Beehive Retreat August 4th & 5th 2015
I was in charge of finding the hike for the Beehive Retreat. Our Stake Young Women Presidency put on a little over night retreat for the Beehives in our stake since they weren't able to go to Youth Conference. I found a beautiful spot just a short 10 min walk from the campsite for our testimony meeting. This view is overlooking beautiful Wallsburg.
It was a joy to be there with Ava. She was on the committee. We met once a month to plan the food, workshops, activities, skits, etc. The girls got to see the amount of work that goes into pulling something like this off. She was such a leader! For her workshop she came up with a short talk to give before the girls painted prayer rocks. She led the girls in camp songs that night, and she was the first to get up and bear testimony the next day.
Ava's only hiccup was that she was wearing a big boot on her foot. She was still nursing a very sore foot from hitting it at the water park. I was in a frenzy the morning we were to leave trying to find someone with a boot. Then a lady's name in the ward popped into my head that I was certain I had seen wearing a boot. I texted with her and Mallerie took Ava to get it. I told this lady, "You are an answer to prayer." The theme for the retreat was, "Embark in Strengthening You!" This tween-age time is when girls really start to question their self worth and develop self-esteem issues. The whole thing was awesome.
Harry Potter Train August 6th
Ava actually got to work this train with Mallerie. Katrina and Giuseppe got to ride. They were served chocolate frogs, every flavored beans, and butter beer.
Quad Stake Dance August 7th 2015
We got home on Wednesday from the camp and then on Friday of the same week we were in charge of the Quad Stake Youth Dance. Mallerie came up with the idea to do a summer luau. One of the counselors in-laws served a mission at the PCC so she hooked us up with decorations and a HUGE tiki that her father-in-law made.
Mallerie and Aciana also found muumuu's in the decorations and wore them ALL day long.
They left after decorating to go to CVX in Orem. I was glad she was able to find Ava. I said, "Oh good you were able to hook up with Muumuu."
The gym looked awesome for the dance!
My roll for this activity was to arrange the DJ. Who better to put on a luau than Ademir as DJ, and their Polynesian dancing group for entertainment!
I especially loved the dance-off where Ademir had a bunch of kids come up and he played a variety of music and the kids had to keep up! I also loved the passion the young men demonstrated while doing the Haka. I was so grateful to them for coming and doing this for us. It was SUCH A TREAT!
The kids literally did not want this dance to end. Aciana grabbed the mic at the end, "You all have 10 seconds to get out of the building or you have to help clean up." They scattered like cockroaches.
Ava stayed with Alivia after CVX. That next Sunday I burned the biscuits, which are Ava's specialty. In fact they have earned the name, Binnie's Biscuits. I texted her a picture of my bad-news-biscuits. She texted back, "MOM!"
Minor's Retreat! August 10th-13th 2015
Pictures say a thousand words.
I had gone up on Sunday night to scout out a hike that would be easy for the kids. It was a cool Sunday night so I felt like I could walk forever on the flat trail. Add in the heat and babies in flip flops and well...
As we started down the path I told the kids about how as I was walking I heard some rustling in the bushes. The rustling was louder than a squirrel would make. I peeked over the ledge and just below... I saw....(they waited with wide eyes)...it had a white stripe down it's back....Yep, it was a skunk! I hightailed it out of there just as fast as you can say Jack Robinson.
Other (more enjoyable) things were did were:
Monday: Chili and sticky buns for all! Since the campsite is just in Midway I am the only one who doesn't have to travel. I like to provide dinner on Monday night for the weary travelers. I was glad Katrina and Giuseppe could join us for the evening.
Tuesday: I went to the store with Jon, Lindsey, and Ashley, we also ventured out to try the new Heber City Cafe. Way good guys. That night some of us hiked to the boulders, this time in the cool of the evening. Cade put on a movie that night. Matt had to head home part way through to catch an early flight to Dallas the next morning.
Wednesday: After a gorgeous hike with Shafer and Jon up Guardsman Pass
(now I know where to take my family to see the wildflowers next year), we took a parachute at the park (my absolute favorite one to watch was Christian! Thanks Lindsey for the pics).
