A Full Week

It's been a little more than a week since we left Kaneesha. We miss her every day and love to receive text messages and see Facebook updates. She injured her quads in her first pre-season game and is anxious for the healing to be complete so she can play again. She hasn't missed any games and the trainer has been keeping her in good condition for when it is healed. She continues to participate in the practices (with limited activity). We're anxious to see her first home game (live via the internet). 

Selina at Airport

On Monday we took Selina to the airport. Unlike me, she was wise enough to take that the legal documents that she needed. We checked her bag, then said goodbye. It was a very busy airport day. We would like to have stayed and visited with her longer, but Noell was beginning her first day back in the university. It is never fun to say, "Goodbye" (or even, "See you later.") but as Selina is a very special part of our family, the goodbyes were filled with tears. We were so glad she spent her summer vacation with us. A one month visit was definitely not long enough.

On the way back from the airport Noell dropped me off at work and then rushed back to arrive in time for her first class. She has three very difficult classes this semester. She's taking Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, and Drugs & Behavior in Society.

Tanner and I spent a good amount of the evening mowing, weeding, and improving the yard. The grass  had grown quite tall and there was a dry spot where a sprinkler needed repaired. We trimmed the bushes and even ripped out a bush that has become unruly. Tanner has become quite good a mowing the lawn. Tanner has a positive attitude and loves to do his best. I believe the yard looks better this year than it ever has.

Myranda and Tanner began their school classes on Tuesday. They had missed the first three days and some of their teachers were beginning to wonder if they were actually going to attend school this year. 

Tanner's Soccer Game

Both Myranda and Tanner had soccer games this week. Tanner is on an exceptional team and they have blown away both teams they've played. Myranda's first game was cancelled due to a large thunderstorm. Her second game was against a Santaquin team. Santaquin only has two teams and they practice together more and keep the same coaches and players from year to year. They have a great advantage over the Payson teams. While Santaquin won, Myranda looked excellent. She was one of the strongest players on the team. The coach had her play forward, defense, and even goalie. She prevented a number of points from the other team and helped our team get very close to scoring on several different plays. She looked so good as goalie that I even called her Kaneesha several times!

Tanner Finds the Wrights

Tanner and McKenna

Friday night we went to Payson Onion Days. Tanner was excited to ride the carnival rides and Myranda was hoping to stay home. I took Tanner to the rides while Noell and Myranda walked around and watched the hypnotist and saw the commercial booths. 

Tanner saw McKenna Wright (his best friend) and her older siblings and quickly joined them on the rides. They had an excellent time together. When Noell and Myranda finished, Myranda was ready to go home. Myranda didn't want to go on any rides but when McKell Wright invited her, Myranda quickly changed her mind. Myranda and Tanner had an excellent time with their friends on the rides. I think it may have been one of the best times we've had at the carnival.

Myranda, McKell, & Hagen

Tanner After Slide

Saturday, on the way to the talent show at the Onion Days, a man offered to let Myranda jump on a trampoline with bungee cords attached to her. She was able to jump extremely high and even learned to do some back flips. It was fun to watch her. We then went to the talent show competition where Myranda had some friends performing in the youth division. We stayed for the adult competition also. While we quite enjoyed a number of the adult's performances, we preferred the youth.

Myranda & Hagen

Myranda & McKell

In church I taught the Gospel Essentials class. I've recently been called as an assistant ward mission leader. After church I went to visit with some of the ward missionaries and make assignments. Tanner went with me and we had a great time visiting with two of our great widows in the ward (Sister Dalton & McMullin). I wish I could spend more time with the great neighbors around us.

This morning I touched up the varnish from repairing the second cello we've purchased for Myranda. Here's the history of the cello:

Tanner, Hagen, & McKenna

Noell Potographing Fireworks

Myranda has an excellent cello to use at home, a friend (Jay Young who taught me to build/repair violins) sold it to us for an great price. This year the school is charging $100 rental fee for Myranda to use an extremely cheap cello at school during the school year. I decided that instead I would purchase a cheap cello, avoid the fee, and sell it later. I bought one for $300 (the case is worth $350) and planned to send it to school with Myranda. 

When I got it home and began to tune it, it broke inside. I knew I could fix it, so when I was alone I began to take the top off and repair it. I was anxious to complete the repair before the family got home. As I rushed to take the top off the cello, the knife slipped and sliced off the tip my thumb. While the cello was cheap, bandaids did cost us some, and the recovery has been uncomfortable. Actually, I'm glad we purchased the cello and it now looks and works well (for a cheap instrument).

Myranda's First Backflips

My thumb now looks more like I had a blister that was removed. While it looks almost fully recovered, it is still tender, especially when applying pressure to it. I'm daily amazed how much we use the tip of our thumbs.

Tanner & McKenna

Today Tanner Noell and I went to the parade. Tanner woke early, so he wouldn't miss it. Toward the end of the parade Tanner was tired and anxious to leave. We stayed to the end and we walked home with a big bag of candy (it looked like Halloween). After lunch and a few candies, Tanner was so tired that he fell asleep on Noell's lap.

Also, during the week Tanner asked me to play a piano duet with him. After a few times, we were able to do it together. We had so much fun that we even tried some others. We now have two little duets that we play together.

Also, this week Myranda informed us that her performance group will be performing differently than they did last time. Her last performance had some solo performances and group musical numbers that were acted out. This year, in December, they will be putting on a play. Of course, she is very excited about being in a real play! She will do awesome.