Spring Break 2014

  We just had the most fun Spring Break.  It started by thinking it would be fun to go see Ryan's family in Seattle - the last time we were there I was pregnant with Logan!  And he's 6!  It turned out that their kids weren't on Spring Break that week, so we decided to spend some time on the Oregon Coast during the week and then get to Seattle by Friday afternoon to see them.  John and Sandy came along for the ride with our crazy family, along with my nephew Zack.  We packed up some cars, kids, and a ton of snacks and hit the road!

  We left Tuesday morning and drove to Portland.  We stopped at the awesome Multnomah Falls.  It was raining, letting us know we were going to be wet for the next 5 days.

 

Multnomah Falls

 

    Next, we drove into downtown Portland and I attempted to take us all on a self-guided walking tour of the fountains in Portland.  The rain was coming down in buckets, but we were not to be discouraged.   First fountain, no water (beside the standing water in the bottom from the downpour),  but no water coming from the fountain.  On we went to the next, and the next, and the next.  Apparently they don't turn on the fountains in March - now we know.

 

Self-guided walking tour of fountains:  fail

 

 

   Next we promised the kids an awesome tram ride that goes over Portland.  They were so excited - it was the number 1 thing they wanted to do in Portland.  So we find it, hop on, and quickly realize this is more of a public transport system, than a sight seeing tram.  We even figured that out before it stopped at the hospital and a ton of doctors and nurses got on!  Definitely public transport, but still fun. 

On the tram

 

    The next morning we left rainy Portland to head to the rainy coast. 

Our happy kids!  We logged some serious hours in the car!

 

  When we got close to the coast, it was raining and raining, so we decided to go to the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  Us and our closest million other friends.  We did the self-guided tour (that place is awesome!) and of course ended the tour with some Tillamook ice cream.

YUM!

 

   We stopped by Fred Meyer's, picked up some poncho's, and were off for some wet fun.  We went to the Cape Meares Lighthouse, and saw the famous Octopus Tree.   Next, our friends had told us about this great hike south of Tillamook.  We parked the cars, and headed off hiking in the pouring rain.  It was a 1/4 of mile hike, through the greenest forest, and ended at this amazing waterfall.  I LOVED this hike - it was awesome.

  Then we headed to Lincoln City where we had rented a house. The house was awesome - always a gamble when you rent online.  But this one did not disappoint.  It was fantastic.  The next morning we were off to the beach.  In coats and swim suits.  Yes, coats and swim suits.  The kids wanted to wade, but knew it was too cold to go all in.  It was 50 degrees, so yeah, too cold.  I was there wearing a hat and gloves!

  Bailey was trying to outrun one of the waves, and tripped.  The wave just rolled right over her - she was soaked.  She was most disappointed that she had to go back to the house to change, and miss more time in the waves.

Luckily her dad showed a lot of sympathy.

 

The lowlight of the trip was getting a ticket for Derek driving while on his cell phone - put up some signs saying that's illegal Oregon!!  I'm sure they make a killing during Spring Break with drivers who don't know, $170 ticket at a time.  Lame.

Busted

I told the girls to give me their best worried looks - not hard for Emmy!

We went into Newport, and went on a whale watching tour.  The swells were too high to go far enough out to see whales, so no whales for us. 

On the boat

  The captain, who has been on The Deadliest Catch (!), let the kids drive the boat.  They loved it. 

 

Captains Bailey and Emmy

 

The coolest part of the tour was when they let the kids help set a crab pot.  They showed them the pot, the bait, and how it trapped crabs. 

Emmy throwing over the pot.

On the boat

 

After driving around a while, we came back for our pot.  Hoping we caught some crabs!

Pulling up the pot!

 

 

And oh yes, did we get crabs!

Friday morning we left the coast and headed north - on to Ryan's house!  The best part of the timing of this trip was that Friday night was Mitchell's Eagle Court of Honor.  It was awesome to be there for it.  For his Eagle project he built a huge firepit  on their church's property.  So his Court of Honor was outside, right at the firepit.  It was so great!  Brenda had done such a great job of decorating and food.  For refreshments everyone got to cook s'mores - how perfect!

