The first of November was a celebratory day for Aidan. It was National Buffalo Day. Besides celebrating that, Aidan had a piano recital this month where he played "Pirates ****" and did a marvelous job. Full of talent, Elise was in a thanksgiving play at school where she dressed as a pilgrim and said the line, "How will we plant our corn?" What acting skills. All the kids got to be a part of sacrament meeting--Weston spoke (first time as a youth, and he did a great job!!!) and the other three sang "Could I hold the Baby" with two other friends. I love that my kids aren't afraid to perform in front of others--and that is hard to do!
Scott and I went up to Park City for a much needed weekend getaway. It was wonderful to go shopping, not clean house, eat out, and just be together. Omi and Opa were sweet enough to come hang with the kids--and the kids loved it! They went to a movie, ate out, and lived it up. I am so glad Omi and Opa are close enough to see them often.
Right before Thanksgiving, Garners got to visit for a day. It was so fun to see them! Ali and I went shopping for a bit and then we went to Rita's (her demand... and delicious!). It was short, but sweet. And then Thanksgiving was nice to have a few days with the kids and eat delicious food. In the morning Scott and Weston played football with guys from the neighborhood. Weston is really getting into football! We went to Scott's parents for dinner and the next day we put up Christmas decor. We are so excited for Christmas Break. I miss having the kids home with me!
Brennan FINALLY turned eight. He has been counting down to this day for a LONG time!!! The birthday party was quite a bit of fun. The kids played pokemon games, and each time "earned" a pokemon badge/pin. They played a pokemon battle game (that I made up...) and hit down a pokemon pinata and ate cupcakes. For his actual birthday, we went out to Rocky Mountain Pizza Co (the kids' favorite pizza place) and I made a delicious chocolate poke cake. He got a candy bar maker from a friend and a pokemon battlefield (notice a theme here???). He was so excited to get baptized (more on that next time) and start scouts! He looks so grown up in his scout shirt!
Scott and I are busy with work and house and etc... Scott hung the Christmas lights and is working on getting the snowblower to work. I have started a parenting group that meets weekly. It has been very helpful and successful. We discuss principles from the book "Parenting with Love" by Glenn Latham. It is so nice to discuss with other mothers that are going through similar situations how to get through them without being the enemy, without fighting, and keeping a good relationship with the kids. I just hope everyone keeps up with it--coming to the meetings, and applying the principles. So far, so good.
Next month there will be much more to report.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Friday, November 6, 2015
October part 3 Moab
Another highlight of October was going to Moab for a weekend. We left Thursday night and got there in time to do some hiking out to a place called Faux Falls. So pretty, and then a fun little place called Ken's lake where we did some rock skipping. We tried to go to "Hole in the Rock" but it was closed, so we got dinner and watched a movie. The next day we hiked to Corona Arch--kind of scary actually, but everyone did great. And beautiful. Because it was a weekend when everyone was out of school in Utah, it was pretty busy. We also hiked park avenue a bit later in the day and no one was around for that. It was great and just gorgeous. We got to go to Hole in the Rock which is a great place--a family years ago blasted out a cave in a rock and lived in it. There is a little museum there now and a little zoo where we could feed the animals. Weston fed a camel by holding a carrot in his mouth! The next day we went to Goblin Valley which was like being on another planet. It was so cool and so much fun for the kids to run around in. We drove home that evening in time to see a Utah game (of course...) and they won so it really was a great weekend!
October Part 2
We had a great visit from my Australian friend, Sonya. Last year she stayed with our friends, the Phillips, for a few months while she was waiting to move to a new place. She loved it so much, she wants to come visit every year! So, she came back---and stayed with our friends again... It was great fun. She came with me on Brennan's field trip. We went to a Pioneer Museum in Provo and then to the aquarium. Brennan is such a lovely kid! We went out to lunch with friends from the neighborhood--really it is all the ladies I visit teach. Sonya would come with me last year, and she became friends with them as well! We also went to the gardens at Thanksgiving Point. The kids loved seeing her and having her attend their sports games, visit, and even make Lammingtons. We are so grateful for her friendship and love.
The kids have all been busy with sports and Brennan tried out Football this season and loved it. Although their team lost every game (none of them had really played before), they all loved it and had so much fun. Brennan was the first to score a touch down and actually made quite a few throughout the season. He played with his friends Luke, Mack, and Tyler. It was so much fun to watch them try and figure out how to play--and then do so with enthusiasm.
Aidan had another successful year in soccer. He loves to play and works hard practicing. I am always impressed with how dedicated he is to things--he puts all his energy into doing his best at things. He is doing great in school and this year gets to be a part of the choir at school. The choir teacher is so good. They are preparing now for the Veteran's assembly and he tried out to do a solo, but unfortunately didn't get the part. But you can bet that won't stop him from still singing his heart out with the choir.
All kids had parent teacher conferences this past month, and of course they are all doing well. I am impressed with how well Weston is keeping up in Middle School, even with all the changes and more work required than elementary. And of course he is loving soccer. They had their last game of the season and he got to be captain and play forward. He has scored several points and is a great defender when he plays midfield. He is making some good friends, Landon and Riley, and is loving Young Men's. He has gone on scout trips and gone to the temple monthly. Now he gets to attend Youth Firesides and we had a very interesting one last month. Tallis was here and was able to go with us, too. It was the producer of Cokeville Miracles talking about the making of the movie and all the miracles he heard about that weren't put in the movie. So cool. If you haven't seen it, you should!
I have a parenting book I love called "Parenting with Love" by Glenn Latham and I was talking with some girlfriends about it and one of them asked me to teach a class about it for a Relief Society activity. So I did, and then we formed a little parenting support group and we meet weekly. We discuss principles in the book and make goals for ourselves and then go the next week and discuss how things went. I am very happy with it and it has been very helpful to me and the other moms.
Scott still suffered from his stomach pains the entire month. But we found some "home remedies" that seem to help. Barley water is one of them. You just boil barley water and then let it sit and then strain off the barley and drink the "juice". He adds honey and cinnamon, so it doesn't taste terrible. It has been one of the best helps. He suggests to everyone to always wash hands and if at all possible, don't take antibiotics!
Elise is having so much fun in tumbling, let's play music and kindergarten. She is such a fun kid. I love how much she shows her love to the family. Always telling us she loves us and wants to cuddle and hug us. Ah, makes you feel good! I am truly missing her while she is gone to kindergarten and will really have a hard time when she is gone all day! She is really into drawing and coloring right now and so many of her pictures are colorful and sweet. And most girls have very very long hair... It is so fun to see her grow and develop. And she is such a girl. She tells me I need to "flip my hair" and that I look beautiful when I do that.
With the summer over and winter approaching, we are busy getting the last of our garden harvested (so much spaghetti sauce!) and prepping for the holiday season. Halloween was great this year, but hard for Weston because he is growing up and giving up kid things is hard! It didn't feel like Halloween because he didn't go out trick or treating, but he did go to a Utah Football game. And although he loved that and loves doing grown up things, change is hard! He did dress up for the ward party though as Calvin (from Calvin and Hobbes). Great costume! Aidan was a phantom and Brennan was a grim reaper. Aidan went with friends trick or treating and brought home TOO much candy!!! Brennan and Elise went with me and also brought home too much! Elise was dressed as a princess and wore a dress Mom Daw made for Scott's sister Shari 35 years ago! It was gorgeous on her and she truly acted like a princess.
Love to you all!
The kids have all been busy with sports and Brennan tried out Football this season and loved it. Although their team lost every game (none of them had really played before), they all loved it and had so much fun. Brennan was the first to score a touch down and actually made quite a few throughout the season. He played with his friends Luke, Mack, and Tyler. It was so much fun to watch them try and figure out how to play--and then do so with enthusiasm.
Aidan had another successful year in soccer. He loves to play and works hard practicing. I am always impressed with how dedicated he is to things--he puts all his energy into doing his best at things. He is doing great in school and this year gets to be a part of the choir at school. The choir teacher is so good. They are preparing now for the Veteran's assembly and he tried out to do a solo, but unfortunately didn't get the part. But you can bet that won't stop him from still singing his heart out with the choir.
All kids had parent teacher conferences this past month, and of course they are all doing well. I am impressed with how well Weston is keeping up in Middle School, even with all the changes and more work required than elementary. And of course he is loving soccer. They had their last game of the season and he got to be captain and play forward. He has scored several points and is a great defender when he plays midfield. He is making some good friends, Landon and Riley, and is loving Young Men's. He has gone on scout trips and gone to the temple monthly. Now he gets to attend Youth Firesides and we had a very interesting one last month. Tallis was here and was able to go with us, too. It was the producer of Cokeville Miracles talking about the making of the movie and all the miracles he heard about that weren't put in the movie. So cool. If you haven't seen it, you should!
I have a parenting book I love called "Parenting with Love" by Glenn Latham and I was talking with some girlfriends about it and one of them asked me to teach a class about it for a Relief Society activity. So I did, and then we formed a little parenting support group and we meet weekly. We discuss principles in the book and make goals for ourselves and then go the next week and discuss how things went. I am very happy with it and it has been very helpful to me and the other moms.
Scott still suffered from his stomach pains the entire month. But we found some "home remedies" that seem to help. Barley water is one of them. You just boil barley water and then let it sit and then strain off the barley and drink the "juice". He adds honey and cinnamon, so it doesn't taste terrible. It has been one of the best helps. He suggests to everyone to always wash hands and if at all possible, don't take antibiotics!
Elise is having so much fun in tumbling, let's play music and kindergarten. She is such a fun kid. I love how much she shows her love to the family. Always telling us she loves us and wants to cuddle and hug us. Ah, makes you feel good! I am truly missing her while she is gone to kindergarten and will really have a hard time when she is gone all day! She is really into drawing and coloring right now and so many of her pictures are colorful and sweet. And most girls have very very long hair... It is so fun to see her grow and develop. And she is such a girl. She tells me I need to "flip my hair" and that I look beautiful when I do that.
With the summer over and winter approaching, we are busy getting the last of our garden harvested (so much spaghetti sauce!) and prepping for the holiday season. Halloween was great this year, but hard for Weston because he is growing up and giving up kid things is hard! It didn't feel like Halloween because he didn't go out trick or treating, but he did go to a Utah Football game. And although he loved that and loves doing grown up things, change is hard! He did dress up for the ward party though as Calvin (from Calvin and Hobbes). Great costume! Aidan was a phantom and Brennan was a grim reaper. Aidan went with friends trick or treating and brought home TOO much candy!!! Brennan and Elise went with me and also brought home too much! Elise was dressed as a princess and wore a dress Mom Daw made for Scott's sister Shari 35 years ago! It was gorgeous on her and she truly acted like a princess.
Love to you all!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
October Part 1--General Conference
General Conference was especially exciting this year (of course!) because Aidan got to sing in the second session of General Conference. A few kids from each ward were chosen (ok, we may have petitioned a bit...) from the stakes participating. He went to practices every Sunday for about 5 weeks, and then to a practice down in the center the week before. The choir director was Sister Emily Wadley. Though he was placed in a great place (right by the organ!) he wasn't shown much on the camera (though Kim got the best pic of him when he was onscreen).
But, though he wasn't seen, he was heard--the choir did a great job. (you can download the songs here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/music?lang=eng#d) And it was so special to be part of something to spectacular. Supposedly this was the first time they have done an all primary choir at General Conference.
But, though he wasn't seen, he was heard--the choir did a great job. (you can download the songs here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/music?lang=eng#d) And it was so special to be part of something to spectacular. Supposedly this was the first time they have done an all primary choir at General Conference.
This pic was on the Mormon Newsroom webpage about the Saturday Session. It said, "Members of the children's choir fidget in their seats during the afternoon session". So glad my son was sitting still (though slumped... but it can be hard to sit in those big seats!). At one of the practices, the General Primary Presidency was there and after Aidan got to meet Sister Wixom and Sister Esplin. He had been sitting in the front row, and both of them said they remember looking down at him and thinking he looked so good singing!
And lucky for he and I, we got our pic snapped by a photographer and it was posted on the church's newsroom facebook page (so famous now...).
This is what he had to say about his experience (which was then put on the Friend's Facebook page)
Sunday, October 4, 2015
September
Aidan completed his second triathlon. He has been training for this for a few months. It was held up in Bountiful. He started with a 150 meter swim, then transitioned to his bike and rode 3 miles, and lastly ran 1.5 miles. He did it in a great time: 36 minutes! We are so proud of his hard work and dedication. It was thrilling to be able to cheer him on. Jon Lear and his family were there, too. It was fun to catch up with them. We then celebrated at an IHOP for breakfast!
Besides triathlon, Aidan has been playing soccer, playing the piano, and playing pokemon. Busy childhood! Weston is also busy with soccer. He practices three times a week. He is playing mid field and does a great job because he has skills as a defender and an offender. We really like the coach and he is making good friends on the team. He and Aidan went to a Real Monarchs Soccer game and were able to walk onto the field and be presented as those who participated in Real Soccer camps. Fun, but not as exciting as we thought it would be. Still...
