September Scoop

I'm thankful for the Autumn time,

For the leaves of red and gold;

For apples, pumpkins and nice warm fires,

When the days are growing cold.

I know that Heavenly Father 

Really loves us, one and all;

And that is why He gives to us

All the wondrous days of fall.

Of course, it's not really fall in Arizona yet, but I can almost smell it in the air.  My favorite time of the year.  I'm still swimming and we haven't started heating the pool yet.  Today the water was a crisp 84 degrees.  I know that sounds warm but if your body temp is 98 degrees, 84 feels chilly!  I think, until we start heating the pool (and I hope we can delay that as long as possible) I will start swimming in the evening after the cover has had all day to absorb the sunshine.  Actually, the weather right now is perfect.  Warm days, cool nights.  Not hot, not cold...perfect.  This month has been so full of fun things, including our very special September babies: Lillian, Rebecca, Shadrach, Tony, Jared and Docker.

Lillian turned 17 on the 3rd

Rebecca's birthday was the 8th

Shadrach turned 16...a new driver/dater...on the 12th

Tony's birthday was the 19th

Jared turned 2 on the 21st.

Docker turned 14 on the 30th

We started September by going to the movie.  Dad wanted to see "Planes," so we took the kids, giving us the perfect cover for going to see a kid show.

Lillian's birthday on the 3rd is always a good way to start September.

Especially with her traditional pumpkin pie instead of cake.

The next day, Jenn and I went to a baby shower for the lady who lives across the street from us.  She and her family go to the Spanish Branch, so even though I've been over there, taking cookies and such, I had never actually met her.  Jenn has.  Jenn is our family ambassador to the neighborhood.  I'm afraid when they move that people will say, "What happened to the friendly Biggses?"

I took a picture of the cake because it was so cute.  One of her sisters made it.  The squiggles around the top spell words like "family," "love," "baby."

That same day, Dad, Tyson and Jared went to Apple Annie's for a tractor show.  They met Dad's new tractor-friend from Wilcox down there.

When he got back to town, he went by the soccer games.  We have Polly, Isabel, Luke, Brynlie, Camille, Brianna, Carson, and Thomas all playing soccer this year.

On the 8th, we celebrated Rebecca's birthday with dinner at her house.  Allison came home for the occasion.

On Monday, we had her "Sister Lunch." Sister lunch always includes Dad.

I'm including this picture because we spent a lot of time and thought and worry about it.  We considered buying this cabin on Mt. Graham, just across the path from the Alder's cabin.  It is the only one on the mountain big enough to have family parties and we thought it would be good for us to have it.  We made an offer of what we could afford, but unfortunately (or fortunately, according to Dad) our offer was not accepted.  It's probably a good thing.

That weekend, we went to Colorado to be with Parker for his missionary farewell.  What a great time that was!  Dad got to play on Daniel's tractor, we got to watch Shadrach's drama club do improvisations on the street corner down town and we got to hear Parker speak and Daniel sing...yes...Daniel sang.

We had considered going the next weekend for Parker's Eagle court of honor instead, but when we heard that Daniel was going to sing at his farewell, we knew we just had to go for that.  When Daniel knew that we were coming he asked me to play for him.  Luckily, the accompaniment to "In the Hollow of Thy Hand" is fairly simple, but I was nervous anyway and so afraid I would mess him up.  We practiced together for a long time on Saturday morning and everything went well.  I had forgotten what a beautiful voice Daniel has.  And Parker's talk was so good.  He had me and many others in tears.  He mentioned the miracles that have occurred in his life to make a mission even possible.  I know all of you remember our family fasts and prayers in his behalf from the time he was born.  The Lord answered our prayers in amazing ways and now this fine, strong young man, who many thought would not even be able to walk, is leaving to serve the Lord on a mission for two years.

After dinner on Sunday, we were outside, enjoying the fabulous weather and I wanted to measure with Albert to see how tall he has grown.   The others joined in the fun, standing back-to-back with their dad. "They're all as tall as church steeples!" (Movie quote...does anyone recognize the movie?)

