Lots of fun!

We had a busy week.  Eileen and Aaron both had orthodontist appointments - just an evaluation to figure out what needed to be done and when.  Eileen was not crazy about the idea of braces, but she seemed ok with the invisalign idea... we'll see.  David loved the appointments - he got to play with fun new toys and the ladies in the office all love him - of course.

Wednesday was a combined activity for the youth and their leaders and parents - it was to prepare us for the changes coming to the youth and children't programs of the church.  It was a great fireside! 

I gave the sister's a ride to exchanges this week and the new sister in our ward was Bianca's (Soeur Jones) companion while she was in Oklahoma!

Rehearsal was great on Thursday, we have one new first soprano this year and I got to sing next to her this week - and it was wonderful - she was so easy and fun to sing next to! 

Anna had a busy babysitting weekend.  She had babysitting jobs on Friday and Saturday night.  I think she enjoyed it - but she was tired when she got home. 

Saturday was a rather crazy day - Anna had a cross country meet, I worked out with Sandi and Mom, Evie had a birthday party, Anna was babysitting, and Dan and I went to dinner and a movie with some friends of ours.  The movie was interesting - not great, but not bad. 

Today during the second hour of church, we met together in the chapel to learn about the new program.  It will be centered on helping the children and youth come to Christ and take responsibility for their own growth - spiritual, intellectual, physical and social.  I love how it focuses on helping the kids make goals and achieve them! 

We had the Perkins family over for dinner tonight and had a fun time chatting with them.  The kids all had a fun time running around and making noise. 

The big 1-0

It's been a fun and busy week.  Dan was still out of town on Monday.  Anna was walking in the Anna homecoming parade, so we dropped her off then all headed over to watch the parade.  We ran into a bunch of others from the ward, so we all hung out out together to support the schools - i think everyone had fun but Eileen.  Eileen told me she would rather be working ahead on school work than be there for the parade...  

I wanted Evie to have something for her birthday, so that night after prayers and such, Evie lit and blew out one candle on a little bundt cake - then we all ate some!

On Tuesday when Dan got home, the got to open her first present - David has been trying to lay claim to it all week.  He loves stuffies. 

On Wednesday, Dan took her to pick out a new bike - she has needed one for awhile - her old one was way too small and not working well anyway.  She is so excited!  Now she wants to ride her bike all the time. 

David found Dan's chanter this week - he thinks it's the greatest thing ever - the cutest part is that after playing it, he wipes off the mouthpiece on his shirt!

This cute little stinker figured out how to climb out of his bed this week, so now he naps and sleeps all over the boys room - including James' bed and under the old changing table. 

Friday night, Dan and I went to the temple, we did some initiatories, then went out for dinner before heading home. 

Saturday morning was the practice for the primary program - it went pretty well - the kids were so cute.  We spent the afternoon getting ready for Evelyn's party, the around 5:30 her friends came over for pizza and popcorn and a movie and cake and ice cream of course.  It was just a small party, but lots of fun!

The primary program was today - the kids did amazingly well!  The sang wonderfully, they were so well behaved!  Evie accompanied one of the songs and did an amazing job - she performed in front of tons of people and did great!!!  She played so well, that some people didn't even realize at first that is was a primary kid playing instead of our usual pianist!  My dad came up to see the program - it was so nice to see him and so nice to have family nearby to come and watch. 

This evening, we got to go to a baptism of an amazing couple who have been investigating the church for awhile now - it was so wonderful!!!! 

the big 4 - 0

David and I kept busy this week with running errands and the usual laundry and playing and reading and such.  We met up with Dan for lunch and had a fun time together.  We had a blast having our friend Dana and her cute kids over for lunch on Friday.  David just loves her daughter - and he regularly asks when he can play with Addie again.  They had a great time playing together and we had a great time chatting.  During nap time, I got some working out in and some doll house furniture worked on - the bed is almost done - I just need to finish the painting job and then work on the mattress. 

Saturday was my birthday!  We spent the morning cleaning the church and then we got donuts for breakfast.  Then we spent some time cleaning the house.  Dan threw me a birthday party - we had yummy treats and played games and had a great time!  For my birthday, Dan got my piano repaired.  The only down side is that it will take a week to fix, and it's not use-able in the meantime  :)  It's going to be so nice having the pedal and stuff fixed! 

Church was wonderful - I ended up having to play the organ again today - it was a bit rough, but we survived - we had picked the songs based on our usual organist playing, so they were harder than I would probably have picked on my own - but I made it!  Primary was a bit crazy, but good - I'm beginning to stress a bit about the program next week - but it will be fine.... I hope! 

This afternoon, the kids and I played games and did some painting and crocheting and such.  We had a great evening talking about the gospel - I was amazed at how much the kids remembered this week - they all remembered stuff from Sacrament meeting too! 