Thursday: First thing I headed back to the campout but not before stopping at Beto's for breakfast burritos (I was the absentee parent trying to spoil the children into forgiveness). It had been a party the night before with skits and a meteor shower. I was so glad they did the skits because Ava really wanted to do them. I told her, "Spear head it!" I think her leadership skills she learned from the Beehive Retreat gave her the gumption to do so, but I was sad to miss them. I still don't know if I made the right choice or not.
Since Matt was gone, this left me to take down camp. We brought so much stuff! I ended up leaving Ava and Alivia at the camp with half of it while I ran the first load to Heber. It was a bit of a hassle but I don't mind the heavy. Still, I was pooped. I was grateful to Ava and Alivia for making the crepes for the sister missionaries who we were feeding that night. They were a lot of fun. It made me so excited to have a sister missionary of my own in just a few short weeks!
Grayson went to Provo with the Geertsen's in Jon's truck. When they got to Provo they realized Grayson's duffle bag had flown out of the truck. His clothes, gone!
No harm done, I can't even picture what ratty things he had packed for the campout. We've chuckled about it.
LAGOON! August 14, 2015
I spent most of my day visiting at the picnic area or in kiddie land. I think I was still a theme-parked out from spring break.
Since Katrina couldn't get work off we told Mallerie she could invite a friend. She invited Riley. Come to find out it was Riley's birthday and she has been wanting to go to Lagoon all summer!
During the hottest part of the day I got some Dippin Dots and shared them with Callie and Paisley as we watched the show.
As the day ended I somehow ended up on the umbrella's. I was with Max and Lindsey wanted to take him on Wicked before the park closed. It took forever to get off those umbrella's! We would near the bottom and then it would whisk us back to the top! I was in a bit of a rush when we got off as well because Graham wanted to take the sky ride to the white roller coaster. If I had to choose between that and the new ride Cannibal as to which ride is more enjoyable, less scary, smoother, and worth the wait, I'd choose Cannibal every time!
Callie-Ooops
The next day we attended Ademir's BYU graduation party at Bicentennial Park in Provo. "How have I never been to this delightful park?" I wondered. I decided to take a walk around the perimeter while dinner was cooking. I ran into my old neighbors from 1858. First I saw Nick, and then Steff, who I met when I was TWO! As we visited for a bit I thought, "You know, if we would have tried to find a time to get together this summer we wouldn't have been able to make it work. And yet here we are at the same park on the same night."
After the picnic we got in the van and started home. Graham kept asking odd questions like, "Where are we going next?" I said, "Home." He said, "Are you sure we aren't going somewhere else??" Then he finally asked, "Where's Callie?" I was shocked to look around in the van and realized we had left her playing with Gio at the park! The kids said, "She is going to be so sad we left her!" My mind went back to a couple of summers ago when she mistakenly was home alone for about 20 minutes. She still gets choked up when she remembers it. I said, "That is why we are not going to tell her." Back at the park Mat parked the van, walked to the playground and told Callie it was time to go. She ran to the car like it was no big thing. Once inside the van she looked around and said, "Why is everyone smiling????" I said, "She's observant!" Ava mumbled, "She obviously isn't that observant."
Kat's Back!
Katrina moved back home that weekend. During the summer I cleared off the shelves in the storage room for her to put her things on. I went downstairs after she brought all of her stuff back and exclaimed, "Did your stuff quadruple while you were gone or what??" The next day I was taking the golden fan to DI. I hollered downstairs, "Hey Katrina, I am putting stuff for DI in the back of the van so you can add to it." She was confused, "I want all of my stuff." Oh right right right.She said she was going to make a list of her clothes that she is leaving behind and she will have some sort of a check out log....didn't happen. Free game!
She came on errands with us and we were able to pick up the last of her mission list as well. After our stop at Deseret Book we walked to Coney's for lunch. Oh boy. It was like a comedy routine in there. I don't know if the lady at the tables works there or if she is just a regular but any question I asked the cashier was answered from behind me by the lady at the table. When I asked about a topping for Graham's custard the guy pointed to them waaaaaay behind the counter, "We have them....but they are additional .85 cents sooooo...." Do they not want to sell any toppings? It made me insist on the sprinkles. I went to fill my water cup before sitting down and the lady sitting at the table said, "It works better if you push it to the side." It does indeed. Then she got up and ordered more food, this time "to go." When her food was ready she went outside and ate it there!