  Saturday we went into Seattle for the day.  We went to Pike's Place Market - and the kids were draw-dropped at the crowds and fish throwing!  Then we did the Duck Tour.  I LOVE a duck tour - we did one in Boston and this one was just as great.  You get this great tour of the city, on road and water, with all of this great info - and all of the cheesiest humor you can handle.  Our kids loved our tour guide, with his silly hats, wigs, and music. 

After the Duck Tour we got on a ferry and headed to Bainbridge Island.  We drove to Paulsbo - a Norwegian town that Derek served in on his mission. We can't go to Seattle without going to Paulsbo, and getting donuts (or Viking Cups - a must) from Sluy's Bakery. 
  Then we headed back to Ryan's for games all night. The next morning we loaded up the kids (again!) and headed home.  It was such a great trip.  Just wishing Spring Break was longer ...

Wronged by Science

Today Emmy came home with Science homework.  She's been learning about Pangea - ya know, the idea that all of the continents were once one solid land, then they broke up, and spread out.  So for her homework she had to cut out the continents and then glue them on a piece of paper all together like a puzzle.   Here's how our conversation went:

 

Me:  Emmy, what homework do you have today?

Emmy:  I have a Pangea thing I have to do.

Me:  ok

Tyler:  Pangea??  I hate Pangea!

Me:  uh... what'd Pangea do to you?  How does someone hate Pangea?

Tyler:  Because Pangea is this big secret!  No one told me about Pangea until I was in 5th grade!!

 

Pangea .... world's best kept secret.

April's Fool's

   I'm sad to report there were no good pranks played at or house this year.   I'm really quite disappointed in myself - nothing done. No funny foods, no good jokes, nothing. 
   Our best came from Logan.  This morning I was explaining April Fool's to Logan.  I didn't want him to go to school and have everyone talking about it, and him not knowing what they're talking about.  I also didn't want him to be one the wrong end of jokes.  So I was telling him all about the day, and he said he had an April Fool's joke to play on his friend Erich.  Here it is: 

Logan:  Mom, I'm going to tell Erich that I'm going to touch his coat. 

And then I'm not ... I'm not gonna touch his coat.  And then I'll tell him "April Fool's!".

 

Next year these kids better watch out ... I'm redeeming myself!

Ty, Ty the Piano Guy

  Tyler played the piano a few weeks ago in Sacrament Meeting.  He was talked into it (read: forced)  by his parents.  He emailed the girl who schedules the music and volunteered to play.  She happily took him up on his offer and we were set.  He practiced it for months, and played and played it.  He went to the chapel twice before to practice on the piano there.  He practiced walking from the bench to the piano.  He was completely ready.  As the date got closer and closer, both Tyler and I got more and more nervous.  And more than ready for it to come and go. 
  The morning of we were both thrilled it was simply here and we could be done with it.  Allyson's whole family came to hear him.  It was finally his turn to play, he walked up there, sat down, played it AMAZINGLY, and walked back.  He did such a great job!  I recorded him playing it tonight so my parents could hear him - you'll love it mom!  (And again, my phone won't let me email a video this long in one email, so you get to enjoy it in thirds!)

 

 

 

Wardrobe Malfunction

  Yesterday I was volunteering in Logan's classroom. After I'd been there for over an hour he came up to me with this confession:

Logan: (whispering) Mom, I made a mistake. 

Me:  (whispering) What was it?

Logan:  I accidentally left my pajamas on.  

Me:  (looking him over from head to toe - I see a boy dressed in jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt. No pajamas in sight)  Logan, you're dressed. 

Logan:  No, I have my pajamas on underneath my clothes. (He then pulls up his shirt to show me his pajama shorts coming out the top of his pants). 

Me:  Well, school's almost over. We'll deal with it when we get home. 

When we got home I asked him how he finally noticed and he said he'd gone to the bathroom and found a surprise. Then he told me that he'd told his friend Jose what he'd done. "What did Jose say" I asked. Apparently Jose said, "I have my pajamas on under my clothes too.  No, I don't, I'm just kidding."  I thought Jose's response was so cute - didn't embarrass Logan or make fun of him, and made Logan laugh over the situation. Love good friends!

