September 2025

 After the van overheating and a few other problems creeping up with the van, we decided to get a new car. We ended up getting a Black Grand Jeep Cherokee Laredo.  It has a 3 row of seats and we have really liked it.  It was a rebuilt title cuz of a front end damage accident and the bumper was on backorder for a long time.  We had a few issues getting the lights to work properly but the dealer we bought it from finally bought brand new lights from Jeep and everything has been fine since.  We traded in the Van to Carvana and felt like we got a good deal from them but were sad to see 'George' as the kids named him cuz we took him to St George the day we picked the van up.  We named the new Jeep 'Larry' for Laredo and now Shane's old 2008 jeep is called OJ for Old Jeep.

Jaron had his 2nd Mountain Bike race in Manti.  Our whole family went down the Friday night before for the pre-ride and made it just in time before a rain storm came in.  We grabbed some pizza and then stayed with the Alley's and Bolz at a big house.  The kids had fun playing downstairs and the adults got to talk.  The race was fun again.  Jaron lost a few places but overall did really good.  We left as soon as the race was over because all the kids had soccer games that afternoon.  Made for such a busy day but fun.

My birthday fell on a Sunday this year.  It was nice to just have a relaxing day and go to my parents for dinner that night.  My friends all met at Creamworx for Ice Cream one night and it was fun to get together and see everyone.

Jaron's last bike race of the season was in Beaver.  We made it down for the pre-ride but sadly it started pouring right as we got there and although we waited around it never stopped so they cancelled the pre-ride.  We stayed with the Alley's again in a cute little house.  A sad night as there was a baby deer in the backyard that had gotten stuck or broke it's leg and was dying.  Sadly Aria saw it and Shane tried to help it but it was of no use and we had to walk away and let it die in peace.  The bike race was great.  Jaron got to start right next to his friend Graham and Jaron moved up quite a few spots and ended the season on a good note.  I had to volunteer as a crossing guard for the start of races for about an hour.  It was kind of fun and I was glad Siena and Aria could help out as well.

Chase Larsen took the Deacons fishing one day.  Jaron caught the biggest fish but they threw it back.  

Siena and Aria turn 14

Siena and Aria had a great birthday this year.  Their birthday fell on a Wednesday which is early out for them.  So we started the morning off with breakfast and opening presents before school.  Since they got out early we picked them up and went to lunch.  They had a hard time deciding a place they both liked so we ended up trying a new place, Melty's for lunch.  We all got french dip melty's and they were so good.  So good in fact that we have changed the way we make french dips to now grilling them on our griddle with provolone cheese.  That afternoon Aria wanted to go to her horse lesson and then that night Siena had a soccer game.  So we did both those events and then had dessert later that night.

That weekend, the girls invited a few friends to celebrate with.  We went to Pizza Pie Cafe for dinner and then they went and played Laser Tag and then came back to our house to hang out and eat dessert.  They couldn't agree on what dessert so we made 2 of them.  Aria likes Scotcheroos and Siena made her own cupcakes as she is very into decorating cookies and cupcakes lately.  It was a fun night celebrating.

Both girls have grown up so much this year.  They are truly teenagers, sleeping in longer, and have lots of opinions which I love and don't love all at the same time.  They have grown so tall this year.  Siena is about to pass me in height and Aria is about 2 inches shorter than Siena.  The craziest part to think about is they will start learning to drive in a year.  They both still have their scoliosis braces.  Siena is coming up on a year and Aria about 6 months.  They both wear them exactly 18 hours a day and rarely complain.  The doctor we go to is always surprised they wear them as much as they do and said they are on the top end of all his patients at how well they do.  They will both be getting new braces by the end of the year and hopefully that will be their last ones we have to get.  We are hoping they are both done by the end of 2026 but we'll see.  Their growth is starting to slow down so we just wait until it shows their growth plates are closed.

Siena loves to do projects, crafts and anything that she reads about or hears about someone doing.  She still crochet's quite a bit but other things keep her interested a little more.  She loves plants and asked for a succulent for her birthday.  She loves to play games and watch reality TV.  I am happy there is someone else in the house that will watch reality TV with me.  She is a good student and keeps up on her work without any reminding from me.  Actually I should say all my kids are good students and all get good grades but I feel like Siena stays on top of it and it comes a little bit easier for her.

Aria is all about horses and nothing else but horses.  She has worked her way into going to Aimee's every weekday. She either helps out, mucks stalls, helps lead a young rider or if there isn't a lot of people riding she can ride as well.  She still saves every penny she gets to put towards her horse she is determined to buy one day.  I still don't know where we can board a horse for a decent price but we keep hoping the right situation will come along.