Dan took off this afternoon for a business trip to San Jose - he will only be gone until Tuesday, but Evie is a bit bummed about him being gone for her birthday - but he asked her first and she said ok while trying to milk as much out of him in return as possible! 

Bad Mommy

I apparently didn't take any pictures this week....  No Bueno.... 

Monday was Labor Day.  We had some friends over in the morning for swimming and eating yummy food.  Then for dinner, we went to another friends house for more yummy food and fun and games.  It was a great day and we had a fun time hanging out with friends! 

Tuesday was back to the usual school days.  Eileen's schedule is finally getting settled for school. 

Wednesday was mutual for Eileen and Anna - I went with them to have time to practice the organ.  I'm kinda planning on needing that for the foreseeable future.  At least through the new year.  :)  It's been fun though - fun learning a new skill and fun doing something difficult. 

Thursday was the first day back for choir.  Eileen, Anna and I picked up a couple friends and headed down to choir.  It was a lot of fun - I always love the first couple rehearsals.  I love getting to sing new songs and sight read.  I love getting to sing again after a break.  And really - I just love to sing!  It was a fun rehearsal and I hope the kids had a good time as well. 

Friday, we went to the temple with some friends from the ward.  We went to dinner first and then we went to the temple.  It was a great night! 

Saturday morning, Anna had a cross country meet - she did great.  Evie tried to do the 1 mile fun run - but it was hot and she got too tired part way through and ended up getting driven back in a golf cart.  :)  She was fine - but it was really hot and a mile is a long way for her still.  I had an organ workshop in the morning - it was great - I got some great tips and some good ideas to help me get better.  Then I took kids to the library and Dan got the grocery shopping done.  Then we went to the pool for a little while while Dad got dinner ready - finally Dan and I had the adult session of Stake Conference in the evening.  We had a great day - but crazy busy!  After, Dan and I went to the Malt Shop with some friends and had a fun time chatting and eating! 

Stake Conference general session was this morning and it was wonderful.  The talks were wonderful and then we had a great time talking about it and talking about the gospel with the kids after lunch.  In the evening after dinner, we went over to the Hubbards for dessert and had fun chatting and eating yummy cake! 

Family Time

It's been a busy week.  I picked the sister missionaries up to take them home from District Council and got to see my amazing niece Bianca - a.k.a. Soeur Jones.  It was so wonderful to see her - even if just for a little bit!  

Tuesday I met with the new cub scout leaders briefly to get things ready for cub scouts!  It's going to be great for the boys!  

David loves getting to say prayers - so after family prayers one night, he wanted to say his own prayer.  He is such a sweet little boy!  

Wednesday evening, I took the girls in to Young Womens so that I could practice on the organ while I waited

Now it's mostly him and I at home during the day - Eileen is around, but busy with school work.  We spend a lot of time reading and singing songs and coloring and playing.  He's so cute - he even knows to clean up the toys he's playing with before he gets out new ones!  

 Thursday afternoon, I drove the sisters again for exchanges - I love being able to serve and help them out!  Then in the evening, we met Grandma and Aunt Sandi and Kai for pedicures.  We chatted about how we are going to do Grandma's doll house, and life in general, then we headed over to Panera for dinner.  It was a fun evening together! 

We always take a "toes picture" after, but we forgot this time, so we took it on Saturday:)  

Friday, Dan and I dropped Evie off for a Sleep over with Kai, and then Dan and I went on a date.  We went and walked around a huge game store!  We had fun together and picked up a new game.  Then we played it when we got home - it's a lot of fun!  

Saturday morning, Anna, Sandi, Mom and I went to work out, then we headed back to my parents house where Dan was waiting with the rest of the kids.  Some of the kids spent some time in the pool - but it was not a particularly hot day, so they ended up back inside snuggled up watching Mary Poppins Returns by the time we got back.  

Mom, Sandi, Anna and I spent the rest of the morning working on the doll house - stripping the old wall paper, and flooring and curtains and cleaning it out.  It had gotten rather dusty and cobweb-y.  Then we spent some time deciding how to proceed.  We are going to start with the master bedroom area and then see from there.  I'm excited to get started on this! 

In the evening, Dan and the older girls went with the rest of the Youth to the temple.  They had a wonderful time!  When they got home, I headed to the church to practice some more and prepare for playing the organ some more.  It went well - the prelude, not so much, but my practicing payed off!  Primary went well and then I got home exhausted and slept.  This week has been a bit nuts and I was feeling way behind on sleep.  After was dinner and scriptures and prayers and phone calls to Grandma and Grandpa Jones.  Then some fun game time with Aaron, Eileen and Anna after the younger kids went to bed.