Happy Valentine's Day

  Valentine's Day is so fun with kids - and we had a great Valentines Day this year.  The night before I started cutting out hearts by the dozen to Heart Attack the kids' doors.  Derek's such a good sport - I said, "Here ... starting writing nice things about the kids on each of these hearts."  And all he said was he needed a pen.  :)  So we cranked out the hearts and Heart Attacked them.  They were so surprised - I mean, paper hearts can really blow one's mind.

 

 

  Then we got to breakfast - I tried to kick up my pink pancakes up a notch and make some pink, some white, and switch the inside hearts.  The ones on Pintrest were much, much cuter.  Much like all of my Pintrest endeavors.  

 

 

 

  Then I was off to the school.  For the day.  Days like this just make me laugh - how I can spend the whole day at the school ... but I do it regularly.  First on the docket was Logan's class party.  Picture booth, fishing pond, Valentine's Bingo - pure cuteness.  When it was over at noon we headed home to have a quick lunch before we headed back for more partying.  We had to be back at 1:30 for Bailey's class party.  Minute to Win It 2nd Grade style = great party.  So fun watching these kids play those games. 

 

 

  We wrapped up the day hitting Emmy's class, with sugar cookies for all in tow.  I definitely am going to miss this next year when I only have 2 kids in elementary school.
  Derek and I are going out tonight to celebrate Valentine's Day with our friends, Kristie and Tony, so we decided to make Valentines night all about the kids.  We sent the kids upstairs and turned our kitchen in Cupid's Crazy Café - complete with candles, goblets, classical music, and Derek and I dressed up.  When we called the kids down they were shocked to see they'd been transported to such a swanky restaurant.  I was the hostess, seated them, and gave them their menus.  We did the mystery menu idea - where all the items are Valentines words, and you have no idea what they are, but you have to order them any way for your appetizer, entrée, and dessert.

   Then Derek came in and was their waiter.  He took their order from them and we got busy putting together all of their orders.  We had to move all the food into our living room to keep everything a secret - it definitely added to the fun. 

   The kids all ordered, not knowing at all what they were ordering.  Logan seemed to order best - getting dessert and pizza for his appetizer.  He unfortunately didn't get a fork until dessert - but he handled that like a pro.  Each course kids got something - either a fork, napkin, drink, pizza, French bread, green beans, strawberries, and dessert.   As each course was brought out, the kids doubled over with laughter. 

 Emmy, enjoying her ice cream fork-less - she should have ordered utensils

 

earlier!

 Happy customers and staff at Cupid's Crazy Café. 

 

 

 

Derek gave Tyler the bill - for $217.48.  Luckily for Ty - he had $217.48 bill on him!

 

It was the funnest Valentines - hope yours was just as fun and full of love.

 

Victim of a Hate Crime

Rainie, this post is for you - now you owe me one.  ;)

 

  So I recently was the victim of a hate crime ... I'm sad to say, but it's true.  I went to the grocery store, bought a cart full of groceries, like I feel like I do every day.  On my list was minced onion.  I grabbed the onion, a hundred other things, checked out and headed home.  I unloaded all the groceries, and put half of them away before I had to run the school to pick up Logan.  I picked up Logan, came home and unloaded the rest of the groceries.  As I was unpacking everything I took out the minced onion and was shocked to see the minced onion was full of popcorn.  Shocked. 

 

 

I couldn't believe it.  I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed when I picked it up, when I checked out, that the clerk didn't notice - nothing.  Shocking.  When I saw Derek I told him all about my tale of woe.  He said it was probably a mix up at the minced onion factory, and asked if you can return groceries.  No, I insisted, it was some prank pulled by punk teenagers who went to the store, dumped out the onion (who knows where!), filled up the bottle with popcorn, put it back on the shelf, and was waiting to see what schmuck bought it!  And I was the schmuck!  I told Derek it was a hate crime, pure and simple, a hate crime against me.  Derek pretty much ignored most of my theories/rantings and went back to work. As I put away the groceries I remained shocked that someone would tamper with minced onion.

