His wait is over! June 4, 2011

I felt somewhat detached not sewing a dress for Grayson's upcoming baptism. But when a $4 dollar shirt from Kings is enough I may as well not complain. Still, I wanted some photos of him in the bargain shirt. I have fond memories of the girls when I took each of them to Old Town before their baptism. However, Grayson is a BOY and was not thrilled about getting pictures. His grumpiness was making me grumpy so I told Matt I thought it best to just have he and Gray go. Matt got a smile out of the kid, which was more than I was able to do all morning long.

I picked my favorite for the baptism invite. Handsome!

The no fuss atmosphere carried over into the actual baptism where he was baptized with three other kids in his class. This left us with only finding a chorister and a closing prayer. Done and done. Luckily Shafer married into musical talent, and Gray didn't have to think twice about choosing Grandma Donna. Mason had the same idea.

What better way to spend the day of your baptism than...at a baptism!

Cousin Mason Bocanegra was also baptized on Saturday June 4, 2011 in Orem at 10 am. These sound alike guys were born four days apart so this day was bound to happen. At least it was only one trip for Grandma! I sat on the front row with Gray so he was by the speakers. He listened so intently. A few hours later he heard similar talks. You can't have enough repetition in the gospel. Got that Mason?

Back to Heber for Grayson's one o'clock baptism; he was so ready. The primary president asked him as we walked down to the font, "Are you nervous Grayson?" He said, "Nope, I'm excited." He had been looking forward to this day for so long. When Matt took him to get a hair cut for the occasion the stylist asked Grayson, "Do you have any plans this summer?" He answered enthusiastically, "I'm getting baptized." Matt noted that we should all be as eager to discuss when it comes to spiritual things. The Relief Society room where the font is was so crowded when it was Grayson's turn. I stood inside the dressing room door to get an unobstructed view. Aside from Grayson forgetting to plug his nose, all went well and it was special to see Matt baptize a future priesthood holder in our family.

Again I noted the difference from the girl's baptisms. Usually I am the one helping them change and dress as we talk about the spirit we felt as the important step of baptism was made. (I'll add that I also remember to bring the wet clothes home, wink wink).

Gray-son came to Matt his Father in Heber Stake on June the Fourth, and was baptized... (Sung to the tune of John the Baptist)

It's appropriate that Great Granny Woolf is standing in front of Jesus washing the apostles feet.
Granny too has dedicated her life in service.

The next day Grayson sat on the stand with the other newly baptized members of our ward. He told me before church he was trying to decide if he should bear his testimony. I said, "I will if you will." He got up pretty soon into the meeting after Matt. I think it was good he got up when he did because when I was speaking the power went out, "Class dismissed."

Birthday Bash Meets Party Smash June 3, 2011

The Tuesday after Lagoon, Donna arrived into town. She was going to come Thursday but on Saturday when we learned we'd be seeing the Wasson's the very next day I emailed, and Matt called Donna with the same message, "Get over here!" Taking two days, she drove herself all the way from southern California. That Tuesday evening the Wasson's came back over to see Grandma and I made bruschetta for dinner. This was new to most everyone since it's not Hawaiian, it's Italian! That became the word of the night, "BRUCHETTA." A few nights later when we were all at the Olive Garden celebrating Ademir's birthday we saw it on the menu, "BRUCHETTA."

It tickled me to be able to have family sit around the bar while I cooked for them. I was in HEAVEN. Matt came home from work a little under the weather (of all times to catch something). He couldn't eat anything. It turned alright though because BRUCHETTA isn't his thing. Maybe it's not my thing either because the next day when I woke up I had...should I say...a touch of the woozy myself.

On Friday, everyone met in Orem at Geneva Park for all kinds of family fun. Since it is few and far between when the Wasson's visit Utah, I contacted some of my family members and said, “If you've ever wanted to meet Matt's sister, here is your chance." Lindsey and Jon were available and brought their family to the park, I enjoyed mixing my worlds.

With all the entertaining I had done recently and with Gayson's (and Mason's!) baptisms/luncheons the very next day Donna was SO thoughtful and took care of the ENTIRE luncheon on Friday at the park for ALL of us, CAKE and all. So thoughtful.