Weston is also in full swing in Junior High. And he is doing well. There is always a little trepidation going into something unknown and "big", but he has handled it all well. Scott and Weston went camping with the scouts up to Five Mile Pass. Weston is really loving being in Young Men's and enjoys the activities and friends he is making there.
I am still in Young Women (and I love being able to go to activities with Weston at times!). I was in charge of a combined YW activity and it turned out fun. I made the Questival (that activity in the spring that our family did) into a Service Questival. The girls were put into teams and went around performing acts of service and got points according to how difficult the activity was.
Our neighbors joined us going to the gem faire this year. Aidan bought some buffalo nickels and Brennan and Aidan both bought some copper coins. Brennan is doing wonderfully in flag football, scoring the first touchdown for his team and has scored two other times! He is having fun. He is also studying hard and came home with a "caught being good" card!
Elise has had fun in kindergarten this year. Every few weeks they have what is called a "culminating activity" to celebrate what they have been studying. I get to help out (because I signed up to be the room mom...) and have been able to see her as she learns and grows. She studied Native Americans and how they lived.
The highlight of September was when Omi and Opa came to visit (separately though). Opa came for just a few days but was able to attend a soccer game with us--and Adam. I love it when they get together. Then Omi came and she lovingly helped me make my quilt! We invited my friend Norma over to help out as well. I had put the squares together beforehand but I needed the expertise of ladies who know how to quilt professionally! We set it up and quickly finished it up. Then Omi and I did some shopping to find some decorations to go in the basement. We loved having Omi stay with us--in our new basement! Although the finished plumbing wasn't done, she did at least get to stay in our new guest room.
Besides doing more basement finishing this month, we have been making lots of spaghetti sauce. Lots. Scott is a pro at it now. We have had several people ask for the recipe, so I posted it, and because of that, several people have asked to borrow our veggie strainer. I really should get paid commission on all the things I "sell" to people...
Unfortunately, much of this month Scott has been sick. Because of the antibiotics he was on, and just being sick before, he also got something called "C Diff"and it is a nasty one that just doesn't feel good, and is hard to get rid of. Fortunately, he has seen a specialist and is now on the mend.
With the sickness, we have been more vigilant about being clean. We do not want a winter full of sickness. A happy Fall to you all--may you have healthy and happy October!
Besides triathlon, Aidan has been playing soccer, playing the piano, and playing pokemon. Busy childhood! Weston is also busy with soccer. He practices three times a week. He is playing mid field and does a great job because he has skills as a defender and an offender. We really like the coach and he is making good friends on the team. He and Aidan went to a Real Monarchs Soccer game and were able to walk onto the field and be presented as those who participated in Real Soccer camps. Fun, but not as exciting as we thought it would be. Still...
Weston is also in full swing in Junior High. And he is doing well. There is always a little trepidation going into something unknown and "big", but he has handled it all well. Scott and Weston went camping with the scouts up to Five Mile Pass. Weston is really loving being in Young Men's and enjoys the activities and friends he is making there.
I am still in Young Women (and I love being able to go to activities with Weston at times!). I was in charge of a combined YW activity and it turned out fun. I made the Questival (that activity in the spring that our family did) into a Service Questival. The girls were put into teams and went around performing acts of service and got points according to how difficult the activity was.
Our neighbors joined us going to the gem faire this year. Aidan bought some buffalo nickels and Brennan and Aidan both bought some copper coins. Brennan is doing wonderfully in flag football, scoring the first touchdown for his team and has scored two other times! He is having fun. He is also studying hard and came home with a "caught being good" card!
Elise has had fun in kindergarten this year. Every few weeks they have what is called a "culminating activity" to celebrate what they have been studying. I get to help out (because I signed up to be the room mom...) and have been able to see her as she learns and grows. She studied Native Americans and how they lived.
The highlight of September was when Omi and Opa came to visit (separately though). Opa came for just a few days but was able to attend a soccer game with us--and Adam. I love it when they get together. Then Omi came and she lovingly helped me make my quilt! We invited my friend Norma over to help out as well. I had put the squares together beforehand but I needed the expertise of ladies who know how to quilt professionally! We set it up and quickly finished it up. Then Omi and I did some shopping to find some decorations to go in the basement. We loved having Omi stay with us--in our new basement! Although the finished plumbing wasn't done, she did at least get to stay in our new guest room.
Besides doing more basement finishing this month, we have been making lots of spaghetti sauce. Lots. Scott is a pro at it now. We have had several people ask for the recipe, so I posted it, and because of that, several people have asked to borrow our veggie strainer. I really should get paid commission on all the things I "sell" to people...
Unfortunately, much of this month Scott has been sick. Because of the antibiotics he was on, and just being sick before, he also got something called "C Diff"and it is a nasty one that just doesn't feel good, and is hard to get rid of. Fortunately, he has seen a specialist and is now on the mend.
With the sickness, we have been more vigilant about being clean. We do not want a winter full of sickness. A happy Fall to you all--may you have healthy and happy October!
Sunday, September 6, 2015
August
The last month of summer is always busy because we try to shove everything we haven't been able to do into the last days before school. This year was extra busy. But, yes, we did get in some fun family time.
The big event was a day at Boondocks (arcade, games, rides, etc). All summer they have been saving their candy and turning off lights (this is a problem at our house) and received POINTS. Those points went into tokens for the arcade at Boondocks. They love to play those dumb games! Though, I admit, it is addicting, and I can see why people become gamblers. But, that is not all we did. We played laser tag, rode race cars, water boats, and played on the jungle gym. We spent hours and hours there, even went home for lunch, and came back! I am proud of the kids for not eating candy and for learning to turn off their lights--worth it!
We also went to "This is the Place" with my friends from France, Karine and Fred Harvard. It was so fun to see them and the kids had blast. Their daughters are sweet girls. They now live in California and plan on visiting Utah again. Karine was my visiting teacher when I lived in France and I learned a great deal from her. She is the only member in her family. She met Fred when I was there, but he wasn't a member. He joined the church and they got married. Now they are a very faithful couple who are great parents and good people.
It is fun to see friends! I also had a visit from a friend from Ricks and BYU, Trevor Cardno. It was great to see him and talk about the old days. Fun to catch up.
The kids had fun with other kids in the neighborhood. We did a "backyard battle"--kids brought any toys that battle; Pokemon, Beyblades, nerf guns, etc. They had a great time! Brennan and his friend Luke had a Magic Show they put on for neighborhood kids. And Aidan, Brennan, and Elise went to a Carnival held by some of the young girls (they had put together little activities for the kids and charged so parents could have a night out, They were quite the entrepreneurs).
For Weston, big changes are happening. He started Oquirrh Hills Middle School AND he got braces! His orthodontist is a guy from the ward and is very good at what he does. And a good guy. Weston was very good for him, and didn't complain at all. He was wary about showing us his silver smile, but eventually we got a grin from him and now he is used to the braces and they haven't bothered him too much (just wait until he gets them tightened...). He is signed up for some great classes. I am excited to speak Spanish with him (we will have a secret language no one else in the family can understand!). He has his locker combination memorized and has figured out how to get to each class. Easy peasy, right? He is doing great on his soccer team and loves going to Young Men. They did another camp out and he is a trooper. Carrying everything he needs on his back! We are lucky to have such a good, responsible kid for the oldest brother in our family!
Aidan's teacher this year is Mrs. O'Donoghue from Ireland. She is a great teacher and will suit him well. He is already loving school and doing well. His big news is that he will be singing in a Primary Choir during the second session of General Conference (look for him!). He has practices weekly until then, so he is keeping busy with that, homework, piano and soccer. We love his hard work and determination (read in Cuz Chron about his newest goal he has set).
Brennan's teacher is Mrs. Periera from England. She is a strict, but good teacher. Brennan is such a sweet boy and always looking on the bright side. He decided to do Flag Football this year with his friend Luke. He told me, "With sports, I don't really care, I just want to do whatever Luke is doing." Easy to please. But, even without caring to much, he is hard at work trying to learn how to play and practicing with Weston.
Elise is now a Kindergartner! I can't believe it. My baby is in school every day! I will miss her, as she has been such a great buddy for me. I love taking her places and doing things with her. :( But, I am excited for her to be a school girl. She is in Mrs. Martir's class and is already starting to learn cursive and all her sounds. She is also busy with tumbling twice a week and she started Let's Play Music! She loves it and is able to go with her friends Halle and Nathan.
With all that is going on now, I have SIX different carpools to get kids to all their activities. I have a special calendar JUST for carpool! It is crazy, and busy, but I have also had lots of time to try and catch up on things--like finishing up the last things in the basement. My big project right now is taking everything out of the storage room, organizing it, throwing things out, and putting it all back in in a sensible manner. Next project, mom is coming to help me finish my quilt. Scott has been doing little things such as door stops, touch up paint, big furniture in place, etc. It is so nice to have it done and be able to enjoy a cool (nice in the summer) place to hang out!
But, finishing the basement has been interrupted over and over again with other things. Such as Scott's parents moving into their new home. They sold the one in Murray and now they will live just 10 minutes away from us! The house is gorgeous, but much smaller (which is good), and so they have gotten rid of LOTS of stuff. And guess who took lots of it? And where am I going to put it????? Good thing I am going through the storage room and organizing! Maybe I can fit all the the new things in it! We are glad Scott's parents are close, but it has come with something: we are constantly being called to help dad move this, do that, etc... I guess we will put up with it since we get to see them often! :)
Scott got extremely sick. He wasn't feeling well, and stayed in bed for a few days. Finally on a Friday night, he was in so much pain that we took him to the Emergency Room. Luckily, Omi and Opa were on their way down, so they stayed with the kids. It ended up being three different bacteria strains, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and something else I can't pronounce. Poor guy was miserable. He was supposed to run a triathlon, but of course had to miss it. A few weeks later was his Half Iron Man. He felt good enough to do it, but I wonder once he was done if he should have done it... Too soon after being sick. But, I am proud of him because he stretched his limits and did something very difficult!
Weather is cooling down, slightly, and we are ready to harvest and make spaghetti sauce. Our trees didn't produce much unfortunately, but honestly, I don't think I would have had time to take care of it all anyway. The basement is so consuming! Thank goodness things are calming down and we are back to a schedule. Love to you all!
The big event was a day at Boondocks (arcade, games, rides, etc). All summer they have been saving their candy and turning off lights (this is a problem at our house) and received POINTS. Those points went into tokens for the arcade at Boondocks. They love to play those dumb games! Though, I admit, it is addicting, and I can see why people become gamblers. But, that is not all we did. We played laser tag, rode race cars, water boats, and played on the jungle gym. We spent hours and hours there, even went home for lunch, and came back! I am proud of the kids for not eating candy and for learning to turn off their lights--worth it!
We also went to "This is the Place" with my friends from France, Karine and Fred Harvard. It was so fun to see them and the kids had blast. Their daughters are sweet girls. They now live in California and plan on visiting Utah again. Karine was my visiting teacher when I lived in France and I learned a great deal from her. She is the only member in her family. She met Fred when I was there, but he wasn't a member. He joined the church and they got married. Now they are a very faithful couple who are great parents and good people.
It is fun to see friends! I also had a visit from a friend from Ricks and BYU, Trevor Cardno. It was great to see him and talk about the old days. Fun to catch up.
The kids had fun with other kids in the neighborhood. We did a "backyard battle"--kids brought any toys that battle; Pokemon, Beyblades, nerf guns, etc. They had a great time! Brennan and his friend Luke had a Magic Show they put on for neighborhood kids. And Aidan, Brennan, and Elise went to a Carnival held by some of the young girls (they had put together little activities for the kids and charged so parents could have a night out, They were quite the entrepreneurs).
For Weston, big changes are happening. He started Oquirrh Hills Middle School AND he got braces! His orthodontist is a guy from the ward and is very good at what he does. And a good guy. Weston was very good for him, and didn't complain at all. He was wary about showing us his silver smile, but eventually we got a grin from him and now he is used to the braces and they haven't bothered him too much (just wait until he gets them tightened...). He is signed up for some great classes. I am excited to speak Spanish with him (we will have a secret language no one else in the family can understand!). He has his locker combination memorized and has figured out how to get to each class. Easy peasy, right? He is doing great on his soccer team and loves going to Young Men. They did another camp out and he is a trooper. Carrying everything he needs on his back! We are lucky to have such a good, responsible kid for the oldest brother in our family!
Aidan's teacher this year is Mrs. O'Donoghue from Ireland. She is a great teacher and will suit him well. He is already loving school and doing well. His big news is that he will be singing in a Primary Choir during the second session of General Conference (look for him!). He has practices weekly until then, so he is keeping busy with that, homework, piano and soccer. We love his hard work and determination (read in Cuz Chron about his newest goal he has set).
Brennan's teacher is Mrs. Periera from England. She is a strict, but good teacher. Brennan is such a sweet boy and always looking on the bright side. He decided to do Flag Football this year with his friend Luke. He told me, "With sports, I don't really care, I just want to do whatever Luke is doing." Easy to please. But, even without caring to much, he is hard at work trying to learn how to play and practicing with Weston.
