Some September Snapshots

I'm her loudest cheerleader - and biggest all-around fan!

Matching uniform colors and numbers!
Playing with Aunt Sandy - she came to visit our mom.

We were able to bring Mom to my house each afternoon from the rehab center.

It's so good to see her smile.  She and McKenna are very close.



Reading



Lookin' spiffy in her birthday outfit from Grandma & Grandpa

Team One for the Pizza Faceoff

Goofy Grandpa

Joy and Scott Newey came to visit Mom and Dad, as they were in town for General Conference.
They lived in Fair Oaks with us and have been friends with my parents for more than 40 years.



The Primary Program

This was no doubt my favorite Primary Program (since the last one, and until the next one).

Maia was in it for the very last time!

(She's moving on to Young Women's)

Cooper gave an amazing talk, without being the least bit nervous!

(about how we must do what we believe, "all my life!")

Ivy sang a short solo, with complete confidence and cuteness!

("I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints")

Soccer Season for Ivy

Our littlest soccer player sure had fun. Lots of friends, lots of running, and yummy treats afterward.  What's better than that?

Big brother ended up with the same color of uniform and same player number (4) for his team!

Here's hoping mom can find the pictures of his season too - I know we took them.



Cute Cub

I know a little boy who LOVES Cub Scouts.

He's a Bear, for a little while longer anyway.



My Six-Year-Old Cowgirl

I'm efficient.

I had a barn in my garage and I couldn't let it go to waste.

A Pink Cowgirl Party is all we needed to fill it.

Luckily, I had a little girl turning six one week after the dance.

Luckily, that little girl owns pink cowgirl boots and loves horses.

Luckily, she loves to party in pink!

Little Summer was invited to her first birthday party!

Once again, daddy does a great job in leading the party games.

But where are his chaps and spurs?

Excited for the gifts . . .

but got up without prodding from us and gave each little guest a hug after she opened his or her gift! 

Matt's not quite sure what to do about the hug, however.

The actual birthday day . . . we celebrated with just family.

And that celebration included gifts as well!

Long before my mother's stroke, I had promised McKenna we'd host the dinner for the Sadie Hawkin's Dance.  She and her friends had invited boys to the dance, planned fun games at the park beforehand (like having a pudding fight), and prepared dinner to eat before heading to the dance.

It was a Western theme, so I had envisioned turning our garage into a barn setting for the chicken and potatoes they'd be serving.  

So, two days after the stroke, and one day after the Change of Command, I got busy. 

 And stayed busy all day. 

Yee Haw!

I was glad to hear that hangin' in the barn and eating was their favorite part of the evening!

Goodbye Artillery

When he was 17, Richard joined the National Guard and was attached to an artillery unit, the 222nd Field Artillery Batallion.  His son is a member of that same unit now.  For 29 years, besides before we were married and a few at SUU ROTC, Richard has been an Artillery Officer. 

For the past two years he has been the commander of the 65th Fires Brigade.

Today he gave up command and will be taking a position on the General's Staff, but it's not artillery.

Richard is a wonderful officer and has loved the artillery, so this is a sad day for him, as he won't ever return to the artillery again. It's just the way it goes with military assignments, and he knew this day would come, but that didn't make it any easier.



Colonel Richard G. Miller waiting . . . and remembering



Ready to pass on the Guidon

Giving it up

And giving Command to Col. Scott Fuller

Returning . . . no longer the Commander of the 65 Fires Brigade

A nice momento for him

General Tarbet

Addressing his men and the families . . . but there was giggling in the audience

Because this happened!  She finally lost that wiggly tooth.  Despite my efforts to shush, the excitement in the stands was obvious.  Luckily, it was during her daddy's speech and no one else's!

The best job that he'll never need give up

Some pretties for me . . . and a smooch.  I'm proud of my Soldier.

Together, except for Austin

In the Officer's Club, at the luncheon