random January happenings according to my phone

Emma and her friends came home from school and played Uno one afternoon. This was a happy day with friends. Unfortunately this month, she also had some bad ones. Some not so nice things were said about her by two different boys in our ward whom she had considered friends. It was hurtful. It was totally uncalled for. It made me very grateful for all the really good friends she does have.

I made five batches of playdough. They get used every day by all the kids and the neighbors too. The favorite activity recently has been cutting out heart cookies for Valentine's Day.

Slade's new iPod nano that he got for Christmas went completely kaput on him. We took it to the Apple Store and they traded it for a new one. Yeah, Apple! I took the five kids with me and they were actually all so good! We went to Target afterwards and bought Slade new pants. He is growing like a weed. At his priesthood preview at church, he was several inches taller than the other incoming deacons. I really wish I had a picture of the 50ish Young Men in our ward lined up to shake their hands. It was really cool.

Dave's parents invited us over for dinner one Sunday. It was really nice to spend time with them without all the chaos of the entire family. We had stir fry and then Jello and cookies for dessert. After dinner, we played games. Nathan and Sawyer wanted to learn how to play checkers so Grandma and Grandpa helped them play. Anne and Ben fell asleep in the van on the way home. I thought their stuffed dogs tucked in with them looked rather cute. If you look closely, you can see Emma and Slade holding their hands up above their hands in the back. They were all fighting and making us crazy so Dave told them they had to hold their hands above their hands the rest of the way home. Of course, they turned it into a competition but it sure made the drive quieter.

A student from the BYU Bean Museum came and did an animal show at Anne's preschool. Her teacher was gracious enough to let the boys come and watch as well.

We received sad news mid-month that one of the directors of the BYU folk dance team had passed away from flu complications. Delynne was a really awesome teacher, mentor and friend and it was hard to believe that such an active, vivacious woman had died at only 62. In honor of her, the folk dancers invited alumni to attend a Rec Night. We aren't so young and skinny anymore, but we still danced. I wish more of our friends had been able to be there but we had a great time. We were able to see more of our folk dance friends at her funeral. It was a sad occasion but folk dance reunions are always a joyful thing. I think Delynne would have appreciated all the hugs and laughter between the many, many lives she touched.

We also went to see BYU Vocal Point in concert. This is such a terrible picture but the concert was lots of fun. And of course, I always like being on a date with Dave.

celebrating the season

On Wednesday we colored Christmas pictures. Even Slade who generally doesn't like to color participated and did a great job. He colored the Rudolph picture.

We were supposed to make ornaments on Thursday but I was having a rough day and opted for watching Christmas movies instead.

There was much joy and rejoicing when Grandma and Grandpa Slade came into town on Friday. First we headed over to Thanksgiving Point to see the reindeer and the lights.

Nathan took this really bad picture of my parents and me. My parents are cute though. :)


Seeing the reindeer was fun but I must say the lights display was very disappointing. I'm glad we only had to pay $3.50 for our carload since we are members.

We came home and enjoyed hot chocolate, dancing around the family room, and wrestling with Grandma.


Dave got up bright and early on Saturday to take the older three kids to the BYU Christmas Party with his family.

Sawyer and I went to breakfast with my parents and brother. Then it was time for shopping. I am generally adverse to shopping but I seem to get geared up for it when my mom or sisters are here. And its Christmas time so that helped motivate me but I was definitely tired, sore and poorer at the end of the afternoon.

We finished the week by going to see my brother in Christmas Around the World. After the Polish-with-an-identity-crisis number was over, it was great show. Colin performed really well. So impressed, Francis!

We came home for root beer floats, cookies and game playing. Dave won both Settlers and San Juan. My mom must be a bit rusty!

happy birthday, grandma

We headed down to BYU this afternoon to surprise Grandma Daniel at her office. I got there first and the kids entertained themselves at the fountain and on the stairs. Sorry to all those BYU students who were outside trying to enjoy a leisurely lunch on a beautiful day. We were just doing a public service by being "birth control" to those in a hurry to get married. Yeah, we're constantly working on using proper behavior in public. Anyhow....

Heather and Katie showed up with the other 8 grandchildren. We managed to get all 12 children upstairs, lined up in the hall and with a flower in hand. They even were whispering for a good portion of the time. Amazing.

Unfortunately, Grandma had someone in her office and we had to wait longer than they had patience so the quiet didn't last. Finally, we sent them in one by one to hand Grandma her flower and wish her Happy Birthday.


Then, since we are totally crazy, we took everyone over to the Cougareat for lunch. All I can say is we would have been in a huge world of hurt if it hadn't been for the buckles that kept certain young ones from escaping. Everyone ate. No one got lost. We finished it off with ice cream cones outside. What an adventure.

Happy Birthday to Phyllis! We love you. Thank you for raising such an amazing son. Thank you for welcoming me into your family. Thank you for loving my children. Hope your day was wonderful!