School's out! 6/1/12

Spring Pictures 2012

Since our elementary only goes up till 4th grade, little Ava was graduating from elementary school. They started a tradition this year where parents and students lined all the halls and the fourth graders ran through and we all clapped and cheered. I could have bawled. Seriously. Then they all went out to the play ground and let off balloons. 

 A couple of friends came home with us after the big send off. Grayson was reminding me how last year we went and got ice-cream the last day of school. I was game for that but I didn't feel like treating the friends. Sometimes I don't mind, but I didn't want to this time. Then the girls ran inside and said someone had pulled over and given them two BOGO free for the snow shack. I was suddenly feeling very generous. 

However, I made them eat on the lawn cause they were super drippy. I had to go get Mallerie from a friends house. I told Ava to watch the little ones like a hawk. Mallerie asked me on the way home where the kids were. I pointed to the side of the road, "Right there."

Matt looked at this and asked why Callie was all fancy. This girl changes her clothes 7 times a day! Well, one time we counted and it was 7 different outfits we saw her in in one day. Her drawers are always open and her floor is a pile of clothes. As I was doing mounds of laundry I exclaimed, "Callie loves to change!" Then told her, "You can't change your clothes so much, it makes too much laundry for me to do." A few days later she came and stood by me as I worked. She had a dress in her hand and started to take off what she was wearing. With a giggly smile she said, "I love changing." As she proceed to do just that.

I particularly liked this look; lace leggings as pants, and socks with flip flops. 

Gardening Growing

We have HAD IT with weeding the garden. We are hoping the garden boxes are a solution to the problem. We took a Saturday to go to Home Depot and get treated wood cut. Then came home to find that the dirt had been delivered. HOWEVER, we had also ordered sand for our sandbox. We came home to find that the garden soil had been dumped and then the sand had been dumped ON TOP. Huh? Matt called and the guy (this one with a working brain) and he came in a bobcat and gave us another scoop of half and half. This left us with lots of extra soil but Matt put a "FREE" sign in it and it was gone within a week. I am trying to think of even one circumstance that someone would want their order dumped on top of each other...

The seeds have been planted and now we are crossing our fingers (and watering), 

hoping our garden grows. 

I don't think I can face Graham if it doesn't.

No Boys Allowed

Mother's day weekend was spent just as it should be. Father's and Son's was Friday night and I can't think of a nicer gift for us Momma's. Sadie was in town with Romney and Raegan so I took Katrina and Mallerie with me and we all met at Ashley's in Lehi for a Posh Paparazzi Party. It was a girly as can be. Jewlery, bath products, yummy treats, and the girls tried on old formals. How I love these girls.

Mothers Day. Haven't you always wanted a candy bar poster? I have! Thanks Malmal. All the kids were so thoughtful with their gifts.

"Everything Spring" dance concert for Katrina. She started in March with the company at Elements Dance with some of her close friends. One of their mom's is the owner and teacher. I was so impressed with it all. It was held at the Stake Center. All the music and costumes were appropriate. I thought the choreography was so well done and the dancers came on and off the stage so it was visually interesting to watch. Grayson stayed home because he claims he has never seen a play or performance that he even thinks is good, "Even if they are professionals" he said.  My mom took his place and I was glad to have  

her there.

Birthday Birthday

I probably didn't show the enthusiasm I should have when I opened Matt's Mother's Day card to me and saw a voucher for a 1-night-stay at Armstrong Mansion in SLC. I guess because it seemed far off that we would be able to get away. Then I looked at the calendar and suggested the very next weekend. With my birthday falling on Friday the18th and Matt's on Sunday the 20th, we decided on Saturday night. That way we could be home to celebrate both our birthday's with the kids. After all, they look forward to our birthdays more than we do. Taking courage from Sadie and Brent who have left their girls home and in charge for the weekend, Matt and I decided to do the same. Katrina and Mallerie babysit over night from time to time for other people so why not us? Graham handed me the pictures from the fridge that he and Grayson had made in Primary for Mother's Day, "Here you can take these and look at us whenever you miss us."

