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.

Viva! Henderson NV April 9th-13th 2012

It's A Bird It's A Plane

After seeing what Vegas has further deteriorated to in January, I told Matt we had no business going anywhere near there for spring break. We decided on San Diego, but since hotels are more expensive Matt didn't have enough Marriott points for a Residence Inn. But he did have enough for Henderson NV. Since we were just going to relax, eat, swim, and shop it made more sense to go there. Besides, no one complained about half the time it would take in the car.

It was approaching evening when we arrived and there was the most beautiful sky overhead. There was also a huge bowing jet flying over head. It was close enough that you could read the writing on the plane.  Though it was a pretty area with palm trees galore I saw that we were in the landing path for the airport. Hmm.

The whole time we were driving to Henderson Graham asked when we would swim. I looked over as I wheeled my suit case into the room to see him completely stripped down rummaging through his suit case for his swim trunks. Without saying a word Callie was naked as well before I could even open my mouth to tell them we needed to eat dinner first. She does whatever he does.

Graham got his swimming promise fulfilled the next morning after breakfast. I couldn't believe how often a plane flew overhead. The loud intense roaring brought your eyes to they sky each time one passed. Now, I know I am ridiculously sensitive to repetitive loud noises, but Matt and I both agreed that since the hotel is in a flight path it should be mentioned on the website. Matt asked, "How often do you think they are flying overhead?" I guessed five minutes. He said, "No way, it's more like 10." Since he had his waterproof watch on he timed the next one and the one after that. They were 2 1/2 min apart. It was true though that over the course of the next four days we got noticing them less and less.We played basketball outside and TENNIS. We stink big time at tennis but it wasn't the planes fault.

I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream

When evening rolled around we decided to go for a walk. On our way out of the parking lot I spotted an abandoned Smith's shopping cart. Since we would be walking past Smith's eventually I suggested we put some kids inside and bring it back. So Matt put Callie and Graham in the cart and anyone else that didn't want to walk and we pushed it the few blocks and returned it at Smith's. There weren't really any stores to look at but I saw a Baskin Robbins so I suggested we go there, my treat. Lucky for me there was a sign on the door stating all cones were .99 that day. Let me be clear that I offered to pay BEFORE I saw the .99 sign. Soft serve cones were also .99. I cannot figure out in my right mind why someone would EVER choose soft serve over hard ice cream. Isn't that why you'd be at Baskin Robbins in the first place?

On our way out I saw another abandoned Smith's cart near the intersection. I joked, "Someone better go get it." Katrina did and we dropped that one off as we passed Smith's again. We ate our yummy ice cream cones as we walked. The kids thought it odd that I chose bubblegum. I was trying to decide between that or Pralines and Cream. Matt would have chided be about the latter. See, that is why I relate to both young and old people. Bubble gum for the young, pralines for the old. Either way everyone seemed to be happy with their flavor. One of the kids called out,"Thanks Dad." This started a chain reaction as they all chimed in, "Thanks Dad, Thanks Dad, Thanks Dad." Matt interrupted, "Mom bought the ice cream." They changed their chant, "Thanks Mom, Thanks Mom, Thanks Mom." Callie waited till it was quiet, "Thanks Dad."

Go Fly A Kite

The next day Graham brought up the next item on his agenda; to fly a kite. I didn't have a kite but I knew where I could get one. A short trip to Smith's and we were back in no time with two new kites. The wind really started to pick up and this is what I learned; sometimes it is too windy to fly a kite. I brought my own kite string from home and attached it to the new kite. I started to let out the string and it started going so fast because of the wind that it was getting out of my control. I tried to stop the wheel and it nearly ripped off my finger. My other hand was on the string and I got a huge rope burn. I got it under control and handed it to Graham. But before long it was out of control again and he was crying about his hand. Ava came up to me, "I burned my hand on the string." We finally got the kites under control but then one took a huge nose dive onto the roof and the dowel snapped in half. I said, "Look, we tried but, it's too windy to fly a kite." Have you ever heard of such a thing? I hadn't.

That day was definitely the windiest but the weather continued to cool down from there and be breezy. Pour Graham nearly lost his hat. Matt describes that it took off in the parking lot like a loose wheel rolling away from us. It took some fast foot work to catch it. I could picture Graham's face perfectly. I've seen that face when his hat is blowing away. It's the face of one who might be watching their house go up in flames with their life savings inside. Horror.