On the way up the canyon that night I was jabbering away and obviously going to slow for the lane that I was in. As I pulled to the right lane, a guy in a truck sped past and gave me the finger. Then the motorcycle behind him revved his point and sped around me too. I said, "Dear dear, I must have been going much to slow, that guy flipped me off." Katrina was astonished, "He flipped you off??" I seriously haven't seen her laugh that hard in a long time, maybe even ever. I thought it a perfect time to tell her about the time I was coming down the canyon and was mooned by three teenagers by Dock of the Bay (more out of control laughter from Katrina). I said, "You know, for how many times I drive this canyon, I really appreciate the variety."
We were excited to have Katrina with us for a week and a half. I knew she wouldn't be working so I thought it would be fun to do a lot of things as a family the last week of summer before the kids went back to school. You should have seen my list of possibilities: Seven Peaks, Provo Falls, Zoo, Children's Discovery at Gateway, Temple Square tours, This is the Place Park, Family Pictures, Baptisms.
It is a sad list really. We didn't do any of it! EXCEPT the baptisms, which after all is the most important and memorable.
Grayson hasn't been to the temple since turning 12 in May so he had lots of support his first time.
This was mine and Matt's first time at the Payson Temple. Exquisite. The worker at the front desk was our boss from Macy's. He hired both Matt and I back in the day. Look what you've done buddy!
I think it is pretty great that four of our kids can go inside the temple. Graham and Callie stayed at
the Geertsen's. They were sweet to keep them even though they started school the next day.
We took the kids to IHOP afterwards. Our waitress was named Callie.
I used that last week before school to get my summer projects done, some I started in the spring, like repainting baseboards and doors. Nothing like having an open house on the calendar to give the needed motivation!
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| Now when I open the cupboard to get a plate I am just...happy! |
I re-stained and fussed up the back deck. I spray-painted the little kids chairs. I looked for a can I already had on hand so gold it was. I had to recover one of the kitchen barstools. What started as a small tear turned into a huge gash with stuffing coming out.
I also re-stained the tops of the dressers that were my grandparents and bleached and mended my shams that were looking like shabby shams. I repainted the inside of my front door the color of the walls (much to Mallerie's disdain). I sewed me a skirt. I babied my widow box. I thought it would be fun to try something different than my usual petunias. I planted flowering cabbage with shade plants. I love it!
I gave Matt a project too. I replanted grass where the bunnies had torn up but there was a large space that was not going to fill in. Matt put down some pavers.
We also had some holes in our stucco. I bought some stucco patch and then tried to match paint to go over it. It looks terrible.
We also had some holes in our stucco. I bought some stucco patch and then tried to match paint to go over it. It looks terrible.
Cross Country Begins
The Color Run August 22, 2015
However, Katrina participated in a race of her own when she, Ava and Mallieri ran the Color Run!
Matt and I opted out of the color run so we could get our to-do list for the farewell done. I felt like I was treading new water. I have thrown six baby blessings and five baptisms, but never a farewell!
We planned on 75 people. We went to Sam's club to stock up on brunch foods. We also stopped at Days to pick up ten dozen orange rolls, and Kneaders for dipping breads. The back of the van was so full! I exclaimed, "Alls I can say is Matt and Abby are havin' a party!" But I wasn't expected to be cheerful the entire time was I? As the day neared and end and I realized there were still several things that needed to be done. I struggled with telling people how to best help me because what I really needed were three more of me.
We planned on 75 people. We went to Sam's club to stock up on brunch foods. We also stopped at Days to pick up ten dozen orange rolls, and Kneaders for dipping breads. The back of the van was so full! I exclaimed, "Alls I can say is Matt and Abby are havin' a party!" But I wasn't expected to be cheerful the entire time was I? As the day neared and end and I realized there were still several things that needed to be done. I struggled with telling people how to best help me because what I really needed were three more of me.
Katrina's Farewell Augus 23, 2015
Matt and I started on the breakfast casseroles first thing. We had some trial and error moments when I tried to use a cardboard strawberry flat as a pan. We rounded up enough regular pans though and between our two ovens and our neighbors, were able to have them bake while we were at church.
Katrina gave such a wonderful talk. Her topic was appropriately, "Preparing for a Mission." I could really see how the year away at school and as a Relief Society instructor has matured her.
