November

Weston was involved in a lot of scout activities this week.  He went to his first Pow Wow and was able to get some badges--one was Citizenship and he was able to go to the State Capitol and have a tour.  Then he went to a Court of Honor where he received his Tenderfoot and 2nd Class.  He and Aidan have been taking swimming lessons so he can finish up the last of his swimming merit badge as well.  And, though it is hard to believe, he went to Priesthood Preview.  I can't believe he will be turning 12 in 6 months!

Aidan had another piano recital and did a marvelous job.  You can view the piece on YouTube.  He has been very busy with homework, studying geology in science (yea!) and medieval times in history.  He has done so well on his tests.  At his school if you get below a B on a test you retake it until you do better.  He had three tests this month and was one of a few that didn't have to retake them.  In math, he was the ONLY one who didn't have to retake it!  I am proud of his hard work.  He also sang a little one line solo in the Primary Program.  This was the first and last time I would have all four kids in the Primary Program.

Elise has had an unfortunate month.  We went to church and she was supposed to give a talk, but she started to act very sick (with a cold), so I told her we were going to go home.  She was so mad and wanted to stay and give her talk (threw a fit), so I took her in and had her go up to give her talk.  But she chickened out and wouldn't!  We took her home to get a much needed nap.  With the cold, her mouth and throat were hurting her.  Or at least I thought that is what it was, but she kept saying her tooth hurt.  I thought it was sinus problems.  It was a terrible infection in her tooth!  Two teeth actually.  They were so bad she had to have them removed (terrible mom for not brushing her teeth better...).  She now has some spacers where her teeth were.  She did get a note from the tooth fairy urging her to brush her teeth more often and not eat as much candy.  And now we use Anti-Cavity mouthwash in our family (I hear it is very helpful).  

Brennan's big news is that he is seven!  His friend birthday party was a Lego themed party, complete with little chocolate lego men.  I made a lego pinata and the kids hit it open and inside were bags of lego shaped candy and lego car kit.  Each boy made his car and then we had a race.  They also made their own paper lego heads and pinned the head on the lego man.  They ate cupcakes with chocolate lego men on them and opened presents.  For his family party, I made a little lego cake and some brownies. For presents, he got.... legos!  And a beautiful new bike.  He is such a fun kid and so good!  I am proud of him for what he is growing up to be.

We decided to take a little family getaway into the mountains and went to a nice hotel for a few days. The hotel had a pool.  But there was a slight problem.  It was outdoors.  Why???  We still braved it and the water was actually really warm, but didn't last too long.  We did have a hot tub on our balcony, so we used that a few times.  I took up all my Christmas projects (neighbor gifts and Christmas cards, etc) to work on as we watched shows.  We also attempted sledding, but that was a total bust.  We went shopping at the outlets and went out to eat.  It was a nice, relaxing trip without many cares.  

Thanksgiving was fun at the Daw's.  I was in charge of rolls, again.  I made 96.  We always eat so many of them, this time I wanted to make sure we had enough.  We had leftovers....  But, that is fine.  This year we divided everything out after so everyone could have leftovers of each thing--turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and rolls.  Yippee.  I love leftover Thanksgiving Dinner.  We played some games and just sat around.  It was fun to have a few days off of school and just hang with the kids.  Scott's sister Lauren was in town, so we got to spend some time with them.  Since everyone was in town, we also did family photos with the whole Daw family.  After we went downtown to see the lights at temple square.  We also took time to put up all the Christmas decor.  And now we are ready for Christmas (right?).

Scott and I are busy with normal life.  I am jazzing it up at Jazzercise, helping out at the school, running here and there, and doing family history with Uncle Adam.  I wish I had more time to do it--it is getting addicting.  Scott is working out a lot (nice weather still to go biking) and working hard.  We went on a really fun date with some friends.  It was similar to the Amazing Race, but just in downtown Salt Lake.  You had to use clues to find things and then go on to the next place.  We went with three other couples and made it a race.  It was so much fun.  See if there is one near you: http://urbanadventurequest.com/  

I hope you all have a marvelous Christmas!

October 2014

I was so lucky to have Omi come to visit for a week to do Family History.  We set up again in my living room with all the gear we needed and then got to work.  We had scanned in tons of photos before, but we hadn't tagged them.  We uploaded them to familysearch.org and then tagged who was in the photo.  We did more than 100 photos and 25 documents.  And now you may all see them by going to familysearch.org because they are YOUR relatives, too!  It was really fun to go over things, hear stories from mom, and feel like I am accomplishing something with family history!  Mom and I had a great time as well, Costco shopping and just hanging out. 

The next week Bren and Aidan didn't have school so we took the opportunity to go play.  We went to the new aquarium and loved it.  There is an area that has birds that just fly around the whole area (funny because it is an aquarium... but still fun).  Then we went to the curiosity museum and it is such a cool place.  There are several different rooms with themes and we didn't get to even half of them.  One is like a giant jungle gym--ropes, slides, etc.  They spent a lot of time there.  Then there is a room with water/wind, etc.  We spent time in the outdoor kids garden as well. 

Brennan started a Karate class at the local rec center.  He is pretty much adorable.  He is always showing us his cool kicks and tricks.  He has also all of the sudden really taken a great interest in the piano and is mastering his Let's Play Music songs--and even going ahead in the book.  Daily I find him tinkering around on the piano.  I love his happy face!  He got to go on a "date with dad" and he chose a movie (Dolphin Tale 2) and then out to ice cream.  He is looking forward to his "date with mom" next month.

Scott also took Weston on a date--they went to a movie as well and out to dinner (we have tons of "free kids meal" coupons from school awards, etc, and are trying to use them all before they expire).  He is done with soccer for the season and just did wonderful, of course.  He has been doing a lot of writing for school and wrote a book report on the book "Deathwatch" which I made him read.  I had read it when I was in 5th grade (actually Mr. Hathaway read it to the class) and I knew Weston would enjoy it.  He also had an assignment to cook a meal using three types of cooking methods (convection, conduction and radiation).  He made spaghetti noodles (convection), meat and sauce (convection) and garlic toast (radiation). 

I took Aidan on a date to Sizzler and then to the curiosity museum to the special Ropes Course.  I don't know what I was thinking.  I totally freaked out!  I did the first walk and then seized up!  He freaked out, too, but the worker guy came and helped him.  I just sat back and talked with the worker girl (pretending like I was just giving Aidan a chance to master it on his own, but really it was because I was way too scared to go out again!).  The worker girl (Jenny) was actually really sweet and I gave her number to my brother in law to ask her out (hopefully he does...).  In any case, Aidan and I had a grand time.  He is a sweet and special boy.

I took Elise to a cute little princess party at the library.  Elsa came and read a story and took photos with the kids.  I am so glad to get a lot of use out of that princess dress!  And of course that is what she dressed up as for Halloween.  Whenever anyone said something about her being a princess, she said, "I'm pink Elsa".  At least she wasn't like the 2,000 other blue Elsa's in the neighborhood...  ;)

Brennan was the cowboy this year and loved it!  He went trick or treating with his friend Luke and Luke's dad.  I took Elise and her friend Halle.  They both lasted about an hour and of course got more candy than they ever need.  These ages are so much fun!

Aidan dressed as a zombie.  He went with a bunch of boys (and a dad of one of them) and came back with FIVE POUNDS of candy!!  What?  And boy he is happy (best Halloween ever!).  Weston went with his friends as well dressed as Westley from the Princess Bride.  He came up with the idea and it was a perfect idea!  He looked great.  Time is winding down for him to be  able to go trick or treating, so it was fun for him to be able to go with his friends --no parents...

We have been talking about doing this for awhile, but this year we finally made a spook alley.  I remember that we had done this when I was a kid and it was so fun, so I told Aidan and Brennan and they recruited some friends to help out.  I was the welcome witch--as people came down our outside basement stairs, I would let them in in groups of 2 or 3 and then direct them where to go.  We had a bunch of huge cardboard boxes and we made them into a big long tunnel.  We added a little flashing light into it and Brennan would reach his hands in one of the cracks and grab the kids as they crawled through.  Then, as they came out, we had Luke scaring them with a ghost which was an old bed sheet with a ball for a head.  We tied a rope around the neck and then looped that over a pipe in the ceiling.  Luke would pull the rope up and down so the ghost was moving around.  Aidan was dressed as a zombie hiding in the corner.  Sometimes he was in one of those boingy IKEA tunnels and would pop his head out of it.  Then the kids would move to the bottom of the inside stairs where we had hung a black sheet in the doorway.  Lincoln (backdoor neighbor) was dressed as a scary dude and would pop out of it as they turned the corner and yell "This is the end of it for you" or words to that effect.   Then the kids proceeded up the stairs and through a black curtain and onto our garage where they met two beautiful princesses (Elise and Halle) and received a cookie.  We had people come anytime in a two hour period (too long...  The kids were don't helping after an hour or so...) on the afternoon of Halloween.  We probably had 30 kids come, and several went through quite a few times.  Although I didn't think it was too scary, there were 4-5 kids that were too scared to go through in the dark, so we would turn on the light for them.  I thought it was really fun and cool, and I think the kids really enjoyed it as well. 

