1st trip with flight benefits...Omaha!

 Aaron and I flew standby for our very first time and went to see Ashtyn and the family in Omaha. Charles had Thursday and Friday off of school so it seemed like a good time.

On Thursday morning Aaron stayed back at the house to work while the rest of us went
to the famous pumpkin patch with the kids. Wil had the day off.   Valas is a very well known
hot spot around this time of year and it got very crowded.

On Friday morning, Ashtyn took me and the kids to the Winter Quarters visitor center. I love learning more about church history perhaps because I am teaching it right now in seminary. The hardships that these early saints had to endure is very inspiring.

Marion had a bonnet on briefly during the tour.

The Winter Quarters Temple.

Anders loved staring at himself in the mirror so I had to stay in the bathroom for awhile
because if I walked away he got really fussy :)

Remind you of any jokes when you were young???

We enjoyed some yummy donuts before the 2 kids had soccer games.

Marion did not want to wear her soccer jersey or cleats so she wore her
Frozen T-shirt and cowboy boots ha ha ha

Charles had fun but especially loves making new friends at soccer.

That afternoon I took Ashtyn shopping for her birthday and Aaron took the 2 older kids
to the children's museum. Wil was helping a friend move.

Charles was picked to help out in a demonstration.

Ashtyn made this delicious cheesecake for her own birthday. It has become a tradition that each year she tries a different kind of cheesecake to make. This year it was a Boston Cream Pie Cheesecake!

Sunday we all went to church and then had a bit of chill time before saying goodbye
and heading back to the airport. 

I think the kids will miss Papa more than me :)

Hurricane Ida cleanup

For those who were willing and available, we were asked to go to Louisiana and help with cleanup from Hurricane Ida. The first weekend we were already in Gulfport helping Mom, so Aaron drove over the Saturday and Sunday we were at moms house to join a crew. Then 2 weeks later we drove back over again. This time I could help alongside Aaron. It is always a pleasure to help but it is exhausting too!

One of the houses we helped with.

Even though I don't operate a chainsaw, I actually do work!

Ta da!!! SO much better!

Our gang for the day.

A guy needed Aaron to pull him out of the muddy lawn that he got stuck in.

We went to 3 houses over the weekend.
We stopped at our hotel to shower and then drove 8 hours home. 

Hopefully the storm season is over but grateful to all the volunteers, first responders and crisis cleanup hotline to assist in bringing relief back to the victims.

Mom moves back to Gulfport...again :)

Aaron and I arrived in time before the moving truck. Aaron stayed in the hotel to work and I assisted Mom and Ken. It is always so stressful to move so glad I could be there to help out.

Just to give some ideas of the before pictures so the after pictures look awesome!

Ken is very happy with his man cave.

These gallery walls are tricky to put up but I think they look pretty good.

I'm so grateful that Aaron is pretty handy.
He put shelves up in a few places for Mom...among other things. Thanks Honey!!!

Olen and Diane came over for a visit.

We were invited over to Cissie's for dinner and it was so nice to spend time with them.

The only catfish I will eat is the one prepared by Uncle Olen or Cousin Cissie!

Right before we were leaving, Will asked Aaron if he wanted to feed the fish in their pond.