Matt and I started on the breakfast casseroles first thing. We had some trial and error moments when I tried to use a cardboard strawberry flat as a pan. We rounded up enough regular pans though and between our two ovens and our neighbors, were able to have them bake while we were at church.
Katrina gave such a wonderful talk. Her topic was appropriately, "Preparing for a Mission." I could really see how the year away at school and as a Relief Society instructor has matured her.
During Sacrament meeting I saw on the program that the Relief Society sisters were going to go up and sing the rest hymn. I hadn't been in Relief Society the week before because I was teaching YW in another ward so I debated if I should go up. I am glad I did because then I could see the many faces of those who came to support Katrina...and me! My presidency was there, and my dear friend ChyAyn with hubby Shane and daughter Bailey.
I asked Katrina beforehand if she had a favorite hymn. She said it is I Believe in Christ. I called the ward chorister and asked her if she takes requests. She said, "I certainly can!"
I was so thankful for a lovely day for the open house. We put the food outside and were actually able to feed our party of 75 just fine.
Mother and Daughter
Eli, Charlie, Shafer and Jon.
What kind of bomb shell did Katrina just tell Brooke?
Auntie Lindsey taking a selfie with Kat.
Grandma Jamie holding Matteo, and expectant mom Carly.
Menu: Breakfast casseroles, fruit with fruit dip, baked beans, chips and salsa, and orange rolls. I started only putting a few orange rolls out a time after Matt gathered a dozen from around the yard with only the tops eaten off.
I see now the culprit must have been Cade...
Thanks to the Geertsen's for loaning an extra banquet table and their easy up.
Katrina's roomies Stephanie, Alison, Madison, and college friend Matt.
Raegan said, "We are sitting under the easy-up for two." Matt had set the tables up for conversation he said.
The children.
It was like holding a primary activity and an open house at the same time.
Giuseppe's very own shot.
The open house was a great reunion really.
When we were at Sam's the day before and saw the mammoth can of baked beans we joked, "How would you ever go through all of these????" The we both said, "I bet they'd go great with our brunch." In hindsight we should have bought two.
Most of the Taylor clan.
Two of the other Taylor clan.
Silliness
I imagine it was a pain for our guests to have to be in Heber by 9 am. When they asked what they could bring I said, "Your assignment is to get to Heber by 9 am!" This worked out well for my parents though because they could stay for the open house before leaving to the Conference Center for their mission. It wouldn't have been the same without them!
Katrina only has a handful of friends who haven't left on missions. Two of these friends are leaving in September.
The Gordon's came by. Katrina has really been part of their family for the past six years. Heather was emotional saying goodbye to Katrina. This of course got me emotional as I walked her to the door. When she left, Matt was concerned, "What's wrong with Heather?" I reminded him,"...Katrina's going on a mission." In general I wasn't as emotional as I feared I might be but the tears were right below the surface. If someone else shed a tear I was right there with them.
When the day was said and done and even the second course of dipping bread and cookies were eaten, I asked Katrina how she felt the day went. She summed it up, "Perfect." You can't get better than that.
The Wednesday before Katrina's mission announcement ran in the Wasatch Wave.
Katrina Lucy Bocanegra has been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Sofia, Bulgaria Mission. She will teach the gospel in the Bulgarian language. She reports to the MTC on August 26th and will be speaking in the Heber 6th Ward at 9 am on August 23rd. She is the daughter of Matt and Abby Bocanegra.
THE. TOE.