   Hours later Derek was leaving the house and his parting words were, "I put the popcorn in.", and out the door he went.  For the second time that day, I was shocked.

Humility Problem?

Emmy and I had a note conversation today in church - here it is in all it's glory:

Emmy:  Mom, do you think I'll do good on my 5th grade project?

Me:  Yes Emmy.   You are so smart, responsible and organized.  You'll do great.

Emmy:  YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!

One Despicably Good Party

   My little Logan is six!  How can it be? He got to have his first friend party, and he was so excited!  We decided to have all of his friends over for cake and ice cream and then take them all to the movie.  Logan invited  his 7 best pals (we have 8 boys in our ward in kindergarten - crazy!) over for our party. 

    The best part of this party was that it was on a Wednesday afternoon - at 1:00!  With all these boys in half day kindergarten - I know they're all free on Wednesday afternoon!  They've got nothing else going on! I loved that it didn't take up mine, or anyone else's, Saturday or evening.  The worst part of this party was that I had to wait until the movie times were up for that week before I could send out invitations.  I knew the movie would either be Despicable Me 2 or Planes - we were going to whatever movie had a matinee.  Despicable Me showed at 1:45 - perfect.  We got invites out and started planning our Minion Party.  Then entered Pintrest ... curse you Pintrest, curse you.  For some reason I searched for Despicable Me party ideas, and only 10,000 showed up.  And they were all so cute!  So I started pinning, and shopping, and making ... all totally last minute because I didn't know if we were doing Despicable Me or Planes until the last minute.  As I was burning the midnight oil making a minion party, Derek said, "Ya know what's funny ...  you're only doing a minion party because it was showing at the time you wanted."  That's exactly right.   

 

 

Off with the Minion party ...



 

We had this guy on the front door greeting guests.

 

 

We enjoyed some Minion cupcakes.

 

 

Emmy and Bay turned our cups into Minions too.

 

We ripped into some presents.

I will say this about kids - I love how excited they are for the birthday person to open their gift. 

I love that they're so excited to give a gift to their friend. 

 

Then we were off to the movies.  Derek and I both had to drive because we had so many boys.  The theater was practically empty - who goes to a 1:45 matinee of a movie that 's been out since July??  So we let the boys pick where we sit - not the front row (thank heavens), but the back row for us.  The boys had their popcorn and drinks and we were set.  We saw the movie, and then we dropped off all the boys on our way home.  That's the easiest party that's ever be done.  Ever. 

 

Emmy and Bay turned their goody bags into minions:  

Their thank you:  Thanks a minion for coming to my party!  Hope you had a despicably good time! 

I hooked the thank you to a minion water bottle.

It was the easiest party ever - and despicably fun!  Happy birthday to my Logo Boy!

Gem of the Day

Today's parenting moment of the day, brought to us by Emmy. 

Setting:  practicing the piano, where I told her she had to play a certain measure over, since she played it wrong.

Emmy:  I can't wait until I'm the mom and I get everything I want!

Missionary Moment

Last night for FHE Derek and I had the kids explain the Plan of Salvation to us.  We were the clueless investigators, and they were the missionaries.  Here's a glimpse:

Derek:  So why do I need to go to church?

Emmy:  Because that's where we learn about Jesus.

Logan:  Because that's where we learn about choosing the right.

Bailey:  Because your kids will get recognized in Primary.  They will ask if they are new, or visitors.  They will sing a Hello song.  They might get sung to in a different language.

 

Really good reason, Bay.  Sign me up.

13 in 2013!

Here it is, my second (and last!) New Year's resolution is done!  I wanted to go to the temple 13 times in 2013.  And today was #13.  I kept this card in my temple bag (to the mocking of some!) and wrote down the date every time I went, to keep track of how many times I'd gone.  I wish I would have written who'd I'd gone with - that would be fun to look back and see who all I've gone to the temple with, but didn't think of that until about August.  For the next 6 weeks, I'm completely goal-free!

