Hello Grandpa!

Monday morning, bright and early, I dropped the kids off at school, then James and I went to go pick up Grandpa from the airport.  We brought him back to get settled and to make a menu and grocery list for the week then headed to the grocery store.  After we got things put away, then I went to pick the kids up from school.  The kids got their homework and piano and instuments done and the kids (and grandpa) went to bed while I finished laundry and folding.  

Tuesday morning James had another preschool field trip.  The teacher for this week had her baby early so we were looking for things to do so we didn't have to cancel - so we had the field trip on Tuesday and a sub on Thursday.  We went to the Garden Center Fall Festival.  James had a great time watching the talking pumpkin and climbing on everything and playing with his friends.  

After we headed home for lunch and then getting the kids from school.  In the evening, I took Eileen with me to the Relief Society Activity - we were doing crochet and embroidery and knitting, so Eileen came to help out and have fun with us.  I taught some embroidery - and we had a great time!  Then I dropped Eileen off at home and headed back for Institute.  Class was wonderful!  (As always)

Wednesday was late start for the kids - I took Anna to an early orthodontist appointment then got back just in time to have prayers with the kids and take them to school.  We had a relaxed morning at home.  After picking the kids up from school, they did all their homework and piano and such.  Evie had a book report due this week and presented on Wednesday and did a GREAT job!!   Grandpa made smoothies in the afternoon and got the kids a bit filled up so they had a late dinner.  I headed to choir and Grandpa watched the kids.  He left Eileen in charge and walked Aaron to the church building, but then realizing he had forgotten his phone, he tried to walk back to the house to get it.... and got lost.  He finally got Aaron home near 9 and finally got him to bed (after a really late dinner and such) around 9:30.  Eileen had been rather worried since he was late and all in all - it was a bit of a stressful night.

Thursday was preschool again for James - he had a great time (he always does) and then we had an easy afternoon.  I went and got my allergy shot while he was at preschool and then headed home for a little bit.  After school, the kids got their stuff done, Grandpa made more smoothies and we got dinner ready so we could eat and head over to Skate City for a fun night of Roller Skating.  The kids all had a great time - at least until the end when Eileen had a blister and Anna bonked her head.  I had a fun time with the kids too and Grandpa had a fun time watching.

Friday the kids had no school, we had talked about maybe going somewhere, but Eileen's feet hurt and the kids were tired, so instead we just relaxed at home.  Anna and Grandpa walked to the grocery store for some more fruit for more smoothies.  Then we had those smoothies in the afternoon before taking Grandpa to the airport.  We had a bit of an emergency because Grandpa forgot his Laptop and I had to get it and run it back to him at the airport, but we made it and he made his flight and got home just fine.

Saturday morning, Eileen had flute lessons, then the kids had piano lessons, then Daddy got home ( YEY!!!)  and then Anna and I ran to Walmart for a birthday present to take to a party she was going to.  Then I dropped her off at the party, dropped off a Lasagne for some friends and headed back to Walmart to pick up my perscription (pharmacy had been closed before for lunch...) then home.  I went to take a little nap and got up 3 hours later.

Sunday was wonderful.  We headed to church and had a great fast and testimony meeting followed by my lesson in Sunday School and then a great lesson in Relief Society.  After church, we headed home and had a yummy early dinner followed by lots of fun and games, well Evie and James wanted to play Denver-opoly - like Monopoly - so more games than fun on that side, but otherwise, lots of fun and games. The best part about the Denver-opoly is seeing all our fun favorite places to go on there and trying to buy them - but otherwise - it's just like Monopoly....  Then we got the littles to bed and played one more game with Eileen and Anna.

Next week is fall break so the kids are looking forward to lots of fun!

Adventures

This week has been fun and busy.   Monday we did our usual grocery shopping, laundry and such. Then we had the sister missionaries over for dinner.

Tuesday morning, we picked up Adeline and headed to James' preschool field trip.  We hiked around a nature preserve area nearby and looked at the wildlife and had fun together exploring.  James didn't want me to take his picture (for like the first time EVER) We found a cute fuzzy caterpillar and had a fun time exploring.  The weather was perfect for it - sunny and nice but not hot.  This was one of the better pictures I got of him....

We had the Hansen's over for dinner.  It's sad that they are moving - it's been a lot of fun getting to know them this past year.  We had Chicken Tiki Masala and had a fun time chatting.  After, I went to institute.  I love studying the scriptures and I've especially been enjoying reading about the Savior's life and ministry.

Wednesday bright and early, Evie and Anna had doctor's appointments before late start day at school.  All went well - they are healthy.  James and I mostly hung out and took it easy.  In the evening, I had a chorale concert so I had to leave a little earlier than usual.  The kids had cub scouts and activity days.  The chorale was singing at a religious freedom symposium.  It was really neat - but kinda scary.

Thursday James had preschool again.  Adeline was over again.  We mostly just played and had fun until we picked the kids up from school.  In the evening, we had the kids talent show at school.  Not only were Eileen and Anna in it, but also a bunch of my swimmers and some friends from church.  Eileen and Anna were both very nervous - but did well anyway.  The only downside was that Eileen was near the end and it was rather long.... :)

Friday morning, we took the kids to school then Aunt Tina came to take James for the day so Dan and I could celebrate my birthday together.  We headed out and got breakfast, then reached Royal Gorge in time for our skydiving appointment!  We got strapped up met our tandem jump instructors and then climbed in a small plane.  We went up and jumped out.  My instructor kept asking me if I was scared and believe it or not, I wasn't - excited yet - amazed at the view - yes - scared - only for a second as I climbed out of the plane and thought - wow  I'm actually doing this :)  It was totally incredible!!!!!  I don't really have a "bucket list" but this is something I've always wanted to do - and now I can say that I've done it!

