 6 new products useful for teaching or student work each month. The teachers who offer their product each month get a 'spotlight' on the Teacher Approved blog. I am in charge of those. It is interesting to read about these teachers from all over the country (and world in some cases!) and how much effort they put into educating kids. I am amazed by Emily and Heidi's business(es.)

Such fun to attend Amy's baby shower at Stephanie's! The best kind of shower: no games, amazing food, and great gifts!! Annette outdid herself on the appetizer spread. Amazing!!!!! Addie had a ball playing with her cousins, and even got to borrow a swimsuit to play in the water out back. We had to pry her away when it came time to leave.
And now we can officially welcome BABY WES!!! 

We didn't do much to celebrate Pioneer Day. John never gets it off. I watched some of the parade on TV just to feel a little festive. John has a lot of Pioneer ancestors.

We saw a lot of the Littles through the month, which was fabulous, since we worried about seeing them often once they moved into their new home.