September 2014

School is in full swing.  Which just means that we are all in a busy schedule.  Piano and music lessons, scouts, soccer, and Elise has started tumbling.  She takes with her best friend Halle and they are so fun together.  Elise has a dancer body, so now she just needs to get stronger.  She is so girlie this is something perfect for her.  She has been really funny lately--everything is so cute to her and so she kisses cute things.  Well, we were in the school restroom and there was a cute little toilet (just her size).  Yep, she kissed it.  Ew gross.  She was licking her flip flop the other day when she dropped some food on it.  Hm.  Is this helping her boost her immunities or just making her sick?  She is wonderful though. 

Weston and Aidan are in soccer.  Weston is doing great, as always and loves his teammates and coach.  He really understands the game and is very athletic (odd, given his DNA).  He really is enjoying watching football with his dad and uncles (go Utes).  He is such a smart and responsible kid.  He also had a job a thon and ran about 2.4 miles in 20 minutes (he will be an amazing runner if he keeps this up). 

Aidan's soccer coach is his dad.  Yippee.  No one would volunteer to coach and if there wasn't a coach, they wouldn't be able to play.  So Scott stepped up and is coaching something he doesn't know a whole lot about.  But he must be doing something right because the team is doing great.  Aidan has really improved and makes a point almost every game.  He also attended a Cub-O-Ree and earned so many awards.

Bren decided not to do soccer, but he will be starting Karate in October.  He has adjusted well to being in school all day.  He lost both his front teeth and has the cutest smile.  He is enjoying Let's Play Music, and is really tuning his ears. 

We did get to go through the Ogden Temple Open House and that was beautiful.  I am glad we get these opportunities so often.  My friend Sonya went with the family she is staying with and she really loved it as well.  I have loved having her be here with me.  I especially love shopping at Walmart with her.  It was so nice to have someone to talk to anytime and the kids just adored her.  She went to Texas to settle down and she will be missed.  But, we plan on visiting her and having her here again.

Disneyland!!  Scott's mom loves Disneyland and oddly enough, she has never come with us when we have gone.  So, she called me up and basically planned a trip to DL for our family.  Since DL is such a busy place, we tried to plan it during a less busy time (btw, there is no "non" busy time there), so we actually pulled the kids out of school to go.  We left mid day on a Wednesday and drove all the way until we ran out of gas (almost...) and then filled up and ate, and then went on arriving around 9:30.  Our hotel was within close walking distance to DL and was nice enough.  Scott's parents and his brother, Cameron arrived as well.  We spent the entire first day at DL.  Scott's mom knows this park better than anyone and she knows how to work it to our advantage.  We would get the fast passes and then go on other rides as we waited for our turn to go.  I am not much of a fan of rides... so a lot of the time I would take Elise on other fun but younger rides while the big kids went on their rides.  Their favorite rides were Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, and Space Mountain were some of their favorites.  I was so proud of all the boys for trying each ride and being so brave--and really they liked them once they tried them! 

The second day we spent the day at California Adventure and their favorite rides there were California Screamer, Soaring over California and the River Run.  They even went on Tower of Terror (though Aidan wasn't a fan of that...).  We stopped for treats about every hour... ate a lot of ice cream, fried foods, sugary foods and lots that were both fried and sugary. 

On Saturday, Scott's sister Lauren and her husband and their kids joined us.  We went to DL first and ran all the fun rides again and did more rides in CA.  It was so much fun, but for me, and Elise, the funnest part was seeing the Princesses!  We met Cinderella, Ariel, and Snow White (twice), and we met Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and Rapunzel.  Then we stood in line for 30 minutes to get a Fast Pass in order to meet Ana and Elsa.  Then once it was time to go meet them, we stood in line for another 30 minutes.  And finally, the moment--we met the much loved princesses.  Elise had been dressed in her amazing princess dress that Scott's mom made.  Elise wanted to dress like Elsa, but she wears a blue dress.  So, we convinced her this is one of Elsa's other dresses and it is pink!!!!!!  She looked stunning and acted just like a princess.  And of course she got so many comments about how great she looked.  Mom Daw is very talented and the dress really is amazing.  Elise will wear the dress for Halloween and then it will go in the costume bucket for the next grand daughter.

We all went to dinner at a sports place so the boys could watch the Utah game.  After, I took Elise and Brennan and Scott took the big boys and they went on big kid rides while I took the littles a few more kid rides.  Our favorite is Mater's Junkyard.  We lasted so long and then I took the kids back to the hotel, but Scott and the bigs stayed until almost midnight.  They were able to go on Splash Mountain over and over again, just staying on the ride because no one else was there.  Sunday morning, we packed up, said our goodbyes, and left.  We made it home by evening.  Then the next day, back to normal life!  But what a way to end September.

August 2014

We had so many trips at the beginning of summer that we needed to cram all the other stuff at the end of summer.  We bought passes to the local swim park (Cowabunga Bay) and we went weekly.  Basically any time it wasn't raining.  For some reason it was a very wet August.  On Wednesdays the kids were able to get free pizza so we really tried to go on Wednesdays...  It was a bit chillier some days, but that means no one was there and so we had the park to ourselves.  One day we went and we were the first ones there and pretty much only about 15 other people were there.  The kids became much braver this year and both Aidan and Weston went on all the rides (several times) and Brennan went on lots of the big ones.  Elise and I hung out at the shallow pool or the kids area.  Which is nice because the water is so much warmer there.  My goal of this expensive activity for the kids was to get them more used to playing in water and not scared of it (goal met!) and now next year I think swimming lessons will be successful.  We are looking into a pass at a rec center for next summer so the kids will now play in the pool, not just slides and lazy river...  Also, I got a nice tan.  :)

A lot of times during the summer I send the kids to summer camps, but this year we didn't do anything like that.  Instead, Aidan did his own "rock camp" for neighborhood kids (Weston was going to do soccer and Brennan a cookie camp, but we will do them next year instead).  Seven kids signed up (and two other sisters who came just on one day) and they had a blast!  The first day they talked about igneous rocks, made a volcano and ate pop rocks.  The second day was metamorphic rocks and they made their own metamorphic candy rock out of two starbursts that morphed together.  So cute.  They also looked at rocks under Aidan's cool digital microscope.  The third day they talked about sedimentary rocks.  They panned for gold and rocks (some of Aidan's own rocks) and ate sedimentary wafer cookies.  I had found mini microscopes for 2.50 on Amazon, so each kid got their own one.  He charged them 8$ for the week and made some money while having fun and sharing his knowledge. 

Our neighborhood is great about things like that--all the kids sell lemonade and rocks, etc and all the parents are fine with it--and supportive.  Two girls down the street (Molly and Emma Wadsworth) did a summer preschool every Tuesday and Thursday for 1 1/2 hours each day the whole summer.  Elise went with some friends and loved it.  The girls even did a fun program the last day where the kids sang their songs and showed off their knowledge.  They got to buy toys/treats with the tokens they had earned over the summer.  The girls did a great job and Elise loved it! 

And now Elise has started preschool with Mrs. Jean and is loving it.  Mrs. Jean is the greatest, so sweet and loving.  Elise has made some friends and loves putting on her princess backpack and saying, "Be nice to everyone" as she skips into school.  (I ask my kids every day as they leave to school, "What's the most important thing?")  She is also doing an online preschool, so she is getting it a lot of academics!

Although I didn't put the kids in summer camps, we did go to the Library for a Mad Science presentation and it was really cool.  The scientist used lots of gasses and liquids that created booms, pops, fizzes and vapors.  We also went with some friends to Sub Zero, an ice cream place that makes ice cream immediately with nitrogen.  The owner did a little presentation about what nitrogen can do (in balloons, combined with water, etc).  It was so cool!  And, truly, the ice cream was the best I have ever tasted.  They pour the cream and flavorings into a metal bowl, mix it around and then spray nitrogen into it and constantly stir it.  So good (and interesting).  We took Opa there for a treat while he was visiting us.

Our cousins the Lamberts were here for a few days while the mom was at youth conference.  The kids loved having them to play with all day.  Everyone got along marvelously and they played with every single toy we own.  It was fun to have them, but it reminded me why I only have four kids...  I feel bad because I was kind of a grump and was sick of cleaning up the house after them!  Seven kids make a mess pretty quickly. 