After, Dan and I stopped for some chicken feed - made a quick Costco run and then headed to Kneader's for lunch.  Then we headed home and chatted with Tina for a bit.  Then I went and got Anna from Robotics club before getting the kids dinner and sending them to bed.  Eileen got to stay up as the youth came over to watch the Princess Bride on the big screen outside.  It was a fun night - then Dan and I collapsed for a bit exhausted after a long exciting day before heading to bed

Saturday was the beginning of General Conference.  Dan got to watch the first session with us before heading off on a business trip.  Between sessions, we headed to the swim team end of season party.  We all had a fun time eating and playing and such, then we handed out awards and cute little trophies before heading back home for the next session of Conference.  After a dinner of leftovers, the younger kids went to bed while Eileen and Anna and I played Clue - Eileen won.  She was so excited - and sent daddy a lot of texts about it.  Then I let each of the girls have a little turn on my computer playing Maple Story. 

Sunday was more General Conference - these weekends are some of my favorite times of the whole year.  I always finish the weekend spiritually renewed and refreshed and ready for life again.

Just Keep Swimming

This week has been crazy busy.  Monday was the usual laundry and grocery shopping day.  We had swim practice in the afternoon and I spent the little bit of extra time I had preparing for the preschool lesson on Tuesday.

Tuesday morning James had his preschool class here.  We did a yellow party.  We colored yellow pictures, made a yellow sun, made yellow jello, listened to the "Little Yellow Jello Fellow" story and sang along to "Yellow Submarine" which is now James' new favorite song.  He spent the rest of the week asking Alexa to "play yellow submarine"  We had so much fun singing along together that I introduced him to some other Beetles songs - he really liked both "Hello Goodbye" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" He was so funny!  In the afternoon we had swim practice again and Aaron had an orthodontist appointment.  Then in the evening, I had Institute.  Class was wonderful!!!   We had a great lesson on the Beatitudes and the spirit was so strong.  I really love learning about the wonderful simplicity of the gospel and what it can do in our lives!

Wednesday was late start day for the kids.  I hit Costco to get stuff for the final carb load spaghetti dinner before championships on Friday.  James and I spent more time singing Beetles and then in the afternoon, Aaron had a dentist appointment and the rest of us went to swim practice.  It was our last hard practice of the year before championships!  Then after we headed home tried to work in piano practices and then I headed out to choir and Dan went to young men's and Aaron to cub scouts.

Thursday I spent some time in the morning cleaning, then we had James' preschool group - we had a lot of fun with numbers including a number scavenger hunt and number books and number coloring.  Adeline came over to play with us.  She and James had fun.  After school was our easy taper practice - we had some fun playing games.  Then I ran home to get stuff ready for the party at our house.  We had a lot of the girls come and even some parents.  I think they all had fun and after we ended up with a TON of extra food - so I quickly ran it over to Jen's house before heading to bed!

Friday was crazy.  Adeline came over again.  We played together and had fun, then after school, I headed in to Mrs. Moore's room to use her computer for a couple of minutes.  Then I headed home to get ready for championships!!  We headed to the school and get set up and ready.  The girls mostly did really well - we had a couple unfortunate DQ's but it just gives me more stuff to work on for next year!  We got a lot of our girls into the finals - we even had a lot of our first year swimmers make it to the finals!  Eileen headed home with Dan and then I got home late after staying to get the final results for day 1.

Saturday morning, we woke up and got the house cleaned up.  Eileen had flute lessons and Eileen, Aaron and Evie had piano lessons.  Then we set about cleaning bed rooms - even Dan and I gave our room a much needed straightening up and dusting up and giving stuff away.  Then Eileen and I headed back to the pool for the final day of swim championships.  Our team did well - they all had good times and did a great job!!  Eileen made it to the finals in her breast stroke, but she was in the consolation heat so she couldn't get a ribbon - but she had the 5th fastest time overall - which means that she beat girls in the finals heat.  She did such a great job and next year she will do even better!  She was so excited about her time - she cut time off both both days - she cut off nearly 5 seconds over the course of the weekend.  Plus our team got 3rd over all - which was really the best we had hoped for!  After, she and I headed home for a quick shower for her and a quick dinner for both of use before Eileen, Anna and I headed to the Women's General session of conference.  We were a little late - but it was WONDERFUL!  The talks were uplifting and inspiring, the music was beautiful and the company after was great too.  Becca was there with little Laura and we got to see and talk to a bunch of friends - which was fun since Eileen and I were still so excited about the swim finals.  Then we headed home for a little fun together before bed.

Today we got up and got ready for church and had a beautiful walk over to the church building.  Sacrament Meeting was wonderful - the kids were mostly good - James was having a bit of a hard time early on.  Sunday school went well - we had a great lesson about how keeping the commandments clears away the things that prevent us from receiving and seeing the Lord's blessings in our lives.  Relief Society was also amazing - we had a great lesson from our Stake Relief Society president.  This afternoon we had a great time talking to Dan's parents and playing games.  We had the Hansen's over one last time before they move to play games and have dessert.

I can hardly believe swim season is already over.  Gabbi and I are already beginning to make plans for next season.  I'm a little relieved - it's been a tiring month and a half - but I'm also going to miss it and I also kinda wish I had more time with the girls now to work with them on stuff.  Well now I just need to start making plans about how to work things more efficiently and get the more seasoned swimmers the workouts they need while getting the new swimmers the instruction and attention that they need.

Either way, I'm proud of the girls and the hard work they put in and how well they all did and I'm looking forward to doing even better next year!

Birthday Week

It's been another rather crazy busy week around here.  Monday night we had the Elders over for dinner.  We enjoyed having them and had a great lesson from them for FHE.  We also had Adeline over to watch for the day.  Plus Eileen's swim practice (which was pretty much just picture day), laundry and grocery shopping.  