When we were driving into town we saw that we had been having a lot of rain!  A major gully-washer, according to everyone.

And this is what we found parked in front of our house!  What an advertising statement!  It makes you hungry just to look at it.  Lillian took the picture of the food on the van.

We ordered some apples and peaches from Utah and they came that week, so Dad and and Jenn and I were busy putting up peaches and making applesauce. We made about 15 pints of applesauce and about 36 pints of peaches. It seemed like a lot to me, but nothing in comparison to Nathan and Shauna.  Watch for that on their section of the blog.

That Saturday, Rebecca  and Scott had a "Wedding Planning Cookout."  We ate, swam, arranged flowers and planned how to decorate their already beautiful back yard for Allison and Taylor's wedding reception.  It's going to be the 19th of October (They'll never forget your birthday, Joel) and it might be a little nippy outside by then, so they are planning to have hot chocolate.  Perfect!

That same night was a ward party at Clawson's.  Thomas and Jenn had responsibilities over there so they weren't able to go to the wedding party.  We sent some homemade peach ice cream with them and went by after we ate at Rebecca's, just to check in.  It looked as if they were having a lot of fun.

On Sunday, were Jenn's Primary program which Dad attended,  Mary's Primary program which I attended, and the Colorado Biggs' Primary program which we were going to attend but opted for the farewell instead.  We did get to see the program practice, though.  Shannyn had the major part, speaking both at the beginning and the end of the program.  Mary has been the singing lady in her Primary all year and has recently been called as a counselor, but she is the one who taught most of the songs.  Lindsay sang "I Am a Child of God" as a solo. Mary said she didn't arrange that, but others did because they liked the way Lindsay can't say her "r"s, singing, "And He has sent me heoh."  Brianna was one of the kids who played the prelude music before the program started.  I think that Jenn wrote her program as the new 1st counselor, having only a couple of weeks notice.  I've heard from Dad and others in the ward what a good program it was.

After the programs, we went to Jared's house for his birthday dinner.  He loved all his presents, but liked the fire on the cake the best, I think.

The Gila Valley Temple is closed for a couple of weeks in September for their regular maintenance, so we went to Mesa on Monday to see Grandma and Grandpa and to get together with the Mesa kids.  We had a Masa Monday FHE at Esther and Shad's house.  It was Dad's last hurrah before he had to come home and have surgery on Wednesday.

He had a hernia repair that  Dr. Carter thought was going to be just a small one, but found that it was huge, so he had a huge incision instead of just a small laparoscopic one. He has been pretty miserable.  I told him that now he can appreciate what all his girls who have had c-sections have had to go through.  At least he doesn't have to try to nurse a baby while hurting so much!

In the recovery room.

Everyone asked for an awake selfie because they were so freaked out by the one above.

When he first got home, he could hardly sit.

The next night we thought he had a little fever, so Dr. Carter said to take him to the ER. Of course we had to wait and wait and he had to get poked and prodded.  But they found that he was fine and sent us home.  Just the verdict we wanted to hear.  Thomas and Rachel came down and spent some of the hours with us.  He has had lots of people coming by, Jeremy, when he came to the salsa festival, 

and all the girls, making a big fuss over him, and Esther and the other boys have called to check on him. I think he's enjoying all the attention, but thinks it's a mighty crummy way to get it.

That very weekend was the Salsa Fest.  Thomas recruited his talented sisters to decorate the El Charro booth for him.  It was one of the prettiest ones there, according to all reports.

Part of the festival was the launching of hot air balloons, three of which flew right over our house.

That Saturday night was the General Women's Broadcast and dinner at the Safford Stake Center.  It was so much fun to be there with my girls.  They really fed us well, too: pork chops, in broth, pearl onions, carrots, salad, rice, and a chocolate fountain with fruit.

Next month, General Conference, I can hardly wait!

NEWS FROM AROUND THE FAMILY
NATHAN & SHAUNA
Shauna has recruited her family to can food for the winter, ignoring their protests, knowing that they will be glad to have delicious, healthy fruits and vegetables all winter long.  They canned peaches, pears, tomatoes, applesauce, pear and peach sauces, mango salsa and sweet and sour sauce.  And I don't think they're finished yet. What a good homemaker!