Elise is now a Kindergartner! I can't believe it. My baby is in school every day! I will miss her, as she has been such a great buddy for me. I love taking her places and doing things with her. :( But, I am excited for her to be a school girl. She is in Mrs. Martir's class and is already starting to learn cursive and all her sounds. She is also busy with tumbling twice a week and she started Let's Play Music! She loves it and is able to go with her friends Halle and Nathan.
With all that is going on now, I have SIX different carpools to get kids to all their activities. I have a special calendar JUST for carpool! It is crazy, and busy, but I have also had lots of time to try and catch up on things--like finishing up the last things in the basement. My big project right now is taking everything out of the storage room, organizing it, throwing things out, and putting it all back in in a sensible manner. Next project, mom is coming to help me finish my quilt. Scott has been doing little things such as door stops, touch up paint, big furniture in place, etc. It is so nice to have it done and be able to enjoy a cool (nice in the summer) place to hang out!
But, finishing the basement has been interrupted over and over again with other things. Such as Scott's parents moving into their new home. They sold the one in Murray and now they will live just 10 minutes away from us! The house is gorgeous, but much smaller (which is good), and so they have gotten rid of LOTS of stuff. And guess who took lots of it? And where am I going to put it????? Good thing I am going through the storage room and organizing! Maybe I can fit all the the new things in it! We are glad Scott's parents are close, but it has come with something: we are constantly being called to help dad move this, do that, etc... I guess we will put up with it since we get to see them often! :)
Scott got extremely sick. He wasn't feeling well, and stayed in bed for a few days. Finally on a Friday night, he was in so much pain that we took him to the Emergency Room. Luckily, Omi and Opa were on their way down, so they stayed with the kids. It ended up being three different bacteria strains, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and something else I can't pronounce. Poor guy was miserable. He was supposed to run a triathlon, but of course had to miss it. A few weeks later was his Half Iron Man. He felt good enough to do it, but I wonder once he was done if he should have done it... Too soon after being sick. But, I am proud of him because he stretched his limits and did something very difficult!
Weather is cooling down, slightly, and we are ready to harvest and make spaghetti sauce. Our trees didn't produce much unfortunately, but honestly, I don't think I would have had time to take care of it all anyway. The basement is so consuming! Thank goodness things are calming down and we are back to a schedule. Love to you all!
Cuz Chron
Brennan:
I am in my third semester of playing piano. I can play "Song of Joy" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". I made my own piano song about my neighbor's babies, Avery and Asher. It is about them trying to get their toys, but they can't get them. So they start crawling and get them. We are learning about puppet show called, The Royal Problem (Symphony No. 40 in G minor, 3rd Movement, by Mozart). My favorite part is the dragon. I go with my friend Jack to Let's Play Music.
Aidan:
My dad and I have been training for my triathlon. It is on September 7th. I will be swimming 150 yards, bike 2.5 miles, and run 1.5 miles. I took lessons in swimming for a month. It helped me go faster. My dad and I ran and biked a lot together. It's going to be fun.
I started my soccer season playing for South Jordan Rec. We had our first game and we won 5-0. I scored three goals!
Our school class did a really fun thing called "Ambassadors". We learned about being respectful. We did a relay race where someone was blindfolded and another person had to help them through. We went to a class and learned how to meet people properly. We went to another class and learned how to write Thank You notes. We went to a classroom and learned how to go through a refreshment table. We got to eat cake. I had fun at the Ambassadors event!
Elise:
We do arch ups, cartwheels, handstands, and splits. I love tumbling. The end.
Kindergarten is fun. And we had a fun day. We had to cursive and it was fun. And we can be nice. The Kissing Hand is a book about a kid afraid to go to school and the mom put a kiss on her hand. My mommy did that to me. One of my friends is Maren. We have a fun time. My teacher is Mrs. Martir.
I am in my third semester of playing piano. I can play "Song of Joy" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". I made my own piano song about my neighbor's babies, Avery and Asher. It is about them trying to get their toys, but they can't get them. So they start crawling and get them. We are learning about puppet show called, The Royal Problem (Symphony No. 40 in G minor, 3rd Movement, by Mozart). My favorite part is the dragon. I go with my friend Jack to Let's Play Music.
Aidan:
My dad and I have been training for my triathlon. It is on September 7th. I will be swimming 150 yards, bike 2.5 miles, and run 1.5 miles. I took lessons in swimming for a month. It helped me go faster. My dad and I ran and biked a lot together. It's going to be fun.
I started my soccer season playing for South Jordan Rec. We had our first game and we won 5-0. I scored three goals!
Our school class did a really fun thing called "Ambassadors". We learned about being respectful. We did a relay race where someone was blindfolded and another person had to help them through. We went to a class and learned how to meet people properly. We went to another class and learned how to write Thank You notes. We went to a classroom and learned how to go through a refreshment table. We got to eat cake. I had fun at the Ambassadors event!
Elise:
We do arch ups, cartwheels, handstands, and splits. I love tumbling. The end.
Kindergarten is fun. And we had a fun day. We had to cursive and it was fun. And we can be nice. The Kissing Hand is a book about a kid afraid to go to school and the mom put a kiss on her hand. My mommy did that to me. One of my friends is Maren. We have a fun time. My teacher is Mrs. Martir.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Cuz Chron
Weston
This month I went to scout camp with my troop. We had a lot of fun. Our troop staff helper, Zack, aka Poptart, was really nice and funny. We each did five merit badges, I did: rifle, art, archery, wood carving and environmental science. It took me two tries to finish archery. We were supposed to get a score of 160, but the first time, I got 89. The second time I got 162-- Just passing! My favorite merit badge was rifle, I got one of the highest scores out of everyone for the whole week. I got 85, the top was 89. We each had to cook two meals. We had everything from cold cereal, elk meat, to chicken alfredo. We slept in a three walled cabin called an Adirondack. It was really cold the first three nights. There was frost on the benches in the morning. The lake was really cold and we all had to jump in, in the morning (when it was freezing!). I got a new pocket knife with a dragon on it. It also has a seat belt cutter and a glass breaker in case you are in an accident. Scout camp was really fun!
This month I went to scout camp with my troop. We had a lot of fun. Our troop staff helper, Zack, aka Poptart, was really nice and funny. We each did five merit badges, I did: rifle, art, archery, wood carving and environmental science. It took me two tries to finish archery. We were supposed to get a score of 160, but the first time, I got 89. The second time I got 162-- Just passing! My favorite merit badge was rifle, I got one of the highest scores out of everyone for the whole week. I got 85, the top was 89. We each had to cook two meals. We had everything from cold cereal, elk meat, to chicken alfredo. We slept in a three walled cabin called an Adirondack. It was really cold the first three nights. There was frost on the benches in the morning. The lake was really cold and we all had to jump in, in the morning (when it was freezing!). I got a new pocket knife with a dragon on it. It also has a seat belt cutter and a glass breaker in case you are in an accident. Scout camp was really fun!
Monday, August 3, 2015
July
My kids are so creative! Weston held a soccer camp for neighborhood kids to earn money for his soccer team. He had several kids sign up. For three days they met for two hours doing drills, practicing, and playing fun games. He had gatorade and popsicles for them. The kids all loved it, and I loved that it got them out there playing and having fun.
But that wasn't the end of soccer camps. Both Aidan and Weston attended the RSL soccer camp in Herriman. It was every day for a week from 9-12 and then they had a lunch break. Then from 1-3 they had a tournament playing games against each other earning points. They both did great, Aidan ended up with 64 points and Weston with 130, which won him the tournament and he was crowned the King of the Jungle. Supposedly they will announce his name in an RSL Monarchs soccer match some time (though they haven't told us when...). They both learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Weston also had to have his normal team practices, so on average he played about six hours a day.
The Fourth of July was a busy one this year, we crammed a lot into a short amount of time. The night before we attended the annual Cul-de-sac of Fire fireworks show. It was a show stopper this year, probably lasting about 45 minutes. It is a great way to watch the fireworks--front row seats, no need to both with parking, and doesn't cost much (the cost of donating a firework, about 25$). Plus, surrounded by fun people and treats! The next morning Scott woke up nice and early and went on a 30 mile bike ride up and back down Big Cottonwood Canyon. The kids and I met him and the rest of the Daw family at the top of the canyon to go hiking. The big kids went up to Lake Mary, and the little kids/girls walked around Silver Lake. It was beautiful and nice to get out and move. Plus, I walked past a guy that had a Pillsbury Dough Boy on his shirt and it said, "Poke Me." So I reached out and poked his tummy. He was surprised... but thought it was funny. Everyone else laughed and laughed, and I just thought that I should do what his shirt said...
Then we went back down the canyon and stopped at Rita's Ice (YUMMMMMMMY, just ask Ali!) and then onto the Daw's house. Their neighbor has a pool and they were out of town so they allowed us to use it. The kids had a blast and the adults, too. We got to know Uncle Cam's new girlfriend, Abby (hoping she is a keeper...), and had a delicious barbeque. We ended the evening with another fireworks show (not as big, but still nice).
During all this time having fun, we were still diligently working on the basement (getting closer!). One of the biggest chores was tiling the big room floor. We recruited some of the neighbor kids and got everyone handing us tiles, cleaning up mess, ringing out sponges and running them up and down the stairs to us to clean up the grout mess. We just finished the tile in the bathroom as well, so now we are just finishing baseboards and touch up paint. I am so ready to be done!
We took a break from the basement to be "goodly parents" for Stake Youth Conference--Book of Mormon Journey. It started off with us dressed up in BOM gear, living in Jerusalem and then leaving with Lehi and his family to the promised land. Ending up at Hinckley Scout Ranch (which is quite a story--the night before the stake property we were supposed to go to got flooded and was inaccessible, so the Stake was scrambling to find a different place!). We split into families, we had eight kids (different kids from different wards, so mostly people didn't know each other), and got some time to set up camp and get to know one another. Each day they had several different activities that talked about different times in the BOM. Such as "building a boat", we had to cross an area as a team on boards. A lot of the activities were "team building", but they did have a really neat one where we went to the iron rod. We were blind folded and had to hold onto a rope that was tied from tree to tree leading to the "end". We weren't given much instruction except that if we ever needed help, all we needed to do was kneel down and raise our hand. During the "journey" we stumbled over logs, got whacked in the face with tree branches, and some got lost. There were people pulling on us, "tempting" us to go another way. And it was confusing. I would be at a place that I wouldn't know where to go, and they told me they were helping me. It sounded to so nice to go with them and get me out of my mess. But, then I realized what was going on, I knelt down and raised my hand and someone came to help me get on the right track. It was such a GREAT experience for all the kids (and us!). Definitely something that they will remember for a long time. It was fun to be a part of that experience and I love my new "children".
Ali came for a short visit, but productive! We cleaned my pantry (she is an amazing organizer). We also went to lunch at Pizzeria Limone and Rita's Ice (again, yum) for treats. We took some of that to Hil and hung out with her for awhile before taking Ali to the airport. Short, but sweet.
The weekend before pioneer day, our stake was invited to be part of the Youth Parade in downtown SLC, but we were so busy with basement stuff, that we decided to skip it. But, in place of that, we and our neighbors, the Ferguson's, decided to have our own party and parade. The kids dressed up as pioneers and made a parade float--a covered wagon. They took a walk around the neighborhood and then ate a little breakfast of muffins and juice. Then we had "pioneer games" (drop the napkin, tag, etc) and Weston made up a fun little scavenger hunt. Each clue was a fact about the pioneers and told them where to find the next clue. To end, the last clue was "This is the Right Place" and they received a special prize of popsicles. Lindsay (the other mom) had made up cute little booklets of a story of a pioneer and some coloring pages. They read the story and then colored. They had a blast! I love things like that!
We haven't been camping to our "normal" spot for awhile, so we went up to Wasatch Mountain State Park for the 24th weekend. We got there around 5 and set up camp--the kids are finally at a stage where they are really (kind of) helpful. Scott's parents joined us for dinner that night, which was our favorite, tin foil dinners. We had smores (best kind I have found are coconut marshmallows, rolos, and graham crackers) and then watched a movie and went to bed. Friday morning we had a fun breakfast. I cut oranges in half, then scooped out the inside. Then I put cinnamon rolls in some and muffin mix in some, and then put the top on, wrapped them in tin foil and cooked them in the fire. So fun! Definitely a keeper. Our friends have a cabin up there and they let us borrow their ATV to ride around in. Scott took the three boys and Elise and I met them at Cascade Springs, which is a beautiful spring with a little boardwalk hike around it. Then Aidan came back with me, Bren and Elise fell asleep in the back of the ATV (how???) and Weston and dad drove back to camp (yes, Weston took a turn driving!). We had lunch, hamburgers, and then went to get ice cream at Dairy Keen (that is the name of it, no typo). We found a nice park and played bocce and just hung out. Then for dinner we had hot dogs. The boys did quite a bit of wood carving (Weston bought a new knife and has become quite good, and Brennan got to try his first time at it) and rock collecting. That night wasn't the most pleasant. At about 4 in the morning, Bren woke up sick. He threw up a few times, and then spent the next hour and a half in the bathroom (fortunately there is a bathroom!!!). I didn't want him back in the bed with the kids, so he slept in the back of the car, and I "slept" in the front. He felt better in the morning, but didn't go fishing with the other boys. Who didn't catch anything, but still had a good time. We tried to go on a little hike (Bren didn't make it...), and then packed everything up and headed to Provo Canyon. We ended our fun trip with a raft ride down the Provo River. That was quite an experience. I guess I didn't know what to expect, but hundreds and hundreds of 18-50 year old naked people wasn't it. Well, not completely naked, but they couldn't lose much more... And most of them were drinking, etc. At one point a big group of them grabbed onto our raft and floated with us. They were so friendly and fun... Then, later when we were separated from them and we were going through a bit of a rougher patch of the river, they called out, "Save us Mormon family!" So many lessons, parables, etc you can make from that! We all had a great time and were sad to have the trip end.