Tuesday, Dan dropped the kids off at school, then headed to the airport to go to a show in D.C.  I got my lesson stuff prepped and ready for preschool.  The preschool kids are at our house this week and next, so we had a fun crazy morning with the kids learning and playing and having fun together.   Adeline was also here for most of preschool, so we had an extra kid.  After school, we had swim practice again, then we got home in time to have dinner and go to bed.  The kids had a blast making this train track and wanted a picture of it. :)  

Wednesday was late start.  Then James and I went to run some errands and get mommy a birthday donut for breakfast.  We got back home and James threw a tantrum at me and got to sit on time out for awhile.  After lunch, we ran a quick errand, then went to pick the kids up from school.  There was no practice because of a meet for other schools.  So we went home and caught up on piano practicing.  Dan had stowed a birthday card for me and sent me to open it.  He got me a skydiving trip!!!  I have always wanted to go and now I'm going to get to!  In the evening, Natasha came to watch the kids so I could go to choir.  She made birthday cards for me with the kids and cleaned up the front room.  It was so nice!!!

Thursday was preschool again in the morning, swim practice in the afternoon and then we headed home so Eileen could get dressed and we could grab a quick dinner before heading to the school carnival.  The kids had a lot of fun and it was mostly low stress and after a fun and tiring evening, we headed home for bed!

Friday the kids had school off.  So after getting the swim team met entries put in for Saturday and Eileen and Anna getting lunches ready, we picked up Adeline and went with a newly arrived home daddy to the Children's Museum.  The kids all had a blast.  We told the kids we were going to pause the play for lunch and James started heading to the car for lunch - but with out anyone else.  We freaked out a bit - but with the help of the museum staff he was found and returned.  After lunch a very stressed out Dan headed home for a conference call he needed to be on.  A bit later, the rest of us headed home so Eileen and I could get to swim practice.  We got there and the doors were locked.  There had been some cross communication and so after waiting for 15 minutes and being told that there was no one around who could unlock it, we sent the girls home.  Just after the last one left - they sent someone to open the door.  So Eileen and I and one other girl who had gotten there late got in the pool and worked on a bunch of stuff together.  After, Eileen and I headed home - then I went out and grabbed Evie's birthday present before heading over to the church for a friend's baptism.  I was playing the piano and giving a talk on baptism.  The baptism was wonderful!!

 After, we headed home to have a little birthday party for Evie.  Jeremiah and Becca came over to play a game and eat dinner and let me hold the baby for a couple hours!  Evie loved her pink hello kitty shaped cake and loved her presents - espeically a chapstick set with a cute little box from Grandma and Grandpa Jones and a handmade "Toothless" toy from "How To Train Your Dragon"  made by Becca!

Saturday morning started off bright and early with Eileen's last swim meet before championships.  She did well and the team did well!  After, we headed home for a bit before heading over to the church for a missionary homecoming party.  We all had a great time with friends and loved ones.  Then I ran home really quickly to change so I could go play piano for another baptism.  It was a really neat baptism.  It was for two converts - one of them sang an amazing musical number with the sisters.  After the baptism, I walked home, then we had one of the young women come watch the younger three while Dan and I took Eileen and Anna to the nickle arcade.  We had a fun evening together.  Dan and I pitched in with the girls so they could get a fun stuffed animal together.  We all had a great time together.  We got home a little after 8 and the kids were still awake, so we finished getting them to bed and Dan and I played together for a bit before bed.  

Church today was wonderful.  The day started off not so great - I've been exhausted all week and haven't had a slow day to recover yet.  So I was tired and didn't handle it well when everything started going wrong.  So the kids and I had a talk on the way to church in the car about how we need to make better choices so our family can be a happy family.  The talks, and musical numbers and lessons were wonderful and just what I needed to lift my spirits and help motivate me to make better choices with my kids.  After church, we did some eating and some napping and some playing games.  Followed by some cooking making and home teaching and bedtime.  Then some more games and more bed time :)  I'm feeling ready to face what is already turning out to be a very busy week.  Here goes nothing!

It's Fall!

It's really starting to feel like fall - weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter.  Monday was Labor Day, so the kids had no school and Dan had no work.  We all went to the zoo together and spent most of the day there looking for the babies and having fun!  Eileen and Anna packed our lunches again - they are so cute and sweet!

Tuesday was back to normal.  School during the day.  James had preschool.  Babysitting Adeline.  Swim practice after school.  Piano practice.  All sorts of good stuff!  In the evening, I had institute.  It was great!!  I love the chance to study and learn and discuss!

Wednesday was late start for the kids, then James and I headed home so I could get the meet information put into the computer.  Then after school, we had to stick around for team pictures.  Then we headed over to the pool to get ready for the meet.  We did a great job.  Eileen took second in the breast stroke.  We won the match easily.  I had to watch the water polo team getting ready and getting into the pool on my way out.  I really miss playing!

Thursday, James had preschool again, and Adeline was over visiting again.  It's fun to watch and listen to James and Adeline play together.  After school was swim practice.  It's hard to believe that the season is almost over.

Friday, we watched Adeline again.  After school, we had a short swim practice, I spent most of it working with our breast stroke girls on turns,  pull downs and improving their stroke.  After, Dan and I left Eileen in charge and headed to the Temple.  We had a great time doing a session and then headed home.

Saturday was busy.  Eileen had flute lessons, then Eileen and Anna and I had a Relief Society activity that we went to, then piano lessons and then we spent the afternoon cleaning up around the house.  Dan and I went to go visit Jeremiah and Becca and the new baby!!  I got to hold and snuggle her for awhile!  