Friday the 18th was also grandparents day in Grayson's class so my parents came over afterwards and stayed for Papa Murphy's and Sweet Tooth. For the month of May The Sweet Tooth Fairy was offering one of the flavors from Cup Cakes Wars and it so happened to be the Creme Brule Cupcake. When I was done with mine you could see through the cupcake wrapper I licked it so clean. It had been a busy day that started with a well child check-up for Grayson. We were there forever because the Dr. was behind because of emergency stitches. I came home for a bit to straighten up and then took the babes to the newly opened Kneaders for lunch. It was pouring rain. We darted inside and barely found three seats together at the bar. It was weird being somewhere in Heber that was PACKED. Matt was coming up the canyon so he joined us at the tail end before he needed to get back to work and we went to Walmart. So by the time we were done with dinner that night I was feeling pretty pooped. The rain had stopped and the kids all wanted to go on a walk to the tree swing. Matt asked a little surprised, "You are staying here?" Normally I might feel guilty missing out but it was my birthday I was going to do what I wanted. The quiet house was delightful. I opened the cover of the book my sweet friend ChyAyn mailed to me Heaven is Here and was quickly engrossed. Matt brought the kids back waaaaay too soon, "It's cold."

My favorite gift of the day had to be right before bedtime. Graham said, "I forgot to give you your birthday present!" He turned like he was going to go get something. Instead he opened his arms and threw himself into me in a great big hug. Priceless.

After reading part 1 of the book I suggested to Katrina she might want to read it. She must have started it the second we pulled out of the driveway the next day because she only had a few pages left when we returned Sunday afternoon.

Our first stop on Saturday was the new City Creek Mall. It was such a pretty day! Perfect temperature. There were a lot of people but it wasn't as crowded as I heard the grand opening was. I appreciate a decent sized crowd. We found a table at the outdoor plaza for lunch. We chose Bocata from the food court cause it sounds so much like our name it had to be good. We took trax to The Gateway and it seemed so lonely over there. It didn't help that the street in front of it has construction going on so you have to walk a ways before being able to get in. City Creek definitely outshines Gateway. I had some business at SurLaTable so maybe I kept the place going a while longer.

It was nice to take our time and not be in a hurry to go anywhere. We caught a matinee and had dinner before heading to the Armstrong Mansion. Our room had a sky light and the birds woke me up at the crack-o-dawn. Matt woke up to the smell of breakfast. They have a lovely buffet in the dining room and we were lucky to get the front table by the bay window. As I ate I remembered and toasted Matt, "Happy Birthday!"

The kids were on those same wave lengths. When we got home and I walked into the mudroom I realized the house was ghastly quiet. Then I saw the balloons, streamers, and a sign and let Matt go in front. When we rounded the diningroom the kids jumped from behind the couch, "Surprise!" How sweet they are. Even our bed was covered in I love you's.

I accepted an invitation from a friend that evening after dinner to come over and watch the eclipse with their family. In honesty I could tell Matt just wanted to lay around but he obliged and I think he enjoyed the evening of visiting. I combined our strawberry shortcake with my friend Pam's cherry cobbler and they were both BERRY good indeed.

Since the weekend was a success, I feel like we have entered a whole new stage where Matt and I can go for a night if it isn't too far and leave the girls in charge. I came home and already started looking online for somewhere to stay in August for our Anniversary. I know, I know, get my head out of the clouds, I've got a household to run.

Take Fifty Two!

I don't even feel like posting anything about it, but since it was quite a big deal for me I will at least mention it. I was called this spring to be the youth special projects director. I was in charge of our wards video for the stake film festival. It was so hard! Getting the youth coordinated was tricky, but doable. I loved getting to know the youth on that level. They are awesome. I spent the week before spring break in a filming blitz and we were able to get all the scenes filmed in three consecutive nights. Editing would start after spring break. That is where I ran into one trouble after another and spent countless hours and tears over it. One of the hardest things I have ever done. At my breaking point Matt said, "That's it, I am emailing the stake so they know how hard this is." I said, "Oh, you don't have to do that...but if you do make sure you include this, and that, and this, and that, and THIS!

The film festival was on May 2nd at the HS Auditorium. I hadn't even made up my mind if I was going to go because I was so anxious about the whole thing (you know, cole sores, headaches, no sleep...) Last minute I took Graham and Callie and we sat in the back. It was good I was there because they called all the ward directors up on stage TWICE. It's a long walk from the back. My fears were eased after the very first video, ours was going to be fine. The film requirements were that each film had to contain: an act of service, group singing, a gospel message, the phrase "arise and shine forth", and a rubber chicken.