And just when we thought we were done playing in the mountains for the month (I had been somewhere in the mountains four times this month already), we went back up for Scott's high school reunion, held at a restaurant up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was fun for him (though he'll never admit it) to catch up with people he hasn't seen for 20 years. I have made friends with several of them, and wives of his friends, so I had a great time, too.
The next day was the day before our anniversary and we decided to keep up with the tradition of having the kids make us dinner. They did great and had a fun time. I especially loved it because they cleaned up after as well! For our anniversary, we didn't do anything since we have been so busy with the basement (and we have been helping move Scott's parents from their old house), but we will plan something later. I hope. I am so ready to have the basement done so we can have our lives back!!
Aidan got to go to Webelos camp and Weston went on his first ever real scout camp. They went to Camp Steiner from Monday until Saturday. We sure missed him, but he had a great time (he will tell about it in Cuz Chron). While he was at that camp, Bren and Aidan did a half day robotics camp. They got to figure out how to make robots and even make battle bots. Aidan's won!
Now the busy part of summer is over and we can... not relax. Because we have to finish this dang basement. And get ready for school to start again! I am not sure if I am ready for Elise to go to Kindergarten, but I am ready for school to begin. I need a routine again!
But that wasn't the end of soccer camps. Both Aidan and Weston attended the RSL soccer camp in Herriman. It was every day for a week from 9-12 and then they had a lunch break. Then from 1-3 they had a tournament playing games against each other earning points. They both did great, Aidan ended up with 64 points and Weston with 130, which won him the tournament and he was crowned the King of the Jungle. Supposedly they will announce his name in an RSL Monarchs soccer match some time (though they haven't told us when...). They both learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Weston also had to have his normal team practices, so on average he played about six hours a day.
The Fourth of July was a busy one this year, we crammed a lot into a short amount of time. The night before we attended the annual Cul-de-sac of Fire fireworks show. It was a show stopper this year, probably lasting about 45 minutes. It is a great way to watch the fireworks--front row seats, no need to both with parking, and doesn't cost much (the cost of donating a firework, about 25$). Plus, surrounded by fun people and treats! The next morning Scott woke up nice and early and went on a 30 mile bike ride up and back down Big Cottonwood Canyon. The kids and I met him and the rest of the Daw family at the top of the canyon to go hiking. The big kids went up to Lake Mary, and the little kids/girls walked around Silver Lake. It was beautiful and nice to get out and move. Plus, I walked past a guy that had a Pillsbury Dough Boy on his shirt and it said, "Poke Me." So I reached out and poked his tummy. He was surprised... but thought it was funny. Everyone else laughed and laughed, and I just thought that I should do what his shirt said...
Then we went back down the canyon and stopped at Rita's Ice (YUMMMMMMMY, just ask Ali!) and then onto the Daw's house. Their neighbor has a pool and they were out of town so they allowed us to use it. The kids had a blast and the adults, too. We got to know Uncle Cam's new girlfriend, Abby (hoping she is a keeper...), and had a delicious barbeque. We ended the evening with another fireworks show (not as big, but still nice).
During all this time having fun, we were still diligently working on the basement (getting closer!). One of the biggest chores was tiling the big room floor. We recruited some of the neighbor kids and got everyone handing us tiles, cleaning up mess, ringing out sponges and running them up and down the stairs to us to clean up the grout mess. We just finished the tile in the bathroom as well, so now we are just finishing baseboards and touch up paint. I am so ready to be done!
We took a break from the basement to be "goodly parents" for Stake Youth Conference--Book of Mormon Journey. It started off with us dressed up in BOM gear, living in Jerusalem and then leaving with Lehi and his family to the promised land. Ending up at Hinckley Scout Ranch (which is quite a story--the night before the stake property we were supposed to go to got flooded and was inaccessible, so the Stake was scrambling to find a different place!). We split into families, we had eight kids (different kids from different wards, so mostly people didn't know each other), and got some time to set up camp and get to know one another. Each day they had several different activities that talked about different times in the BOM. Such as "building a boat", we had to cross an area as a team on boards. A lot of the activities were "team building", but they did have a really neat one where we went to the iron rod. We were blind folded and had to hold onto a rope that was tied from tree to tree leading to the "end". We weren't given much instruction except that if we ever needed help, all we needed to do was kneel down and raise our hand. During the "journey" we stumbled over logs, got whacked in the face with tree branches, and some got lost. There were people pulling on us, "tempting" us to go another way. And it was confusing. I would be at a place that I wouldn't know where to go, and they told me they were helping me. It sounded to so nice to go with them and get me out of my mess. But, then I realized what was going on, I knelt down and raised my hand and someone came to help me get on the right track. It was such a GREAT experience for all the kids (and us!). Definitely something that they will remember for a long time. It was fun to be a part of that experience and I love my new "children".
Ali came for a short visit, but productive! We cleaned my pantry (she is an amazing organizer). We also went to lunch at Pizzeria Limone and Rita's Ice (again, yum) for treats. We took some of that to Hil and hung out with her for awhile before taking Ali to the airport. Short, but sweet.
The weekend before pioneer day, our stake was invited to be part of the Youth Parade in downtown SLC, but we were so busy with basement stuff, that we decided to skip it. But, in place of that, we and our neighbors, the Ferguson's, decided to have our own party and parade. The kids dressed up as pioneers and made a parade float--a covered wagon. They took a walk around the neighborhood and then ate a little breakfast of muffins and juice. Then we had "pioneer games" (drop the napkin, tag, etc) and Weston made up a fun little scavenger hunt. Each clue was a fact about the pioneers and told them where to find the next clue. To end, the last clue was "This is the Right Place" and they received a special prize of popsicles. Lindsay (the other mom) had made up cute little booklets of a story of a pioneer and some coloring pages. They read the story and then colored. They had a blast! I love things like that!
We haven't been camping to our "normal" spot for awhile, so we went up to Wasatch Mountain State Park for the 24th weekend. We got there around 5 and set up camp--the kids are finally at a stage where they are really (kind of) helpful. Scott's parents joined us for dinner that night, which was our favorite, tin foil dinners. We had smores (best kind I have found are coconut marshmallows, rolos, and graham crackers) and then watched a movie and went to bed. Friday morning we had a fun breakfast. I cut oranges in half, then scooped out the inside. Then I put cinnamon rolls in some and muffin mix in some, and then put the top on, wrapped them in tin foil and cooked them in the fire. So fun! Definitely a keeper. Our friends have a cabin up there and they let us borrow their ATV to ride around in. Scott took the three boys and Elise and I met them at Cascade Springs, which is a beautiful spring with a little boardwalk hike around it. Then Aidan came back with me, Bren and Elise fell asleep in the back of the ATV (how???) and Weston and dad drove back to camp (yes, Weston took a turn driving!). We had lunch, hamburgers, and then went to get ice cream at Dairy Keen (that is the name of it, no typo). We found a nice park and played bocce and just hung out. Then for dinner we had hot dogs. The boys did quite a bit of wood carving (Weston bought a new knife and has become quite good, and Brennan got to try his first time at it) and rock collecting. That night wasn't the most pleasant. At about 4 in the morning, Bren woke up sick. He threw up a few times, and then spent the next hour and a half in the bathroom (fortunately there is a bathroom!!!). I didn't want him back in the bed with the kids, so he slept in the back of the car, and I "slept" in the front. He felt better in the morning, but didn't go fishing with the other boys. Who didn't catch anything, but still had a good time. We tried to go on a little hike (Bren didn't make it...), and then packed everything up and headed to Provo Canyon. We ended our fun trip with a raft ride down the Provo River. That was quite an experience. I guess I didn't know what to expect, but hundreds and hundreds of 18-50 year old naked people wasn't it. Well, not completely naked, but they couldn't lose much more... And most of them were drinking, etc. At one point a big group of them grabbed onto our raft and floated with us. They were so friendly and fun... Then, later when we were separated from them and we were going through a bit of a rougher patch of the river, they called out, "Save us Mormon family!" So many lessons, parables, etc you can make from that! We all had a great time and were sad to have the trip end.
And just when we thought we were done playing in the mountains for the month (I had been somewhere in the mountains four times this month already), we went back up for Scott's high school reunion, held at a restaurant up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was fun for him (though he'll never admit it) to catch up with people he hasn't seen for 20 years. I have made friends with several of them, and wives of his friends, so I had a great time, too.
The next day was the day before our anniversary and we decided to keep up with the tradition of having the kids make us dinner. They did great and had a fun time. I especially loved it because they cleaned up after as well! For our anniversary, we didn't do anything since we have been so busy with the basement (and we have been helping move Scott's parents from their old house), but we will plan something later. I hope. I am so ready to have the basement done so we can have our lives back!!
Aidan got to go to Webelos camp and Weston went on his first ever real scout camp. They went to Camp Steiner from Monday until Saturday. We sure missed him, but he had a great time (he will tell about it in Cuz Chron). While he was at that camp, Bren and Aidan did a half day robotics camp. They got to figure out how to make robots and even make battle bots. Aidan's won!
Now the busy part of summer is over and we can... not relax. Because we have to finish this dang basement. And get ready for school to start again! I am not sure if I am ready for Elise to go to Kindergarten, but I am ready for school to begin. I need a routine again!
Monday, July 20, 2015
Cuz Chron
Elise
We are spies. We can be friends. We always be friends. We are pirates. We are like Jesus. The end.
Brennan
I drew two red birds at Christmas time on a tree branch. It was hard to draw and to paint. The tree was hard to draw. I drew an alien. My alien has one eye. He is in a spaceship and he is in outer space. My alien looks like a pig. And I drew a hippopotamus. Part of its body is under water. It looks like a pig, too. There are goldfish by it. I used really water to draw the water--I drew blue lines where the water is supposed to be, then I took a brush that has water on it and then brushed between the lines. And it looks like real water. My favorite is the alien because it is so cute. Which is your favorite?
We are spies. We can be friends. We always be friends. We are pirates. We are like Jesus. The end.
Brennan
I drew two red birds at Christmas time on a tree branch. It was hard to draw and to paint. The tree was hard to draw. I drew an alien. My alien has one eye. He is in a spaceship and he is in outer space. My alien looks like a pig. And I drew a hippopotamus. Part of its body is under water. It looks like a pig, too. There are goldfish by it. I used really water to draw the water--I drew blue lines where the water is supposed to be, then I took a brush that has water on it and then brushed between the lines. And it looks like real water. My favorite is the alien because it is so cute. Which is your favorite?
Sunday, July 19, 2015
June
You shouldn't have to go to school in June, but we still did. Weston had another week of school, and Aidan and Brennan had two more weeks! Elise actually had preschool until the last week of June.
After all the hard work, and great grades (all A's) Weston participated in some fun activities his last week. They had a field day full of fun--face painting, cotton candy, games, etc (a bit extravagant, but I won't get up on my soap box about how schools spend money...). There were also races and Weston won the 200 yard dash and the 4 x 100 relay. Then, the next day there was a 6th grade 5k. I got to sit along the route and direct kids and cheer them on. When I saw them coming, Weston and a few friends were leading the pack. Once the race was over and went to the finish line and found out Weston had won! He ran it in about 25 minutes and 42 seconds. He is such an athlete! Once done with school, he started his last summer before junior high. We have signed him up at the local junior high with high hopes that it is the best choice for him. Luckily there are several boys from his soccer team that will be there. From what we understand once you are on a competition soccer team it seems that those are the people you are friends with (thank goodness the boys on his team are good kids!). He started practicing with his new team--they practice three times a week for 1 1/2 hours each time. They have a few competitions coming up. He did have to say goodbye to his old team and coaches, Chris Welch and Tyler Twitchell. They will be missed!
Weston needs to earn money for his competition team and for scout camp so we did a yard sale. Great way to make money... Lots of work! We asked people if they had anything they were getting rid of and they would bring it to us and we sold it. Our garage was FULL of stuff for several weeks! We labeled it all, organized it and set it out on a Saturday morning. People came pretty much non stop from 6:30 am until 2:00 pm! Weston and his friend Braden did a great job selling things. Now they have earned enought money for this year AND next year's scout camp!
Aidan and Brennan got all A's in school as well. Their school makes them help clean the school (love it!) and then they got to have a fun field day full of games (and they even got to wear "normal" clothes). Aidan gets to take piano off in July, but in place of that went to a week long piano camp. He learned about Edvard Grieg, Modest Mussorsky, Bedrick Smetana, and Aram Khachaturian.
