Labor Day Weekend... Not much labor, lots of soccer, food, circus and fun.

A busy Labor Day Weekend ... Wednesday, Thursday, Friday soccer games for Lolo -- incredible win on Monday morning against La Roca who has dominated us every tournament this summer -- and an amazing last second lost against Sparta in overtime in the finals this afternoon.  Our girls were classy and worked their behinds off and almost beat the team who again has dominated us all summer.


Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning for a couple of people to see the house.  Can I say how much I hate this whole process?  (Although I do like how much cleaner the house always is.)  But, seriously not sure how much longer I can do this.  We just need to find a house we like that includes a home office for Dave and sell ours, or bag the whole thing and just enjoy life here.    Unfortunately neither the staying or going feels like it is the right thing right now... why does it feel like the answer is not going to be coming soon and why can't I be like Dave and just really not care one way or the other?


Awesome circus produced by Kenzi -- performed by Cam and Lauren Spencer and Kenzi.  Complete with magic tricks, levitating animals, lion taming, water balloon juggling clown, tight rope walking, treats and "the hussle."  I love imaginations!


Yummy BBQ with great friends, awesome BYU win and a fun, relaxing quick trip to the cabin with Walls -- complete with tons of games... I love playing games.  I hate that summer is over!

Singing at the Top of Snowbird

For the past few years Kenzi's choir has performed at the top of the Snowbird Tram as a part of the Cancer Wellness House benefit. 


The kids and families ride the tram up and sing as people are hiking up, and then sing as a part of the program.  It is very touching to see the yellow flags waving in the wind and hear the stories of the speakers.  Thinking of my mom, Beki and my many family and friends affected by cancer -- while listening to sweet Kenzi sing a solo always make me teary at this event.   


The kids have been in an August snowstorm singing ... this year it was perfect weather -- we even hiked part way down after and rode the chair lift to the bottom. 


Here's to another of my favorite choir performances!

Kenzi's Big Day -- 2nd Trip to the Temple

It started with breakfast in bed... crepes with Nutalla.

A great day at school with a Keva for lunch and tortillas at Cafe Rio for dinner.

The highlight of the day was baptisms at the Bountiful Temple. Dave, Lauren, Jacque, Grandpa and I all joined her. They were so sweet to her making this first time very special. She looked so tiny in her little white jumpsuit. I'm so grateful to our great nieces who helped us create this as a Hess 12th Birthday tradition.

It had been 11 1/2 years since we first took her there -- March 3, 2000. A great 2nd trip for all of us. Kenzi you are the best!!!

... Smile on Kenzi's Face Looking at her Tangled Birthday Cake ... Priceless

1 Challenge

Kenzi: Can Aunt Jenn make me a Tangled Birthday Cake

Me: You don't even like cake.

Kenzi: I know, but I want a cool Tangled Birthday Cake

Me: I'll make you one.

Kenzi: You'll just make a flat cake and stick a Tangled doll in the middle.

4 Great Morleys

* Becca for offering to help me and go above and beyond the call of friendship

* Luke and Tessa for letting me monopolize their mom for a few days and being so patient.

* Barrett for not caring Becca did nothing but birthday caking for a few days

3 Cake Mixes

3 large bottoms, 4 middle small (and one cracked middle -- of course it was me making it)

1 Batch of Rice Krispies

For the top 2 towers

Lots of Fondant Frosting and Molds

Research & Design, 2 Hours of Baking, 1 Hour of Fondant Frosting Making & 6 Straight Hours of Becca and Steph Decorating

Fake Yummy/Unattractive Brownies

When Cameron looked at "That is Kenzi's cool Tangled Cake?) Cam and Laren knew I was doing the cake -- but Kenzi had no idea.

Look on Kenzi's Face = PRICELESS!!!

Summer's Last Gasp...

The lake, Cherry Hill, Lagoon (for a few rides and for Cameron to spend his "finish workbook incentive $$ and learn about budgeting and playing games), playing with friends, Kenzi's birthday party, too many late night Monopoly Deal games, a great 2-day visit with Nat and Jacqueline and lots of late night memory sharing/laughing... oh how sad I was to see summer end!!!

Back to School!

8th, 6th and 2nd... how can they be getting so old? All 3 had a first great couple of days of school.

Cameron is so excited about walking home... despite the fact we have had to drag (literally) Zoe home in the heat. Kenzi loves her teacher and being a big 6th grader, and Lauren has picked up right where she left off last spring.

I'm soooo grateful that as of today, all 3 Hess kids love school!!!

Happy Early 12th Kenzi

Kenzi had her "early" 12th bday bash last night. She was dying to do a drive-in movie so we just had to do the "luck of the draw" on what movie we would see and headed to the drive-in.

We had custom treat bags, made bags and bags of popcorn, played some games, did the spanking machine (not one girl had heard of it) and enjoyed a really cheesy Spy Kids 4 movie. Nice Kev & Val helped transport kids -- that is above and beyond the call of neighbor duty.

There is just something fun about sitting on lawn chairs on a warm summer night watching a movie. (And I'm amazed at how much junk a dozen kids can consume in 2 hours.)

Wish we could have stayed for the double feature... just too many girls there to keep track of them until 1:00 am.

Happy Birthday next week Kenzi!