Sunday, was church and was wonderful.  We had a great Sacrament Meeting, then Sunday School, followed by me teaching Evie's class in primary.  It was a lot of fun, but exhausting.  After church, Anna and I worked on finishing the barbie dress that we had started making.  In the evening, Dan had a presidency meeting, and after, the Hansen's stayed to play a game and let me hold the baby!  :)

Ugh

This has been a rather long stressful week.  Monday was the usual school day with laundry, piano practicing, grocery shopping, laundry, swim practice.  All that fun good stuff.  In the evening, we had Christina and her boys over for dinner (French Dip Sandwiches) and then we got to work canning peaches.  We worked until she had to leave, then we put the younger kids to bed and Eileen and Anna helped us get them finished.  We finished 3 boxes of peaches!

Tuesday, James had his first day of preschool.  (I was a bad momma and forgot to take a picture)  But he loved preschool and had a great time!  After school, we had swim practice and I thought we would take a fun day and play swimming games in the pool.  I got in with them and we worked hard and swam hard and had a lot of fun.  At least that's what the swimmers and I thought.  The parents all decided that because of that - I was a lousy coach who didn't care about the team....

Because of that lovely Tuesday incident (and some other circumstances), Ms. Moore (the head coach) and I got bombarded with critical emails complaining about how the team is being run.  These emails were not first sent to us - but to Mr Powell who is Dean at the school.  We have now spent the better part of the week listening to parents who have no experience coaching any type of team, let alone a swim team, telling us all the things that we are doing wrong and how we need to fix things.  I can't help but wonder if these parents have even considered that their behavior might be bullying and rude....  After a optional dry land practice, I took the kids home - ran Jen to Walgreens to pick up some medications and then got a ride from Dave to choir.  Unfortunately by this point in the day, I was so stressed out that I hadn't been able to eat all day and so tight that I could hardly sing.

Thursday wasn't much better.  I took James to preschool, then Adeline came to play and we played out side and she watched me get a crock pot dinner going before picking up James from preschool.  At swim practice we were again told repeatedly how we were doing things different from last year - therefore we must be doing them wrong.  We ran trials and times for the Saturday meet and headed home still upset with me still mostly unable to stomach eating anything...

Friday we had Adeline coming over to play again.  She and James had a blast together.  Dan took the day off and got the oil changed in the car.  I took Jen's daughter to the laundromat to dry clothes (James and Adeline loved putting in the quarters and pushing the buttons and especially watching the beginning of Emperor's New Groove.  After school I got the stuff ready for the spaghetti dinner swim party that night.  We picked Anna up from Robotics Club and then headed over.  I was a bit worried about having to be there with some of these pushy parents, but apparently they are only willing to bash me in emails to my boss - not to my face.  So the evening was pleasant and I just spent my time talking to the girls and talking to the nice parents.

Saturday morning, bright and early Eileen had her second swim meet.  She did really well!  She is really enjoying swimming breast stroke and is getting pretty good at it!  After the meet, The kids had quick piano lessons and then we headed to to Logan and Ashley's house for their daughter's baptism.  I got to play the piano for it and it was so good to get to see them again!  After, we headed to their house for lunch and chat and fun with cousins for most of the afternoon.  After we got home, we did a quick clean up of the house followed by putting the kids to bed.

Church today was wonderful but a little crazy.  My head hasn't really felt screwed on straight for most of the week.  I was asked to sub in primary, so after Sacrament and teaching my usual Sunday School class, I also taught a primary class of 4 and 5 year olds.  In other words - I taught the only Jr Sunday school class that I didn't have kids in.  :)  But it was fun!  After Paul and Candace and family came down from Logan's house for dinner and play time in the evening.  Dan had to ditch us for a bit to go to the youth fireside, but it was so fun to see them and get to hang out with them!  Now I just need to get some sleep!!

Crazy Week

This week has been a bit busy.  :)

Monday we got a bit of respite since Swim practice had to be cancelled because the head coach couldn't be there and I wasn't official yet.  So we spent the afternoon getting piano lessons done and laundry and such.  I stopped at the grocery store with James to get some stuff for dinner.  The sister Missionaries came over for dinner and gave a great lesson about the temple and family history.

Tuesday was school for the big kids, except Eileen who wasn't feeling good.  She was throwing up all morning, but with some help from a priesthood blessin and pepto bismal, she started feeling better after lunch and still came to swim practice with me, but she didn't swim.
After she was feeling good enough to go to Skate City, so for once, we all got to go!  We all had a lot of fun skating and being together.

Wednesday was the big day.  I spent most of the morning getting things ready for the meet.  I had to figure out who would be swimming what and then get everything submitted for the meet.  I also made a quick stop at goodwill for their $1.00 jeans sale.  After school, we all got ready for the meet - but because of busing issues, it started late which meant that I was running late for choir.  Dan took the younger kids home to get them fed and then came back for Eileen's last 2 events.  Then I rushed to choir and Dan rushed to young men's.

Thursday was school for the kids, James and I ran some errands - I had to do some things to get myself as the official assistant coach.  I got in the pool with the girls and we worked on some more stroke stuff and did some more work on diving off the blocks.  Then we had one night off from anything but the normal piano practicing and homework and stuff.

Friday morning, Adeline came to play for the day.  I had to run some errands, I had to get my paperwork turned in and finger prints taken and a badge made and I was official!  Then I headed down to pick up our peaches for canning.  After school, we had the dry land work out for swimming and Anna got to do her robotics club.  In the evening, we played some games together with Eileen and Anna then called it a day!

Satrday morning started bright and early, I got up and headed for a chorale concert at the Ralston House .5K run.  I was there all morning, while Dan took the kids to flute lessons and piano lessons and worked out getting the young men to help set up chairs for stake conference.  After I got back, we grabbed a quick lunch, then headed to Ft. Collins to get to walk through the new temple!  I think the kids really liked getting to walk through the temple (except the itchy shoe covers.)  It was a beautiful day and a beautiful building.  Then Dan and I got a quick dinner for the kids, then I went over to the church to practice for stake conference musical number, then Dan and I enjoyed the adult session of stake conference before heading to the grocery store together to grab a few things to get us through the weekend.

