Sav earns her phone, and Weston nails double backs

 Savanna has been working hard all summer as a nanny for Shawna Schauers which was an answer to her prayer because she needed some steady employment. She loves Shawna and her kids and would gladly have taken the job irregardless of a motive, however, whether she would have stuck with it is another question as we all know how hard it is for a 14 year old to see their summer slipping away and most of the time is spent working. She stuck with it because she has been determined to earn $700 to pay for a years worth of phone service (our conditions if she wanted to have a phone was that she had to earn enough money to cover the cost of the phone and a year of service, and she wanted a nice phone.) She didn't always love working, and she let us know many times she disagreed with our parenting decision on this, but she stuck with it, and yesterday her efforts finally paid off. She got her long awaited for phone. Boy was she in a good mood! All the sulleness of waiting finally over she couldn't stand the joy. I could have asked her to do anything for me yesterday and she would have agreed. I'm trying not to be concerned that all her happiness seems to be dependent on having a phone. Crazy world we live in. But we are proud of her, life lessons were learned and I really think she will take better care of it than if we just handed it to her.

Cousins who made it (not all pictured): Heather Schauers, Leilani Christiansen, Devin Rappleye, Trisha Ann Wight, Adam Terry, Clarissa Chapman, Cassi Davis, Krystal Williams, Karli Sue Searcy, Rachel and Joseph Barrett, Christopher Terry, April Briney, Noelle Rowe, Rachelle Wilkinson, David Rappleye, Meadow Alexander and their families.

A representative from each Rappleye family made it, and several members from the Terry's. In either picture there are several not looking at the camera, but someone else got a more professional shot. Also my parents came and brought Holly Nielson's kids.

 We attended the Rappleye cousin reunion at the end of July.  My mother Kathy Sue (Rappleye) Barrett always made sure we attended the family reunion with her siblings ever two years faithfully when I was growing up, so I have many fond memories of my cousins as a young child. This year the Rappleye siblings took a special trip to Vermont with my 94 year old grandma Rappleye, and none of my generation were invited. So we cousins got together ourselves and had our own "reunion." My cousin Devin Rappleye headed it up, and I'm glad he did. It was fun to visit with some cousins and see their beautiful children. Just goes to show how much we still love each other!

My sister Holly had her sweet baby Jamin the day after the reunion on July 26th.  So wonderful that we have such a big beautiful family, lots of love to go around. He is just a perfect little bundle! Shortly after is when my parents left for Vermont, so I took a trip to Eagle Mountain to visit Jamin and have dinner with my youngest siblings Joseph and Rachel still living at home and left behind. :) We played cards and curses and had a great time.

 Fiora has been creative this summer. She made a tent for Link the cat, and interestingly enough he actually plays in it. She loves her sewing class this summer, and even extended the learned skills to do her own projects, and has made some little quilts for babies that I won't tell who because it is a surprise. I got to babysit this other beautiful nephew Bourne Fire while his parents hauled some sod for their yard, and it was a delight. Love my nephews!

 When my parents got back from their Vermont trip I invited them over for dinner so I could get a trip update, and mom surprised me with my own little souvenir jar of pure maple syrup from the Maple Museum in Vermont. So cute! And tastes great. Thanks mom and dad!

Weston has been working hard all summer to learn his level 8 skills for next gym meet season. We got his schedule all worked out for the fall as he will miss an hour of school each day to make practice. The teachers were happy to work around that, whew! Because this kid is no slacker and is determined to be a gymnast. Here is a 10 second teaser of what he is learning. These are called "double backs" on rings.