Septemeber 2018

Colleen and EJ

The Fordham’s have been very busy this past few months. Summer came in like a whirlwind, and we're trying to catch up now that school has started again. Some of our activities included helping Eli’s parents move, a family camp out at Marsh Lake in the Uintah's, hiking in Capitol Reef, hiking anywhere we can actually, our trip to Bear Lake, and spending a little time at Lagoon where the rides “tickle Reagan’s belly”.

   Reagan had her first preschool program at the end of the school year. She was a trooper and hiked nearly 8 miles in one day during our adventures at Capitol Reef. She loves jumping on the tramp, hiking, camping, and playing "family" with her friends or anyone else. Whenever she can get anyone to play dolls with her, that's a plus too. She started Upstart online preschool this year along with her regular preschool at Appleseed Academy. She also started her first season of soccer where she scored four goals in her latest game. She is also getting ready to start a combo dance program which includes hip-hop, ballet, tumbling, and jazz. It’s so much fun to watch her learn and grow. 

Luke also loved to camp, swim, and jump on the tramp. He also enjoyed playing on the Xbox (maybe a little too much). He spent most of his days playing with his friends. He finished another season of baseball this year.  He and his dad have been reading books together all summer. They both really enjoy that time together. They have just started reading the Harry Potter series. Luke turned nine in August. Since the family was out of town, he had an early birthday party at the pool.  He is now in fourth grade with a teacher he really likes. He’s back at it in soccer and is playing another season of flag football.  He will continue piano lesson this year with a new teacher.

  

Corbin is now in Junior High School. How did he grow up so fast? He is a well-rounded kid. He sang a solo in his final choir concert of elementary school. His baseball team went undefeated this year, and he drove in the final run of the season. He spent most of his time behind the plate as a catcher, and the rest at 1st base. He also loves soccer, piano, golf, music and hanging out with his buddies. He had the opportunity to go to Scout Camp this year with his dad. He spent a few days at Grandpa and Grandma's house moving, backfilling, and pouring concrete (and catching rattlesnakes). Also, he's obsessed with a game called Fort Nite (it's of the devil). Last month he and Colleen went to the temple together to do baptisms for the dead. 

Colleen's foot still hurts her a lot, but she's found ways to grit through the pain while still living life. She enjoys going on hikes- the pain is there while she's hiking, but doesn't usually drag into the following days. That is some improvement from where it's been in the past. She and Eli have been doing spin classes together, which is rewarding and good for their relationship. Spinning helps her get in a solid workout and protect her foot as well. She constantly works at taking care of the home and keeping the kids involved. Recently, she has spent a lot of time taking her dad from doctor to doctor, as he had a toe amputated. She never stops, and takes amazing care of everyone around her. 

Eli has had a busy summer as well. He took some time off to pour concrete jobs, scout camp, and a fun Bear Lake trip. He had the opportunity to go help his parents on their home. He had fun working with his family while he was there. In July, he went to his 20-year high school reunion. He loved visiting with those who could make it. The following weekend he took some contractors from the Ogden area down to Fish Lake and Boulder Mountain to go fishing. They had a fun and successful trip. Eli also celebrated his 38^th birthday over the summer.  Recently, he's been working really hard on his weight. He's lost 55 pounds in the past few months. He’s back in school, but this semester has a very easy schedule with only one class.

