It's about darn time...Really.

I cannot believe that I have let this large amount of time lapse. It is absurd. I have no excuse. Other than lacking in focus and not lacking in other things to do. And really, much of the words I will put here will be of no interest to just about anybody!

But I digress. Let us Recap.

We have had summer = fun

We started school = fatigue

We had Hallowe'en = sugar high

We have had a missionary for nearly 6 months = proud and happy mom

Would you like a pictorial review? Here we go!

Tahoe - can't be beat. We spend as many days as we can up there. We were thrilled when Hannah got back from D.C. and headed up there often. We also discovered a new place of fun and went kayaking at Fallen Leaf Lake. Beautiful tiny lake right off Hwy 89. There are some waterfalls up there and we had some good fun scrambling on the boulders.

Next: A little hiking fun for Hannah and Tom.

Little? A bit of an understatement. They did about a 50 mile hike along the John Muir trail. They were gone for 5 days and were tired and dirty and covered in mosquito bites, but what a feat. Quite an amazing accomplishment and pretty beautiful pictures, as well.

What else - oh yes, my summer tradition...

GIRLS CAMP at Bucks Lake

The theme this year was Musicals. We had a revolution - thanks to Hannah and Camilla's camp group - Les Miserables. But other than that and a little payback, everything went off without a hitch. Abbey had a great first year in her Beauty and the Beast group.

And I had a little run as a nun. A singing nun, no less!

That is me - 2nd from the left. These are the ladies who helped me plan camp. We had a little too much fun and got a little punchy by the end. But I love them and camp is good.

Are you weary? Should I give you a break from all the visual pleasure.

Nah - Let's just fast forward to...

HALLOWE'EN

We had a Jack in the Box:

We had a 70's basketball player:

Afro Abbey:

She is missing her cape and crest in this photo- but she looked darling and had a great day. A Canadian teacher thought she was some sort of Canadian superhero from the 80's? Anyone? I had never heard of one, but he printed a picture, and she sort of looked like him.

A couple of Thugs (Camilla and her pal, Kylie):

Nice.

And a Pac Man her friend , Ghost (aka: Hannah & Haydn):

So fun and adventures had by all. We've done a million other things. Waterskiing at Lake Almanor, tennis season for Camilla and Hannah, basketball for Abbey. Danny and Jack are looking forward to hockey season.

Probably everyone who will read this is on the email list for Tommy's mission letters. He is doing so great. He sends pictures once in a while and emails every Wednesday - so that is my new favourite day.

On the back of this photo he wrote, "Crying repentance unto the people." Hahaha - as he would say. Below is a picture of the family that he and his companion taught and baptized.

The Perez Family

So that should bring us up to date.

Next I'll add a post about our new addition.

No, I'm not pregnant.