substantial #1

This is a very substantial catch up, probably the longest I haven't blogged since I was pregnant or with newborns.

So beginning with April!  I feel like we have gotten to see Nathan and Amanda a lot this year, it has been great!  We celebrated Nathan's 40th birthday.  We decorated Mom and Dad's house with lots of written memories of Nathan growing up - it was a lot of fun to remember all of the ways he has influenced my life.

Family meeting...not so fun talking about when Mom and Dad are gone but I guess those conversations have to take place at some point.  I feel very blessed to be so close to each other, and hope the feelings continue as we age.

We also celebrated Mom's birthday, 72!  Sometimes I feel like I still live there, and it's still hard to believe how lucky I am that I can talk with her and ask her advice all the day long.  She never tires of hearing of my problems and activities and kids.  She is an amazing support to me and I love her so much.

Jared was trying to straighten out the boys for a picture.  Such a crazy group.

Gymnastics came and went.  We had Lily try out for team.  In this basement they don't really work on beam or bar, and so she scored pretty low.  When I was watching her fall off the beam at the try out I wondered if Lily would still be interested - I know I wouldn't be!  She got in the car and started sniffling and crying a bit that she wanted to be on team more than anything, but they probably wouldn't let her.  Two weeks later they called to say she hadn't made it but when they found out she was at Amy's previously, changed their minds since she didn't have any experience but was quite good with floor.

Isaac loves to do gymnastics at home, it is fun to see him flip around and do hand stands against walls and couches.

 End of soccer!  He loved it.  I'm wondering if he will choose soccer over gymnastics some day.  Jackson is still in gymnastics and loves it - I offer other sports but he just says no.

Shopping at the DI.  Always some crazy high heels to try on.

Isaac finished his first year of preschool!  I don't know how he lucked out to have a teacher that went nuts for a Star Wars graduation but it was awesome and he loved it.  I still can't believe how lucky I was to find her, it is such a perfect option for the first of two years of preschool.

May weather was fantastic.  We spent a lot of time in the pool or in the river.  This is Lily and Kaitlyn forging across the Virgin River.  I'm sure Jackson would have loved it as well but I never returned because you had to climb down a LOT of rocks to get to the water, and that didn't sound too awesome with Isaac and Ada.

And we did spend pretty much every day in the pool.  Lots of friends to have join us, it was wonderful!  Isaac would stay in the hot tub so I could sit in the shade and be close, but not have to watch constantly.

 We also tried out Cottonwood Cove park in Green Valley, which was pretty neat.  The water from the Santa Clara River was clear and the older kids spent a LONG time exploring, finding tadpoles and cattails and moss islands.  There was a little path that Isaac and I would bike around, and Ada loved the big play sets.

 We visited Pine Valley one day with Grandma and Grandpa while Lily was with Adam on a trip to Idaho with Papa and all of the older grandkids.  It was a bit chillier than expected so Dad humored all of us by letting Mom put this sweater on him.  I almost peed my pants, it was so funny.

Jackson whittled his first stick into a beautiful bow that we strung that would actually shoot arrows!  For about an hour until it broke.  He got a blister he was so determined, it was pretty cool and he was pretty proud of himself.

marching along

We babysat Zoe for a week while the Tyler's went to Disneyland.  It was fun to have a dog for a short time.  It was spring break and so we were forced to go to the park every morning and night, which meant we were out of the house!  Also it was fun to have someone always happy to see you, even if you just left the room for 5 minutes.

 Mindy was visiting one day and Lily had her friend Megan over.  With no help from me except for turning on the oven, they made the signs, lemonade, cookies, and set up  this stand, then proceeded to bring in about $20.  Pretty awesome.  We immediately started in on the business lessons and took Lily to Walmart to use her earnings to buy more lemonade for future stands.

 I had to hide inside to get these shots.  Lily and friend Emma were pretending to be sassy girls flipping their hair all over the place.  It was so hilarious.  At one point Lily got so dizzy that she had to lay down.

 After using some money to but a lemonade from Lily, Jack excitedly did his own, and he and Isaac did the majority of the cookies and lemonade but had a bit of help from me.  They got Jackson over and made quite a bit of money as well.  We'll see how often this happens in the summer.  It will be so deathly hot who knows when they will want to set it up.