Because the house has been messy, we took this last Saturday and cleaned ALL day.  Started at 9 am.  We would all work together for one hour, and then we had a 15 minute break.  Then another hour of cleaning, then a 15 minute break and so forth.  Until 3 pm.  We got everything dusted, vacuumed, glass cleaned, floors swept, toys organized, books reshelved, beds cleaned under, bedside tables cleaned, and even the closets cleaned!  What a good feeling.  We did something to make it fun--after each hour, they each got a key to a code.  I had made a sentence with numbers, and they would get a letter that went to that number.  At the end they got to find out what the sentence said, which was "We are going to Disneyland on September 23rd".  It actually should have said 24th... but oh well.  They loved it.  We are planning on a quick trip there, just two days at the parks with Grandma and Grandpa.  It is also nice because I said before we go, the house has to be cleaned up, so I have signs all over saying, "keep things clean so we can go to Disneyland", etc... :) 

This has been Scott's big month.  He has been training for months and months now for his half iron man.  He did a shorter race--the Herriman Triathlon, so prepare him and did so well!  Last year he came in 54th overall, this year he came in 16th!  What an improvement--he cut off 8 1/2 minutes!  I am so proud of him!  It has been a fun tradition for our family to be a part of that triathlon.  I take the kids up to a park and we eat breakfast as we wait for him to ride by on his bike and we make and hold up signs for him.  (Fortunately) I don't think Scott will make a half iron man a tradition...  He did so well, but what a race!  He swam 1.25 miles, biked 56 miles, and then ran 13.1 miles!  Crazy but amazing guy!  He did it in 5 hours and 19 minutes which is amazing!  Especially for his first one.  Scott's mom, dad, and brother came to cheer him on with us.  We made big signs that said, "Go Dawminator", etc...  And Brennan made a sign that said, "You are Iron Man" and wore his iron man mask.  We were able to see him go by as he was finishing his bike, then saw him run by us four times.  We cheered him on as he crossed the finish line (and Dad Daw ran with him the last four miles).   He is in great shape and knows how to set and obtain a goal.  He is my iron man and such a great guy!

Cousin Jennie Stephens did a fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse in Lehi, and since I have two sister in laws who live there, I thought it would be fun to invite them (and my other sis in law and mom in law).  So, there were 13 kids and 5 adults.  And it was crazy.  Seriously crazy.  But, yummy and pretty cheap, so we were able to help her out (she is raising money to buy a therapy dog for her son Porter).  After, we went swimming with the cousins, and that was fun--the kids had a blast!

Kyle and Linzi and family came into town so we celebrated!  We had a movie on the back of our house and they came, along with about 40 people from the neighborhood.  People brought homemade ice cream or treats to share and we watched "Honey, I shrunk the kids".  It was a good turn out and a fun evening.  I wish we could have had more time to just chat with Ky and Linzi, but fortunately, we did a Brown family and friend party the next week.  Scott's dad's stake has some awesome land that has playground, pavilion, baseball field, and lots of parking.  We had everyone bring their own dinners, but we brought drinks and desserts.  It was successful, plus, more time with the Italian Browns!  And we even got to have breakfast with them the next day.  I made pancakes and they brought fruit salad.  Linda and Willy came and we all had a good time talking.  Elise loved playing with her girl cousins and they all love Beckett, but particularly Weston.  He is so good with kids and really loves his cousins.  They formed a special bond.  I wish we lived closer, but, hopefully we can get a chance to visit!

While Omi and Opa were down for that, we were able to spend time with them and had a lovely dinner out to Olive Garden.  While Omi went off to rescue Ali, Opa stayed here and helped Hilary and then went geocaching with the boys.  We love spending time with family!

We have a new museum at Thanksgiving Point called the Curiosity Museum and it is so cool!  Brennan was invited to a party of his cousin there, so we all went and everyone had a good time.  We could have spent lots of time there, there is so much to do.  Each room has something new--water, wind, pretend play, jungle, science, etc. When any of you visit, we will need to go together.  On Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point, you can get into each venue for 2$.  Every year I take the kids to the gardens (anything else is extremely busy and not worth it to me, but the gardens are awesome).  The kids didn't want to go this year, and so I took Sonya and Elise (while the boys were in school).  It was great.  So calm and beautiful.  I am tempted to get a yearly pass so I can go to the gardens and the curiosity museum over and over again.

Well, now that summer is winding down, soccer has started for Weston and will for Aidan, and Let's Play Music for Brennan, but most important, school has started.  The first day was pretty rough.  Weston wouldn't go to APA.  So I had him clean all day (got a lot done), and I pondered and got feedback from friends.  In the end, we decided that it is nice that we can customize schooling depending on the child and he can go to Southland (local school) with stipulations.  He will be doing extra school work--math, spelling, typing, etc.  We formed a contract and it is signed and will be followed.  Education is a hard subject for me and I really struggle knowing if what I am doing is best for the kids.  We will see how things turn out, and just pray for the best.

Last thing is a crazy story of something that happened to us.  We had stopped at Maverick to get a movie at the Redbox and I saw a guy kind of stumble out of his car and go into the store.  He looked drunk or stoned, so I was worried.  Even more so when he came out and I got a good look at him.  His eyes were droopy and there was obviously something wrong with him.  I asked him if he was ok and he said (after a pause..) "Yes, why?"  I said he looked sad (which he did, but he mostly looked drunk).  He got in his car, so I called the sherriff and we followed him for six miles until he ran a red light and we wouldn't do that.  They had me give info so the cops could look for him, but he was weaving and driving fast and then slow, it was crazy!  I don't know what has happened, if they got him or not, but hopefully everyone was safe!

And hopefully you are all safe and happy, love to you all!

July 2014

Once girls camp ended at the beginning of July, there really wasn't a break.  We got home on a Thursday; I picked up the kids from the places they stayed (they had a marvelous time without us and were sad to go home....) and did loads and loads of laundry.  That night we went to the Riverton Parade and got loads of candy and then we joined our neighborhood for the annual "Cul-de-sac of Fire!" celebration.  Each family brings one firework, and there are maybe 40 families that come, so that is a lot of fireworks!  Then the men that think they are cool, go light them.  They set up a nice perimeter around the area where they light them, so it is nice and safe (though a newbie didn't know and set one off and it went around the circle and frightened us...  he was cussed out by the protective moms and now everyone knows the rules...).  It is a fun activity because so many people come, they bring treats and just all have a good time together. 

The next day we packed up everything to go camping.  We went up to Scott's parents' stake property for a Daw Family Reunion.  Every single child of Grandma and Grandpa Daw were there, and all but ONE grandchild!  Amazing.  We set up tents and then just sat around talking until dinner.  Then we had a fun magician come and it was great fun for the kids. 

The next day we had a nice breakfast and then packed up.  One of Scott's cousins had their family (the Kammereths and Bates) and the next stake property over and they invited us to join them.  So we went with them and there was a little lake.  Canoes, tubes, and life jackets were there for anyone to use.  We hopped in a canoe and took a fun trip around the lake, but then the kids just played around on the shore and in the tubes.  We spent several hours there, and could have spent more!  The funnest part was a zip line that went out over the lake.  Scott and Weston went on it over and over again.  Aidan didn't want to do that, but he did jump off the ledge into the lake and I am proud of my boys doing big kid things!  We hadn't brought food for lunch, but the Kammereths had, so they shared (lovely people!).  It made the trip so much more fun to be able to hang out there.  I loved it so much, we are going to try and have girls camp there next year!

Once we got home from that, I could have traveled up to Idaho again for my 20 year High School Reunion, but life had just been too busy, so I skipped it.  But I cannot believe I have been out of High School that long!  Wowsers!

And so that I wouldn't be missing the mountains, I got to go up with Aidan to cub camp the next weekend.  He had such a great time and got to do so many fun things: bb guns, panning for gold, going on a hike, crafts, and an obstacle course.  I was so proud of him--there was a rope wall he had to climb and it was really hard to do, but with some help the first and second time, then he was able to do it on his own and he rocked it! 

Eighteen years ago, I met Sonya Gartner at Cliff Lake in Montana when I worked with her at that resort.  It has been fourteen year since I have seen her and she is finally in town!  Since I don't have a guest room, she is staying at our friends the Philips.  They get along grand and she is a lovely guest.  She comes over daily and the kids cannot get enough of her.  We tried to get her to teach us about Australia... and we made Lammingtons (a traditional treat).  She is waiting for her fiancé to get back into the states and then she will be able to be with him.  I have been taking her to Young Women's and the girls LOVE her!  And I think she is really good for the girls--she has been a great example to them.  She likes to walk in the evenings, so she asked one of the girls (Kailey) to go with her and the girl and Sonya both love it.  It has been a lot of fun and we are happy she will be around for awhile.

Weston got to attend a soccer camp with friends from his soccer team for a week.  He had a good time and got in some good practice.  He enjoys it so much that he and his friend Gideon are going to put on a soccer camp for neighborhood kids. 