Sunday morning, Dan headed to the priesthood leadership meeting, then the kids and I met him there so I could sing with the choir and then we got to enjoy another wonderful session of stake conference.  After the Bishops came over to eat and play games with us.  We had a great time playing and chatting and watching the kids be silly!  After putting the kids to bed, Dan and I played Dominion again and now, I'm about exhausted and ready for bed!!  

Just Keep Swimming

School is back in full swing.  Eileen started swim practice on Monday.  I went to take her and talk to the head coach and found that she had never coached a swim team before and didn't have any parent helpers with experience either.  So I am helping coach the swim team.  The other kids are mostly playing in the seats and I'm trying to help them learn how to swim.  We already have our first meet next week.  So we spent this week working on strokes and turns and starts.  I also found out that they have a club water polo team for all ages that plays at the same pool and I'm hoping to get info on that!
Dan's been sweet and has been finding the US water polo olympic matches for me to watch this week - it's been so fun watching - and the US women's team is VERY good!!

So every day this week after school, we have had swim practice.  James and I have been keeping busy at home then we go, go, go after school until evening.

Wednesday after dropping the kids off for late start, I asked James if he wanted to go to the library and he said he wanted to go to the park instead.  We let a few friends know we would be there and we got to have one friend meet us there with her kids.  The kids had a fun time playing, and we had a great time chatting and having fun.  The evening was the usual insane schedule for Wednesday, Choir, Cub Scouts, Activity Days, and Young Men's

Thursday morning, I met with the other mom's in our preschool group this year.  We got the schedule and stuff figured out and James is super excited about getting to do preschool again this year.  Then we had our now normal crazy afternoon.  Piano lessons are now moved to Saturday morning - so no piano lessons on Thursday.

Friday, was a dry land practice for the swim team.  Eileen wasn't crazy about it since she hates running, but at least we got done a little earlier than usual, so we could go home and do some clean up before our friends came over!  The Nelson's came over for dinner and games and brought a fun game we hadn't played before called Sansoussi.  The kids had fun playing with their little girl and the grown ups had fun playing our game.  :)

Saturday morning, the kids had piano lessons, then we headed over to Dwayne and Nicole's house for Tayanna's early birthday party.  It was so fun to see them and hang out with them again - with all our summer travel, it had been too long!  Then we headed home, Dan went to Natasha's to give her a blessing, then came home to help get ready for more friends!  The Wells' came over for dinner and fun.  They have 4 daughters, the kids all had fun playing with them and I had fun holding the baby!  We had a pizza party and the kids watched Zootopia while the adults played games again.  Then for the girls hour up, after our guests left, we played our new Dominion expansion (it was Dan and I's anniversary present and just arrived that day!)

Sunday started out mostly normal.  Evie's tummy wasn't feeling good (I'm afraid they ate a bit too much junk...)  So we drove to church and when we got there, Evie snuggled up in my lap and stayed there for all of sacrament meeting.  The talks given were wonderful and there was a beautiful musical number.  I had the overwhelming feeling that sitting there being uplifted by wonderful talks and wonderful music while I snuggled with my kids and my husband was the absolute best place in the world to be!!  After church, we had our early dinner, then Eileen and I went to Stake Choir while Dan babysat the Bishop's kids.  After, Eileen and Anna and I got started on making some barbie clothes, just for fun!  Then after scriptures, Dan played games with the kids while I went to the Bishop's house to practice for a musical number for the Saturday Night session of Stake Conference.  It was so fun singing with that great group of singers, we were all enjoying it so much that after we were done rehearsing, we kept singing for a bit just for fun!

Our poor puppy isn't feeling too well - his tummy seems to be bothering him a bit and it's led to a couple emergency baths and more clean up than we would like, so hopefully he feels better soon!

Back to School

This was a big exciting week for us.  Eileen started Middle School - still at Quest - but she's officially middle school with a locker and different classes and electives and such.  As a big - middle - school kid, she started school on Monday - and she was so excited!!  

Tuesday was mostly just hanging out at home and doing a bit of clean up.  The Elders were scheduled for dinner, but were late because of some issues they had with appointments going long.  So while they came and ate - it was after the kids had gone to bed and we had to re-heat dinner for them.  

On Wednesday, the rest of the kids started school leaving James and I to ourselves again.  They also were excited to start school!  This was the second picture I took - the first one they just wanted to show off their back packs....  They had a blast, then after school was piano lessons.  Anna quit lessons - so it was just the 3 kids who had lessons.  We are going to have to move lessons to Saturday now so Eileen can do her swim team after school.  In the evening was cub scouts, young men for Dan, and Choir for me.  We were getting ready for our concert on Thursday.

On Thursday after school, we packed up picnic dinners and I took all the kids to my concert - Dan met us there after work.  And they listened to the fun outdoor concert (with just a little rain) and ate their dinner and had fun playing with the kids of other choir members.

Friday Eileen was going with the rest of the 6th graders to a ropes course.  Eileen however is a little afraid of heights.  Despite that she did all the activities even though they were scary for her!  I'm so proud of her willingness to face her fears and do hard things anyway!  Not even all adults are able to do that - She never complained about it - she just did it!  In the evening, we had some friends from church over for games.  We played a fun party game that they brought (I don't remember the name) but it was all about being silly and laughing at yourself.  Then we played Love Letters and Mille Bornes while waiting for brownies to get done.  Then I made a quick grocery trip for the kids.

Saturday we had our family trip to Cherry Creek Reservoir.  Veterans are free for the month of October, and the girls needed to plan a family event.  So the girls planned and packed and made lunches and snacks for every one and got it all ready and then after Eileen's flute lessons, we headed to the lake!  The kids had a blast - we sunscreened up repeatedly, but still came home with a few sunburns (especially Daddy!)  We all had a great time playing in the sand and playing in the water and eating yummy food and playing together.