Up until editing day we had included everything but that rubber chicken. On my way to the High School to edit I picked up the chicken from the stake lady then set it on a fence and started filming. Mallerie wrote in the script that we would show it with the sun rising and hear "cock-a-doodle-do." As soon as I shut the camcorder off, the chicken fell to the ground. It looked funny so I tried to get that on film by setting the chicken back on the fence and waiting. Nothing. I tried throwing rocks at it but then the camera moved too much. I was just going to give up on this ridiculous spectacle when none other than Katrina rode by on her bike and was able to come to my rescue after asking peculiarly, "Mom? Whaaaaat are you doing???" Even with her two free hands it still took a while for her to hit the chicken;)

Katrina had also been helpful before filming even started by being the casting director. She also filled in for a character one night of filming, as did Mallerie. Mallerie stole the show with her, "I love gum!" line. You'd have to see it to see what I mean but I don't have a copy! Matt was out of town so he has never even seen it. That was partly why I was SO frustrated during the process of getting this film done. I knew it was tons of effort and time that would be for a five minute video that people would never even see or think about again. Matt calls it "just spinning your wheels."

I felt like a TON of bricks was off my shoulders after the festival. I pulled into the garage and realized what a warm night it was. I hopped on my bike and rode around the block in the dark. The wind wipping through my hair felt like it was blowing the whole traumatic thing away. On the way up my street one of the YW leaders passed with a car full of rowdy YW, one of which was Mallerie, "We love you!" Pride got the better of me, or maybe I am a bit of a show-off, but I couldn't let them pass me and peddled up the street faster than I ever have. By the time I got home my legs were solid charley horses I had to have Ava help me to even pull my pants off. Getting older and having to learn to be humble is hard work.

Nine on the Ninth

Let's see, I did a soccer cake two years ago, last year was a basketball cake, so this year it was obvious, Grayson needed a football cake. Those Twizzlers are from Grandma Donna. I told him to bring them for his class b-day treat. He told me after school that he started by handing everyone three. When he got to the last few people he didn't have any left. Life is full of learning lessons isn't it.

Graham was with me when I bought Grayson's gifts at Kings and he was VERY wide eyed. He was also disappointed that I wasn't buying what HE thought Grayson should have (it was all stuff Graham wanted of course).

 

Like Graham, Grayson chose to have a family party at the bowling alley. Graham did not complain about this one bit.

Nor did Callie.

We were there on league bowling night. Where do these people come from? I mean, I never see these characters anywhere else around town. They were THE strangest group of individuals. The juke box was playing music. It was beyond heavy metal; complete screaming. Another "song" started right after the other. I sounded like my mom, "Isn't this the song they just played?"

 Grayson was the first one up...STRIKE!!!

 He ended the game just as happy as he started because he and Matt TIED.

Birthday #9 a success.

Oh! You know what is so weird? K- when we went to the bowling alley in March for Graham's birthday something happened to the camera. I don't remember it getting bumped or dropped but the shutter jammed and wouldn't open. A camera with a closed shutter is the same as no camera. Matt had a Kodak camera from work that he said I could have. I had the Kodak with me at the bowling alley for Grayson's birthday. On my way out of the car afterwards I was carrying the cake and and bags. I had my purse over my shoulder (messenger style). I thought it was zipped but it was UNzipped, plus my purse had situated itself upside down. As I stood to get out of the car the contents of my purse tumbled to the garage floor...including the camera. And now the shutter won't open on that one! So I don't know if we will go bowling again in the future, but if we do you won't see any proof. That place is a black hole for cameras.

Peace 3/8/12

I was driving to Walmart in the late afternoon/early evening. The sun looked brilliant in the blue sky which cast a warm glow on the world below. This was the first day after winter that I could feel a touch of spring in the air. It felt glorious. I thought about my life. My husband is employed with a good job that he enjoys in his field of work. I am deeply in love with him. The kids are healthy and well. They do awesome in school. They have friends. Good friends. I like all of them so much. My babies at home bring me so much joy each day. I have the gospel and wonderful extended family on both sides. In fact Donna would be arriving the very next day and we had a fun weekend planned with the Hawaii relatives. I live in a gorgeous area of the world in an exciting time. Life seems perfect right now. Plus...I was about to go shopping. I had to take a moment in the car before getting out to gather myself before I got too emotional in the Walmart parking lot! I nearly skipped across the parking lot with gratitude in my heart.