Keep Calm and Eat a Cupcake

We did a whole lot of nothing that day. After lunch some people napped, others watched TV. In our room Matt and I watched Cup Cake Wars for the first time. After the first episode I said, "I wonder if The Sweet Tooth Fairy has ever been on?" The next episode started up and GUESS WHO WAS COMPETING? Weird Huh? We watched earnestly as The Sweet Tooth Fairy passed Round 1, then Round 2, and the nail biter Round 3......she won! She made the most delightful looking filled creme brule cupcakes that looked soooo delish. Unfortunately we could not find an open bakery.

Trying This Hard to Look Busy Is Exhausting

My magnet I picked up on the trip

Oh how I loved sitting by the pool long after everyone else had gone in to shower up and have lunch. I reclined my chair covered my body with my sarong, my face with my hat, closed my eyes and listened to the stillness of...those planes!

I also finished the second book of "A Series of Unfortunate Events." Gray read the series and has begged me to do the same. Finding time is the hard part, but on the trip I had plenty of it. I brought the 3rd book just incase I finished the 2nd. On the long drive home I thought I would try and read a little bit of the 3rd. Usually I get motion sickness if I so much as look at a map. But for some reason reading in the car didn't bother me and I finished the whole book before we got home. Great company I was.

Howdy Hoover!

Even though we went to Hoover Dam last spring break, it was the closest attraction so back we went. This time we went to the visitors center. I thought it was interesting and so did most of the kids. We also got to go up the tower and look out over the side. A different vantage point than last year.  On the way down the you can either take the stairs or the elevator. Matt and half of the kids waited for the elevator. I said "I'm takin the stairs!" Grayson, Mallerie, and Ava all started to run down with me. After we had wound down a floor or so I saw the elevator open. I said, "You guys! Get in!" We rode to the top and the door opened to a waiting Matt, Katrina, and the babies. We were a'laughin! Cause "not only are you lazy for taking the elevator, but we have already gone down and up!" Hahahahahaha.

As we drove up to the dam that day I said, "Those beavers sure did a good job!" So then during the slide presentation Ava said, "I can't believe the beavers mixed the cement." At the end of the day after we learned even more our only question was, "So the beavers didn't build the dam????"

We also hiked up to the bridge. Well half of us again, me, Matt, Ava, and Mallerie. I thought I had vertigo from the top of the dam, but my toes were tingling big time as I peered over the bridge. Between the stair run and that little hike I had muscles hurting that hadn't been the day before. That always feels good in a way.

A Trip Without A Shopping Trip Is Not A Trip

At the far end of the strip, so far that you aren't even near the strip, there is a beautiful outdoor mall. I discovered it with my sisters two years ago on our girls trip when we went to H&M. We were there in January and I think the weather was better that time than this. Though we enjoyed blue skies, the air was crisp. we scuttled from store to store, the restaurant, and into other stores. Katrina dropped a wad of her babysitting cash at H&M while Mallerie chose to spend $16 at the candy store. She bought a GIANT box of Gobstoppers. To each his own. We all left Bath and Body smelling heavenly and I have been loving my finds everyday since then. Dolly Parton's "Working Nine to Five" started up as we entered the store. I thought to myself, "I don't hear this song enough." I love me some Dolly.

A Rockin Trip To Red Rock

After messin around in the arcade for a while and the kids choosing the worlds cheapest toys with their tickets, Matt bought real tickets for the movies.

Dr. Tree-hugger

Matt can be VERY glad he went to the Hunger Games again with Katrina and Mallerie instead of into our theatre with the rest of us. The Lorax is for the birds. Literally, the whole thing is a lecture on planting trees and then not cutting them down. And the popcorn was terrible! All small pieces, burned, and tasteless. Matt said, "You probably had to pay ten bucks." I corrected, "$13."

Our movie was over before Matt and the girls so we waited in the SPACIOUS lobby. Graham tried climing the stone walls. Ava and Grayson got in a game of footsie tarted out fun but ended in tears. Matt walked up in the middle of the chaos and I said, "Things are going great here."

Not a Square to Spare

We had plans to bowl afterwards because Red Rock has a 60 lane alley. However, they were all reserved till 10 pm that night. I bet in hind sight they would have put in 61 lanes.

Instead we ate some lunch, I bought some black and whites from the cafe, and we were on our way.

It's Just A Plain Old Plane

The last day of our trip I was heading to the dining room for breakfast when I needed to run to the van and get my shoes. There was an older couple unloading their suitcases from their car. Just then a plane flew overhead. I looked over to see the husband pointing excitedly. He started filming it with his phone. The wife struggled to get her camera ready to take a picture. I wanted to call out, "Don't worry, there will be plenty more of those!"