In the evening, We got the kids dinner, then Dan and I left Eileen and Anna in charge and finally went out on our anniversary date.  We got dinner at a great little Chineese place, then we went to go see the new Star Trek.  We ran into the Doxy's there and had a great time watching the movie together!

Today was wonderful.  We had a nice walk to church.  Sacrament Meeting was great.  I got to teach both my usual Sunday School class and then the Beehives during 3rd hour - both lessons about the family being eternal.  Both were great discussions.  The beehive class was a lot of fun!  It was a bit hard to keep them on topic, but still a great class and a lot of fun!  The Bishop's stopped by before choir to drop off a water bottle that Christina had borrowed.  Dan watched their kids for them while we were at choir, and they gave me a ride there and back.  Then we read scriptures and put the kids (and Dan) to bed a bit early :)  Now it's my turn too!

Home again - for real this time....

Monday morning, Grandpa and Frankie headed back to Denver area.  :(  The kids and I had fun walking around and playing and hiking and such.  In the afternoon the kids and i headed down to South Park City for the afternoon.  Julia wasn't feeling great so she and Doug didn't join us, but we had a great time.  The weather was great, not too hot and not too rainy.  After we got a candy stick and a souvenir and then headed back to the cabin.  Then in the evening we finished Fiddler on the Roof.  It's been so fun watching these great musicals with the kids!  

Tuesday Doug and Julia headed back to Denver area.  The kids and I stayed for one more night.  We spent our last evening hiking up around the mine and looking for cool rocks.  The kids also spent a lot of time down at outside the Wallace's Cabin with Jill and Katherine.  They had lots of fun sanding pieces of wood.  :)  


Wednesday we headed back to Denver after cleaning up the cabin.  We stopped for a quick lunch on the side of the road and got back to town in time to unpack, and get some piano practicing done and get things in order for me to leave for choir practice.  Final practice before the concerts!  We also found eggs when we got home.  Our chickens have finally started laying!!!  

Thursday morning, we had piano lessons, followed by going to the park to meet with friends and talk about a preschool group for James again.  Then we headed home in time for me to go to sing at the Rockies game with the Chorale.  I took the rail there - with the new stations nearby it's a fairly quick and cheap way to get there.  Plus it was kinda fun!  I got back in time for the littles to be in bed and to still have some fun with Eileen and Anna.  

Friday morning, Eileen had her middle school orientation in the morning, then Anna had an orthodontist appointment and then I picked up Eileen.  Then I dropped the kids off and left Eileen in charge so I could get some grocery shopping done.  We were in pretty desperate need of some basics. I got back and tried to get everything ready to go do my girls night out with Becky.  I left with her around 4 and left Eileen in charge again - just until Dan got home.  Becky and I headed to the hotel and checked in for a fun night of digital scrapbooking!  

Saturday morning while I was still with Becky, the kids and Dan went on the primary temple trip to the Denver Temple.  They all had a great time - I can't believe I have 5 kids in nursery!  When they got home we got some clean up done around the house, then I took Eileen, Anna and Aaron to my concert.  It went well and the kids had fun and made a new friend.  After, we went to Chili's for some dinner and dessert.  When we got home and Dan asked them how it was, they said it was GREAT!  - They got a different dessert and it was yummy - yep all they talked about was the dessert....  

Today was fast and testimony meeting.  It was a great day!  Listening to testimonies made me so grateful for my own testimony.  I had a great time up at the cabin chatting with Doug and Julia and getting their perspective on things - but doing so makes me so grateful for my own faith and knowledge about the Lord's plan for us!  It brings such peace and hope to my life!  After church, we had some friends over to eat and play games.  We chatted with Dan's parents for a bit then put all the kids to bed but Anna.  Eileen starts school tomorrow, so she didn't get an hour up, Anna doesn't start until Wednesday, so she did.  Anna played Suburbia with us!

As much as I have enjoyed the summer, and an much as I'm going to miss all the time to do fun stuff - I'm exhausted from all this travelling and ready for a bit of a schedule and a bit more sleep!!

Busy Again

The beginning of this week was mostly spent getting ready for Dan going out of town and the rest of us heading up to the cabin.  We tried to get some house cleaning done, we tried to get some fun in, and I spent a lot of time trying to get all the food ready.  Monday was laundry and grocery shopping.   We got the kids their school supplies, and they are now all packed and ready for school to start.  

Tuesday, I got some freezer meals cooked up to take with us up to the cabin, and the kids and I tried to get the house presentable.  

Wednesday, we tried to get everyone packed up - did a bit more laundry and then I had choir in the evening.  We have concerts coming up and had our big dress rehearsal with the full orchestra.  

Thursday morning, Dan headed to the airport to go to Chicago and the kids and I packed up the car and headed towards the mountains.  We stopped at Tiny Town, but we couldn't take Koopa in with us, so I got tickets for the kids, and sent them in with their lunches and put Eileen in charge.  They did good and had fun, then rode the train.  The place is small enough that I could keep an eye on them from the parking lot across the street and could even snap a few pictures of them on the train from just outside the fence.  Eileen took pictures of the kids for me with her phone.  Then we all got some ice cream and packed up and finished our trip to the cabin.  It's funny, I remember as a kid feeling like that was a LONG trip.  Now as an adult it seems to go so fast!  In the evening, the girls and I did a puzzle and watched Hello Dolly.  

When we got to the cabin, Grandpa was already there and the kids were eager to start going up to the mine and checking all their favorite spots out.  Friday, we heard about a used book sale near the Fairplay Library.  So we stopped in and looked around.  The kids found some fun stuff and I found a couple books that I had really been wanting - and could now get them cheap!  Friday night Doug and Julia arrived in time for some fun and chat before heading to bed.

