August Fun

Having school start on August 15th this year was a bummer for everyone. Our summer was shorter by a week than it usually is, but alas! We made the best of our last couple of weeks by chilling out, doing some school shopping, and sleeping.

And going to a Rangers game on a super hot night!

Miles also went to another Rangers game, with his buddy, Benjamin, the next day.

The dog is cute.

I took the boys to a guitar show. This is a Parker Hornet. What the what?

Neal took the kids to the John Mayer concert, which was a big hit with all of them!

My old BYU roommate, Kristen, and her family, recently moved to Texas after three years in Spain. We met up for breakfast before they finished their move to San Antonio.

Swimming with buddy Benjamin.

Eclipse Trip/Horn Reunion Part II

We woke up before 7 am on Monday and peeked out the window of the ranch house to see DENSE FOG! Oh my goodness, we were so downhearted. We all were praying in our hearts for the skies to clear, but we were also considering the fact that we might miss the totality of the eclipse altogether. And it was horrible! We decided to go with our plan and head for a little town called Arnold, which was about an hour from us and on our way south, back to Texas. It was also directly in the path of totality, which was the most important thing. Side note: Miles either wants to start a band or write a song called "Path of Totality."

As we drove, the clouds started breaking up; there were bits of blue sky peeking through the clouds, and by the time we arrived in Arnold, we were GIDDY with excitement because the clouds were almost totally gone. What a blessing!

We found a spot in the Arnold State Recreation Area, which was awesome because it was surrounded by cornfields, as all the best bits of Nebraska are. We donned our glasses, set up a shade tent and waited, but not for very long! The eclipse was beginning!

We marveled at the change in the light and couldn't get enough of the whole experience! It was absolutely magical. Totality was approaching! Looking back is fun because I realize we had absolutely no idea how cool this moment was about to become.

When totality occurred, we were all completely blown away. There have been words popping in and out of my head ever since that moment, and I feel overwhelmed with awe every time I think about it. Nothing in my life has ever made me feel that way. Nothing! Ever! Neal and I were saying that the closest thing to it that we have experienced was being inside one of the Great Pyramids. It was transcendent. There was a sense of heavenly awe, just a taste of what I think one day we may feel when the Savior comes or when we are reunited with loved ones we have lost. It was magnificent, it was emotional, it was literally the most beautiful thing I have ever seen with my own two eyes. Part of the reason it was so incredible, we think, was that it only lasted a moment, around two minutes. We knew it was fleeting, and that made it even more special. I truly don't want to ever forget it.

The man next to us was from Colorado and had some amazing equipment for documenting the eclipse. He took these pictures! And took this video with his drone! You can spot us in it . . . 

So we are planning a trip to Argentina in 2019. Totality goes right through Neal's mission, and he hasn't been back yet . . . 

Eclipse Trip/Horn Reunion 2017 Part I

A few years ago, we realized that the ranch in Brewster, Nebraska would be in the path of totality for the big Solar Eclipse of 2017. The Horns decided to forego the usual Fourth of July reunion this year and gather for this awesome event! Martha, Georgia, Charlotte and Neal's families headed to the ranch this past weekend and had the most incredible time!

It was a really short trip, compared to our usual jaunts up I-35, but the kids have already started school, so our time was limited. We left Friday afternoon and spent the night in Concordia, Kansas, after a yummy dinner at Spangles, in Salina. We had fun comparing Miles' hair to Elvis' over burgers.

Once at the ranch on Saturday, we had fun with cousins. Savannah, Emmaline, Oliver, Tucker and Johnny were there. A great group!

Tubing is a must.

A really cool storm rolled in on Saturday afternoon. We loved watching the skies change from the top of the hill, where the house is. But it made us really nervous for Monday's eclipse-viewing forecast!

Sunday was a pretty day; we just chilled at the house. Charlotte and Tyler brought a screen printing machine so we could make t-shirts.

Pretty pics of the ranch from Gail's daughter-in-law, Kristi.

We all tried to get to bed early Sunday night so we'd be ready for the big day on Monday! Prayers were being said up and down that house for clear skies!

First Day of School 2017!

We take a lot of evening walks in our family, even in the summer (as long as it is after 8 pm). We had a great summer this year and took one more walk before our first day of school, Tuesday, August 15th.

On Sunday night, Neal gave the kids each a father's blessing, just like every year. In fact, I have them stand in this exact same place after this tradition. I forgot to do it this year, so we took it the next night!

Miles left about 45 minutes before the others on the first day. He is at Bear Creek Intermediate School for fifth grade. He is in the Orange Pod, and his teachers are Mrs. Hinojos, Mrs. Lister, and Mrs. Stone. He has two buddies from church in his class, Brigham and Gideon. Yay!

Audrey is a Junior at Keller High School (I can't believe I'm typing that!) and Parker is a Freshman. They drove Audrey's new car to school on the first day! We bought her a 2017 Honda Civic on Saturday. Life is weird!

Miles turns 11!

Our sweet and silly Miles turned 11 today! We are so crazy about this guy. He makes everyone laugh. My favorite thing about him right now: he calls Audrey "Ma'am."

His birthday was on a Sunday, so we celebrated for a few days before (and after)! He opted out of a friends party, and chose to be with just the fam. :) We had cake and opened presents on Sunday, then went to Babe's for dinner on Monday, after the kids and I spent the day at the water park.