Our big summer vacation was to Lava Hot Springs.  Although I grew up in Idaho, I have never been there!  We left Wednesday morning and arrived just after lunch.  I couldn't find a campground, so we spent a few more dollars and found a cute bungalow.  It had two queen beds and two futons, so it could fit at least 8.  It had a nice fully stocked kitchen and a nice bathroom.  It really was a fantastic place run by very nice people.  We were located right behind a tube rental shop, so we hopped right over and got two triple tubes and then walked down to the river and jumped in.  The first time down, we really didn't know what we were doing and so we got a few bumps and bruises, but then we were pros.  We had rented it for two hours and by the second time down, most kids were done, but we dragged them one time more.  Then Weston went with Scott once.  It isn't a long run, maybe 20 minutes, and then a 10 minute walk back to the beginning of the run.  It has a few bumpy places where you have to hang on, but really is pretty friendly.  Then we found one of the few places in town to eat (a pizzeria) and then watched movies. 

The next day we went to their famous swimming pool and that was nice--the water was not cold!  One of the reasons I don't love swimming is because I am always cold, but this had nice water!  We didn't spend the money to go over to the hot pools--I am the only person who would have enjoyed that (oh, and how I would have enjoyed that!!!), but they did have a little hot pool which I reveled in for a bit.  They had four slides, two that were "too scary" (but not for Scott, he went down several times) and the older boys braved the easier ones.  They had a fun play area for the kids--we spent most of the time in the shallow pool area.  We just walked back to our house for lunch (you can't be too far away in Lava . . .)  and then walked back.  Our total time in the pools was about 4 hours.  Then we went to a burger joint and then I got to go on a mini date with each kid.  Aidan and I went to a rock shop, Weston went into an Indian shop, Brennan and I went into various places, and Elise and I went shopping in girls stores. :)  Mostly I loved just holding their hands and walking and talking.  Then we watched another show (I read). 

Friday Weston, Aidan, and Scott went zip lining!  I wish I would have gone and taken the other kids as well--it would have been awesome.  They had such a great time and I am proud of all of them (well, mostly Weston and Aidan) for being so brave!  They got to go down two different zip lines two times each.  Then they did a little obstacle course and of course Scott was chosen to do the hardest part.  He was an American Ninja Warrior!  We know now that we all want to do it next time.  I just hung out with my littles while they were gone and then we all went back down the river.  This time we tried a six seater, but that was a little too mild for us.  We got the triples again and went down a few more times.  Then we met up with some friends who were camping down there and had fun dinner with them.  The kids played games and had a great time.  Elise made a new friend (Mya) and the boys ran and played and got dirty!

Saturday morning we slept in, packed up, and lazily drove home.  We stopped at the Brigham City Temple and ate a lunch.  We made it home in time to get everything unpacked and Scott and I even went out for a nice anniversary dinner.  It really was a very relaxing and fun trip.

Our anniversary was a pleasant day.  We announced to the kids that they were going to make dinner for us and they really took that seriously.  It was WONDERFUL!  I don't know why we don't have them do it more often (well, there was a mess to clean up--though they tried to clean up).  They made chicken (Weston made it all by himself!), carrots, cherries, and garlic bread.  Everybody did their part and would not let us lift a finger!  So Scott and I just sat around and enjoyed it all.  We had a marvelous time together and even had brownies for dessert. 

To top off the month, Omi and Opa came down for a few days and they got there in time to see Weston perform at his piano recital.  Weston has really been practicing well and did a marvelous job.  I am so proud of him and his accomplishments.  It was nice to have Omi and Opa for a bit--Mom and I went shopping and had a great time (nice jeans mom!) and she bought me a darling shirt (love it!).  They are good grandparents and the kids adore them. 

Just to share a funny:  Scott was putting Elise down to bed and she wanted him to stay with her.  He said no, why don't you sleep with this teddy bear?  To which she replied, "No, I want a human to sleep with me!"  She is always making us laugh.  And Brennan makes us laugh as well.  We have always said he looks like Teddy Ruxpin, and for awhile he hasn't liked that, but recently he said he wanted to change his name to "Teddy".  It would fit him! 

Love to you all!

June

Since we have a few longer breaks throughout the year, we don't get out of school until the second week of June.  Most of the other school were out a week or two before us, so the kids were anxious to get going on summer (as was I!). 

The last weeks of school kept us plenty busy.  Weston's birthday was a full day.  They had to go to school, but Scott made it fun by dropping off a donut for him at lunch time.  Then we ran home after school just to quickly get ready and head to dinner at Goodwood.  Grandma and Grandpa met us there, as well as Grandma Nancy, and fortunately, Omi and Opa made it too!  We followed that by his choir concert and culmination activity.  His choir director is amazing and they do such a great job!  The kids were great!  It didn't last too long (fortunately) and we headed to the house for presents and cake--which was actually homemade fried ice cream (YUM!!!!).  He got a lot of fun presents--hdyration pack and camping gear, books, soccer ball, clothes, Captain America poster, and a pellet gun target.  It is harder to get presents for older kids!!  But, he had a great time.  He had a fun party with some friends watching a movie and hanging out.  It is crazy to think that in one year he will be 12!  I feel like this is my last year with him as a child!

Aidan has his culmination activity as well--it is what they called the big "show what you know".  They shared things that they learned over the year and he was darling.  Omi and Opa were able to be here and enjoy the shows.  Then Opa picked up their friend from China and we were able to have him here for a bit.

Brennan "graduated" from Kindergarten and it was a fun little ceremony.  What a doll!  One of the things that has been weird about his class is that if they ever have a party, no one plans it.  It is kind of a free for all thing.  We were asked to bring some things (ice cream and pizza etc), but no one brought an ice cream scoop, so I sat there dishing ice cream with plastic spoons.  It was rather strange, but hopefully things will be better next year with "parties"... 

Aidan had his friend birthday party with water as the theme.  They had a huge water fight, slide down the slip and slide, played with water balloons, and had ice cream sundaes.  On his birthday, we went out to a pizza place and opened presents with the grandparents (Omi and Opa were able to be there again!).  For his "cake", I made cookies, but in muffin tins.  They sunk in the middle and made a perfect little cup for ice cream to sit!  They were fun to have (and different, right?).  He got some really fun gifts--a microscope (that takes digital photos), books, legos, and a water gun that attaches to a bike.  He is growing up so much.  He had such a great birthday, and he recorded everything in his journal (cutie pie). 

Our first week out of school we just played around, spent time together and with friends.  We have a lot of activities planned for the summer, and we did go to the Hutchings Museum, which was a fun little museum for the kids.  Aidan had gone before on a field trip and learned about Atl Atls.  This time they actually threw one for us.  Pretty cool.

Now that Weston is 11, he has joined the boy scouts!  Scott is the 11 year old leader, and so they went on their first camp out!  They had a great time, and good practice for the next camping trip when all the boys went on the Father's and Son's campout.  That is probably the most anticipated and exciting event of the whole year.  They have so much fun!  It was right before Father's day, so it was a great weekend for Scott.  He was able to do so many fun father things.  We made him a nice dinner, though it was steak, so he actually cooked up the steak...  He got a new lawn mower (he is sooooo happy) and some other little presents. 

So many birthdays in June!  My birthday was the best--my kids and husband really went out of their way to make it fun and relaxing for me.  It was especially nice that it was on a Sunday and I got to spend the whole day with my husband and kids.  They let me sleep in, made breakfast for me, and made tiki masala for dinner (YUMMMMMMM!).  I got an awesome bike and a new crock pot, as well as little gifts from the kids.  I absolutely LOVED my birthday.

The next morning, we packed up and left for Jackson.  It was an enjoyable ride because we listened to books on tape and the kids sat mesmerized.  We arrived in time to do some walking around the central square and of course find a candy shop and a rock shop.  The guy at the rock shop was so helpful and he brought a piece of wulfenite from his personal collection for Aidan to buy.  Then we went over to the Bar J.  The rest of the family caught up with us there and we had a lovely time watching those fun entertainers and eatin' good food!  A big thanks to Ali and Scott for providing the funnest cabin to stay in.  It was so strange, yet totally cool.  The kids loved it (especially the ping pong table)!  The next morning we decided to go back to Jackson and others met us there.  We really figured out the best way to do it--one person stayed at the kids museum with the children and the rest walked around.  The kids didn't want to walk around, and we needed a rest from walking, so it was perfect.  And thanks to Opa who took the older kids to Ripley's Believe it or Not.  They were happy to be there and not with the littles or the adults!  We had pizza for dinner and a fun evening hanging out.  The next day we went west.  I am sure Ali will tell the story of what happened to her car, but I also have a car story...  We drove all the way to Spencer, Idaho, which is in the middle of ... nothing...  We got out and went in, but Weston wanted to get something from the car, so he grabbed the keys from me and then somehow locked them in the car.  The guy, Kirk, who worked there happened to be a mechanic, so he took a look and tried to get it open but he was afraid he would damage the car too much.  The closest locksmith was probably an hour away, so he called the .... local... sheriff.  They sent a deputy out, which took an hour or so, but that is ok, we weren't going anywhere.  They were so kind to do that for us--everyone there was just great!