Both Weston and Aidan celebrated their birthdays. Weston, of course, is entering a pretty big year of his life. He had a huge party with friends and they were planning on playing soccer, but there was a lightning storm, so we ended up playing "Werewolf" inside and watching the rain come down. Not only were there 10 or so of his friends, but Aidan had a friend over, and our neighbors Halle and Luke were here as well with Brennan and Elise. It was a FULL house! For his birthday dinner, he wanted to go somewhere nice, with just us and Grandma and Grandpa, so we went to his favorite Tepanyaki. Then we came home and opened presents--big kid stuff. He was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood the first Sunday of June. Grandma and Grandpa, Omi and Opa, Uncle Adam and Grandma Nancy were all there. After we had a nice dinner. We are so proud of him and what a good boy he is. At the beginning of the year, he made the goal to finish the Book of Mormon before he turned 12 and just a day or two before his birthday he finished it!
Aidan's birthday party was a Minecraft theme. To the invitations to the games, everything Minecraft. Except the Buffalo pinata of course... I found a donkey pinata, but spray painted it brown, and it actually looked like a buffalo! They had a great time. He had several friends over, but one of them had become his best friend at school, Agni. Unfortunately, he moved to the East Coast once school ended and we will miss him. For his birthday we went to the local pizza place (we go every year for his birthday...) and then opened presents. He received a lava lamp, rocks, and a shirt we made him that has a picture of his mythical buffalo "mr" that said, "Keep Calm and Love Buffalo". What a kid!
Brennan is my reader this summer. He has recently started reading the Magic Tree House books and so I bought him the first 15. He had already read two, and then read another two in June. He loves to time how much he reads daily. He also got a summer workbook that he has been working in and does such a great job. He and his friend Luke are always wanting to teach the other kids school. They are so excited for Luke's little twin siblings to grow up so they can teach them! Brennan also tried making brownies ALL BY HIMSELF for the very first time. I didn't help at all! They looked delicious. Then he tried them. Somehow he didn't quite get the instructions right and put in WAY too much salt. He took a bite and at first thought it would be ok, but that didn't last long. So funny and cute!
Elise finally graduated from preschool (so darling!) and is now preparing for Kindergarten. She is about the funniest thing around. We had SO much fun in Chicago together. She was a perfect angel on the airplane. The only thing that was a problem is that when she got bored, all she wanted to do was eat and I didn't bring a full meal, just snacks! She was very interested in all that was going on and had no problems flying. It was great going with Heidi and Rowan as well. I always get sick on planes, but at least I didn't throw up... Scott met us (it is a good thing because I would have been totally lost in that airport. It has been too long since I have traveled) and we had a great conversation with him on the way home (Beesley talk is always fun...). We arrived quite late and went to bed. Ali was so darling putting together the kids little Secret Agent packets. They each got sunglasses, water guns, etc. We had planned lots of water activities and then it ended up being rainy and wet, but we still made things fun. The kids played with chalk, bubbles, and did lots of fort building. Ali, Heidi and I played lots of Phase 10 though I got sick of it quickly since I NEVER won... At one point Heidi had five wilds in one hand and I had only had one wild in eight rounds! Nevertheless, it was fun (of course). I had the opportunity to not cook or clean, but I guess I missed doing that cause I still wanted to make some meals--Heidi's famous white bean chili, cauliflower soup, french bread, banana muffins, etc. Though I enjoy making food for others when they are appreciative and help clean up... ha h! One of my favorite outing was the temple with Heidi and Ali. I can't think of a time when we have been together to a session, so it was nice. Then we had the best salad EVER (Thanks for sharing Ali!). Ali really knows good food--we ate out at the best restaurants! And she knows how to shop. I love shopping with both Ali and Heidi. We have such similar taste. The zoo was amazing and we could have spent several days there. And the kids really did well there, and didn't get too tired. It was a very restful and enjoyable time. Ali is such a great hostess and a wonderful sister! The kids had a marvelous time playing together. Elise especially loved being with her cousins and made a special bond with Noah. And fun for Elise, she lost her first official tooth while there! The Tooth Fairy visits Chicago, too! Main memories: Les Mis, X-Files, Laughter, and Love. Hard to go back home.
But, I needed to get back to my busy life. So much was going on! The main thing was that I was busy getting old. I have now entered my last year of my 30's. Scott and the kids (and his parents) spoiled me with decorations for the basement and Omi and Opa gave me a darling olive oil can. That night we went out to a huge celebration the city held in my honor. Ok, not quite, but they did have a big celebration of their 150 years and the party happened to fall on my birthday so I had Alex Boye singing for me and fireworks to light up my night.
A few days later I packed up and went to girls camp. Though I shouldn't call it camping because we were in a ginormous lodge with a swimming pool, hot tub, and maid service. All the food was provided (cafeteria style) and we didn't even have to make our own fire for s'mores. Some of the older girls planned the entire camp (DARE--Difficult Afflictions Require Endurance) and did a great job with everything. My only tasks were to pull jokes on people and prepare the devotional for the morning hike. I didn't do well on jokes (I don't like mean things....), but the devotional went well. Unfortunately, I was sick almost the entire time with a cold. They told me to go home, but I couldn't imagine leaving a nice camp like that. I can understand leaving if we were camping in tents, etc, but not when people were waiting on me hand and foot! So I stayed and suffered through it (ha, really it was them that had to suffer me and my boogers!). I am glad I stayed, and I just love my young women!
Scott has been seriously working in the basement. By the time I came home from Chicago the walled and ceiling were primed and painted and the closets were built. Now on to the flooring. He is so handy. He is also trying to keep up with the garden. The peas came and went pretty quickly, the lettuce hasn't stopped, the basil is out of control and it is a lot of work to stay on top of things. We are definitely keeping busy and happy as can be. Looking forward to the time when we can FINALLY say the basement is ready for you folks to come visit!
After all the hard work, and great grades (all A's) Weston participated in some fun activities his last week. They had a field day full of fun--face painting, cotton candy, games, etc (a bit extravagant, but I won't get up on my soap box about how schools spend money...). There were also races and Weston won the 200 yard dash and the 4 x 100 relay. Then, the next day there was a 6th grade 5k. I got to sit along the route and direct kids and cheer them on. When I saw them coming, Weston and a few friends were leading the pack. Once the race was over and went to the finish line and found out Weston had won! He ran it in about 25 minutes and 42 seconds. He is such an athlete! Once done with school, he started his last summer before junior high. We have signed him up at the local junior high with high hopes that it is the best choice for him. Luckily there are several boys from his soccer team that will be there. From what we understand once you are on a competition soccer team it seems that those are the people you are friends with (thank goodness the boys on his team are good kids!). He started practicing with his new team--they practice three times a week for 1 1/2 hours each time. They have a few competitions coming up. He did have to say goodbye to his old team and coaches, Chris Welch and Tyler Twitchell. They will be missed!
Weston needs to earn money for his competition team and for scout camp so we did a yard sale. Great way to make money... Lots of work! We asked people if they had anything they were getting rid of and they would bring it to us and we sold it. Our garage was FULL of stuff for several weeks! We labeled it all, organized it and set it out on a Saturday morning. People came pretty much non stop from 6:30 am until 2:00 pm! Weston and his friend Braden did a great job selling things. Now they have earned enought money for this year AND next year's scout camp!
Aidan and Brennan got all A's in school as well. Their school makes them help clean the school (love it!) and then they got to have a fun field day full of games (and they even got to wear "normal" clothes). Aidan gets to take piano off in July, but in place of that went to a week long piano camp. He learned about Edvard Grieg, Modest Mussorsky, Bedrick Smetana, and Aram Khachaturian.
Both Weston and Aidan celebrated their birthdays. Weston, of course, is entering a pretty big year of his life. He had a huge party with friends and they were planning on playing soccer, but there was a lightning storm, so we ended up playing "Werewolf" inside and watching the rain come down. Not only were there 10 or so of his friends, but Aidan had a friend over, and our neighbors Halle and Luke were here as well with Brennan and Elise. It was a FULL house! For his birthday dinner, he wanted to go somewhere nice, with just us and Grandma and Grandpa, so we went to his favorite Tepanyaki. Then we came home and opened presents--big kid stuff. He was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood the first Sunday of June. Grandma and Grandpa, Omi and Opa, Uncle Adam and Grandma Nancy were all there. After we had a nice dinner. We are so proud of him and what a good boy he is. At the beginning of the year, he made the goal to finish the Book of Mormon before he turned 12 and just a day or two before his birthday he finished it!
Aidan's birthday party was a Minecraft theme. To the invitations to the games, everything Minecraft. Except the Buffalo pinata of course... I found a donkey pinata, but spray painted it brown, and it actually looked like a buffalo! They had a great time. He had several friends over, but one of them had become his best friend at school, Agni. Unfortunately, he moved to the East Coast once school ended and we will miss him. For his birthday we went to the local pizza place (we go every year for his birthday...) and then opened presents. He received a lava lamp, rocks, and a shirt we made him that has a picture of his mythical buffalo "mr" that said, "Keep Calm and Love Buffalo". What a kid!
Brennan is my reader this summer. He has recently started reading the Magic Tree House books and so I bought him the first 15. He had already read two, and then read another two in June. He loves to time how much he reads daily. He also got a summer workbook that he has been working in and does such a great job. He and his friend Luke are always wanting to teach the other kids school. They are so excited for Luke's little twin siblings to grow up so they can teach them! Brennan also tried making brownies ALL BY HIMSELF for the very first time. I didn't help at all! They looked delicious. Then he tried them. Somehow he didn't quite get the instructions right and put in WAY too much salt. He took a bite and at first thought it would be ok, but that didn't last long. So funny and cute!
Elise finally graduated from preschool (so darling!) and is now preparing for Kindergarten. She is about the funniest thing around. We had SO much fun in Chicago together. She was a perfect angel on the airplane. The only thing that was a problem is that when she got bored, all she wanted to do was eat and I didn't bring a full meal, just snacks! She was very interested in all that was going on and had no problems flying. It was great going with Heidi and Rowan as well. I always get sick on planes, but at least I didn't throw up... Scott met us (it is a good thing because I would have been totally lost in that airport. It has been too long since I have traveled) and we had a great conversation with him on the way home (Beesley talk is always fun...). We arrived quite late and went to bed. Ali was so darling putting together the kids little Secret Agent packets. They each got sunglasses, water guns, etc. We had planned lots of water activities and then it ended up being rainy and wet, but we still made things fun. The kids played with chalk, bubbles, and did lots of fort building. Ali, Heidi and I played lots of Phase 10 though I got sick of it quickly since I NEVER won... At one point Heidi had five wilds in one hand and I had only had one wild in eight rounds! Nevertheless, it was fun (of course). I had the opportunity to not cook or clean, but I guess I missed doing that cause I still wanted to make some meals--Heidi's famous white bean chili, cauliflower soup, french bread, banana muffins, etc. Though I enjoy making food for others when they are appreciative and help clean up... ha h! One of my favorite outing was the temple with Heidi and Ali. I can't think of a time when we have been together to a session, so it was nice. Then we had the best salad EVER (Thanks for sharing Ali!). Ali really knows good food--we ate out at the best restaurants! And she knows how to shop. I love shopping with both Ali and Heidi. We have such similar taste. The zoo was amazing and we could have spent several days there. And the kids really did well there, and didn't get too tired. It was a very restful and enjoyable time. Ali is such a great hostess and a wonderful sister! The kids had a marvelous time playing together. Elise especially loved being with her cousins and made a special bond with Noah. And fun for Elise, she lost her first official tooth while there! The Tooth Fairy visits Chicago, too! Main memories: Les Mis, X-Files, Laughter, and Love. Hard to go back home.
But, I needed to get back to my busy life. So much was going on! The main thing was that I was busy getting old. I have now entered my last year of my 30's. Scott and the kids (and his parents) spoiled me with decorations for the basement and Omi and Opa gave me a darling olive oil can. That night we went out to a huge celebration the city held in my honor. Ok, not quite, but they did have a big celebration of their 150 years and the party happened to fall on my birthday so I had Alex Boye singing for me and fireworks to light up my night.
A few days later I packed up and went to girls camp. Though I shouldn't call it camping because we were in a ginormous lodge with a swimming pool, hot tub, and maid service. All the food was provided (cafeteria style) and we didn't even have to make our own fire for s'mores. Some of the older girls planned the entire camp (DARE--Difficult Afflictions Require Endurance) and did a great job with everything. My only tasks were to pull jokes on people and prepare the devotional for the morning hike. I didn't do well on jokes (I don't like mean things....), but the devotional went well. Unfortunately, I was sick almost the entire time with a cold. They told me to go home, but I couldn't imagine leaving a nice camp like that. I can understand leaving if we were camping in tents, etc, but not when people were waiting on me hand and foot! So I stayed and suffered through it (ha, really it was them that had to suffer me and my boogers!). I am glad I stayed, and I just love my young women!