 Nathan took a business trip to San Francisco where he put on a day-long conference for the techies from several companies.  They had a fancy, formal dinner in connection with it.

Notice the size of the salad in comparison to the fork.

 And a fancy dessert.  Chocolate cake.  No wonder so many rich people are skinny!

JOEL & STEPHANIE
Stephanie has taken it upon herself to homeschool Crew for a few months.  He loves it! And I think he is learning better than he was with an impatient teacher.

This cracked me up! I think Joel must had taken the picture, but I got it off of Stetson's instagram post.

Joel and Jeremy and Stetson had to set up for the big groundbreaking of the Gilbert Community College Institute.  Elder Neal Andersen was there for the occasion, with his wife and some other dignitaries I don't recognize...except Chris, of course.

Joel had his van "wrapped" in El Charro and sent Stetson to take it to Safford. It looks as if Stetson really got into the spirit of it!

DANIEL & CONNIE
Jonathan started school in September.

Shadrach's chocolate-covered Oreo birthday cake.  They put sparklers in the rolls at the back.  Connie has been working at a candy company a few days a week, and she covered the Oreos there.  He let us taste it while we were there...YUM!

They have been doing a lot of work on their lawn.  It looks so beautiful, like out of House and Garden! They've cut down bushes and trees, planted grass and all those rocks are actually right from their property!

The weekend we didn't go, was Parker's Eagle Court of Honor, so the Nevins went.  They went boating, hiking and had a dinner theater night.  Fun, but I'm still glad we went when we did, just to hear Parker speak and Daniel sing.

Devynne and Brock came for the weekend.

Another Eagle Scout in our family.

REBECCA and SCOTT

For Lillian's birthday, Rylie threw her a surprise party!  So many of the things in my "News from around the family" section are interchangeable as to which family member they should be listed under.  But that is just what I like to see...loving interaction among family members, and lots of pictures!

Rebecca teaching Jared to be a gymnast.

Lillian has started work at the El Charro.  She knows she was hired on her own merits and not because she is a member of the family, and that she will keep her job because she's doing a good job, not because she's a Biggs. So she works hard.

Dallin has converted his family to asadas.

The Evans girls admiring the El Charro van.

Allison and Taylor's announcement.  It was lovingly put together by Allison's mom, her Aunts Rachel and Mary and her Uncle Thomas. Lillian took the pictures!

JEREMY and ERIKA

Erika called Karl one day to see when she could bring a gift to Brint's twins and he told her to go over that night as they were blessing them at home before Brint left to North Carolina.  So she and Jeremy were there for the blessing.  They saw Grandpa and Grandma Hiatt, and Grandma was so eager to hear all about Erika's Rotary Club experience when she wore Grandpa's name tag.  

This picture is of four of the five Rudgers we know about.  Grandpa Rudger, of course, Jeremy Rudger, Rudger Thomas, the baby, and Thomas Rudger (the man holding the baby), who happened to be the last baby Grandpa delivered before he began limiting his practice to surgery.  He's not related to us, but his mother just wanted to honor Grandpa by naming her baby after him.  Phillip Rudger was the only one missing.

Jeremy and his family, except for Daynen and Reygan, came to Safford to help with the Salsa Fest.  They came by to see us and to check on Dad's recovery.

Tayte and Hayden at the Salsa Fest.

I wouldn't say that Tayte has actually taken Shadrach's place in Maya's heart, but she definitely was flirting with him the whole time he was there!

RACHEL and TONY
Thomas asked Rachel to take some shots of El Charro food to put on the new menu.  Oh my goodness! If you weren't hungry before seeing these, you will be now!

Rebecca's gift to the twins for their birthday was a swimming party at her house, complete with treats for everyone.  They invited their cousins, Kirtlyn, Brianna and Lindsay.

Rachel was hired to decorate the barn at Discovery Park for a wedding reception.  It was a country theme and it was beautiful.

Besides all the fun things they did this month, the Alder family has been worried about Tony's grandmother who has not been well and has been hospitalized.