The kids loved looking for opals and just playing around together.  Weston and Aidan really got some good rocks.  It is fun to go to rock shows, but there is something cool about getting them ourselves.  Once we figured out our car situation and had a good lunch (which had been packed in the car) we headed back to Rexburg to go to Bear World.  Since we had already been there once, we didn't want to pay to go through, but they let us do 1/2 off and go to the kiddie play area and petting zoo.  That was way fun and everyone was having such a great time.  The baby deer was probably the highlight.  It was great weather as well--not too hot.  And not like last year when it poured down rain.  We went to Applebees for dinner and then back to Driggs.  We got up in the morning, cleaned the cabin and went back to Utah.

It was just in time to do loads of laundry and tried to do some cleaning up of the house.  We had a ward breakfast/party on Saturday and Stake Conference that night and the next day.  I packed everything back up for the kids and dropped Aidan and Weston off at cousins and Elise and Brennan at Norma and Elaine's.  Then I went to Girls Camp.  It was actually a lot of fun and the girls had a great time (which is what matters, right)?  The stake chose the theme GNOMES (God Needs Obedient Missionaries, Especially Sisters) and I was in charge of doing some type of prank, so I made up Gned the Traveling Gnome.  It turned out really cute and everyone loved it.  It works similar to being Booed at Halloween, but Gned was moved around from ward to ward. 

I will fill you all in on the rest of our travels, activities, etc next time, as now we have spilled over into July.  Love to you all!

Cuz Chron June

Brennan for Cuz Chron:
I learned a lot at Kindergarten.  I learned 5 things.  I learned cursive and math and reading. 


Weston for Cuz Chron:

At our Daw family reunion my cousins and I were whittling.  I made a sword and two knives.  The two knives are my favorite because they were really hard and they look really nice.  They both have lines that are deeply cut for the handles.  My cousin Collin made a really cool knife, too.  It was really fun whittling.

Aidan for Cuz Chron:

We went to the Opal mines in Spencer, Idaho. There was a big pile of rocks and dirt from the mine that we could look through for opals.  The opal has rainbows in them.  I got a blue opal with stripes in it.  I really liked it.

May

May went by so quickly!  We had so many little activities going on that it made the month busy and fun.  The boys ran a mile in the school fun run, had soccer games every Saturday, and we worked in the yard almost daily.  Brennan finished up his Let's Play Music with a recital.  He had a special part of playing "I've been to Harlem" on the bells.  We were so lucky to have Omi here for it!  She came and stayed for a few days so we could work on Family History.  Mostly we scanned old photos in to be digitalized.  It was very interesting to see our ancestors and hear mom tell stories.  We were able to upload some photos onto familysearch.org.  If you log onto the site (with your lds account) you can see photos of your ancestors!  Go to "Memories", "Photos", and then "People" and you can scroll through names and view photos.  If you have any photos to add, please do.

Mom and I were able to find and submit some pretty cool information.  Gerbie's aunt, Evelyn Virginia Ellis, was married to her first husband, William C. Jenkins in about 1887, and they had a baby, Lester F. Jenkins.  But sadly, the baby died a year later.  And then just a few months later, her husband William died.  She married later and had children and all her work has been done with them, but none of the information for her first husband and child has ever been done.  We found documentation and so we were able to enter it into family search and print out temple ordinance cards.  Now, we can get William's work done and the family sealed!  It was such a great experience.  I am still trying to get information about Gerbie's great grandfather's family (Nance).  I am really enjoying this all, I feel like a detective! 

We had a great time with Omi, shopping, making food, and reminiscing.  The kids love having her around.  It was really fun and I hope we can do it again soon!

Mother’s day was great, and the lead up to it made it even more special.  The kids were excited to be giving me things and doing things for me.  Aidan is very good at making celebrations special.  He wrapped several presents, some homemade, and put up the “tree”.  Every holiday/birthday where there are presents involved, we put up a tree.  It is a piece of paper with a drawing of a tree that they tape to the wall.  Then all the presents go under the tree.  I love it!  Weston was also very sweet and made me a ring—all by himself.  And I love it—I have gotten several compliments.  Scott was also good to me, helping the kids make it special. They let me sleep in (loved it!) and I had a delicious breakfast of pancakes, bacon, orange juice and strawberries.  We went to Scott’s parents that night for dinner (homemade lasagna) and had a very nice day together.  I must say that I love my kids and I love being a mom, especially to them.

Brennan had a field trip to the zoo and I took Elise and met him there.  It was perfect weather—not too hot, no rain, just slightly overcast.  We had a great time and I loved watching him play with friends from school.  He is one of the happiest kids I know.  He is always joyful.  He plays on a soccer team right now and is doing a great job, but mostly he is just out there having fun, making friends, and smiling and waving.  But once he gets determined, his face gets very serious and he works really hard.  I just love to watch him. 

Elise is starting to be a diva.  But what a cute diva.  The other day I said something about her room, and she looked it there, got frustrated and whined, “My room is a zaster!” (disaster).  She has been playing dress up and princess (mostly Ana and Elsa things).  She always wants her hair to be like Elsa.  Which is great, because otherwise she complains so much when I comb her hair.  Her best friend Halle is over to play daily, but it gets to be a problem if Halle ever goes home.  Elise freaks out and wants to keep playing.  I love that she has such a good friend, though.  They were talking the other day about how they wish they were sisters so they could live together.  

We had a few big activities this month, one was the Grandma Bea Memorial Breakfast and Bike/Run.  We were going to have it the Saturday before Memorial Day, but the weather didnt cooperate.  This year i invited all the nieces and nephews over for a sleepover.  They all came around 7:30 in their pajamas.  I had popcorn and treats for them and they watched a movie.  Then they didn't go to bed.  That was the plan, but instead they just played around a bunch.  I overrestimated their energy.... And unfortunately I was exhausted (I went through some sickness where I was extrememly tired all the time).  Brennan was wise enough to go up to his room.  But, around midnight I think they all fell asleep.  Not too last long, though.  I think the first kid woke up at 5 am and he proceeded to wake up the rest of the kids.  Aidan thought quicky and went up to his room to get another hour of sleep, but basically they were all up and ready to go bright and early.  The girls all slept up in Elise's room and they did great and had such a great timme together.  It rained all morning, so I gave them cold cereal and sent them home.  

On Sunday, we made the rounds to cemetaries.  I am glad that I live close by so many of our ancestors graves.  I have really felt a closeness since starting to get into family history.

I got that day of rest and then we had the kids all over again on Monday morning, with their parents and all the other Daw family for the big run and breakfast.  I bought candy necklaces and put "medals' on each one that said, "Grandma Bea Memorial 2014".  Then we had a delicous breakfast of my homemade pancakes (I learned from last year that Krusteaz pancake mix is NOT the way to go), hashbrowns, eggs, bacon, sausage, syrup, fruit, and OJ or chocolate milk.  I think everyone liked it and I am excited to do it again next year.  Everyone got into a rousing game of soccer and then slowly made their way back home.  

Weston, Aidan, and Brennan have all been playing soccer.  We put Aidan and Brennan on the same team which is really nice because we only have to go to two games on Saturdays instead of three.  Aidan has really improved and has becoe a serious soccer player.  He practices at home by himself all the time and is working to get better and better.  He enjoys playing goalie (which is a bit surprising) but has done a great job and stopping the other team of scoring! 

Aidan also received his Wolf!  His piano lessons and scouts overlapped so he had to miss the first half of scouts every week, so there was a lot of work we had to do together that he didn't get to do with the den.  He did a great job.

As did Weston on finishing his Webelos.  Plus, he got his Arrow of Light and his Religious Knot.  Our cubmaster is the best I have ever seen and he puts on aquite a production every time there is an Arrow of Light ceremony.  This was no exception.  It was a Star Wars theme and Weston was a Jedi that had to earn his "Arrow of Lightsaber Award" by fighting off the dark force, choosing the right, using the force to rescue ships, etc.  It was so much fun and although Weston played down his excitement, he felt pretty special.  Now he is on to 11 year old scouts--and his dad is his leader!  They are going on their first campout the first weekend of June.  I am so happy that Scott and Weston get to do this together and so happy that Weston is excited to have his dad as his leader.  

To end the month, we went on a quick trip to Norma and Elaine's cabin.  It was pretty short, but it was fun.  We stopped and did some shopping in Park City, ate at a fun burger joint, and then roasted marshmallows and just had a fun time together.  The next morning we made a delicious breakfast and then came home--Weston had his last game of the season and then Aidan and Brennan had a game following.  It is nice to be able to get away just for a short period of time at least!