Oh Georgia...

    Last week I was at the school volunteering for Logan's class.  I was in the work room giving the ol' die cut machine a workout when Emmy's teacher walked in.  She looked at me and said, "Oh I'm so glad to see you!  Emmy said the funniest thing today!"  Now normally when I hear that, I cringe.  Emmy doesn't run a tight ship on what she says - she pretty loose lipped, and I have heard that comment many times - sometimes it's funny, and sometimes it horrifying.  I guess it's the 'one man's junk...' philosophy.  So I braced myself for her to tell me what Emmy said.
  She told me that they were studying the Revolutionary War and each kid was assigned a different committee to study.  Emmy was assigned the Committee of Communications.  Emmy realized that only 12 of the colonies were there and Emmy went to her teacher to ask why there weren't 13.  Emmy's teacher said, "Oh Georgia didn't go."  Emmy's teacher told me that she turned around, and under her breath muttered, "...Traitors...".  Her teacher was still laughing at Emmy's utter disdain for the traitors of Georgia. 

Recipe Dillema

I've been having quite the recipe dilemma lately.  For the last couple months.  What to do with all of these recipes?  I wanted a better way to store them.  I have paper recipes, from years and years, recipes from cook books, whole cook books that I kept for one or two recipes, recipes I liked from online, blogs, and pintrest - but I struggled with how to keep them all accessible.  And how to keep them all straight - what cook book was that particular recipe in?  What blog did I get this recipe from?  I spent too much time searching for a specific recipe I knew I had somewhere....

   So I knew it was time for a better system.  I thought about doing a paper version - printing recipes from online, copying them from cook books, keeping them all in one binder, putting them in sheet protectors, organizing them by category, all of it.  My friend did a binder version and likes it because she wants to be able to copy all of her recipes to give to her kids as they go out on their own.  I love that idea, but think there's a better way with technology surrounding us.  I didn't like the idea of having MORE to store, I wanted less.  And I didn't want to print all of these recipes from online - when the recipes online have awesome step-by-step directions and pictures.  I wanted those to stay just how they were.  So I didn't want paper. 

   I knew I wanted something online - it seems to be more enduring than paper.  So I thought about Pintrest.  I thought I could make a lot of boards that were very specific - chicken, beef, pork, cookies, etc. and keep them organized that way.  But then I didn't know how I would get my mom's waffle cookie recipe on there - can't pin it from somewhere.  I definitely needed a way to keep my old school recipes too.  So Pintrest wasn't going to cut it for me either.

     Then I thought a blog... I could enter in all of my recipes easily enough, but what about the online ones I love?  While I was at the cabin a few weeks ago I was lamenting my recipe dilemma to my sister.  I was tossing all of these ideas back and forth with her and we wondering if we could just copy/paste my favorite online recipe into their own posts?  So with her ipad, I went to a recipe blog, copied and pasted a recipe into a new post of her blog - and it worked like a charm!!  I knew, then, I had my new plan.  (I am still kicking myself that I didn't take full advantage of having Jen's blog in my hands... oh the things I could have posted!  All while she was putting kids to bed!  Even if it had been the recipe I'd copied in with the post title:  Will someone please bring me this?  Now?, or  simply:  This is what I'm thinking about right now.  Oh how I missed a golden opportunity of hijacking her blog...).

   So I started a new blog - it's very cleverly named From the Beehive - Recipes, because I'm original and creative like that.  And I went to town entering in my recipes.  I went through all my recipes and entered in the ones I love and make.  Chucked the ones I've had for 10 years and never made.  Then I went through my cook books - entered in the recipes I like, and chucked the books.  If I'm asked to make something I don't have a good recipe for, I know I'm not going to use my old ward cookbook to find a recipe - I'm going to go online, find one with pictures that looks good and has good reviews - so why bother holding onto a cook book I'm not going to use?  Then I started copying/pasting my favorite recipes from online sources.  In a few weeks I got them all entered.

