Summplicity

We kept our summer trip simple this year--a drive out to Utah to visit family, with a few days of  Vegas to spice things up. In Vegas we did some of the Vegas things we've never done before--went to see the volcano at the Mirage, trolled the canal at the Venetian, wandered the "big apple" in New York, New York, admired the Bellagio fountains. So much cool stuff in Las Vegas! Also, some pretty crazy stuff . . . like the billboards all over advertising a show called "Puppetry of the Penis." So that was great. We really did have the nicest time though--we've fallen in love with a great little hotel called "Sam's Town," which has great food, a indoor mountainside teeming with "wildlife" where there's a show every couple of hours, a great pool and spa area, and we can easily afford separate rooms for the parents and the kids. When we were about as hot as we could bear (the temperature in Vegas was over 100 degrees for much of our stay), we headed out to Logan to visit with my dad for a bit, enjoying a visit to an "American West" museum/farm where we got to see the lifestyle of those who settled Cache Valley, as well as a trip to Aggie Ice Cream, which the kids have crowned their favorite ice cream shop ever (which very much pleases their grandfather), then heading over the mountain to Bear Lake, where we spent a few days family reunioning with my mom and sisters and brother. The kids took in their fair share of water-skiing and wake-boarding, we got to enjoy raspberry shakes and a parade for Raspberry Days, and despite getting completely rained out at a rodeo, Sera had the chance to chase a pig in the mud while wearing flip-flops. Does it get better than that?

Once we got back home, we were greeted with some unexpected (and yet not quite unexpected) news. The financial status of the San Diego Children's Choir, which Aaron had been hounding the board about all year, was as bad or worse than he had predicted, and they were unprepared to fund his position for the coming year. Although it was handled in the most unprofessional way possible (only weeks before the start of a new season for which Aaron had spent much of the summer preparing), Aaron and the choir parted ways. In a way, the whole thing came as a relief, because when Aaron was offered a more expansive role at Pacific Ridge school earlier this year, he decided to accept it, even though he couldn't quite envision how he would manage the responsibilities of both. He has truly loved working with the children in the choirs and learning the ropes of a non-profit organization, but does not regret the opportunity to move into a position where his vision can be more fully embraced and realized. Additionally, Aaron and I have been working slowly toward a shared vision for an international non-profit music organization for the past several years, and the structure of this coming year may allow us to finally found it.

Otherwise, we moved into gear for the school year, doing the requisite shopping for clothing and supplies. We took the last few days of freedom to go out and visit Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell, introducing them to our little Cora, and to finally return to Universal Studios, since most of the summer was blacked out on our passes. When school finally started again, it was with a heavy heart that I sent my kids back. This summer has been such a delicious time for our family to just soak in every finger and toe and grunt and breath of our darling new little baby, and nobody wants to leave her anymore than I want to lose my helpers and babysitters.

But alas, it has begun. Asher has started seminary, and so far has done an excellent job of dragging himself out of bed for it every morning. Everyone seems to like their schools and teachers, and we managed to work out the carpool situation well enough (although I'm no fan of chauffeuring, to be sure). And I guess I have to admit that there is something nice about a quiet house where a baby can sleep in peace.