Wednesday, September 25, 2024

September 2024

Just a classic, classic picture that Jeremy shared with us all. Nice to be on the same level ;)
A screenshot of all of us chatting with Sister Chatelain
Spending time in Utah with family for Labor Day weekend.

We did an awesome garden-cleaning service project for Gma/Gpa Dutson on Saturday morning
Annie and Oliver Iverson were so nice to help us!



Thanks for your help and service, everyone!


Kaleb's "good-bye" to the Reisers.
Grandpa Hatch's beautiful creation to share his love with Gma Hatch
Absolutely love our family time!

Alex's yearly Chukars game with Daniel Jemmett
Hayden got his driver's permit!!
Kaleb coaching Hayden how to take care of the yards Kaleb had been taking care of. Hayden's turn.

Grace stayed the night with us because she had a late work meeting. This is her teasing Given that she got to eat some of Melanie's most delicious muffins!
Hi Verity!
Playing some weekend bball in the front driveway
Cute mirror image. Very cute!
Kaleb's request - appetizers for dinner!!
Lookin good, sis!
A little Saturday night family football in the backyard. 
Celebrating Given's 22nd birthday!!

This is the night that Kaleb was ordained an Elder by our Stake President, President Crofts. So very grateful that Jan and Given and Grace were able to join us!!
And...Averly was allowed to Zoom in and join us. Super Special night! President Crofts gave Kaleb an absolutely beautiful blessing!

Alex and Kaleb helping Jan out to the car. Thank you so much for coming!
Good-night Jan!

Brand newly ordained Elder Chatelain!
Awesome picture from Grace celebrating Given's first day of school (BYU-I).
Elder Chatelain sharing a beautiful scripture message with us at the end of his first online MTC day.
Mom enjoying our garden tomatoes. Kaleb enjoying mom's perfect sweet rolls!
And peach cobler!
Kaleb and his good buddy, Dayne, enjoying a final lunch together (Spam Sandwiches!!)
Package sent to us by Averly
Hayden's 2nd-place pickl ball trophy (with Ben Watson) from a stake youth activity.
Another final-meal request from Kaleb - Green beans on toast!
Donut holes and pumpkin carving (some more final requests for Kaleb :) )

Kaleb's amazing carving! "Elder and Sister Chatelain"


On our last Saturday night with Kaleb, we went to the New Sweden farms and had an absolute blast!











Right after we went through the Corn Maze (the kids won the race again mom and dad this time)



Super fun night at the farm. So glad we got to do that together.
Later that night, 3-0 BYU football vs. 3-0 Kansas State. Dad said, "It will take a miracle for us to win this game." Many miracles happened that caused us all to freak out. Fumbles, interceptions, punt returns for touchdowns. It was awesome and we went nuts!

Yeah - going nuts!
A final visit to the Harrison's before Kaleb leaves in 3 days.
Kaleb and Ellen Harrison (cousin buddies)
A kind little Elder big-brother wake-up call.
Game night with Jan!! (I think Hayden won MoBy :( )
We love our Jan!
Good-bye Jan!

After we visited Jan, we went to Pizza Pie Cafe!
Final good-bye to Dayne (while at work at Costa Vida)
Kaleb was so awesome and took Hayden to the temple one last time for baptisms early on Tuesday morning before Hayden had to go to school.

The Last Supper for Kaleb on Tuesday night. Chicken Cordon Bleu and all the extras!
Elder Chatelain requested to give us all blessings that special night, too. What an awesome experience!
Dad giving Kaleb a departing Priesthood blessing

Gonna miss this guy like crazy!
It was SO late Tuesday night (the day before Kaleb left), but he and Hayden had an unfinished Tramp-Ball tournament they had to do so...
Even though it was after 11:00 pm, they went out and finished their tournament. Great pictures from Mel through the window.

Hayden's letter to Elder Chatelain, that he wrote at 4:00 am the next morning before Kaleb left. We left our home around 4:30 am to get Kaleb to the Idaho Falls airport by 5:00 for his 6:00 am departure. Mom, Dad, Hayden, Verity, and Given and Grace all got to be there to say our tear-filled "good-byes" to our sweet friend, Kaleb. 

Early morning, 4:30 am ride to the Idaho Falls airport.


Arrival - time to check in. 


Initial hugs...


Yup - that's Hayden for ya :)
So glad Given and Grace could be with us so early before their school




Now it starts getting real...

The four-point hug!








So hard to say good-bye



The final family good-bye







Kaleb's plane finally departing. We'll miss you so much, buddy!

Kaleb flew in to Salt Lake and was picked up by Gma/Gpa Hatch. They took Kaleb to Provo and had a French Toast breakfast together with the Iverson's at Kneaders.
 

Appreciated the visit from Grant and Clarissa to say "good-bye".

Good-bye Iverson cousins!!
Good-bye sweet Elsie!
Good-bye Gma and Gpa Hatch
Thanks to the Iverson's for all coming to drop Kaleb off at the MTC parking garage. 

Live video the Iverson's provided for us as they drove Kaleb to the MTC.
Final picture with Elder Chatelain. So grateful for the Iverson's dropping him off!


Hayden enjoying a nice piece of spam in Kaleb's honor.



Mom and Verity were very brave to go to the Miss Serendipity Pageant that night.

Dad' annual football game with Daniel Jemmett.

Hayden's NHS induction ceremony. He's in the very bottom left corner. 
After the NHS induction. A picture with Kaleb's friends, Carter and Dayne.
Kaleb from the MTC. He absolutely loved his district, teachers, and companion. 
I think he thought the MTC food was pretty good, too :)

Averly and her new companion, Sister Jorgensen, at their favorite Pueblo West Ice Cream shop, Marie's.

We heard that Gma/Gpa Hatch and the Iversons were in Star Valley for the weekend, so we decided to make an impromptu weekend trip to join them (to celebrate Melanie's birthday and enjoy the amazing fall colors together). 
Palisades lake
Traditional lunch stop at the best Little Caesar's ever in Alpine, Wyoming.
Our walk up the Intermittent Springs trail in Star Valley. Gorgeous colors!


Cousins walking back together (and Gpa Hatch in the far front)
Grandpa and Hayden hanging out on Gma Barrus's porch


A simple family-prayer picture. Thanks for the picture, Hayden ("Everyone in")