   There are so many perks to this - and I find more every day.  The first being - less clutter (cook books and cook books and paper recipes kicking around), next I'm loving the labeling ability on a blog.  I can label them with whatever category I like (chicken, cookies, veggies, whatever I want) so then when I want a roll recipe I just click on 'bread' and there are all of my recipes.  No more hunting.  Another love - being able to add my own notes - how long to cook it in my oven, I like less butter, etc. - can add my own notes to online and paper recipes.  And another perk... someone wants a certain recipe of mine - I say, "get it off my blog" - take this one step farther and I think that Emily goes to college, and has access to all of her mom's awesome recipes!  Another perk - I have all of my recipes with my wherever I am because of my phone.  If I'm at the grocery store and I remember I have to take carmel bars somewhere - I have the recipe with me!  Love it!  Another perk I just found out about too - today Jen text me and said "see you have a lot of pork recipes - pork's on sale at Albertsons" - sale notifications because of my blog?  Bring it on!  I am loving this new recipe blog.

   As I was going through all of my recipes, I found this one, which is near and dear to my heart.  It's my chicken noodle soup recipe from Andrea (so love right there), but then on the corner Emily has written in a heart, Mom + Emmy = Love.  I love it every time I use this recipe. Me + Emmy definitely equals love.

 

 

Sorry it's sideways!

   

#52!!

This is my 52nd post this year.  You might wonder why that's neat ... Here's why:  for one of my New Year's resolutions I decided I was going to blog 52 times this year.  That is just once a week and seemed doable.  I decided to do it because my parent's are serving a mission and I wanted them to still see the day in and day out things of our family. I knew they'd be in the loop on the big stuff, like Bailey's baptism, it was the little stuff, like a lost tooth, I wanted them to be a part of too.
    Now, here's my guilt-inducing admission:  I'm not historically a New Year's resolution kind of gal. I used to make resolutions - but they were always very immeasurable and mostly unattainable. I'd make a goal, like never yelling at my kids again, blow it by 10:00 am on New Year's day, feel like a failure, and give up.  So after a few years of that routine, I quit making New Year's resolutions all together.  Now this fact probably keeps Derek up at night.  He's a huge goal setter - the poster child of goal setting.  New Year's is one of his favorite days of the year, because he lives to set goals.  He writes them down, posts them around the house, breaks them into smaller goals, makes them measurable, tells people to hold him accountable - the whole 9 yards.  See what I mean... poster child.  And here's he married to a non-goal-setting wife!  I'm telling you, I'm sure it causes him stress.  And he's probably set some goals to fix me.
  But even with all of this baggage, I set 2 goals this year.  Real, measurable, attainable goals.  And one of them was to blog 52 times in 2013.  And here it is - #52!  And in mid-October too, let me just point out.  My other goal (to go to the temple 13 times, get it, because it's 2013?) is in my sights too - just 3 more times this year.
  It's been a while since I could say I reached one of my New Year resolutions, but here it is.  Number 52 feels nice.  And no guarantees there's going to be #53... just kidding mom.

Bailey's Baptism

    Our sweet Bailey was baptized on August 31st.  She was so excited!  She had talked about her baptism for months before - and was all ready for the big day!  We had family come to town (John and Sandy, and Angey's family) and lots of family here to help celebrate her big day. 

 



    It was a Stake Baptism with 2 other kids getting baptized that day.  We were asked to supply a speaker on the Holy Ghost as part of the program.  We told Bailey that she could ask any whoever she wanted to speak.  She picked her uncle Lance.  Bay and Lance have always been best buds.  It turned out that our speaker had to be in our stake, so Lance wasn't able to speak - but he had been the  most gracious and excited to speak.  With Lance out, Tyler was next in line.  Tyler gave such a great talk about the Holy Ghost and I loved that he spoke at her baptism.  He did an awesome job. 

