Fall Tidbits

Grand events may be exciting, but the best of life comes from the small moments.  Here's a random collection of tidbits from the fall, mostly November.

Science!  Here are the Activity Day girls making bubbles, thanks to inspiration from the indefatigable Elaine Clark with support from Bob Tensmeyer.

Biology is science too!  We have accumulated significant evidence that Spark will tolerate nearly anything if bribed with a carrot.

"No more pictures, please!"

As for our friend Rosie, she is an excellent dish washer! Anyone need a pre-rinse?

For our November stake conference, Annika sang with the Primary at the Assembly Hall.  Well, actually she mostly just stood there holding her stuffie, but it was cute anyway.

Perhaps more impressive is her ability to hike in heels.  Here are Eila and Annika exploring the shoreline trail in wedges.

The outdoors isn't the only place to explore!  With a major bathroom remodel going on, Annika got to take a peek inside the attic as Jason redid the electrical.  Looks rather dusty!

Concert time!  Brooklyn loves singing tenor with the gents and did a great job with her solo.

On top of the world as a soprano, we also love to watch Talia perform.

Introducing the Wilhoits to Cali Burger.  Brooklyn and Talia have a lot to say.  :)

Tiny food at the library.  Who wants a burritito?

In December I finished up my first semester of nursing school.  Here's a picture of some of my cohort, along with our instructors Hannah Winter and Robert Beeler.  I confess, sometimes I feel both very old and grossly lacking in make-up. 

In December Jason also gave me a stunning bouquet of roses.  20 years since we've been engaged!  Tuesday celebrates 20 years of marriage.  Thank you for the kindness, mi amor.

Speaking of romance, Brooklyn and Arthur became an item in December.  While the official courtship may not have lasted long, Arthur continues to be a great friend, not only to Brooklyn but to the rest of the Wheelers as well.  When Annika discovered they had broken up, she immediately asked, "Am I old enough for me and Arthur to be a thing?"

Arthur even tolerates Eli's antics in band.  Personally, I think a french horn player is always a good choice!  A jack of many trades, Arthur's primary instrument is trombone, although he plays some tuba as well.  He also makes an outstanding Grinch in A'cappella.  

Other notable moments: college applications!  Offspring of her mother, Brooklyn pulled it all together at the very last moment.  Here she is getting ready to submit her application to BYU at 11:59 on the evening of the priority deadline.  This amazing girl did a phenomenal job because that application awarded her a Heritage scholarship that covers tuition for four years.  Congratulations, Brookles!  

Brooklyn also received full tuition to Utah State, a great scholarship to the U of U, and a lucrative full ride to the University of Tulsa.  So will she be an Aggie, a Cougar, or something else entirely?  Only time will tell.  (Okay, actually, we already know since the May 1st decision deadline has passed, but I'll pretend we are all still in suspense.)

Colors!  This is what the world looks like when God paints and when Annika paints.

Next up, youth activities.  Not to worry Eli--it only goes up from here.

Here we have the youth of our stake visiting our friends the Carbines.  Dylan and his brother Rhett share an extremely rare genetic condition called short rib polydactyly syndrome.  After years on hospice and multiple rebounds, Rhett passed away March 30th and is deeply missed.  His obituary is one of the most special you'll ever read.

As for Dylan, well, he's just the best hugger around.

In hard times like these, I'm grateful for temples and faith in eternal families.  Here are Talia and her friends Clara and Ella.  For fall break, these cute girls went to Vegas (chaperoned, of course.)  Instead of exploring the strip, they went hiking and visited the temple grounds.  I think we rarely give enough credit to our teens for all the goodness they bring to this world.

A note to Miss Violet and all babes of the future: the world may be complicated at times, but it's still a beautiful place and we are so blessed to have you in it!