April

The first weekend of April we get to watch General Conference.  And every time, I set up little jobs for myself that I can do as I watch.  This year, I made a mistake.  There was a lady in our ward who had a connection to strawberries sold for 1$ a pound.  Great buy and I wanted to make strawberry jam.  My neighbor bought 6 flats.  So I bought 2.  If she can do 6 flats, surely I can do 2!  No, I can't!

I started out great.  I had the kids involved.  We washed them, cored them, and then I used my handy dandy Blendtec and blended them.  Where I started on my downhill spiral is trying to go "healthy".  Instead of normal jam, I found a "delicious" honey substitute for sugar jam (and without that "harmful" --or so say all the crazy people--pectin).  Instead of just trying it out and making one small batch.  I made a HUGE potful (probably 2 1/2 gallons).  I ran out of containers, it didn't set, I put the wrong date on the containers, I was frantically trying to fix it all (in my pajamas), I was missing out on General Conference (what was I thinking!?!), and worst of all?  It was NOT delicious.  It is disgusting!  Argh!  Well, I got myself out of pajamas and ran to the store, bought more containers, bought pectin, and the next day I used the other half of the strawberries and made it the correct way (with sugar and pectin).  So, lesson learned folks--and please learn from my mistakes--sometimes it is just NOT worth it to be completely "healthy" and eat gross tasting jam.  Homemade strawberry jam is one of the best things in the world.  Do not ruin it with honey!

With that said, I have a bunch of "Honey Strawberry Jam".  Does anyone want me to ship some to you?

We have been busy with FUN this month.  Both Aidan and Weston had field trips I got to go on with them.  Weston went to "This is the Place" and Aidan went to the TranJordan Landfill and the Hutchings Museum.  At "This is the Place", they did some really cool things about the Civil War, Weston will be sharing things he learned in CC.  The Landfill is so interesting!  You wouldn't think learning about garbage and recycling would be so fun to learn about!  That was actually my second time going there, and I would love to go again (and, yes, the kids liked it, too).  The Hutchings Museum was just a little thing, but they did a great job and Aidan learned about Atlatls, which he will discuss in CC as well.

We had a whole week for Spring Break, and we wanted to have a "staycation" since we couldn't go on vacation somewhere else.  So, once the kids got out of school on Friday, Scott took Aidan and Weston skiing.  Aidan did a class and was so cute!  He got the hang of it quickly.  Weston was a pro and they are both excited to go again next year.  Elise, Bren and I ran errands and had fun together at home while they skied.  Once they got home we had a fun barbeque with our neighbors (we love them so much!).  On Saturday the boys had soccer games (and did well), we made crepes for a brunch, then we went to the new Muppet movie and out to Applebees for dinner (my main goal for our staycation was to not have a huge mess in our house--I didn't want to be cleaning the whole time.  So we went out a lot...).  Sunday we had cinnamon rolls (bought from a neighbor who was selling them. Best cinnamon rolls I have ever had) and then Grandma Nancy invited us over for dinner.  It was a very relaxing day.   Monday Scott went to work, so I took the kids to IHOP (he doesn't like breakfast, but we do!).  Then we went to some really cool parks in daybreak and played for hours.  I wasn't really thinking about how much sun I was getting and by the end of the week I had a really red face. 

On Tuesday, we met Scott downtown and went to the Church History Museum which has a section on the Century of Honor scout stuff.  I am glad they were a part of that.  After the museum we went to Ensign Peak and hiked to the top.  The kids did a great job and I am glad we can enjoy that activity as a family.  Then we had a lunch at a little deli and dad went back to work.  The kids and I went to the planetarium and spent some time there (my other goal for this staycation was to not spend a lot of money, so we did a lot of free things and we used all our coupons and free meal vouchers the kids earned at school). 

On Wednesday we went to the Natural History Museum (I had free passes for all of us!).  That is one of my favorite places.  They have a new display about chocolate.  YUM!  Then we got Chik-Fil-A and ate and played at Murray Park.  Then we had a coupon for the Nickelcade, so we spent 5 dollars and the kids played those games earning tickets and they each got a 10 cent toy in the end.  What a way to spend 5$...  Still, they had fun.  Elise and Brennan had their yearly doctor appointment in Murray, so Aidan and Weston hung out at Grandma's while I took the younger kids to the doctor.  Both Elise and Brennan are doing great.  Somehow Elise is in the 75% for height.  I don't know where she gets that and I wonder if it will last.

Thursday we all went to the Dentist.  No cavities!  Yippee!  We then met up the cousins at a park and played for hours (they played so well together, we didn't stop them and just let them play). 

Friday we went up to our old stomping grounds and met up with some friends from the old neighborhood (Kingsburys and Lesters).  Again, we played at the park for hours.  Then we met Scott at In-n-Out for lunch.  That night the other cousins came over and the adults went to the temple while the kids played. 

Our staycation was about to end, so we had to jam a bunch of things in on Saturday.  We had our annual Easter basket and egg hunt at our house.  Then went to soccer games, then went to the Utah Spring *** with Uncle Cameron.  Grandma had her annual gigantic Easter egg hunt.  The kids candy should last for several months (of course it is gone by now...).  We came home and decorated eggs as a family and prepared for Easter Sabbath. 

We had an FHE on Monday about Easter.  Scott found a game online that asks Easter questions and it was actually really fun and the kids learned a lot.  We talked a lot about the Passover.  On our calendar, when it indicated the first day of Passover, Brennan said, "Don't we need to put blood on our door so they won't get us?"  Glad he listened, but I guess we needed to be more clear about a few things.  He is such a sweet boy.  Sunday, the kids sang "Gethsemane" in church, and the choir (which included Scott and myself) sang "How Great the Wisdom".  Scott taught High Priests and I taught a special lesson to the YW about Jesus Christ.  I took the Youth 2014 Theme Song and made a power point presentation with pictures of Christ and the girls.  It really turned out great.

The rest of the month was just normal.  Soccer practice, scouts, visiting teaching, piano...  Life.  Along the way, some funny things were said.  Brennan was playing with Aidan and he said to him, "Aidan, you are so smart.  You always think what I think."  The kids were waiting in the car for me for a minute and when I got back in Elise was angry and said, "Weston is talking like a mom!"  (I guess he was telling her what to do?)  And then sadly, I was talking with the kids about foreheads and I was going to tell them what I used to call them (headboards...) and I pointed to my forehead and asked, "What is this?" to which Weston replied: "A crease". 

Yep kids, it has been a great April!

March

At APA (our school) the kids memorize poetry and the latest one Weston memorized was part of "Barbara Frietchie" by Whittier.  His grade performed it at school and it was very moving. Now he is memorizing "O Captain, my Captain."  He has been learning about the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln.  I have given the DVD of Chic Sale as Abe to his teacher and they are going to watch it next week.  School is going very well for him, great grades and learning lots of great things.  He is doing great in piano as well, and has been conscientious about practicing daily.  Now that it is warmer, though, he is dying to get outside and play soccer.  They have started the spring season and practices are in full swing.  So that he doesn't get too much free time, he is furiously working on scouts so he can finish his Webelos and Arrow of Light in the next few months.  Then he will be entering 11 year old scouts--where his dad will be his leader!  Yep, Scott got a new calling, and he is very excited.  I love though, that Weston is excited to have his dad as his leader.  :)  Weston also went skiing for the first time. Grandpa Ron took him up to Solitude and he had one short class and was a pro!  He really enjoyed it and now we have an expensive hobby...

Aidan has also been practicing piano diligently because he had a recital this month and AIM (Achievement in Music) evaluation.  He played "Dancing Bears" for the recital and did marvelous.  He played with such precision!  For AIM, he played that song and "The Elephant and the Flea".  He got 100% on both.  The judge said, "You are so delightful to listen to--I love your attention to detail." and "Your contrast in dynamics really made your performance sparkle."  He also had to play three different scales/chords/cadences/arpeggios (E flat, B flat, and A flat--all majors and minors) and got 100% as well. The last thing he had to do was a sight reading piece and that was something we hadn't practiced as much, but he still did well gaining a 94% overall!  They also had him do a creative project and he chose to make an instrument--he made a String Drum.  I am glad we got this first year over with and now know what to expect for next year.  As a reward for all his hard work, we went to Iceberg and then to the rock show.  He decided to spend some of his money on some rocks and bought a huge amethyst and a DIAMOND!  It is .03, with lots of inclusions, but it is a diamond, and to be able to say that you own a diamond is a big thing for a young rock collecting enthusiast.  The man who sold it to him was so kind and gave him an opal as well!  A very successful day.

The boys have really been into making loop band bracelets (thank you to Omi who gave Weston a kit) and they sold a bunch to neighborhood kids.  Then we had a neighbor who had a Charity garage sale for some friend who has cancer and the kids made about 25 for them to sell.