  After the program we went to the font (and our ward got to be first - always a nice surprise).  We were able to FaceTime the baptism for my parents who are serving a mission.  It was so great to have them there, seeing Bailey's baptism - it was the best! Bailey got to be baptized in a very special dress.  My mom had a dress made for all of the granddaughters to be baptized in - Bailey is the 4th granddaughter to be baptized in the same dress (with 2 more cute granddaughters to go).  Derek baptized Bailey, and then afterwards gave her the sweetest blessing while giving her the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 



Off to the font

 

Derek and Bailey

 

 





   We had lots of family and friends there to support this loved little girl.  For family we had my parents - kind of (thank you FaceTime), Derek's parents, Jen's family, Robb's family, Allyson's family, Lance's family, and Angey's family.  For friends we had Steve and Rakelle (our Bishop and his wife - Bailey's primary teacher); Ryan, Kristen and Perry (the other half of Bailey's awesome primary teachers, plus their sweet daughter Perry who is one of Bailey's BFF's); our great friends Kim, Herman, and Taeli; a counselor in the Primary presidency, Audrey; Collin & Shamarie (our great home teacher and his wife); and Sam and Janey (my Sunday angels - Bailey sits with Sam and Janey every Sunday during Sacrament meeting - it is so helpful to me since I don't have Derek's help - I LOVE Sam and Janey).  She had a packed room - full of love and support. 



 

Emily and Bailey

 



Catherine and Bailey

 



Bailey, Paul, and Paisley

 



Bailey and our bishop

 



Sandy, Bailey, and John

 



Lance and Bailey

 



Bailey and me - love her to the moon and back!

 

 

  Afterwards we had dinner at our house for everyone that came.  It was quite the rocking party with that many people - and a complete blast.  Thank you all for everything you did to make the day so special for our family!

   Special shout out to my sister Allyson aka the photographer of the day - she was snapping pictures right and left!  All of these pictures came from her - thank you!

 

