Friends go home :(

Monday we mostly took it easy - David hasn't been sleeping very well at night, so we were all a bit tired, but after a nap and getting the crock pot started for dinner, we headed down to Allen to meet up with Dan for lunch.  Then we got back in time to get the kids from school and get home.  We had fun in the evening, and took Kay and Reggie to go see some of the houses in the neighborhood in hopes of getting them to move here - it would be so AWESOME to have them living right near us!!!  

Tuesday was more fun and good times, Kay was determined to pack our fridge full of good food before she left, so she made more yummy food with lots of left overs and it's been so yummy!!!  We made up a birthday cake for Kay - we got the cake made up on Monday night, then we frosted it up Tuesday to eat and celebrate with her on Tuesday evening.  I told her she could pick any cake she could find a recipe for - she picked Banana cake with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.  I was quite proud of how it came out and it tasted pretty good too!  

Wednesday morning, the kids got off to school and not long after, Kay and Reggie headed for the airport and David and I were left alone for the morning.  We mostly rested and got David a much needed nap. In the evening was young women's and cub scouts and activity day girls.   

Thursday, after school, Anna asked me to go outside with her and practice her volleyball, so we had a great afternoon of playing outside in the front yard and enjoying the weather.  Aaron's friend came over to play too.  

On Friday, the younger kids had their color run at school.  They had a blast and came home looking kinda green and zombie-like, so I told them to make zombie faces and I snapped a picture, then we listened to "Zombie" by the Cranberries on the way home from school.  Those kids crack me up! 

On Saturday, both Eileen and Anna had their solo instrument competitions - they both got 1's (highest score possible) and did a great job!!!!  In the afternoon, Evie planned a mom and dad and Evie outing to go get ice cream, so we walked down to the ice cream place and got some yummy ice cream and then walked back - Evie mostly just loved having mom and dad almost entirely to her self (David came too, but he just hung out in his stroller happily) but we all had a nice time together! 

Church was great - the talks were wonderful and lessons were wonderful.  We talked to one of Eileen's young women's leaders who was concerned about Eileen, so Dan and I spent the evening with Eileen trying to figure out what was wrong - Dan took her on a bike ride, then she and I made cookies.  We think she's having a hard time finding friends and feeling like she fits in.  I wish I had a magic mommy wand that I could wave and make it all better.... 

Friends come visit!!!!

It was a crazy busy week.  The Pack meeting was on Tuesday, which meant that most of Monday and Tuesday morning were spent getting things ready for the pack meeting, running errands and such.  But over all the meeting went well - the boys were superheros and made capes and ran obstacle courses.  

Wednesday I went down to get my hair cut with mom and after we stopped at In N Out burger for lunch.  David liked it. :)  Eileen had young women's in the evening, but no cub scouts because of the pack meeting.  

Thursday was normal. In the evening, I let Anna come play volley ball since the kids had Friday off, and I invited Grandpa to come too.  We had a good time playing together - though it had been a while since my dad played - he's still better than me at my best.  We had a fun time, though he took a bit of a fall at the beginning while chasing a ball and I think he went home a bit tired and sore.  I'm glad he came though - it was fun playing with him again. 

Friday, we met up with Grandpa at the Dallas Zoo.  The kids all had a great time and didn't want to leave - thankfully we can come back lots of times this summer. The day was perfect for being at the zoo and the kids all had a great time. 

Late Friday night/Early Saturday, Kay and Reggie arrived!!!!!  We got them settled in and then all passed out - exhausted!  Saturday morning, Eileen, Kay and I went to the Relief Society activity.  We didn't stay too long, we wanted to be home and playing and enjoying time together, but we helped out some on the service project and had a good time.  The boys and younger girls went to go fly a kite and had a great time.  It's so great to have them visiting!!!! 

Church was wonderful and the whole sabbath was great!  We finished the day with Dominion and chatting (and staying up a bit too late)

Stake Conference and Tae Kwon Do

It was a busy week as usual.  Anna has been keeping busy with volleyball and school activities.  Eileen had her performance.  The choir sang in the production of the Lion King.  She did a great job!  Anna and I had a great time watching it!  Dan was sweet and stayed with the younger kids so I could go.  

On Saturday, we all went to Taz's birthday party.  He had his party at a Tae Kwon Do place and the kids all had a great time!  The adults all had a great time watching them - it was rather funny :)  

In the evening, we had Stake Conference.  Eileen babysat, but we brought David with us.  It was wonderful!  After Dan and I grabbed a quick dinner before heading home.

