Pioneer Power

So...I was invited (or more like forced) to join the DUP "Daughters of the Utah Pioneers". I always thought these meetings were for old ladies, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were a few others my age :-) Talking about pioneers made me feel an appreciation for my pioneer ancestors and took me back in time. I have always pictured pioneer women being "solid" in stature and strong women (physically, mentally and spiritually). I got thinking about my Grandmother Stosich...she fits this description perfectly. Although I don't consider myself the strongest mental and spiritual person, I definitely inherited the physical part...that good 'ol pioneer stock! It also made me think about how some aspects of their lives were simple and one of my favorite memories of my Grandmother was when she canned. I can still smell the aroma. It totally motivated me to do some good ol' canning so I could pass down some memories to my children! My Grandmother made it look easy...maybe it was her huge kitchen :) Being my first time canning, I am pretty proud of myself. What a sense of accomplishment I felt! I truly enjoyed it. I canned peaches, which was a little hard because my peaches were a little soft and I made jam with peaches & raspberries and pears & raspberries. My pioneer ancestors, especially my Grandmother, would be pleased! :-)

School Pictures

Had to post updated pictures :-)

Natalie is a junior this year.

Aaron is a sophomore this year.

JV Football

I love Aaron in his football gear! He has a few more "man" muscles this year than he did last year. :)

Aaron scored a touchdown at his football game this week...he was playing defense and jumped three feet into the air (no kidding!) and caught an interception and then ran it 60 yards and did a "Reggie Bush" move across the goal line for a touch down. (For those of you who don't know what that means - like me), he dove for the endzone while he warded off the defender with his one arm while holding the football in one hand and got it just inside the touchdown pylon just before he got knocked out of bounds. It was a SWEET touchdown...he was pretty proud of himself! :)


Update: Aaron's JV team went undefeated all season! Yeah Skyhawks!

Labor Day Weekend Project

So...we've been helping my parents remodel their home. Last time we helped we got so much done, but it was hard to tell because there was still so much to do. Well, this trip was definitely more rewarding. Over the summer my sister Tawnya decorated the place, my brother Harland finished the flooring and they got a new roof put on. Labor Day weekend Allen built a pantry for them and put frames around the doors; I finished painting all the walls and a couple doors and did some detailing; Allen's brother Kyle converted their electricity from fuses to breakers (huge job!); and my brother Rob assisted them. There is still a lot to do on the outside and downstairs, but it was so rewarding to see how appreciative they were of our service. I love that feeling! My mother adores her home now and that is worth all the exhaustion and "labor" pains we all had! (I wish it looked like this when I was growing up) :)