Lessons in Service

This past week I've had two good lessons in service.  Apparently I need to learn about service don't I? 
   The first came Thursday while I was at the cannery.  About 2 weeks ago I got email reminding me that I'd signed up to work at the cannery for 4 hours.  In the past whenever I've gone to the cannery I've either gone with Derek or with friends - so that cannery was no big deal, didn't feel like service, and kind of fun.  Not a party by any means - but not bad at all.  This time was different.  It was a Thursday afternoon so Derek had to work and I didn't have any friends I knew going.  I got the email, and a sense of dread set in.  I just was really not looking forward to 4 hours of work, with a to-do list I'd rather be doing.  I'd think about the cannery every day, and just dread it.  To be honest it took me a week to email the guy heading up to tell him I was in.  I knew I was available that day, and I knew I'd end up going, I just didn't want to commit to it I guess.  So I finally emailed him back and told him I would go.  He immediately emailed back simply saying, "well done thou good and faithful".  I immediately emailed him back and asked if I was going to have any friends going ... I was really trying to find something good about this.  He answered saying he didn't have the list with him but, he assured me, I would have "the companionship of the spirit of service".  The spirit of service wouldn't want to ride with me or talk to me for 4 hours!
   Thursday came and I was simply glad it was finally here (a little overdramatic of me, I realize).  So off I went to the cannery - not thrilled, but there.  I got there and saw that I did have friends there, and lots of others from my ward.  It's always so inspiring to see people you know at the cannery, the temple, doing YM/YW, activity days, visiting teaching, etc. - just people in the act of service. 
   I got put on the assembly line working with a billion pears and a lady from my ward, that I don't know very well, worked across from me.  We talked a little, and I must have said something about  not loving being at the cannery.  She said, "I'm just happy that I'm volunteering at the cannery, and not the one who needs the cannery".  It really struck me as poignant.  Of course she was right.  I am blessed to not need the food from the cannery - how stressful it must be for people who need the cannery to feed their families.  Derek has a job that provides for our family.  Feeding my kids is a huge stress and worry I don't have.  And I am blessed with a healthy body that can work - can stand for 4 hours at an assembly line taking bruises off pears.  I am so fortunate to be able to work at the cannery, not need the cannery, and help others who are not as fortunate.
    Next time I'm at the cannery I hope I remember her wise words - I am lucky to be volunteering there.  I shouldn't see it as a chore, but as a way to help others, as well as realize my own blessings.
   The next lesson came today.   A month ago the sign up list went around our ward for families to sign up to clean the church.  Now, unlike the cannery, I don't mind cleaning the church at all.  It's quick, it's great service, and my family does plenty to dirty the church - so sign me up.  I had signed up for today - Oct. 5 - not realizing at the time that that would be the Saturday of General Conference.  About a week ago I realized that I we were supposed to clean the church on Conference Saturday.  Great ... I thought ... there goes my cinnamon roll breakfast and there goes my time to get a million conference activities prepared for my kids.  I didn't want to clean the church on Conference Saturday.  I tossed the idea around of calling the guy in charge and seeing if I could switch weeks.  Happy to do it any other week ... but Conference Saturday is kind of an unofficial holiday right?  I thought about calling him all week, but just couldn't muster the courage.  I felt like a squeaky wheel, and I felt like why should other people clean the church when I'm not willing to.  So in the end I never called.  And then in the 24 hours before we went to clean I started thinking that it might not be so bad ... getting us out of the house a little could be great (I really start to climb the walls Conference weekend with being home so much, with the TV on, and all of us in the same room for so long) and a little physical activity couldn't hurt either - get some wiggles out before a TV marathon.  And then I thought, isn't this exactly what President Monson would want?  For us to be doing service?  Isn't this what I was going to hear I should be doing while watching conference?  Here I know what I'm going to hear I need to do, and I'm trying to get out of it in the name of Conference??  And I realized that doing service, 2 hours before Conference was actually a wonderful thing to do to prepare for Conference - way better than cinnamon rolls, and way better than the "Color the Ties of the Apostles" I would be home printing.  Serving was taking what I've heard a thousand times at Conference and turn it into doing.
   So at 8:00 I was off with my 3 youngest kids (Derek and Tyler were in SLC to attend Priesthood session - Tyler's first Priesthood session and he gets to go!  Definitely a post in it's own right, but just in case I never get around to it!  How awesome is that?  His first time to see the prophet too!  I couldn't be more thrilled for him.) and we were off to the church.  We vacuumed and dusted and straightened Hymn books for an hour and it was all done. We had a great morning serving and cleaning the Lord's house.  We topped it off by going to get doughnuts before heading home to watch Conference.  There was no big awesome breakfast this morning, and I wasn't all the way prepared for Conference when it started, but I was so happy that we started our morning with service. 
   I'm not committing myself to anything, but doing a service project of some sort before each Saturday session of Conference would be an awesome tradition. 
   Though I apparently I have a lot to learn about service, I'm glad this week I was able to learn some.

School ... Here we come!

  I can't believe how fast summer went this year.  This was the fastest yet.  We crammed in as much fun as we could - between swim team, swimming lessons, waterpark passes, tennis camp, golf pass for Ty, trips to Idaho Falls to see family, piano lessons, Tyler's birthday, Bailey's birthday, and girls camp for me - we had a blast.  I'm already missing the days of sleeping in, and having my kids home.  Until next year . . . when I will welcome summer back with open arms.

 

Our last day of summer breakfast - sending summer off in style!

 

 

 The night before - backpacks laid out ... outfits chosen ...

 

Tyler - first one out the door.  On his way to 7th grade!

 

 Off he goes.

 

 

 

Next wave to go ...  love that these kids ride the bus together

 

 Emmy to 5th

 

Bailey to 2nd

 

Logan to kindergarten

How can he be in kindergarten??  He's my baby! 

 

 

Logan in line outside his classroom - he was so excited!

     Luckily, for moms, the first day of kindergarten starts with a parents meeting. So after Logan got on the bus, I drove to the school and met him there.  During the meeting, I heard one dad say to another day - both friends of ours, "Logan's the happiest one here" -   he was definitely ready for it to be his turn to go school.  After a short meeting, moms were told to beat it, so I left him there.  He was all smiles when I picked him up a 3 short hours later. 

    Every day when he comes home from school I say, "How was school?" he yells, "Easy!"

 

    So far everyone is still happy and figuring out the ropes. Lots to be thankful for:  buses, lockers that open easily, good friends, and kind teachers.