Sunday was more Stake Confrence - it was wonderful getting to hear from stake leaders and a general authority.  After, we went over to the Hendrickson's house for lunch and games and had a fun time.  They were having pancakes for lunch, so we had breakfast for all 3 meals of the day :)

David loves to bang on everything - so when he found Aaron's drum and drum sticks - he was in seventh heaven.

I Love to See the Temple

This week started out normal enough.   School, grocery shopping, laundry, and such.  David is so much happier when I can keep him on a nice regular schedule - so when I can, we mostly stay at home and keep to a nice regular nap and eating schedule.  Then he is a smiley baby instead of a cranky one!  

Wednesday was cub scouts and young women's, so a busy evening.  Aaron had his well child check up (finally) so we got home a bit later than usual and he and I didn't get dinner before we had to head to the church.  Thankfully they saved us some and we ate when we got back. 

Thursday, James had his check up after school - he was so excited, after seeing Aaron get a bouncy ball, he was so excited to get one too.  Volleyball was cancelled, they couldn't get enough people.  :( 

On Saturday, we had a bit of a busy day.  Eileen and I went to get her some new yarn with her money.  Then I took Evie, Aaron and James to get new shoes since their tennis shoes were all falling apart, Dan and Anna went to go help a new family move into the ward, Then in the evening, we all got dressed up and headed down to the temple for a ward family temple trip.  It was wonderful - especially wonderful to be in the temple after a rather busy and stressful day.  Unfortunately, James wasn't feeling too good, so he mostly stayed in the car with Dan while I went in with the other kids.  Then after, we took some pictures, but it was chilly and most of the kids forgot sweaters...

Fast and Testimony meeting today was wonderful!  We've been making an effort to teach the kids the importance of fasting and it's been amazing to watch the older kids all try and do their best to fast and to do it with a purpose!  Church was wonderful - our Relief Society council was wonderful and made me truly appreciate what a great ward we are in!  After church and dinner and such, I sat down with Eileen to look at her personal progress and had her pick one out that we could work on together.  We called Grandma Jones and talked with her about it and it was wonderful! 

Happy Easter!

We've kept busy this week.  Dan had a couple really long days at work.  The company was doing a big push to get something out to clients and Dan wanted to make sure that his part was done so that he wouldn't have to be working over General Conference/Easter weekend.  Monday was the usual - laundry, grocery shopping, school stuff, etc.  Anna is playing volleyball after school.  She's really enjoying it!  

Tuesday, we had the Louvren's over to play Settlers of Catan and had a fun time eating ice cream and playing together!  

Wednesday morning, David had his 9 month check up - he weighed in at just over 20 lbs - he is growing so fast.  The doctor said the rash that has showed up recently is excema and a couple other little rash things all at once, so he gave us some ointment to help with them and his skin is looking SO much better now!!!  

Here's a cute picture of David helping me do a little grocery shopping.  We needed a couple things - when Dan was going to be home really late one night, I decided to put off the more complicated meal that we had planned and went to grab the stuff for Chipped Beef instead.  David loved driving the cart!  

This is David's new favorite game - the kids think it's great too.  The stand him up and let go of him to see how long he can stand, then catch him when he starts to fall.  He thinks it's awesome - he loves the part where they catch him - so much so that after awhile, he will intentionally start to fall just so he can get caught, and then he giggles like crazy!  

The kids had no school on Friday, so I took Anna with me to Volleyball again on Friday - she had a great time.  I'm also having a great time watching her get better.  She is better every time I play with her!  She's starting to try over hand serves!  

Friday was a fun and busy day.  We met up with Sandi and Taz and Kai at a park to play and chat and have fun.  The kids had a great time with their cousins.  Then we headed home to decorate Easter eggs.  The kids had a lot of fun decorating the eggs.  I enjoyed watching them and looking forward to making them into deviled eggs!  

Saturday morning, a family in the ward was having a breakfast potluck/Easter egg hunt, so we headed over with some coffee cake and Easter eggs.  I let the kids open their baskets first so they had something to keep the eggs in, then we headed over.  

The kids had a good time, though I think Eileen was a bit disappointed when she didn't get many eggs - but overall they had a good time, then we headed home for General Conference.  

General Conference was WONDERFUL!  It's so nice to have a prophet who is healthy enough to address us at conference - his words were so inspired and so wonderful.  It was a wonderful way to spend Easter weekend.  So much to learn and some exciting changes.  It's so neat to see the way that the Lord encourages growth in the church and in individuals through the programs of the church!