We got two new toys.  One for inside, one for outside.  We got a teeter-go-round, it is like a teeter totter, but it can go around 360 degrees as well.  The kids really love it, and I think it was a good deal.  The only thing I didn't think about was the circle it would make in our grass...  That is ok, as long as the kids are having tons of fun!  We also found an amazing clearance deal on an air hockey table.  If you didn't know before, Scott's grandfather's brother invented it, so we feel it appropriate that we own one... :)  And just so we don't feel like we are spending all our money on fun toys, we have also been working on getting all of the bushes and more trees for our yard.  We put in a pear tree and lots of different varieties of bushes (boxwood, forsythia, burning bush, variegated red twigged dogwood, sand cherry, euonymus and a magnolia).  I am so excited to see how they all turn out.  It will be nice to have color in our yard!  Scott has also started planting lots of garden veggies.  None of our grafts on our apple tree took last year, so we are trying again this year.  Please pray that it works!

Brennan and his friends have especially loved our new teeter.  He is such a friendly kid and gets along well with others.  He has been playing a lot with our next door neighbor Luke.  They started a game of Disney Monopoly one morning and it lasted three days.  Then we got out our Monopoly Jr and played and he is really good (I lost all my money to him!).  He has been watching "Cooks Country from America's Test Kitchen" lately, and found a marvelous recipe that we tried out one day.  It was DELISH!  (Mom will include the recipe)  He has also said some funny things lately.  He said, "I am doing a Challenger School on my own and in three days is the championship and if I get a C on it, I get a gold medal."  He was reading and read the word "hut" and I asked if he knew what that was and he said, "Yes, like Jabba the Hut"

Elise has been dancing around the house lately, and surprised us with a beautiful somersault, done beautifully (with style and grace!).  I have been attending some performances of the Young Women in my ward and Elise has come with me and just loved it!  I am hoping to get her signed up for tumbling in the fall.  She will be a natural.  We have also moved her from a 5 point carseat to a high back booster and you should see the pride in her face as she buckles and unbuckles all by herself!  She is growing up too fast.  I love when she spontaneously says, "Momma, I love you" or "Daddy, you are my best friend."  She is a joy.  She and her best friend Halle were playing the other day and Halle had to go home.  Halle said, "I wish we were sisters, then I'd never have to leave."  They play together daily, sometimes three or four times for several hours! 

We have had some fun family time together.  We got a few new games, one of them is Wits and Wagers and can be played by all of us (Well, Elise doesn't really play, but she has fun).  We have some good friends, the McRoberts, who invited us to go to a Jazz game with them a few weeks ago and we had such a good time.  It is so nice to have the kids at a stage where going to places like that are enjoyable, rather than running around after them or holding them while they sleep (although I miss that!).  We had a great time.  Mel cuts my hair and instead of me paying her I make her dinner.  It has been lots of fun--I like making food and I just have to double my recipe.  Works out great! 

I have been partnered with a great Visiting Teacher who is very gung ho and asked for less-actives to visit.  We have had great success (Michelle Salazar has started coming back!), but it has been a lot of eating out.  We found that visiting with some of them is easier if we go out to lunch.  I am getting to know a lot of the neighborhood eateries...  I enjoyed going to Women's Conference, but can't wait for Elise to be 8 so I have someone to go with.  We are all doing well and excited for spring.  Love to you all.

February 2014

Ah, Love.  Aidan kept asking if he could scratch my back daily.  Of course I consented, but I asked, “Why do you want to scratch my back?”  He answered, “Because it is the month of love.”  He is so sweet and loving.  He made each person a valentine and just couldn’t wait to give them to us.  He also made individual origami hearts for each person in his class.  They don’t have a party in class, but they could give valentines to people if they wanted.  Aidan has also been preparing for his music recital and AIM --AIM is some program where they are tested on theory and playing.  He already has his test and did really well.  The next step is the recital and then he plays for judges in a few weeks. 

Weston’s big news is written on his face—He has glasses!  One Sunday he mentioned that he couldn’t see the hymn numbers.  So I took him in and yep, he has the lucky genes that we all have.  He got two pair of glasses –one black and one black and red.  He looks handsome in both (and he knows it).   He has been working really hard on Webelos and is getting closer to finishing it.  He only has three months and then he attends 11 year old scouts and will start on the big campouts! 

The kids didn’t have school for a week, so we took a few days to just hang out and play around and then we went up to Idaho for a few days.  Omi had been in Chicago with Ali for a while, so on her way home she stayed with us a few days.  We had a lovely time shopping together (Costco, fabric stores) and organizing my laundry room (So happy with the end product).  We then drove her to Idaho.  It was one of the most pleasant rides up.  We checked out “Half Magic” by Edward Eager and listened to it on my phone (cool how you can do things like that!).  It lasted almost exactly the right amount of time and the kids loved hearing it.  We all just sat spellbound as we drove.  Lovely.  And our stay in with the Barkers was lovely as well.  I read an Agatha Christie, the kids played, Elise took over the hop on ball (now I know a great gift to get her), Weston helped deliver papers, the kids fell in love with Fifi (great dog!), Elise and Rowan played together well, I helped mom a bit on the peach room, Aidan and Bren played, and we generally just had a good time hanging out.  We went into town and hung out in the Manwaring Center (ah, what great memories!) and even took a trip to the DI.  We went out to eat at the MC with the family and Weston got a hamburger and it tasted just like it did back in the day (yes, I stole a bite).

As I left, I stopped at Schofield's--pounded on the doors until Kathie opened them for me.  Then we hugged and cried.  It is hard to see that beautiful building with locked doors.  I have so many memories associated with it.  I loved the poem Heidi wrote about it, and I am happy that I got the chance to work at that wonderous place! 

We returned just in time for me to go do sealings with Scott and his family.  We have been trying to do this monthly and it is very enjoyable.  We have also been enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.  Our tulips are poking up, we have planted our first veggies, and it is even warm enough that our spinach from last year is still producing eatable leaves!  We are eager for spring.  Love to you all!

January 2014

Scott began the year at 36 and six days later turned 37.  Old man.  I made him a delicious coconut cake (I love trying new recipes and this was great and easy: Bake one yellow cake mix, as directed, in a 9×13 inch dish. While cooling, make holes all over the surface of the cake. Mix one 15 ounce can of Cream of coconut with one large can of sweetened condensed milk and pour all over the top of the cake. When cool, ice cake with whipped cream or Cool Whip. Refrigerate.)  Not very good for you (though I actually left out the sweetened condensed milk), but, eh, it is a birthday, what would be good for you?  The kids gave him nutrition bars, and I gave him a picture of a model airplane so he could go buy one to make and fly around.  But, instead, he decided to buy a new road bike.  Oh well, I am ok with that.  We did go snowshoeing together to celebrate and had a lovely time up in the mountains away from everything.

Brennan received a present at Christmas to use this month: Cookie College.  There is a cute local bakery "Naborhood Bakery" that does a cookie college for little kids.  It is pretty cheap ($15) and it is exactly what Brennan would love to do.  He got a tour of the bakery and got to see all of the big mixers and huge bags of flour.  He even got to go inside their huge freezer!  The rotating oven was really neat, too.  Then they washed their hands and got to roll our their own dough (a good pound of dough) and cut shapes with a variety of cookie cutters.  He made an army of gingerbread looking men and a few other fun shapes.  Then, as they cooked, he got to eat a lunch from the bakery (corn dog...).  Then they got three different colors of frosting and some candies and sprinkles to decorate the cookies.  Once he was done, he ceremoniously received a diploma declaring his completion of Cookie College.  This was so much fun for him and he was so inspired that he has decided to hold a cookie college for neighborhood kids this summer.  It will be lots of fun for us and the kids!

I got to get away for a few days, but to be surrounded by tons of young men and women at Youth Conference.  Although I missed my kids and spouse terribly, I actually had a great time getting to know the girls and leaders.  We did some fun things-- John Bytheway spoke, snowshoeing or cross country skiing, and a dance (which I was all over--someone had to get the girls dancing...).  I also taught a class on dance etiquette, and it was a success.  I made a fun slideshow that talked about important things to remember (hygiene, how to ask a person to dance, etc) and I took up the cardboard cutout of Scott and taught them how to dance... It was so much fun.  I was happy to get back to my kids though.  And Scott took care of the kids and the house so well!

And just as soon as I got back, we had Elise's friend birthday party.  She invited her best friend Halle, her cousin Hallie, her cousin Adrianne and her friend Phoebe.  Elise really wanted a Barbie party--she kept saying "I want a Barbie birthday".  I, of course, have never had Barbie's, or anything like it and am baffled!  I tried to dissuade her, even using bribes!  But, to no avail, she was set on a Barbie Birthday!  So, we went shopping to look for Barbie decorations, etc, but could find nothing (thank goodness!).  So, we discussed it, and somehow I finally figured out that she really didn't care too much that it was a Barbie themed party, as long as she received Barbie's as presents!  Well, I can live with that as long as I don't have to give her the Barbie...  I couldn't stop her friends from giving them to her. :)  So, we ended up having a Minnie Mouse Boutique party.  The girls came and all wore fancy clothes and we made bracelets and necklaces.  Then we painted nails and watched a Barbie show, and then we ended with opening presents and eating Minnie Mouse shaped rice krispy treats (Scott made them!) with cute bows on them (I made them their own hair bows that look similar to Minnie's).  Usually parties are over much sooner than I anticipate, so I made this only an hour long (there were only 4 girls!), but the time flew by and we had to really cram everything in there.  It was kind of a whirlwind, but it all worked out and they had a great time. 