Scott has been seriously working in the basement. By the time I came home from Chicago the walled and ceiling were primed and painted and the closets were built. Now on to the flooring. He is so handy. He is also trying to keep up with the garden. The peas came and went pretty quickly, the lettuce hasn't stopped, the basil is out of control and it is a lot of work to stay on top of things. We are definitely keeping busy and happy as can be. Looking forward to the time when we can FINALLY say the basement is ready for you folks to come visit!
Sunday, June 7, 2015
May
Not only are we in soccer full swing, but we are also in the stages of figuring out what to do with Weston for next year. His coach, Tyler Twitchell has decided not to coach anymore and so the team is disbanding. Several of the players are "done", one is moving, and a few are ready to move on to bigger and better teams. Including Weston. There are three basics levels of soccer: Recreation, Alliance, and Competition. In recreation, coaches are volunteer (so it is cheap), you play just with other rec teams within the club, you don't "move up", etc. In alliance, coaches are also volunteer, but the cost is more because you play with other alliance or comp teams in different clubs, and you could travel around. Competition is much more expensive because coaches are paid, you play with other comp teams in several clubs, and you can even travel out of state. We looked into different Alliance teams but didn't seem to find any we liked--no good coaches or good fit for Weston. Then we found out that our neighbor is a coach of a comp team in the Utah Glory Club. There are three or four kids on the team that he knows already and the practices are just down the road. The best part is that the coach is a great guy and will treat the team well and help them to be good soccer players and GOOD kids (just like our previous coach, who we loved)! He makes sure they don't practice during Family Night or scouts. Weston tried out last week and made it! He is so excited to be a part of a new team.
Brennan and Aidan have loved soccer this season as well. Brennan's friend Luke is on his team and they have had a fun time playing together. Brennan has improved so much and loves to play "world cup" with all the neighbor friends. Aidan is one of the star players on his team and at the last game scored three of the four goals for his team!
Nearing the end of school, so the kids are doing quite a bit of testing. And with the evening being brighter, it is getting hard to get through these last few weeks of school. It has been a very cool spring with lots of rain (great since we didn't get much snow in the mountains), but now the sun is starting to shine and we are digging our hands into the soil and doing some fun gardening, playing outside with friends, and enjoying the sunshine. I even went with Elise and my sister in law, Liz to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving point.
Elise is preparing for kindergarten at preschool and at home. She has been reading in the "How to teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" and is doing very well. She is also almost done with her online preschool, UPSTART. I think she loves learning how to read and write because she is always asking me to help her write notes to her friends. She has been playing quite a bit with a friend from Preschool, Ellee and they are marvelous friends.
Scott's sister Lauren came to visit so we got to do some fun things together and with the Daw family. Weston babysat William (he is so good with kids!) and Elise got to play with Olivia. We took a trip to the curiosity museum together and the kids had a blast. I also had an Arbonne party for Lauren while she was here, which ended up being a fun girls night. Then was the big day: Grandma Bea Memorial Breakfast! We were worried about the weather, and with good reason. It was too cold to hold the breakfast outside, so we moved it to the church. Still fine to run our mile, though. All the kids either biked or ran, or both, a mile (three times around our "horseshoe") and then they were ready to chow down. I had fortunately planned for bad weather and reserved the church. It was a great place to hold it since we could eat in one side of the gym, close the curtain and let the kids play on the other side. I made a fancy French toast with strawberries and whip cream. Not necessarily good for you, but DELICIOUS. The theme was around watermelon (the invite, we ate it... not much of a theme), but I did fine these fun rice crispy treats that were like watermelons. It was a fun success.
We didn't do much for Memorial Day except gardening and garage cleaning (sound familiar?). Scott has been working hard preparing the basement for drywall. He finished all the framing, cleaned it out, etc. We are getting to the point where we want this to be over with! But, it is moving along and hopefully by the end of the summer it will be done!
Brennan and Aidan have loved soccer this season as well. Brennan's friend Luke is on his team and they have had a fun time playing together. Brennan has improved so much and loves to play "world cup" with all the neighbor friends. Aidan is one of the star players on his team and at the last game scored three of the four goals for his team!
Nearing the end of school, so the kids are doing quite a bit of testing. And with the evening being brighter, it is getting hard to get through these last few weeks of school. It has been a very cool spring with lots of rain (great since we didn't get much snow in the mountains), but now the sun is starting to shine and we are digging our hands into the soil and doing some fun gardening, playing outside with friends, and enjoying the sunshine. I even went with Elise and my sister in law, Liz to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving point.
Elise is preparing for kindergarten at preschool and at home. She has been reading in the "How to teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" and is doing very well. She is also almost done with her online preschool, UPSTART. I think she loves learning how to read and write because she is always asking me to help her write notes to her friends. She has been playing quite a bit with a friend from Preschool, Ellee and they are marvelous friends.
Scott's sister Lauren came to visit so we got to do some fun things together and with the Daw family. Weston babysat William (he is so good with kids!) and Elise got to play with Olivia. We took a trip to the curiosity museum together and the kids had a blast. I also had an Arbonne party for Lauren while she was here, which ended up being a fun girls night. Then was the big day: Grandma Bea Memorial Breakfast! We were worried about the weather, and with good reason. It was too cold to hold the breakfast outside, so we moved it to the church. Still fine to run our mile, though. All the kids either biked or ran, or both, a mile (three times around our "horseshoe") and then they were ready to chow down. I had fortunately planned for bad weather and reserved the church. It was a great place to hold it since we could eat in one side of the gym, close the curtain and let the kids play on the other side. I made a fancy French toast with strawberries and whip cream. Not necessarily good for you, but DELICIOUS. The theme was around watermelon (the invite, we ate it... not much of a theme), but I did fine these fun rice crispy treats that were like watermelons. It was a fun success.
We didn't do much for Memorial Day except gardening and garage cleaning (sound familiar?). Scott has been working hard preparing the basement for drywall. He finished all the framing, cleaned it out, etc. We are getting to the point where we want this to be over with! But, it is moving along and hopefully by the end of the summer it will be done!
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
April
School out is a great way to start April. General Conference and Easter were the first fun thing we did. Omi and Opa came down for the weekend and we took the opportunity to do some family history on Dad's side and we scanned in and tagged lots of photos of the Sale family. Adam came over to help as well. Though really, dad and Adam just chatted while I scanned and Omi corrected photos. It was very pleasant though. Saturday morning we had our own Easter Basket fun--the kids got books, ties, and fun treasures (and not much candy). We did a fun activity though. Instead of candy in eggs, the Easter Bunny made a giant egg hunt of a secret message. Each egg had a word and once they found all the eggs, they put the message together. It said something about Jesus and his resurrection. That afternoon Omi and Opa went off to a Brown family get together and we all went to the Daw Family Egg Hunt. Kids came home with pounds and pounds of candy. I am sick of dentist visits, so we have been saving all our candy, and then kids can then turn it in for a big family gift. They kept a few for themselves, but mostly gave the rest to me (and I didn't eat any of it!). Just last week we bought soccer goals with our "candy money".
On Easter I made my favorite Morning Buns (melt in your mouth) and had a nice day--I love the combination of General Conference and Easter. Omi and Opa went home, and we went up to the mountains to spend time with Norma and Elaine at their cabin. We made hamburgers and hot dogs and sat and watched the last session of General Conference and then after just came home. It was a nice relaxing weekend.
All the kids were out on Monday, so we had some fun together time and we went to a movie at the theater. The rest of the week Weston had school but the others didn't, so we found a few fun things together--playing in the sand at Daybreak Lake, playing at the Curiosity Museum, bikes rides, etc.
That weekend was one of the funnest we have ever had. Scott and I had bought tickets to a Questival--similar to an "Amazing Race" or Mega Scavenger Hunt. We were hoping friends would sign up with us, but no one did (too bad for them!), so instead, we thought it would be fun to do as a family. And it was one of the best family activities we have ever done! We had to do certain "tasks" and take a picture or video of ourselves doing it. Each task is worth a certain number of points according to how difficult it is. We told ourselves that we wanted to get 100 points by 5:00 pm. And we just BARELY got it-- the last 5 seconds we were shoving a pie in Scott's face and taking a picture of it! This activity could easily be done at any time--you don't have to sign up and you could just change it to fit where you live, etc. I wrote down a bunch of the activities (listed below). I am hoping to make it into a service activity for the youth. The idea being that there is a list of service things ranging from planting flowers in someone's yard, to cleaning windows, to gathering food for donations--and each service would get you points. Now, I am thinking I could easily put together household spring cleaning chores and kids get points doing those chores. Wouldn't that make it fun for the kids? We had such a good time, I'd like to do it every year.
Weston went on two field trips--one to the Clark Planetarium and one to the Krista McAuliffe Center. I got to go with him to the McAuliffe center and it was so cool. They got to do space flight simulations--kind of. Each child was given a role and they had to use their knowledge to help the crew overcome obstacles, etc. Really fun for everyone. (I think Beanie and Tallis did this one year)
Brennan and Aidan both had field trips as well. I got to go with Brennan and they went to Texas Roadhouse (see what happens in restaurants--they got to make their own rolls), and the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. Aidan went to the Bean Museum at BYU. Both of them also participated in a speech festival. Brennan recited "Table Manners" by Gelett Burgess and Aidan recited "Buffalo Dusk" by Carl Sandburg. Both did great!
All the boys are doing great in school--we are so happy to be a month away from summer, though. The nice weather is getting us itchy to play outside til all hours of the night. We have broken out the bikes, soccer balls and even the water guns!
I got to go up to Idaho with Elise to "help" Beanie with her Distinguished Young Woman program. It was really fun to be a part of it and to see Beans be so grown up! It was fun to go shopping for shoes and jewelry and then to do makeup and hair! She looked and acted beautifully. Elise and Rowan had a grand time together. I showed Heidi how I make my french bread (recipe below) and we did a lot of hanging out and talking.
Brennan finished up his Let's Play Music class and did a great job at his recital. His main piece was the song "Caterpillar Song" and he did wonderfully. He is really playing around with songs and becoming quite a pianist. He is following in his older brothers' steps! Weston has finally finished piano lessons. He had to work until he had passed off a certain number of songs and he did great! Aidan worked on a duet piece in the month of April, and I was able to practice the accompanying part with him. He did well, too.
Elise has started a reading program (Teach your child to read in 100 lessons) so that she will be ready for Kindergarten. She is doing well and mostly a silly fun girl. We went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point together and enjoyed the gorgeous gardens. We are having a great spring and ready for summer!
On Easter I made my favorite Morning Buns (melt in your mouth) and had a nice day--I love the combination of General Conference and Easter. Omi and Opa went home, and we went up to the mountains to spend time with Norma and Elaine at their cabin. We made hamburgers and hot dogs and sat and watched the last session of General Conference and then after just came home. It was a nice relaxing weekend.
All the kids were out on Monday, so we had some fun together time and we went to a movie at the theater. The rest of the week Weston had school but the others didn't, so we found a few fun things together--playing in the sand at Daybreak Lake, playing at the Curiosity Museum, bikes rides, etc.
That weekend was one of the funnest we have ever had. Scott and I had bought tickets to a Questival--similar to an "Amazing Race" or Mega Scavenger Hunt. We were hoping friends would sign up with us, but no one did (too bad for them!), so instead, we thought it would be fun to do as a family. And it was one of the best family activities we have ever done! We had to do certain "tasks" and take a picture or video of ourselves doing it. Each task is worth a certain number of points according to how difficult it is. We told ourselves that we wanted to get 100 points by 5:00 pm. And we just BARELY got it-- the last 5 seconds we were shoving a pie in Scott's face and taking a picture of it! This activity could easily be done at any time--you don't have to sign up and you could just change it to fit where you live, etc. I wrote down a bunch of the activities (listed below). I am hoping to make it into a service activity for the youth. The idea being that there is a list of service things ranging from planting flowers in someone's yard, to cleaning windows, to gathering food for donations--and each service would get you points. Now, I am thinking I could easily put together household spring cleaning chores and kids get points doing those chores. Wouldn't that make it fun for the kids? We had such a good time, I'd like to do it every year.
Weston went on two field trips--one to the Clark Planetarium and one to the Krista McAuliffe Center. I got to go with him to the McAuliffe center and it was so cool. They got to do space flight simulations--kind of. Each child was given a role and they had to use their knowledge to help the crew overcome obstacles, etc. Really fun for everyone. (I think Beanie and Tallis did this one year)
Brennan and Aidan both had field trips as well. I got to go with Brennan and they went to Texas Roadhouse (see what happens in restaurants--they got to make their own rolls), and the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. Aidan went to the Bean Museum at BYU. Both of them also participated in a speech festival. Brennan recited "Table Manners" by Gelett Burgess and Aidan recited "Buffalo Dusk" by Carl Sandburg. Both did great!
All the boys are doing great in school--we are so happy to be a month away from summer, though. The nice weather is getting us itchy to play outside til all hours of the night. We have broken out the bikes, soccer balls and even the water guns!
I got to go up to Idaho with Elise to "help" Beanie with her Distinguished Young Woman program. It was really fun to be a part of it and to see Beans be so grown up! It was fun to go shopping for shoes and jewelry and then to do makeup and hair! She looked and acted beautifully. Elise and Rowan had a grand time together. I showed Heidi how I make my french bread (recipe below) and we did a lot of hanging out and talking.