Saturday we headed down to Fairplay again to check out the Burro Days fun.  We walked around checking out the artists stalls and such.  The kids had fun for about 20 minutes then they decided that they were hot and annoyed that everything cost money.... :)  So we snacked and headed back to the cabin for more hiking and dinner.  In the evening, we started Fiddler on the Roof with Eileen and Anna - but paused at the Intermission to go to bed!

Sunday the kids and I headed to church in Frisco (not TX - Frisco, CO) Church was awesome.  During 3rd hour, there was a special 5th Sunday presentation by a man who had worked and served all over the world.  He had some amazing stories to tell about the church and it's history in other parts of the world over the last 30+ years.  It was really a neat presentation!  After we headed back to the cabin and stopped at the Continental Divide for a minute or two - I think Eileen and I were really the only ones who found it cool - but at least the other kids enjoyed getting out and stretching their legs.  We spent most of the drive home looking for license plates from other states.  We saw over half the states!  In the evening, Eileen and Anna and Aaron played Killer Bunnies with Frankie and James and Evie watched The Music Man with the rest of us.

More Family Fun!

This week has been rather hot here - no not Texas hot - but we've been in the upper 90's and low 100's so the kids complain about playing outside after 10 in the morning unless the sprinklers are on so they can get wet.  We spent most of Monday doing laundry and such - we were too tired to get a dinner planned so our amazing friends the Guinn's saved the day - They had cooked up some extra ribs trying a new recipe and brought over the extras.  I added a salad and we were good to go.  

The kids decided that they wanted to go to the park one morning, but about 5 minutes after we got there, they started complaining about the heat and wanted to go to the splash park instead, so we went home, got swimsuits and lunches and headed to the splash park/playground.  We stayed until the lightning started, then we headed home.  :)  

Choir on Wednesday was awesome as usual!

Thursday, Dan and I went to the temple.  We left Eileen in charge and things seemed to go smoothly enough.  This was the first time leaving her in charge when she wouldn't be able to get a hold of us.  She had Sister Smith to contact if necessary, but things seemed to go well - I'm not sure they would go as well if Anna weren't also here helping her.  :)  We did sealings then grabbed a quick dessert on the way home.  

Friday, we headed for the Children's Museum.  We got there a little late - but the kids had a blast while we were there, and we can go back any time now!  They had a new area where the kids had a ton of fun climbing all over the place.  They kids always love the fire station area - I was amazed to watch Aaron climb up to the top of the fire pole easily and quickly - over and over again.  

They had a fun Vet Clinic area and of course, the bubbles are always fun.  They loved the bubble chamber - the fun thing is that I have pictures of Sandi and I in this same bubble chamber when we were kids!

Saturday was our big stay at home and get stuff done day.  Dan and the kids worked on cleaning out the garage, I worked in the house and in the afternoon, Sandi and the kids came over for a few hours and dinner while Jon met with employees.

Church today was fun - We had members of the temple presidency visit our ward today.  Their talks in Sacrament meeting were wonderful.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to be there for the 2nd hour question and answer session - I was subbing in James' primary class.  Plus I got to hear him give his talk during primary!  He was so cute!  It was funny - once I told him I was going to be his teacher today, he got excited and wouldn't leave my lap (except for the choir number) The choir's musical number went great!  It's so fun to hear all the talent in our ward!

Fun at Home

We had a fun and busy week!  Dan headed up with the young men for High Adventure.  He was gone with them until Friday - at which point he came home tanned, tired and needing to take his belt in another notch.  We went to the park on Wednesday morning with the Smith's and enjoyed playing outside while it was still cool enough to enjoy being outside.  

Wednesday night I had choir and Sister Cottrell watched the kids so I could go to Choir.  After Eileen, Anna and Aaron got back, I started getting emergency texts from Eileen that the kids were still awake - and by the time I got home after 10, they were all still up and running around.  Poor Eileen - but the kids sure had fun :)  

On Friday, we went to the Butterfly Pavilion and got ourselves a joint membership for the Butterfly Pavilion and the Children's Museum.  The kids are very excited about it.  They had a great time there as always. While we were there, we saw the posted for "Rosie's Birthday Party" which was the next day, so on Saturday, we didn't give Daddy any time to recover, we just dragged him along with us back to the Butterfly Pavilion.  They had tons of fun stuff going on - plus there was a special "Member's Only" area - and the kids were SO excited that they got to go in because they are now members.  :)  We came home with tons of free stuff - lots of junk toys, sunglasses, water bottles, bags, etc.  They all had a great time though!  

They even got to get their faces painted and Anna had her Caricature done.  We headed home at closing time, exhausted, but we had a great time!  Plus it was so great to have Daddy back!  

Sunday morning, our friends the Tolbert's got into town, they arrived just in time to come to church with us and then they stayed the night with us!  It was so good to get to see them again!!  We had a great afternoon playing games and chatting and singing and talking crafts!  There are times I think that I would like to move back to Texas, just to be near them and the Tilton's again...

Family Reunion

Well we started this week off with a 4th of July Pancake Breakfast that our ward puts on every year.  It's put on by the cub scouts and this year Aaron got to help out - early on, he took over making the scrambled eggs - can I just say that his eggs were the BEST scrambled eggs that I've EVER had at a church function (or really any large dining place) In other words - for the first time - they weren't way over cooked and burnt.  He was still getting complements on them at church today!  After, we spent most of the day getting ready to leave the next morning.  

Bright and early on Tuesday, we loaded up and got into the car to head to Bear Lake.  We stopped for lunch at Little America, and made it to the rental cabin by mid-afternoon.  We unpacked - picked rooms, and had dinner before a family home evening lesson and play with cousins.  Bedtimes went out the window this week....