 Isaac started soccer!  He is such a cutie.  He didn't like sitting out he was so excited.  If he ever kicked the ball he would yell out in excitement, and if the opposing team ran away and scored he yelled out "NO!!"  It was awesome.  He has the best personality.  Yesterday Adam and I were in the kitchen, both within a few feet of him eating some watermelon.  He was totally absorbed in this quiet little battle between him and the white seeds, him attacking and them protesting until he took a bite.  So hilarious.  This kid has no issues with low self esteem, he is awesome and knows it and will let you know if you will listen.  Whenever he eats a full meal he will ask if I want to see his muscles, whereupon he will flex with all of his might (the veins on his neck get pretty big), scrunching up his face and making a super big sound of effort.  He is pretty big for his little body.

Happy Easter!  It was a crazy but good weekend.  Britt was here for the week previous so we got some time with her, girls lunch with Vickie and viewing of her pottery exhibit, funeral for Adam's grandpa so lots of family all day Friday, ending with a date to see Batman vs. Superman with Britt and Kurt, I was really tired by this point, baptism Saturday morning (did program and was pianist), dyed Easter eggs with cousins (Adam's project, he did most of it), cleaned and went to the store (three of them) to prepare for Easter dinner the next day, went to the General Women's broadcast with Lily and Liz, found out about Easter breakfast and egg hunt with Mom and Dad the next morning, went back to the store, prepared for Easter, baked two cakes and started two loaves of bread, next day celebrated Easter morning (thanks to Liz and Jared for providing all eggs for the hunt - even though I was using words Adam still put all of the eggs in the kids baskets; also thanks to Mom and Dad for making a super delicious breakfast!  I didn't do anything...), prepared Sharing Time, prepared all we could for Easter dinner afterwards, went to church, came home and had ~25 people here for Easter dinner.  It was wonderful! I was very grateful that Adam allowed me to slowly accumulate party items throughout the years so that events like this are not a big deal.  I look forward to many more family and friend get togethers in the future!  Which will hopefully give me more expertise in estimating how much food is necessary.
I was able to share my testimony of Easter in Sharing Time to the Primary kids, and was very grateful that the Spirit was present as I told of how Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection made possible the gift to right all wrongs and restore all that is lost, especially our loved ones.  It was a happy day.

the happiest place on earth

...was not the happiest place on earth for the first little bit.  After pulling our kids out of bed at 5 am to surprise them and avoid morning traffic in Vegas, we pulled over with a flat tire just outside of the big city, causing us to lose two hours in the wait for the tow truck.  Lily talked about how it was the worst possible thing that could have happened, which I told her she shouldn't say because there were a lot worse things that could happen.  By the time Adam and all four kids squished in the back cab due to the nice allowance of the driver to take our apparently oversized family, Lily was in tears and carsick.  We got to 24 hour tire where we didn't need to get out of the car for them to jack it up and change the tire lickety split, for $40 cash only, leading us to speculate how this place *really* operates (we regretted not getting another tire for the other side since we ended up at Costco in CA and spending $160 for a new one).

Lily threw up within the hour and three or so more times before we ended up at the beach (I couldn't help but point out how I was right that a flat tire wasn't the worst thing - she thought it was a good joke too).  I was contemplating if it was really possible for us to have had *that* bad of luck for it to be the flu and to travel through the family throughout our 4 night stay, but by the time Britt showed up with her kids Lily was good to go and as energetic as ever.

The beach was magical and the kids were so happy in the water, especially Jackson who got to try out boogie boarding for the first time and absolutely loved it.  Lily might need a few more times to get the hang of it.  I love that Lily and Eleanor and Jack and Gregory start up as friends even with months and months in between seeing each other.

Ada is obsessed with sand and loved building with her Dad.  I was enjoying catching up with Britt.

The next day it was off to Disneyland.  We got there early and stood in 4 lines before they let us in, requesting that 'for your safety, please walk to your destination'.  For the next probably two hours these were the most oft repeated phrases going through my head:  "What the heck were people talking about, this is the worst place ever."  "This is a nightmare."  "Why did I get a three day pass, there is no way we are going to last that long."  Three hours and three rides later we were eating our super overpriced lunch and Jackson needed to go to the bathroom, which I couldn't find and almost started to cry.

But we finally got into the swing of things and although we did spend basically every single line-wait discussing the logistics of how Disneyland could make more money and let in less people, or why are there so many adults without kids, or newborns or pregnant women, or why would anyone go back more than once, people are crazy, etc etc, we did start to enjoy it.