On Sunday night after everyone had gone I could finally get a look at the reason Callie needed the Geertsens to bring up the kid size crutches. The Friday before the farewell, Callie was getting chips in the garage when she knocked the leveler off the wall and it came crashing down on her toe. It looked so painful! The next day I rolled her into Walgreen’s to get epsom and to talk to the pharmacist. He said she probably should have been seen by a Dr a few days earlier so they could poke some holes in the nail and relieve the pressure. He said he wouldn’t be surprised if something was broken in there and that is why it was bleeding so badly under the skin. Her toe was so tight, like it was ready to pop. I was going over these scenarios with her on the way home and she kept saying all bugged, “He’s not even a DOCTOR! He just works there!” After soaking the toe we were at Famous Footwear because meanwhile, Gray’s toes were hanging out of his shoes and school started the next day. It was BOGO 1/2 off the second pair and Gray also informed me that he walks on the outside heel of his Sunday shoes because they don’t fit either. Perfect. We’ll get some Sunday shoes and get the school shoes half off, I figured. While we were looking, Callie’s crutch fell over on her toe. It was a good thing that it relieved the pressure BUT it squirted the blood ALL the way up the shoe display in addition to bleeding all over the carpet. I was so glad it was bleeding but YIKES. She was wailing and the manager came to see if he could help. He brought me paper towels and assured me the blood on the carpet would come out and to take my time (he couldn’t see the shoe display like I could). He also brought me Clorox wipes. Super nice. I used ALL wipes on the shoe boxes! I was so flustered and in no mind to help Gray pick out Sunday shoes. There was a pair sitting in an open box on the bench and Gray said, “I really like these ones.” They were the right size so we grabbed them and went to the checkout counter. I had Callie’s foot wrapped in paper towels but it was still bleeding onto my skirt. My total was $106! I was so flustered I just paid it. I told Grayson on the way home, “Those shoes are your Sunday shoes till High School so don’t drag your toes!” They are plenty big but still, YIKES again. Tough mom day that was. The stress of the situation was compounded with the fact that I even let Callie's toe get that bad, and also I was letting down Graham. We were only stopping at Famous on our way down to Nickel City. I sadly told him, "As you can see, we just need to get home." He agreed but hung his head.
And with that summer vacation was over.
Back to School August 25th 2015
Grayson is so glad to get to ride the bus this year. He and Ava will both be at Rocky Mountain Middle School this year in the 7th and 8th grades.
We went to meet Graham and Callie's teachers the night before at JR Smith Elementary. I explained Callie's predicament over and over to curious passerby's. I felt like a broken record. She said, "I will probably have to tell that same story over and over again on my first day."
For all the excitement I have put into finally not having my day chopped up by running a kindergartener to and from school, I am still in denial that my baby isn't a baby anymore.
Grandma Donna called to check on how the kids liked school. I asked Callie what she told Grandma. She said, "Well, I told her I was in the first grade..." I was confused, "Why did you say that?" She stared at me blankly and then I realized, "Oh my word! You are in the first grade!" It really sneaks up on you! Graham started 3rd grade. Both are in Dual Immersion learning Spanish.
It tugged at my heart strings watching Callie hop into school on those crutches the first four days. The pharmacist said she will most likely loose the nail but Callie reminded me again, “HE’S NOT A DOCTOR! GEESH!”
Update: the toenail finally came off after two weeks. Callie said, "I am going to put it under my pillow..." No.
Mission Setting Apart
I wanted Katrina to leave with some good home coookin in her belly. I made bruschetta and zuppa toscana, with kale right from our own garden. We also had sautéed zucchini because we have it coming out of our ears.
I wanted Katrina to leave with some good home coookin in her belly. I made bruschetta and zuppa toscana, with kale right from our own garden. We also had sautéed zucchini because we have it coming out of our ears.
The evening of the first day of school, Matt gave all the kids a father's blessing. He started with the oldest, Katrina, and then worked his way down to Callie. After each person Callie would clear her throat, "Uh-um...so it goes, Katrina, Mallerie, Ava, Grayson, Graham, Callie, Poe, and the fish." Then she would giggle. Matt proceeded to give the next blessing. It would be followed by, "...uh-um..I forgot....so it goes...Katrina....Mallerie..." How do you not giggle along with her?
Callie's first letter to Katrina in the mission field was another recap:
Callie's first letter to Katrina in the mission field was another recap:
We then went to the Stake Center for Katrina's 9 pm setting apart with the Stake President. It was a spiritual time for our family. I was glad we had that evening together because the next morning the kids all had school and that was it!
August 26, 2015
Mallerie left at 7 am. We laugh that she is always in a rush running somewhere, "Gotta go...bye!!!" This morning was no different, "Bye Katrina!!" Mallerie was in the opening assembly.
Katrina saw Ava and Grayson off but when it was time for me to take the babies to school Kat was in the middle of 40 minute shower. We finally had to leave. I thought it maybe best.
Katrina saw Ava and Grayson off but when it was time for me to take the babies to school Kat was in the middle of 40 minute shower. We finally had to leave. I thought it maybe best.