ESTHER and SHAD

The Brown boys going off to an ASU game.

Crazy Hair day at school!

Their friends, the Gunnersons, had a Duck Dynasty party for Jeff's birthday

THOMAS and JENN
Hyrum lost his first tooth and wanted a happy tooth on his pillow.

Henry is finding his way into everything! Drawers, cupboards, bedrooms, garbage, refrigerators, treasure boxes...anything that can be opened.

Thomas went to a food show in Phoenix, sponsored by Shamrock, and took in a Diamond Backs game while he was there.

The Biggs family at the Salsa Fest

They love their Daddy's new car!

 

MARY and TYSON

Mary and Tyson celebrated their 10th anniversary in September.  A romantic get-away? Of course! Nothing more romantic than taking your four kids with you to the circus, right?

Poor Lindsay.  All-day kindergarten just wears her out.  She falls asleep in the car on her way home from school, and one day after swimming at our house after school, she fell asleep in the bathtub, swimming suit and all.

Mary says her kids keep begging for a puppy.  She tells them that Jared is all the puppy they need. They can even put him on a leash!

The Richins kids "Vanna White-ing" the El Charro van.

OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS

ERIKA

Too bad the students have to learn on each other! It was great, though, when she came for the Salsa Fest, for Dad to talk to her about all his medical concerns.  He loved it. And she seemed to know all that he was talking about.

JOSH and NICOLE

I don't know what the occasion was for this darling picture, but I put it in as the "before" picture.

This is the "after" picture.  She was teaching Josh some skateboarding techniques and biffed it!  See the accompanying x-ray of her broken collar bone.

ALLISON and TAYLOR

Are we proud or what? He's not even official yet, but is still wearing his Hiatt Riot shirt.

This is at the Pendleton Roundup, a big time rodeo, in Oregon.

He sent flowers to her work!

DEVYNNE

She and Brock went to the Utah State Fair.

BETHANY and PALMER

They enjoyed the fall festival in Omaha.

Is this boating excursion with Palmer's parents? Looks like fun, anyway.

DALLIN

Dallin is at Southern Virginia University. Beautiful campus.

He and some friends (notice the girl at his left) went to Washington DC.

STETSON

Stetson was so thrilled to get to see Elder Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve at the groundbreaking of the Gilbert Institute.  He had met him in Argentina and felt a special bond with him.

Stetson has become quite fond of astronomy lately, even getting his brothers involved.  Crew already is fascinated by space, so it wasn't hard.

OUR MISSIONARIES

DEWITT

He is loving Argentina and has been transferred to the coldest spot in the mission, at a good time.  The summer is just starting...hot Christmas time in Argentina.  He likes his new companion, a native, because he likes to work hard.

LEVI

Finally! He has his Visa and is in Argentina.  We received his first letter from there, and he is one happy missionary, loving every minute of it.

He spent some time saying "goodbye" to his families and companions before he left.  He is now in Catamarca and really likes his companion and his mission president.

PARKER

His farewell was this month and he is off to the MTC in October.

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

Someone said that they guessed they were out of the running for "smile about" because their kids were too old to do and say funny things.  So, I decided to use older people this month.  But check out the funny little kids throughout the blog.

Father-daughter bonding? Joint bloody noses.

This really cracked me up to see how both Daniel and Shadrach were stretching to be taller than each other.  They are so close that even stretching they are too close to call.

October is next.  And if you think September was busy and fun, wait until you see October!  Conference, fair, wedding, birthdays, Halloween.  Wow!  Don't forget to take pictures and send them to me.  We are a pretty cool family, aren't we? I sometimes think we are just boring and ordinary, but then I look at the blog and I think Wow! This family is so fun and cool! Aren't you glad to be a part of it? I am.  And I am so glad to be your mom/grandma.  You make Dad and me so happy, with your righteous lives and fun activities.  Seeing you happy brings us joy.  I know I say that every month but it is true.  I think the same is true with our Heavenly Father.  It brings Him joy to see us happy, doing loving, righteous things with each other and for each other.