Holly and Dan
I feel like our summer was just one big party! After girls camp, we had some neighbors that moved to Texas last year come back and stay with us for a few days.  We had a get together with some of our neighbors to come visit and say hello. Laura’s family holds a special place in my heart. She helped me when my mom passed away. A few months after my mom left, her brother had an accident and returned to our Father in Heaven also.  A few months after that she had a stillborn baby after 8 months of pregnancy. It insane the way the Lord works and even more crazy how he places people our lives to help with our trails. Next, we headed off on the Rudd camping trip. It was a little chilly but I enjoyed all the cousin time my kids had. They absolutely love their cousins and grandparents. It was a quick trip filled with lots of dirt and yummy food, card games, campfire stories and even a few rounds of Bang.  I still think something fishy is going on with Stacey and Brian’s bang skills! ;) I definitely think the moose tromping across the lake with the kids in canoes was the highlight of the trip and may have caused a few heart attacks! After driving home from camping we left on a flight to south Florida about 20 hours later. Oh how I miss my South Florida. We beached hopped and went shelling almost everyday. We enjoyed fireworks over the beach for the 4th of July and Hayden and Hadley went snorkeling with dad countless times. Kylee was a nightmare the first few days..... like I wanna leave her with a homeless person on the side of the road, but half way through the trip she had a change of heart and decided she would be nice to her family. We got to visit a bunch of old stomping grounds and have some wonderful memories as a family. As soon as we returned back to New Mexico we had a going away party for some of our best friends.  It will be a pool party we will never forget! The party was at one of our good friends the Steel’s home.  Michele and I were hosting inside and I heard someone calmly but loudly saying, “Where is Holly, someone find Holly.”  I casually walked toward the back door to see what was going on and to my horror one of the dads was carrying Jake over to me holding his forehead and blood was everywhere!!  He had fallen walking around the underground hot tub and hit his head on the side of the pool deck. You could see the muscle on his skull it was that deep. After calming Jake down and calming Mom and Dad down. Dr. Steel (who is an oral surgeon that takes emergency call at the hospital) brought out his suitcase full of surgical supplies and 4 dentist dads held Jake down while the doc numbed Jake and stitched him up.  It was so deep he was given internal and external stitches. It was traumatic for the entire family. Hayden almost passed out and Hadley and Kylee were so scared for him. Everyone commented after being stitched up how amazing Jake did. He wined some while being anesthetized but after that he just kept saying that, “I want to be done”. After being stitched up on the kitchen table Jake snuggled his mom for 20 minutes and then was out playing again.  He now has a Harry Potter scar on his forehead. Summer was packed full of fun.  We also went to a minor league baseball game with the ward, an Imagine Dragons concert, were able to hold birds at the library, had multiple get togethers at the trampoline park, had late nights, played lots of minecraft and fortnite, went on razor rides, stayed in a cabin with the families in the elders Quorum presidency, went to a Harry Potter birthday party, had swimming parties, pirate parties, went to Bearlake with my family, had a human piñata, hit up Juanito Banidito with the Lundell’s and some Rudd’s. Had a 14 hour drive home the day before school started because of fire. I feel like we just packed the summer full. I don’t want to remember the travel log of what we did this summer.   I want to remember the relationships we formed. We came so close as a family.  We all formed special relationships with each other in different ways and learned a lot from each other.  We also formed a lot of special bonds outside the walls of our home. I honestly believe the Lord has placed us with these people in our lives to help us flourish and grow to serve others and grow. I honestly felt on top of the world by the close of our summer. Two weeks before school started I got a call from a member of the stake high councilor. He asked me to teach early morning seminary.  I literally started crying right in front of him. I felt like my summer high was over. The Lord had different plans for me and my family with the upcoming school year. I cried for 3 days. I still cry some days.  Now having taught for one month it has felt like an entire year. I have a wonderful class of 17 students. However, they are teenagers and have rough days just like I do. The lord has bestowed upon us so many blessing already.   Kylee has been night and day difference from last years school experience. While we still struggle some days, it has not been everyday. Daniel had really stepped up to the plate and has been amazing with the kids and handling my uncontrollable bawling (whether it’s spiritual or lack of sleep) and he is even subbing my class Friday morning while I go to a seminary meeting.  My teaching partner is amazing and I have already established a true friendship with her and I’m so blessed to have her in my life. My kids have been blessed with amazing teachers this year. Hadley comes home gabbing about everything she learned that day.  Kylee’s teacher is great and really knows how to push her kids. Hayden got put in a immersion class and after two weeks of school I went in to meet her and she already knew Hayden’s strengths and weakness like she’d had him all year.  She was in love with Hayden and gave me confidence he is in good hands for the year! Hayden is also on a lot more competitive soccer team this year and is really working hard at soccer. Jake is going to school at shining stars preschool and is loving it.  He is missing having a hard time not having so many play dates with his buddies. He is also doing upstart online. Hayden, Hadley and Kylee are doing a Kids triathlon next week and have been training on their bikes. My Triathlon is Saturday and I’m excited to get my first race under my belt.  We are all enjoying life and taking each day as it comes and loving our memories together. Jamie and Mike The Horspool’s Summer of 2019 was pretty relaxed. Gibson got a new 20” bike that his is in love with and cruises all over on. He passed his swim lessons. He started 1st grade the end of August. He cried nightly the week before school started about not wanting to go. But had no issues after he received a fathers blessing the night before. He loves having 3 recessed and has blisters from hanging on the monkey bars. Emme is growing everyday. She is such a little gem. She is a really happy baby and just has a sweet energy. She has gotten her two bottom teeth and big brother thinks she can eat real food now. Lol. Mike has joined a bagpipe band called Lomond Highlanders. He goes and plays for a couple hours each week and has really been enjoying expanding his skill set. Jamie has been busy chasing around her kiddos. She is pretty excited the woman’s retreat that she attends each fall. Asked her to be part of the team. So she has been busy helping getting the event organized. She is also scheduled for foot surgery the middle of August. She was feeling left out since Colleen and Dad had their feet work on. She decided to jump on the bandwagon as well. Jamie also recently got called as Activity Days Leader and is really looking forward to working with the young girls of the church. Life is starting to get busier and busier with soccer starting and basketball next week. But it’s fun to watch Gibson explore his interests. Love to you all. The Horspool’s.