fantastic family fun

We had a great fun-filled weekend. Our real estate agent hosted a client appreciated party at the Lindon pool on Friday night. The boys have been begging to go swimming for weeks. This was the first time we have been this summer. Granted it really is the first time the weather has been hot enough for swimming. Emma was totally wonderful and played with Anne the whole night which left me able to enjoy the luxury of sitting and reading a book the whole time. They swam for two hours and had a great time.

Saturday we celebrated the fabulous little city we live in with the annual Family Festival. Dave and Emma woke up early to go participate in the 5K and Fun Run. Dave was happy with how he ran--6:45 minute miles. Emma's goal was to get under 10 minutes on the mile. She sprinted to the finish line and came in at 9:56.

Next, we walked down to the end of our street to enjoy the parade. It is a small parade but there is always candy which completely satisfies my kids.

The carnival at the park was our next stop. We got there just in time for a little water fun. The fire department sprays a field with a fire hose and the boys love it. We played at the carnival for about an hour before deciding the heat and lines weren't worth enduring. Because we had purchased wrist bands, we planned to just come back later.

 

Anne loved the bounce house.

 

Nathan and Sawyer in the bubble blowing contest.

We came home for some down time. Emma went to a friend's. The boys watched TV and played with a friend. Anne got to watch her show too. She has figured out that I will come sit by her as long as I have my book. She said in her cutest two year old little voice, "You sit with me? Get your book and sit by me. Okay? Thank you. Thank you." How could I not?

We decided to take the family out for dinner in celebration of our anniversary. We enjoyed awesome food at JCW's before we went back to the park to see how things looked at the carnival. It was the perfect time to come back. The weather was cool. The lines were short. We stayed until just after 9 when it was time to get ready for the fireworks. We went home for pajamas, chairs, blankets and cookies and then headed up to our favorite spot on the golf course. The fireworks show was great as always. A perfect end to the day.

On Sunday, Dave and I celebrated 13 wonderful years together. I bought us an ice cream maker for our present so we had homemade ice cream with molten chocolate cake and strawberries for dessert. Yum.

 

I'm glad that we got to spend time having fun together as a family for our last weekend as a family of 7. Next weekend, we get to meet our newest member.

happy father's day

Dave is AWESOME! We are always happy to celebrate him on Father's Day. On Saturday we shopped for treats. While we were there, the boys also spotted an American flag swimsuit. They were so excited because then Dave would have a swimsuit to match theirs. I put it all together in a basket.

The kids wrote cards and left them for him on his plate. We enjoyed a good breakfast with pancakes, bacon, strawberries and orange juice. Dave likes his pancakes cooked on only one side. Have you ever tried a batter pancake? Would you ever?

cards and batter pancakes

Anne: I love Daddy because he gets in his car and goes to work.

Sawyer: I love Daddy because he is awesome because he runs fast.

Nathan: I love Daddy because he is my good soccer coach.

Slade: I love Dad because he is nice to me and does a lot of things for me.

Emma: I love Dad because he goes on walks with me and talks with me.

heber creeper

Some ideas are better than others. Going on the Heber Valley Railroad as a family sounded like a good idea. We were able to get a fantastic price through one of our homeschool groups. Dave took the day off work. We drove down beautiful Provo Canyon to Heber and were looking forward to the trip.

Now we can say we've done it and we never have to do it again. We weren't able to find seats together on the train. Our windows would not open so it was a little stuffy. The train got stopped for about half an hour to get something left on the track. When we got to Vivian Park, they wouldn't let us off so instead of a nice break at the park, we felt trapped on the train. There wasn't much to do but bug each other and take lots of random pictures with my camera.

Oh well. I tried.

taken by Emma

random snippets

A few random snapshots of life from the last three months:


Anne always keeps life interesting.

I have no idea what is in her hair.

Dave ran his first half marathon in April.

My mom brought me my wedding dress on a recent visit. Of course, Emma needed to try it on. She says she wants to wear it when she get married. We shall see. These pictures were taken with my brand new d7000. I finally upgraded my camera. I was so excited but it proved to be a huge disappointment. The camera would not focus properly. Out of 50 or so pictures I got maybe 3 or  4 in focus. Not good. I ended up taking it back. The salesman told me there was a firmware update that would have fixed the issue but I was too mad at the camera at that point. For $1200, a camera should be able to focus! So I still don't have a new camera and I'm back to wishing I could justify the $2400 price tag for the camera I really want.

I love this picture of all the kids on a beautiful day at the park.

I was released from my calling as Primary Chorister after serving this time for about three years. I calculated that I have been chorister for probably 8 out of the last 13 years. I haven't been in Relief Society for 10 years. I haven't been in Sunday School for 12. I am not looking forward to just sitting for three hours of church. I was released because I was called to be the Stake Cultural Arts director. I will be in charge of planning two stake activities per year (one of which is already planned). I'm not all that happy about going from a fairly demanding calling where I felt needed to one that I feel will require very little of me. Oh well. The Primary gave me this apron on my last Sunday. The notes are made from the thumbprints of the Primary children. It was very thoughtful and sweet.

One day, after seeing what I was wearing, Emma went and put on an outfit and curled her hair to match. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

These ones are just for fun.

seven

Nathan turned 7! Just like Slade's, his birthday fell on Sunday this year. We started the day with breakfast in bed and then presents.

He was most excited to receive two Beyblades with a stadium. Beyblades are like tops that you launch into the stadium where they "battle" each other.

After church, we decided to make cookies together to deliver. Nathan helped make them and chose who we would take them to. We gave them to his Primary teacher who is wonderful but hasn't been able to be there lately because of health issues. Then we took some to our neighbors across the street because their son Michael is Nathan and Slade's favorite friend.

We finished off the evening with Oreo ice cream cake. This was my first time trying an ice cream cake. I thought it turned out great so I will have to do it again.

Birthdays on Sunday are a bit tricky but I think Nathan seemed pleased with his day so we'll call it a success.

happy mother's day

When I grow up I want to be a mother

And have a family

One little,

two little,

three little babies of my own.

Of all the jobs, for me I'll choose no other.

We'll have a family.

Four little,

five little,

six little babies in my home.

And I will love them all day long

And give them cookies and milk and yellow balloons.

And cuddle them when things go wrong

And read them stories and sing them pretty tunes.

When I grow up if I can be a mother,

How happy I will be.

One little, two little, three little babies I can love.

And you will see each sister and each brother

Who look a lot like me

Four little, five little, six little blessings from above.

easter weekend

There was much celebrating this Easter weekend. We enjoyed lots of time with cousins and I even got to see 5 out of 6 of my siblings.

First, Colin and Amy graduated from BYU. Dave was gracious enough to stay home with children while I went to Provo for his commissioning into the Air Force.

On Sunday, I was in such a rush to get out of the house for church that I only got a picture of Anne in her Easter finery. The rest of the offspring looked pretty snazzy too.

In addition to celebrating Easter, we went up to Salt Lake to see my niece get baptized. I made lots of sugar cookies and cupcakes for the occasion.

We also thoroughly enjoyed watching Emma experiencing her first crush. He lives in Maine so we are totally okay with it.

Finally, on Monday morning, I made the traditional trip to the store for discounted candy to put in our family Easter basket. It was wonderful weekend. I'm only sad that we never found the time to dye eggs this year but I certainly wouldn't trade in all that family time we enjoyed instead.