We had a nice family party for her on the night of her birthday.  I made a scrumptious cake that had strawberry puree in it, and a whip cream/white chocolate topping.  She received some great gifts--a new little table for her room that I painted yellow and Omi painted little flowers on it, a Barbie and horse from Grandma Tracey, a Minnie Mouse book/toys from Omi, and some dress up dolls and stuffed animal from Norma and Elaine (who were invited of course).  The boys each gave her something as well.  They love her so much.  She is pretty spoiled by their love.  It was a great day and we are so happy our little girl is growing up so well.

Aidan and Weston had the spelling bee and did well.  Aidan was fourth runner up in his class, but both did stupendous.  Weston had a "5th Grade Ambassador Event"--their school has these every other month or so where they learn manners, what to do in social situations, etc.  Weston also received Reader of the month.  He has been reading all of the Lemony Snicket books, Keith Oppel (Firewing), and lots more.  And Aidan loves reading Jigsaw Jones Mysteries.  Aidan also won his class geography bee.  He has a knack for knowing and remembering all those things.  I am proud of my boys and the hard work they are putting into their education.

They also put a lot of work and effort into making their pinewood derby cars.  Weston made a shapely black car while Aidan's was a sleek red one.  They both did well, though I think the scoring was strange and the officials made a few mistakes.  Aidan did get third!  And his enthusiasm was awesome.  I have never seen someone to excited to win something!  Oddly, the leaders gave a "loser" prize.  I didn't think that was a good decision.  Aidan got the "grease lightning" award, and Weston's was the "best looking".  Brennan and Elise didn't want to be left out of the fun, so they each made a car.  They ran the "banana" race--a race they let the little kids run after the pinewood derby is done.  Brennan's yellow car zoomed down!  Elise made a pink car (without wheels) and she didn't want to run the banana race, she ran the "raspberry" race--just a name she made up...  They all had a great time. 

Hope you are all doing well.  Much love to you all!

Weston's missionary moment

My family had a party and my friend that isn't Mormon came.  He saw my missionary fund envelope and asked me what it was.  I said that is was my money for my mission, a thing where you move away for two years and preach the gospel.  He asked where I'm going and I said that the Presidency of my church decides where missionaries go.  I got to tell him a lot about our church.

November and December

Veteran's Day has now become one of my favorite holidays.  The kids' school does a special Veteran's Day Concert and invites local dignitaries and any veterans (and their families) who want to attend.  Hundreds showed up and I was able to help "check" them in.  As we checked them in, we got some information from them--where and when/how long they served our country.  My eyes kept getting moist...  I invited Norma Powell; her husband was a veteran, but he died a few years ago.  The kids all sang several songs, and a few people spoke.  The kids singing was AMAZING.  People couldn't stop the tears from flowing.  It was one of the coolest concerts I have ever been to.  I have a DVD copy of the concert if anyone would like to see it.  Aidan's class sang "My Country Tis of Thee" and Weston's class sang "God Bless America" and "Thank you Soldiers".  They both learned "God Bless the USA" and "The Star Spangled Banner".  All that attended were in tears and moved.  Norma loved it and I cannot wait to invite more veterans next year. 

Lots of opportunities to "perform" these past months.  The kids also got a chance to sing for the Primary Program at church.  The three boys were given the assignment to say a part of the Living Christ.  And because we had memorized it earlier in the year, they quickly rememorized it and said the whole part without reading it.  Brennan was in a "Thanksgiving Play" at school, and he played a pilgrim and said the part, "Like axes and saws for building".  Great line!

Aidan had his first piano recital with his new teacher.  He played the song, "Feeling Good" and really played with feeling!  He was the first one to play, and the youngest.  All the people oohed and awed over him.  He is doing well in piano, as is Weston.  I love that they don't complain about practicing.  Weston was in his Christmas Concert at school.  They sang lots of fun songs:  "Dona Nobis Pacem", "Eight Nights", and "Sing Out a Joyful Song".  The Eight Nights is a Hannakuh song, and it is so much fun.  It has lots of parts to it, and was a difficult song for them, but they did amazing (the music teacher is great). 

We have also had lots of time with friends over the past few months.  I was able to get together with several mission friends: Katherine Norman (Hansen), Yessenia Gonzalez (Price), Keena Richmond (Williams), Trina Popenhagen (Dye), Kristin Hatch and Aino Kemppainen (Larsen).  We had such a great time.  We sat around and talked about mission memories and then made real tortillas and enchiladas.  REAL MEXICAN FOOD!  It was such a fun time, it is so nice to get together with people from the mission.

Scott and I got together with some friends from Herriman.  We went to Setto Bello in downtown Salt Lake and then played some games.  I miss them all, but am glad we get to stay in touch.  We also went to our first ugly sweater party with some friends in the neighborhood.  It was... interesting.  :)  I couldn't find a Christmas Sweater, so I just wore an ugly sweater--very 80's and I did my hair in that style, wore white hightops and pegged my pants.  Ah, what a sight. 

At the beginning of the month the lady I visit teach died.  Darcus Olsen.  She was quite old and very sick, but it was sudden and it threw me a bit.  Heidi and I had the opportunity to help her out for an afternoon a few months ago and I am so glad I got that time to serve her.  Her husband Dan was our home teacher, and now he has gone to live elsewhere.  We will miss them both.

We started a new tradition for Christmas and had a night of singing.  We invited about 35 people, but about 20 people showed up.  Quite a variety of people (different ages, etc) and it made a great group.  I think everyone had a great time.  We sang about 10 songs and had apple cider and treats.  I am excited that we will be able to continue it every year.

Brennan's birthday was the highlight of the month.  We had the funnest dinner celebration!  He wanted it fancy, so we put out china, menus, name placecards, and had a special dinner of Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and jello salad.  We had a sparkling juice and ended the meal with a giant cookie and root beer floats.  He got a chef's hat and apron and kitchen cooking utensils, lego sets, and magformers.  For his friend party, each kid made their own pizza and decorated their own cookie.  It was a successful party and very memorable.  He is such a joy to us and makes us smile with his vivid imagination.  School is fun for him and he is learning so much so fast.  I am so glad I get to spend every morning with him before he goes to school.  He is a wacky wonderful kid!  He also lost his first tooth this month!  What an important milestone. 

We spent Thanksgiving with Scott's family.  I made the rolls (great recipe: http://www.howdoesshe.com/delicious-dinner-rolls/).  It was a typical Thanksgiving and fun to be with family.  We started the Christmas activities the next day by going downtown to Temple Square with hot chocolate donuts.  While down there, we met up with my best friend from Ricks College, Jeannie Gallacci.  It was wonderful to see her!  And the activities kept us busy the rest of the year.

Putting up the Christmas Tree was quite an experience.  Poor Scott.  We bought the tree last year after Christmas for a great deal.  But that meant some work getting it all put together.  It took Scott several hours over several days getting the lights to work.  And then we worked on organizing all the other décor.  Scott really did a great job on the outside lights.  He spent hours out there.  When we finally got it all up, we had a "lighting ceremony" with our neighbors to turn the lights on at the same time.  Beautiful!

Some of the other fun activities we did over Christmas were singing at the old folks home.  We met a ninety nine year old who was the same height as Aidan.  She was darling.  I love that tradition.  We decorated candy Christmas trees, made/bought tons of special presents for each other (that was my favorite part of Christmas!), acted out the nativity, sang silly songs while upside down with our faces dressed as elves/santa, and because there was a lot of snow we did tons of sledding.  The kids even went back to the old neighborhood and sledded with their friends there.  We had the Daw family party and went caroling around to people in their neighborhood and ward.  Santa came and each kid got to talk with him and tell him what they wanted.  I love that they get to do that.  Omi and Opa came down to be with us for Christmas and we were able to go to the Brown family party on the 24th.  Elise got sick that day, so she and Scott stayed home.  It was fun to see family members and eat yummy food.  Unfortunately, as soon as I got there, I felt sick!  And so it was on Christmas, several of us were not feeling well. :(  And unfortunately, everyone else got it at some point!  Most of the vacation time we were just sitting around trying to get better. 

We did have a nice Christmas though and had fun with the presents we received (The kids have played nonstop with legos and I got a blendtec and have made several smoothies and other yummies with it!).  Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!