Brennan finished up his Let's Play Music class and did a great job at his recital. His main piece was the song "Caterpillar Song" and he did wonderfully. He is really playing around with songs and becoming quite a pianist. He is following in his older brothers' steps! Weston has finally finished piano lessons. He had to work until he had passed off a certain number of songs and he did great! Aidan worked on a duet piece in the month of April, and I was able to practice the accompanying part with him. He did well, too.
Elise has started a reading program (Teach your child to read in 100 lessons) so that she will be ready for Kindergarten. She is doing well and mostly a silly fun girl. We went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point together and enjoyed the gorgeous gardens. We are having a great spring and ready for summer!
Eat spaghetti with no hands
Draw a ketchup smiley face
Drink water without bending your elbow
Toss food into someone mouth
Pie someone
Drink a slurpee really fast
Run a mile
Do a handstand for 5 seconds
Do a yoga pose
Do a fake Karate fight
Go down a slide at park
Ride a bike while singing
Photo of Waterfall
Photo of Sego Lily
Photo of 3 generations of people
Photo of Someone with a dog
Photo of Someone in a scarf
Photo of Alaska or Hawaii liscence plates
Photo of Cool car
Give flowers to someone
Donate clothes to DI
Help someone cross the street
Give a pillow to a homeless person
Pick up 100 pieces of trash
Do a random act of kindness
Write a Thank you note to a teacher/leader
Donate 1$ to a charity
Visit a nursing home
Share stories with the elderly
Sing at hospital
Sing National Anthem
Sing a song like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Arm wrestle a stranger
Yodel outloud in public
Sing a song from a musical
Write a rap about….
Write a haiku about…
Get 20 people to high five you in 20 seconds
Get 4 people you don't know, to dance with you in a circle
Draw a portrait of someone and give it to them
Do the Ellen Dance Dare
Crash someone's wedding party (pic with bride and groom)
Play tic tac toe
Geocache
Visit a museum
Visit animal shelter
Go to a sporting event
City Hall
Chamber of Commerce
State Capitol
This is the place
Trolley Square
Tracy Aviary
Elevator in SL Library
Fountains at City Creek
Fountains at the Gateway
Ride the frontrunner (one stop)
Ride Trax (one stop)
Historical Monument
International Peace Gardens
Milk a farm animal
Learn a first aid skill
Tie a bowline, clove hitch, square knot
French Bread
2 pkgs dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups hot water
3 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp salt
5 Tbsp melted butter (or oil)
6 cups flour, divided
egg white or butter
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Let stand 10 minutes. IN a large bowl, combine 2 cups hot water, sugar, salt, butter, and half of the flour; beat well. Stir in dissolved yeast. Stir in remaining flour. Mix well. Leave spoon in batter; allow to rest for 10 minutes. Stir vigorously. Allow to rest again for 10 minutes. Repeat 3 more times. (Can be done with bread hooks on my mixer)
Turn out dough onto floured cloth or board. Knead once or twice until lightly coated with flour. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 9x 12 inch rectangle. Starting at the long edge, roll loosely as for jelly roll. Seal edge.
Place both rolls seam-side down on one large baking sheet. Gash top of each loaf diagonally 3 times with sharp knife. Brush with beaten egg white or butter. Let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 400 degree for 20 to 35 minutes, until golden brown (you may need to lower the degrees according to your oven). Cover with foil if needed. Brush with melted butter when done. Makes 2 loaves.
Monday, April 6, 2015
March
Big news... We are finishing our basement. We have had many men in and out, giving us bids, and finally starting the work. And actually we have all the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical done. In order to get all that done though, we have had to plan everything out--where we want everything, etc. It is a bit frightening because then you have to live with those decisions! Do we put 6 lights or 8? Is it worth the cost to do certain things, etc? How can we save money? And the anxiety goes on and on. But, I think we are doing well. I have put in tons of closet/storage space and planned for future things. We have two rooms downstairs, one set up for visitors and one for exercise, toys, and visitors if needed (on a blow up bed or floor....). The rest of the basement is kind of one giant room. Well, there is a living room area where we will put the fireplace and TV and then it opens into another room that will have a kitchen along a wall and an air hockey table and then just open space so we can have lots of tables for dinners, etc. It will be nice area for people to come visit and stay. So please come (well, give us a few more months so we can finish!). We just need to get the insulation and drywall up and then we will paint and do the tile work. Shouldn't be too long--I guess we will just have to see how long it really takes us! I am so proud of Scott because he has done so much of it himself and he is so handy!
The new movie Cinderella came out and Elise and her friend Halle dressed up in princess dresses and we had a girls night out! She has been playing with a new friend from school, Ellee, and we all went to the curiosity museum. Her favorite color today is purple. Yesterday it was blue. She also got to have a fun time with her cousin Hallie and her brothers came to stay the night. She is advancing nicely in tumbling and just a light and love!
The night the cousins came, we had neighbor friends over as well and ended up watching a movie with 12 kids in the toy room! And they were actually just great. It has been nice weather so they all played outside most of the time, then enjoyed a movie and settled down to sleep. It will be nice to have the basement done so next time they can be down there! Speaking of people over, Devan brought Tallis and Rowan for a Tai Kwon Do competition and we had a great time with them. Weston was especially good with Rowan; he is so good with kids!
Weston has started soccer practice and is absolutely thrilled about it. He has gotten some new shoes and is excited to start using them. He has been able to go to the local high school soccer games and is hoping to be on that team some day! He is worried about starting Junior High next year. It is a daunting thought (for me, too!), but he will thrive there. He and Scott got to go on a 11 year old camping trip. They actually stayed at a cabin, but a pretty basic cabin (outhouse...). They had a blast and ate tons of cookies and smores, etc. He also participated in a Pow Wow and was able to do a "movie making" merit badge. In two months he will be twelve and I am not ready for that...
Aidan has had a busy month. He participated in a piano recital and a talent show at school and did marvelously (of course) and he is now working on a duet for another recital. The Utah Symphony had a special pianist come and so we got tickets and Aidan and I went to the show. It was great and I was so pleasantly surprised at how well he did--and that he wanted to stay for the whole thing. His love of music, buffalos and rocks continues. There was a Gem and Mineral Show and Aidan and I went to that and spent some good money on *******. What a kid! We did have a cool experience while there. One of the first places we stopped had a guy named Jorge working there. We started talking and he was so kind and gave a free rock to Aidan. We started a nice conversation and I asked where he was from. He said San Fernando, California. I told him that I had lived there as a missionary for the Mormon Church and he said, "Oh, I have some missionary friends!" Come to find out he has been taking the discussions. They had told him to go to downtown SLC and see things and he loved it all. He has a good friend who is a member, and when he was at the Joseph Smith Building he called and told him "I am with Joseph Smith." He thought that was so funny. The booth became busy with people trying to buy rocks, so we had to go, but before we left, we stopped by again and he said he would be back in June for another rock show, so we are going to go to that one to see him as well. So cool!
All the kids got to participate in a race--a cardboard racecar race at Pack Meeting. I've said before that our scout leaders are the best, and they live up to that every month! Each kid made their own car from a box that they cut a hole in the bottom so they can put it around their waist and then run with it. Aidan painted his and decorated it, but we didn't do much with the other kids' cars. Then they raced their cars and Aidan won (it was based on how many times around the "track" they could go). He also got an award for best looking car.
Brennan's big news is that he failed his eye exam--so he got glasses, and boy does he look darling! He has been very responsible with them, wearing them to school daily, and putting them away when he isn't using them. He is doing so well in school, getting straight A's. I get to correct papers in his class sometimes and it is so fun to correct his papers and see how great he does.
Happy Easter to you all!
Monday, March 9, 2015
February
Aidan has been lucky enough to participate in a Junior iTri program at the local rec center. He went every Saturday in February and the last week they did a little triathlon and he worked so hard and accomplished all the goals he set. I am so proud of him! He also took the first part of his AIM piano test and did wonderful on that as well. He still has another portion of the test where he plays two songs for the judges and some scales/cadences, etc. He is so good at working hard without complaint!
Weston and I got to spend some great time together this month. He (and his friend Gideon) came with Omi, Heidi, and me to the Family History Rootstech conference downtown. We were hoping to meet Studio C and David Archuleta, but the lines were WAY too long. Still we had fun. We went to Seigfrieds and Weston and Gideon had their first real German food--and it was rather fun seeing them try some of that ...
It was so fun having Heidi and Omi here. Heidi and I got our toenails done and we went to IKEA (I think they went several times...). Unfortunately, I hurt my back trying to get frames for Heidi, so we quickly went back home and I was then laid up for a few days. Once home I was lamenting to Scott about it when Elise turned to us and said, "Jesus can heal you." I just love the simplicity of little children, and of course she is just so darling!! She is constantly making us laugh and smile. She is such a helper around the house and loves to do "girl things" with me.
Heidi and Omi were here to go to the One Heart Bulgaria Gala and Scott and I went, and took Scott's brother Matt and his wife Liz with us. What a great event it turned out to be. Great conversations, food, and entertainment. A great way to spend pre-Valentines Day (better than being in bed on the actual Valentines Day!). Scott and I also went on another date to the wedding of our friends' (Amber and Reed) daughter. What a great month for LOVE!
Aidan and Brennan were out of school for a week so we took some friends (Tate and Addie) and went to the Natural History Museum (we love that place!). We made some food, tumbled some rocks, and did a lot of sitting around playing the wii.
Brennan has been studying different countries in school and the latest is Mexico. They had a fun party where they got to experience different things from their culture. I took Mexican Hot Chocolate and real Mexican cookies for them to try. He is doing so well in school and really loves it. I love it when he comes home and tells me all the new things he is learning.
The month ended with a fun but a little sad night with some friends, the Lesters. They were our neighbors in Herriman and they are moving to Colorado and we will miss them!!! Weston's first friend was their daughter Maddy. And Brennan and Tommy have been friends for years. We invited them over for dinner, and then thought, "Let's make a party of this!" and invited a bunch of friends from the old neighborhood. Realizing they wouldn't fit in our house, we held the party at the church instead. We had about 12 adults and 25+ kids! I made some pizzas for the adults and we bought cheap pizza for the kids. We had a great time laughing and reminiscing over good times. We are so glad they are such good friends and we will miss them!
Weston and I got to spend some great time together this month. He (and his friend Gideon) came with Omi, Heidi, and me to the Family History Rootstech conference downtown. We were hoping to meet Studio C and David Archuleta, but the lines were WAY too long. Still we had fun. We went to Seigfrieds and Weston and Gideon had their first real German food--and it was rather fun seeing them try some of that ...
It was so fun having Heidi and Omi here. Heidi and I got our toenails done and we went to IKEA (I think they went several times...). Unfortunately, I hurt my back trying to get frames for Heidi, so we quickly went back home and I was then laid up for a few days. Once home I was lamenting to Scott about it when Elise turned to us and said, "Jesus can heal you." I just love the simplicity of little children, and of course she is just so darling!! She is constantly making us laugh and smile. She is such a helper around the house and loves to do "girl things" with me.
Heidi and Omi were here to go to the One Heart Bulgaria Gala and Scott and I went, and took Scott's brother Matt and his wife Liz with us. What a great event it turned out to be. Great conversations, food, and entertainment. A great way to spend pre-Valentines Day (better than being in bed on the actual Valentines Day!). Scott and I also went on another date to the wedding of our friends' (Amber and Reed) daughter. What a great month for LOVE!
Aidan and Brennan were out of school for a week so we took some friends (Tate and Addie) and went to the Natural History Museum (we love that place!). We made some food, tumbled some rocks, and did a lot of sitting around playing the wii.
Brennan has been studying different countries in school and the latest is Mexico. They had a fun party where they got to experience different things from their culture. I took Mexican Hot Chocolate and real Mexican cookies for them to try. He is doing so well in school and really loves it. I love it when he comes home and tells me all the new things he is learning.
The month ended with a fun but a little sad night with some friends, the Lesters. They were our neighbors in Herriman and they are moving to Colorado and we will miss them!!! Weston's first friend was their daughter Maddy. And Brennan and Tommy have been friends for years. We invited them over for dinner, and then thought, "Let's make a party of this!" and invited a bunch of friends from the old neighborhood. Realizing they wouldn't fit in our house, we held the party at the church instead. We had about 12 adults and 25+ kids! I made some pizzas for the adults and we bought cheap pizza for the kids. We had a great time laughing and reminiscing over good times. We are so glad they are such good friends and we will miss them!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
January 2015
The weather has been so strange this year. For some reason there was a lot of talk that it was going to be this horrendous winter, and it started cold, and snow came. But then it has just warmed up! We got a free ski pass for Weston, once to each ski resort, but because there hasn't been much snow, they have only been able to go twice! I hope they will get a few more times in! Soott was able to take both Aidan and Weston though and they are getting better and better (and they enjoy it).