The cake was because this was Mallerie's official birthday, BIG THIRTEEN. June 3, 2011

A group of this size with the ages they are can NOT get together at a park and NOT have some kind of water fight/random squirting of people. Really, it's not possible. That's what is going on here.

There was this kid at the park, about five years old, who didn't seem to belong to anybody. He was at the playground then he inched closer and closer (see him in the blue below) till he was part of our party. He played soccer with us and was in the pavilion when we cut the cake. He asked, "Where are the forks?" Later Laurie said, "I started to panic cause I couldn't see little guy." Oh wait, why isn't someone else panicking?

I wasn't tickled with Callie's choice of outfit. When I tried to convince her to wear a solid shirt she held this one up, "But it's FOWERS mom?" She was right. She looked STUNNING.

I don't know if I got a picture of Anela at Lagoon and this is a cute one.

I was so glad that even though Mallerie is now a teenager she still likes to climb trees. I thought to myself about the trees, "These are perfect climbing trees."

I was right.

Grayson looks so much like Matt did as a boy in this picture I can't believe it!

I thought this picture was funny. Graham is imitating the girls behind him without even realizing it. There was another birthday party going on under the pavilion as well; a party on a MUCH smaller scale.

The soccer game was quite invigorating. I did my best but spent more time horizontal than vertical. But nothing, I repeat, NOTHING beat Laurie's bootie block.

We are still in love with the sling shot the Wasson's gave us when they were here for their last visit. With two on hand, it was WAR.

Present time! With the busy May and even busier beginning of June I had I wasn't quite ready for Mallerie's birthday. Grandma Donna saved the day! The day before, she stayed with the kids and I spent hours up at TJ Max in Park City. I enjoyed taking my time and looking at every single thing in the store...TWICE. In the end I had treasures such as picture frames, jewelry holders, and scented squishies picked out for Mallerie. Yes, you heard right, scented squishies.

At one point a mysteriously wrapped gift appeared on the table. No one claimed who it was from. Mallerie opened it hesitantly....chicken bones. "Ewe!!!" She threw it. I could guess by the laughter from the male cousins and uncles who gave it to her. It was hilarious and she was a good sport. I mean that. Mallerie is such a happy go lucky person. You can't help but to smile and giggle when you are around her.

Sometimes you just need a really great BAG.

I was afraid that since Matt had to work late he would miss out on all the fun.

But I ask YOU, does it look like he missed out on the fun???
  

Everyone is in love with these love birds.

All in the Family

We got together just the night before at the Olive Garden for Ademir's birthday. It turned out to be a party of 30 with Ademir's family. After we were all seated Kei looked around and saw that it didn't make sense to have the kids spread out like they were when some adults were not by other adults at all. She fixed this by moving people (and tables!) around until it all made sense. I was really impressed by this. Way to be a good host!

At one point when the waiter came through, Donna asked him to take a picture of the group. We all looked and smiled. Not surprisingly, Matt hadn't heard any of this and was talking to Callie. Donna said, "Matt, smile!" He gave her a big grin without turning towards the camera. This struck a funny bone in her. So much that I wondered if we were going to have to do CPR she was laughing so hard! Least wise, we didn't want her choking on her eggplant parmesan. She's a fun mother-in-law. We were fortunate to get to have her stay with us for the week.

One evening she had gone down to Orem to go to Jump On It with the cousins. Then they went back to Kei's and played games and then they planned to watch a movie. Donna called to say she was just going to sleep down there. She came back the next day around 11 am. I joked as she walked in the door, "Some house guest you are! Out carousing all night long; not coming in till the next day..." Ha-ha.

It may seem like we did a lot that week but it wasn't nearly as much as the Wasson's packed in: 7-peaks, Timpanogos Caves, and they hiked the Y to name a few.

Aloha!!!

Memorial Day 2011

Salt Lake City Cemetary May 29, 2011

Lagoon closed at 6:00, we would be passing Salt Lake, and it was Memorial Day. For these reasons I desperately wanted to go to the cemetery to visit my Grandpa Woolf's grave as well as other family members who are buried there. Our close proximity didn't necessarily mean we had a shorter trip though. First off we couldn't find the cemetery, then we couldn't find a grocery store for flowers. Once inside the store, I couldn't find the flowers! Finally we found the cemetery and I had my flowers but we couldn't find the grave! I called my mom and she reminded me to look for this beautiful statue that is near grandpa's grave.