Wednesday we all packed into our cars and headed for the lake.  We rented a Jet Ski, a lake trampoline and a couple paddle boards.  Everyone had a ball - and most of us got a bit sunburned.  It's been so long since I've gotten to ride a jet ski - but I LOVE them!  Someday, maybe I'll have one of my own...  We did lunch at the beach and stayed there for most of the day - only heading back for dinner in the evening.  We had another wonderful family home evening lots of game playing and hanging out.  

Thursday we played games around the cabin.  I brought the left over girls camp crafts and Dan brought paint balls and grandma and grandpa brought candy covered shirts for playing human pinata.  The paint balls were a little rough - some of the kid ended up with some pretty good welts - but we had set an age limit of over 12 to keep littles from getting hurt.  After the older kids had fun, we let the younger kids take over and aim at targets.

This was Evie chasing one of the human pinatas - her cousin Jacob.  It was so funny to watch the older boys run away and eventually get tackled and brought to the ground and mauled by little kids eager for candy.  :)

In the afternoon, some of us stayed at the cabin and rested and played games (including me - i had hurt my toe on Tuesday and I was still hobbling) While the rest got to go hike up and down in some caves.  I wish I'd been able to go - but I don't think I could have handled the stairs...   Thursday night, we had our final FHE/Devotional.  We sang songs, bore testimony and shared the love.  I'm so grateful to be part of this family!  I'm so grateful that my kids get to be part of this family too. Then we played a game of sardines for a bit before sending the kids to bed, while we stayed up playing a few more games and talking for a bit longer.

The next morning, exhausted and happy, we packed up, cleaned up and headed home.  We stopped at Steve and Claire's along the way for a bathroom break and to let the kids see all the animals.  Then we arrived at home and unloaded the car.  Then Dan began his mad dash to get everything ready for High Adventure next week.  Saturday was spent with Dan getting stuff ready and packed for next week, while the kids and I spent the day trying to recover from the past week.  We were all glad to get to pick up Koopa Friday night and spent a lot of time playing with him.

Sunday was church - wonderful speakers and great lessons.  Choir after church, yummy dinner, and playing games with Eileen and Anna in the evening.  Now I'm facing a week here alone with the kids.  :(

Camp

Well - I now have 2 kids in double digits.  Anna turned 10 on Monday!  She was so excited about being a double digit girl.  Unfortunately for her, It was kinda an insane day.  I spent a lot of the day getting things ready for camp - I had to run some errands, get everything packed and get laundry done.  Plus I had to meet the girls at the church to get everything packed into the trailer and sent up to camp.  After, we had Anna's birthday dinner of Burritos and then she opened her presents, then we took the kids down to drop them off with Aunt Tina for the week.  Eileen apparently forgot to bring anything to do and was bored all week (if her text messages to me and grandpa and Sister Smith are any indication....)  We took her ice cream cake to Frank and Tina's and she blew out her candles and we all had cake there before Dan and I headed home.  

Tuesday morning, bright and early we met at the church to head up for camp.  The weather this year was perfect - enough sun to be warm and enough cloud cover and sprinkles to not get too hot.  The girls seemed to have a good time and seemed to all feel welcomed and loved.  Our first day up there, we unpacked and set up camp, then in the afternoon, we headed for the lake and had fun in the canoes.  It was fun getting to see some of the girls trying something they had never done before and loving it!  

Wednesday morning after breakfast was the hike.  I chose to go on the 2nd year hike which is the longest - still not really a hike, but it was a nice walk through gorgeous scenery and even better - I got to see a beaver swimming around his pond!  It was really nice walking around and chatting with amazing people.  We spent the afternoon playing games and doing crafts.  Then tons of fun at the lake getting our skit ready and having fun at the lake.  Finally the evening program was a blast!  

One of the crafts offered was wood carving.  One of the cooks/bishops/awesome guy who reminds me of my dad - brought wood and knives for carving and taught the basics.  I had fun carving myself a "Harry Potter Wand" It took me the better part of all three days we were there to finish it, but I finally got it done and sanded and I love how it came out!  Now the plan is to stain the wood and display it - but first I'm going to have to convince the kids that it's not their toy!  :)

This is me at camp - Eileen was texting me and amazingly I had enough signal to get them and even to be able to chat with her on the phone a bit - so I sent her a selfie of me at camp - it's hard to tell from this photo - but one of the girls from the ward had done my hair for me into braids.

Thursday was more fun time and a service project and finally finishing my wand.  In the evening, we had our testimony meeting and we got some real rain for the first time.  It was such a sweet experience listening to the girls bear testimony!

Friday morning we packed up and headed out.  We were one of the first wards done packing up, but one of the last to leave since the girls were busy serving others and helping get everything done!  They are such amazing girls!  Finally we got home - got stuff divided up and sent home with people and I headed back home where Dan was busy with Newell and Jacob building us a new fence!  They were getting posts in -  I took a shower and a nap before heading to the baptism of one of my girls from camp.  I was playing the piano.  It was beautiful!  After I headed home to an early bed time and slept for nearly 12 hours.  I woke up late the next morning and Dan and Newell and Jacob were hard at work on the fence.  Becky and the girls came over for a bit too - they hung out and had dinner with us.  Hopefully Dan will be able to get most of the fence done tomorrow since we leave Tuesday for the Jones Family Reunion!

Church today was great!  Eileen fasted with us - and while she was a bit grumpy, she did great!  Relief Society was wonderful as always and I think my lesson went well in Sunday School.  After church, we had a nice walk home, then had dinner once Dan got home.  We spent our evening, having fun together and enjoying the beautiful weather.  Eileen wanted to play Killer Bunnies during her hour up, Anna didn't want to play - she said she wanted to scrapbook, but then spent most of the time chatting with us and looking over our shoulders.  Now that we have 2 who get to stay up, the dynamic is changing, we will have to figure it out!