Scott took the vacation time to do some "improvements" on the house. And he did a marvelous job! Since our lightbulbs are so high and our fire alarm in unreachable, we rented scaffolding so we could change the lightbulbs and battery (we put in a lithium battery which should last 10 years...), we figured we should make it worth the money to rent it, so we put up some decorations on our tall walls. We ended up putting a dividing board and above it put three big boxes (of board) and in each box put a pretty metal decoration. We also put up the same thing on the wall above our dining room. I think it is different, without being strange, and it really helps out our big blank walls... Not so boring. I am so proud that I have such a handy husband.
After a nice and relaxing Christmas break (for me at least...), we had to get back to school. Aidan has been studying the middle ages, and so they got to have a medieval market where they made objects and sold them to each other. He made paper swords and hats. Then they had a feast and got to dress up like a knights, etc. He looked very regal and took the shield that Weston had used years ago for his King Arthur presentation (I love to reuse!). They got to eat chicken on the bone and have some other fun activities. Aidan has also been studying for his AIM (Achievement in Music) test coming up. As the teacher teaches him the theory, I sit at their feet and learn as well. I am loving it and really expanding my knowledge of the hows and whys of piano (I can now tell you what key a song it written in!). He will do marvelous.
Brennan has been studying about the body and can name several bones. He is also becoming a whiz at math and reading. He loves to read nightly and has been reading a lot of Little Critter and Curious George books. Because he read so many books in December and upped his reading level he received the prestigious award in Reading University at the school. It was so fun to see him receive his award. I am proud of his hard work. He is also rocking Karate class and loves to practice with his friend Luke at home.
Elise also practicing Tumbling with Halle and is finally able to do an "arch up" and keep her head off the ground for 10 seconds. She has passed off handstand as well. Of course her big news this month is that she is FIVE YEARS OLD! And it wasn't just one day of celebration, it went on and on. We started with a friend party that may have gotten out of hand... She chose the theme La La Loopsy. Don't know what it is? Neither did I! They are dolls that are "sewn" and have button eyes--really cute actually. So I tried to think of ideas for activities for the girls and settled on felt dolls. It really wasn't that hard, but it did take some trial and error. I cut out a beige colored outline of a doll, and then made a bunch of different dresses that the girls could choose (they got to choose three each). Then I had some ribbon, rickrack, buttons, flowers, etc that they could choose to decorated the dresses. They could also choose hair--several different tops of head in multiple colors and then different add ons to the hair--braids, curls, etc. Every single doll was different. They even got shoes for feet and bows for hair. While I glued everything together, a cute clown entertained them. He is BoBo the Clown and he is a 9 year old that lives nearby. He was so much fun. He made a giant balloon hat for Elise and then made each kid a balloon animal. He did some magic tricks and read them a fun book. He even rode the unicycle for them. So cute and the kids loved it. Then the girls broke a pinata and ate button cupcakes and opened presents. Ah, what a fun day!
We then had a family party for her and went out to eat at Culvers. I made a giant cookie (which was divine if you want the recipe or just google "swig cookie recipe", but I add almond flavoring). Norma and Elaine joined us and gave her a giant pink unicorn which has quickly become the favorite toy. Mom Daw had come earlier and got her a Barbie car (she loves it... of course!). And she got some cute clothes from me (target sale!) and other fun toys. I can't believe how quickly she grows up, and yet stays the same silly girl.
Scott also had a birthday and mostly he got things to finish the basement (yea, it is getting finished!). But, I also got him a inside grill which will be nice. I would have taken him snowshoeing but I hurt my neck (big surprise) and their isn't much snow in the mountains. It is nice to be the same age as he, if only for a few months.
Weston started reading the Book of Mormon again and wants to finish it (again) by the time he turns twelve. He also has the goal to read the New Testament. He has also been reading the Chronicles of Prydain and loves them. It is fun because his teacher doesn't know about them (??? Can you believe it???) and so he gets to tell his teacher all about them. He has had several papers that he has been working on: Pisces constellation, Russian Religion, and Gerald Ford. He is getting ready to move into Junior High! He also got a kendama (they are all the rage right now) and although it broke after a day, he became very good at it. Hopefully he will replace it soon.
I have been busy with normal everyday life (I think I say that every month). I did get a visit from an "old friend", Karen Gray Rowe. We were friends when I lived at Janets. She is a wonderful friend, and she happens to know Kim and Val as well! She lived in their ward in Germany for awhile. (Small world!) I have signed up to take a class on Health Nutrition, and I am studying piano with Aidan... so we are all trying to improve ourselves! One month down of the year, doing well, I'd say!
Scott took the vacation time to do some "improvements" on the house. And he did a marvelous job! Since our lightbulbs are so high and our fire alarm in unreachable, we rented scaffolding so we could change the lightbulbs and battery (we put in a lithium battery which should last 10 years...), we figured we should make it worth the money to rent it, so we put up some decorations on our tall walls. We ended up putting a dividing board and above it put three big boxes (of board) and in each box put a pretty metal decoration. We also put up the same thing on the wall above our dining room. I think it is different, without being strange, and it really helps out our big blank walls... Not so boring. I am so proud that I have such a handy husband.
After a nice and relaxing Christmas break (for me at least...), we had to get back to school. Aidan has been studying the middle ages, and so they got to have a medieval market where they made objects and sold them to each other. He made paper swords and hats. Then they had a feast and got to dress up like a knights, etc. He looked very regal and took the shield that Weston had used years ago for his King Arthur presentation (I love to reuse!). They got to eat chicken on the bone and have some other fun activities. Aidan has also been studying for his AIM (Achievement in Music) test coming up. As the teacher teaches him the theory, I sit at their feet and learn as well. I am loving it and really expanding my knowledge of the hows and whys of piano (I can now tell you what key a song it written in!). He will do marvelous.
Brennan has been studying about the body and can name several bones. He is also becoming a whiz at math and reading. He loves to read nightly and has been reading a lot of Little Critter and Curious George books. Because he read so many books in December and upped his reading level he received the prestigious award in Reading University at the school. It was so fun to see him receive his award. I am proud of his hard work. He is also rocking Karate class and loves to practice with his friend Luke at home.
Elise also practicing Tumbling with Halle and is finally able to do an "arch up" and keep her head off the ground for 10 seconds. She has passed off handstand as well. Of course her big news this month is that she is FIVE YEARS OLD! And it wasn't just one day of celebration, it went on and on. We started with a friend party that may have gotten out of hand... She chose the theme La La Loopsy. Don't know what it is? Neither did I! They are dolls that are "sewn" and have button eyes--really cute actually. So I tried to think of ideas for activities for the girls and settled on felt dolls. It really wasn't that hard, but it did take some trial and error. I cut out a beige colored outline of a doll, and then made a bunch of different dresses that the girls could choose (they got to choose three each). Then I had some ribbon, rickrack, buttons, flowers, etc that they could choose to decorated the dresses. They could also choose hair--several different tops of head in multiple colors and then different add ons to the hair--braids, curls, etc. Every single doll was different. They even got shoes for feet and bows for hair. While I glued everything together, a cute clown entertained them. He is BoBo the Clown and he is a 9 year old that lives nearby. He was so much fun. He made a giant balloon hat for Elise and then made each kid a balloon animal. He did some magic tricks and read them a fun book. He even rode the unicycle for them. So cute and the kids loved it. Then the girls broke a pinata and ate button cupcakes and opened presents. Ah, what a fun day!
We then had a family party for her and went out to eat at Culvers. I made a giant cookie (which was divine if you want the recipe or just google "swig cookie recipe", but I add almond flavoring). Norma and Elaine joined us and gave her a giant pink unicorn which has quickly become the favorite toy. Mom Daw had come earlier and got her a Barbie car (she loves it... of course!). And she got some cute clothes from me (target sale!) and other fun toys. I can't believe how quickly she grows up, and yet stays the same silly girl.
Scott also had a birthday and mostly he got things to finish the basement (yea, it is getting finished!). But, I also got him a inside grill which will be nice. I would have taken him snowshoeing but I hurt my neck (big surprise) and their isn't much snow in the mountains. It is nice to be the same age as he, if only for a few months.
Weston started reading the Book of Mormon again and wants to finish it (again) by the time he turns twelve. He also has the goal to read the New Testament. He has also been reading the Chronicles of Prydain and loves them. It is fun because his teacher doesn't know about them (??? Can you believe it???) and so he gets to tell his teacher all about them. He has had several papers that he has been working on: Pisces constellation, Russian Religion, and Gerald Ford. He is getting ready to move into Junior High! He also got a kendama (they are all the rage right now) and although it broke after a day, he became very good at it. Hopefully he will replace it soon.
I have been busy with normal everyday life (I think I say that every month). I did get a visit from an "old friend", Karen Gray Rowe. We were friends when I lived at Janets. She is a wonderful friend, and she happens to know Kim and Val as well! She lived in their ward in Germany for awhile. (Small world!) I have signed up to take a class on Health Nutrition, and I am studying piano with Aidan... so we are all trying to improve ourselves! One month down of the year, doing well, I'd say!
December 2014
December is always full of parties and fun. Our ward Christmas party was quite an affair. The theme was The Polar Express. I was given the task of putting the book into power point so we could project it up on the wall while someone read the book. The person in charge did a phenomenal job. She got a humongous train printed--6-8 feet tall and longer than half the gym. Santa even came to visit. The kids loved it.
We started a new tradition called "Giving Gloves". We saw some people outside in the cold without gloves so we went and bought a bunch and then put cute tags on them (thanks so Omi's help) and gave them away to people who looked like they needed them. It was fun to have the kids be looking for people in need and finding ways to help. (Although because of the unusally warm winter, it isn't as successful as we had hoped).
We also had our annual "Christmas Sing-A-Long" with neighbors and friends. It has been a fun way for us to invite people we might not know well and celebrate Christmas in a very sweet and joyful way.
The kids have been busy with all their normal routines, school, activities, etc. It has made the month fly by (with all the other activities in there as well)! And Christmas came quickly. And now the kids are already counting down to the next Christmas! It was especially fun for Elise, she is at the perfect age for this. The kids love to give gifts to each other. They usually make their own gifts, out of paper, etc, and we get to each open several "love" gifts. It makes my heart soar to see them love each other so much.
Weston and Aidan took swimming lessons this month so that Weston could pass off some scout thing. He doesn't love it, but he worked hard. Aidan is trying really hard as well and wants to take a Junior iTri class. He was also the "Virtue Boy" in his class at school and we got to make a fun poster about him and all the kids in his class wrote letters to him.
All of the kids (and Scott and I) finished reading the Book of Mormon before Christmas. We had set the goal to read it back in August and pretty much stayed on target! It is fun to be able to read it the same time as the kids.
Brennan is studying different religions at school and it has been very good for him to realize his relationship to religions. Now he knows he is Christian. It has been difficult to explain that Jews an Christians came from the same line and that there are some Christians who were "Jews"...
My body just doesn't work the same way it used to, and I have to be careful or I hurt my back. Well, a few days before Christmas I hurt my neck and so I decided to go to the doctor to see if he could shoot me with something (I didn't want to be stiff and sore for Christmas). While there, the doctor told me to change into a gown. Elise got so excited, but then when I put on the "hospital" gown and not a "ball gown", she didn't think I looked as pretty as she expected. She is such a funny and fun girl!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
We started a new tradition called "Giving Gloves". We saw some people outside in the cold without gloves so we went and bought a bunch and then put cute tags on them (thanks so Omi's help) and gave them away to people who looked like they needed them. It was fun to have the kids be looking for people in need and finding ways to help. (Although because of the unusally warm winter, it isn't as successful as we had hoped).
We also had our annual "Christmas Sing-A-Long" with neighbors and friends. It has been a fun way for us to invite people we might not know well and celebrate Christmas in a very sweet and joyful way.
The kids have been busy with all their normal routines, school, activities, etc. It has made the month fly by (with all the other activities in there as well)! And Christmas came quickly. And now the kids are already counting down to the next Christmas! It was especially fun for Elise, she is at the perfect age for this. The kids love to give gifts to each other. They usually make their own gifts, out of paper, etc, and we get to each open several "love" gifts. It makes my heart soar to see them love each other so much.
Weston and Aidan took swimming lessons this month so that Weston could pass off some scout thing. He doesn't love it, but he worked hard. Aidan is trying really hard as well and wants to take a Junior iTri class. He was also the "Virtue Boy" in his class at school and we got to make a fun poster about him and all the kids in his class wrote letters to him.
All of the kids (and Scott and I) finished reading the Book of Mormon before Christmas. We had set the goal to read it back in August and pretty much stayed on target! It is fun to be able to read it the same time as the kids.
Brennan is studying different religions at school and it has been very good for him to realize his relationship to religions. Now he knows he is Christian. It has been difficult to explain that Jews an Christians came from the same line and that there are some Christians who were "Jews"...
My body just doesn't work the same way it used to, and I have to be careful or I hurt my back. Well, a few days before Christmas I hurt my neck and so I decided to go to the doctor to see if he could shoot me with something (I didn't want to be stiff and sore for Christmas). While there, the doctor told me to change into a gown. Elise got so excited, but then when I put on the "hospital" gown and not a "ball gown", she didn't think I looked as pretty as she expected. She is such a funny and fun girl!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)