For how difficult it looked like it was going to be to shut her suitcases, Katrina fit everything in that she needed. I was even surprised how how she was able to find a way to consolidate her things in the basement so that there are still empty shelves. Okay, more like astounded.
We had time to spare that morning before we needed to leave to the MTC. We were going to meet up with any family that could at Zupa's before taking her so Matt said "We may as well get going."
I have a picture of Katrina by this tree that I took for her baptism photo at Easter 2004. How they both have grown!
We picked up Raegan before heading to Zupas. She barely moved into the BYU dorm the weekend before! We arrived 20 minutes before Zupas even opened so we had to wait outside. My parents arrived so they waited and visited with us.
We weren't the only ones dropping off a missionary who had the idea to lunch there. As more people filed in, the place was full of new elders and sisters with their families.
August 26th was also a special day because it was me and Matt's 21st Wedding Anniversary. Cade said, "CONGRATULATIONS!" I asked him, "That probably seems like a long time to you doesn't it?" He answered, "Yeah, it's three times as long as Ashley and I."
My dad had a good story to tell us of a Bulgarian he had just given a tour to at the Conference Center. My dad told this man about his granddaughter who would be serving a mission in Bulgaria. My dad said, "She will have to find you." This man said, "What for!? She does not know me!"
The day was wet and drizzly, the perfect Katrina kind of weather-day. From Zupas the others were going to go see Raegan's apartment. Katrina bid everyone goodbye like Dorothy leaving Kansas (her socks reminded me of that) and Matt and I drove her to the MTC. Katrina asked what time it was as we approaced 12:29. We were going to make her 12:30 drop-off time exactly. As we rounded the corner she shouted, "Narumi!" A friend she met at business week was waiting to hopefully be able to say goodbye. Matt pulled over and Katrina got out for a quick hug. I asked, "She was waiting for you?" She was! We pulled to the first spot and unloaded Katrina's things.
The host also told Katrina that she would take good care of her and that class started in fifteen minutes! We hugged her tight one last time and Katrina walked away.
The ugly cry only lasted until we were back on 9th east. Then it just felt....good!
We got to hear from Katrina two days later but only briefly. She wrote to tell us that her companion is the daughter of the missionary who Granny and Grandpa serve with, and that her P-day will be on Thursday. I jotted a note back:
Wonderful to hear from you! I am thankful you have a good companion.
The anniversary went well! After we dropped you off we met up with the others to see Raeg's apt. We beat them all there! We got looking at the other girl's rooms and decided that Raegan's needs to be arranged like theirs so G-pa, Cade, and Dad rearranged the furniture in her room weather she liked it or not! ;)
Dad and I were pretty pooped coming up the canyon, just drained. We took a nap back at home before deciding what to do for the evening. Mallerie came home and I asked her what she wanted for dinner. Since Dad and I would be going out I gave her the choices of 1) leftover soup 2) boxed mac n' cheese 3) pancakes. She said, "Eh, none of that really sounds good." I asked her what she wanted, to which she said, "Chicken Enchiladas!" I said, "You want me to fuss over enchiladas when here I'm going out to dinner for our Anniversary?" Typical Mallerie, "I forgot!" She cracks me up.
Dad and I ate at LaJolla Groves at the Riverwoods (yep, back down the canyon!) I had some delicious salmon and a mango smoothie. We felt like relaxing at the theatre. There was nothing playing! One of the only options that wasn't cartoon or rated R was "Paper Towns." Baaaaad news. Lame sauce. All of it. What were we thinking? I said to dad, "This movie is so pointless!" He said, "I feel like we are wasting our night." So we busted outta there. That left only four other people in the theatre. He said, "That one girl seemed to be enjoying it." I pointed out, "She had BLUE hair...."
Ava said all things went well at home except for at bedtime Callie had a MELTDOWN. Ava described it as sobbing uncontrollably because she didn't get to hug you good-bye:(
For that reason I am especially glad that you went and helped her with her lunch at JR the day before! Her foot was on the mend enough today that we could put her sandal around the bandage and she rode her bike with Graham! (I see she forgot her lunch in the fridge, I'll have to take it to her). I'll wave her Barbie lunchbox, "You-hoo, Callie, you forgot your lunch...."
I realize the only one I haven't mentioned is Grayson....so there, now I did!
Love you doll, M
Love you doll, M
