Seven for September

1

 Marcus played soccer during the month of September and just has two more games. He has loved it. He has had a chance to play goalie and to score a couple of goals himself. I've been really impressed with the YMCA program. His coach is kind, the refs are great, and the other little kids and parents are fun and supportive. It has been a great experience for him. They've had practice each Wednesday evening and Tim takes Owen and Eli, too, so that's been nice for me :) I get a quiet night once a week. Grandma and Grandpa have come to every game and that has really meant a lot to all of my children and to me. Auntie Kay has come to a game or two and when Uncle Taylor and Aunt Kimberlie and cousin Tyler were here they came too. People have asked if Marcus really loves soccer and while I think he does enjoy it, I think he mostly likes being with his friends. They could be doing anything and I think he'd be happy--social butterfly.

2

September was a HUGE month for me because I got TWO brand new nephews!!

 Here is sweet baby Brantly Christopher Smith. He was born on September 5 and weighed a whopping 9 lbs 3 ounces! He had to spend his first week in the NICU (boo!) but he is home and all is well now. I got to go down this past weekend and spend some time snuggling him and he is absolutely adorable and so wonderful. I already miss him. My sister makes really beautiful babies :)

 Look at all the babies!! These are the three grandchildren born in 2012. Brantly Christopher Smith (September), Noah Paul Tew (June), and Zachary Tew Richey (February).

3

 Look who decided to come while I was down for my Utah visit! My sister-in-law, Alecia, had her sweet little boy, Michael. The delivery was a little "exciting" read: scary. But all is well now and mom and baby are both home safe and sound and resting and snuggling. He weighed 7 lbs 3 oz  (I think?) and was born on September 27. Baby Zachy got to meet him a few days after he was born and the first thing he did was grab baby Michael's hair! The kid has tons of hair and Zach has a bit of thing for hair :) It was funny.

4

While I was in Utah, my brother blessed his little Noah. I was so happy to hear my wonderful brother bless his son. He did such a good job. Little Noah is so cute and I love him. He looked so dashing in his little white bow tie! :)

5

Sometimes it is hard to be so far away from all these sisters who are having babies. I wish I could be there to help with cleaning or food or their other children. I decided that one thing I could do was make some freezer meals for them to have on hand for those days when life is crazy or they are just too tired to cook. I know I really loved it when people brought me dinner :) I found some wonderful meals online on the Six Sisters blog and assembled 32 meals. That meant 8 for each sister and 8 for my own family. I packed them up in a cooler and took them with me to Utah. They can just be put in the crock pot in the morning and that night dinner will be ready. I made:
BBQ Spareribs
Black Bean Taco Soup
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Hearty Beef Stew
Maple Dijon Glazed Chicken
Cilantro Lime Chicken w/Corn and Black Beans
Chicken Caccitore
French Dip filling for French Dip Sandwiches

6

 We got a new car. It is a 2003 Kia Spectra. Tim is happy.

7

Tim and I saw Les Miserables with Taylor and Kimberlie when it came to Boise. I'd seen in once before long ago when my mom and I went to Europe and I loved it. I wanted to share it with Tim. It was amazing and I was in awe of the story and the beautiful voices all over again. Wonderful night.

Extras:
I'm running a 5K with my mother-in-law this Saturday. Wish me luck. The training has seemed more difficult this time around :(
Tim got an office!!!
Zachy did really well on this recent Utah trip. It was just me and him and I was worried but he did great.
I miss Utah the most in the fall because I miss seeing the leaves turn amazing colors in the canyons. While I was there I requested we take a drive up the canyon and it was beautiful.
I loved spending time with my niece, Emery.
The Boise Temple open house is almost here. I can't wait to be in the temple with my boys. 

Family is wonderful and I am blessed to be part of an amazing one.