Beautiful depiction of life after death.

I had just enough carnations to divide between the 8 gravesites. The best thing about this cemetery is the beauty. The hillside it rests on is so peaceful and lets your eyes see all the way to the point of the mountain. But I could see even further than that. I could see to eternity.

LAGOON! May 29, 2011

Just as spur of the moment as the Wasson's coming for Sunday dinner was all of us heading to Lagoon the next day. We wondered about the crowds with it being Memorial Day but thanks to the weather, people stayed away. It wasn't as chilly as our day last year, but just cool enough to assure we didn't have any wait time. The older kids ran off with eachother. In Kiddi Land I assured Laurie and Hank they didn't have to hang with boring us. It seems they don't like too much excitement on the rides, and would much rather watch the kids. We took advantage of this at one point and Matt and I hit the big rides: Spider, Wicked, and Colossus. But this gave me some food for thought. I guess I've been thinking we will really enjoy Lagoon when all the kids are older. Turns out I agree with Laurie and Hank that the most fun is watching little kids. So, in actuality, my years are numbered till it's not quite as fun. I realized this is true with Disneyland and other attractions too. The kids reactions really make the place come alive.

Even though adults CAN ride this, they shouldn't. The seat isn't deep enough so it cuts into your thigh as your legs dangle. It kills. (I'm speaking from past experience, not this time.)

After seating the kids I realized the boats were full of rain water. There were no complaints.

Gray humored Callie and rode with her. However, he was NOT humored.

We hooked up with the rest of the group at the rocket. I love that ride, I really do. I also went on Samari with the teens. I noticed how polite Laurie and Hank's boys are. They were patient while the employees checked out the ride for a lengthy amount if of time. When Sam leaned on the rail and nudged the woman behind him he immediately said, "Excuse me." Just very polite well mannered kids. Some of us decided to ride the sky ride from there to the other end of the park. Matt and Callie got on first, then Graham and I in the next car, then Ava and Grayson. Even though the last thing the employee said as he closed the rail was, "Please keep your arms and legs inside the ride," Grayson didn't. His arm was hanging over the side so it got stuck in the rail as the ride lifted off. He started crying and Ava motioned to the guy. He stopped the ride but Ava and Grayson were already too high for anyone to reach them. Laurie was walking on the flower bed trying to get to them. I was proud how Ava kept her cool as she listened to instructions from the worker on how to lift the bar. She did, and Gray took his arm out and was holding it like it was broken. Then as Ava was ready to relatch the bar, he put it over the side again! I was calling as loudly as possible, "GRAYSON, MOVE YOUR ARM!!!!" He moved it not a moment too soon. Geesh!

Once we got to the other end of the park I realized I had left the camera at the other end in the stroller. We phoned Kei and she picked it up for us. I was glad she did because she continued to take some great shots. For example, I would never have known Katrina rode the Sky Coaster!

The Before Shot: Calm as a cucumber.

The blurred shot shows just how fast they blasted off.

"Should I do it? Yeah, I'll do it."

I'd say the real highlight of the day (besides the excitement in the sky) was the Raceway. Laurie treated us all! I've never been before and I will say, it was worth it. I don't know how but even though I had the pedal to the medal Matt and Gray were passing everybody. They lapped me a couple of times. For competive Gray this was a dream come true. Graham was disappionted in not driving, but got to steer the kiddi bumper car later. He spun in a circle the entire time.

Round and round the mullberry bush.

These cute girls are getitng all GROWD up!

If  you are wondering about that new ride Bombora I'll give my two cents. If you want a thrill ride it's a bit of a bora. However, the music is great and it's a smooth little coaster for all ages including Callie. Her facial expression the first time she went on it was PRICELESS.

Just when you think there aren't any more reasons to party...There's reason to party. May 28, 2011

 We did it again, beginning Sunday May 28th. The Wasson's arrived from HAWAII. We hosted Sunday dinner with the Boc's and Ademir and his sister Betsy. After four years,what a reunion it was.