The kids did awesome, Isaac was such a little trooper even though he couldn't go on some of the bigger rides because he was two inches too short....such a bummer.  Adam tried to make it up with churros.  We thought Jack and Lily were handling it well until Jack said he wanted to go to the beach and we answered that we weren't going to the beach, we were at Disneyland.  Cue major breakdown (first out of three - the second one occurred ten minutes into the second day as he fought for a ride in the stroller, the little stinker).  I've realized that I have to talk and talk and talk to him to remind him that he does have fun if he gets out of his bad moods.

On Splash Mountain we realized that Jackson likes a thrill but oh boy Lily doesn't.  We kind of forced her to go two times after this and she has the same look of terror every time.

Adam was a trooper and took the kids on the obligatory spinning rides, saving me from probably a full day of nausea.  I seem to have become even more sensitive with age.  :P

Ada LOVES Minnie and Mickey Mouse.  She always points them out on her diaper and asks me to sing the song.  So we did wait in line to meet her, although Ada of course wouldn't go by herself.  She loves to point out "Minnie Mouse!" when she sees this picture though.  So cute.

By the third day we had found a good rhythm and would only go on rides with short lines to get more in.  I felt by the end we knew what we were doing.  But I am going to research a lot better when I plan our next trip.

My parents say when I was little I just wanted to go on It's A Small World repeatedly.  It still amazed me, I love the colors and cultures and the culmination of peace at the end.

Buzz Lightyear was a favorite for all.  Ada would point her laser at Adam and gleefully say "Shoot Daddy!"  It was really cute.  I love this picture.  These two can get along so well sometimes.

Also by the end I had recognized why it is such a wonderful place, at least for our family.  It was really neat to be able to focus 100% on the kids having a good time and as parents keeping them safe (Ada dodged under more ropes and around more corners than I would have thought possible).  It was definitely a happy place and I think even Adam would be willing to go again in a few years, even though on the first day he said he was going home and making reservations for an isolated cabin on a lake in Montana.  Our introvert selves really came out that first day.
The last day we were there Adam determined that our other front tire would probably blow out on the way home so we went to Costco, where they gave us a 2.5 hour wait but luckily Britt was willing to drop everything to come pick me and the kids up, then take her kids out of school so we could go play at the beach again.  It was so fun; I'm really hoping Adam will be up for at least another beach trip soon...

birthday girls and Christmas 2015

 Lily is 9 years old!  Wow.  A little too fast.  I feel like she just got baptized.  She requested no friend party this year, so we had lots of family!  She requested presto grilled chicken, pasta with homemade alfredo sauce, and I made homemade french bread and broccoli to go along with it.  I did a December-only Peppermint ice cream pie with oreo crust and lots of whipped cream, hot fudge and caramel toppings.  And then she was sick and didn't get to enjoy things too much, but luckily we had lots of leftovers.  She loves to be involved in the kitchen, and whatever she can help with she does.

 Ada turning 2 followed right after.  We had invited the Bird's over and had quite a big group of adults and cousins.  It wasn't until after everyone left that we got a little oreo and sang to Ada.  What a little firecracker, she is taking her job to be a 2 year old very seriously!

 Not quite sure why her shirt came off but she is such a cutie.

 Gymnastics performance!  It was really fun to watch Isaac.  He is looking good and hopefully a bunch of this stuff sticks.

 So much muscle!

 Lily and Jackson finished their semester as well, with Jackson absolutely refusing to go back to the basement.  Apparently gymnastics is NOT OKAY without access to a foam pit to jump in.

 Star Wars!!!!!  This was so exciting.  Adam got free tickets and we surprised the kids.  Isaac fell asleep which was expected, and Lily and Jack loved it so much.  It's neat being able to have discussions about right vs. wrong after watching those movies.  :)

This was a day.  I had answered the door and talked with someone about 2 minutes.  When I came back saw that Ada had found a bowl of grated cheese that she sprinkled around the house.  Six cracked eggs near and in the fridge/freezer that had broken when she tried to pull the carton out.  And this - she got her own knife to cut open a new block of cheese.  Good thing we don't have super sharp knives (otherwise this picture wouldn't exist).

 Adam's dad rented some rooms in Eagle Point for people to go stay in.  We were the only takers (besides Ben and Peggy who had to turn around).  It was a scary drive.  That picture down there was on the way, and it still gives me the chills.  I think I didn't breathe much for the 3 hour drive and then had a headache for most of the night which wasn't helped by both Lily and Jackson coming in our room to say they had thrown up (nope), they needed a drink, they needed to go to the bathroom, they wanted to sleep on our bed (a small queen), they felt sick, etc etc.  I can't express the relief I felt from the fact that Ada and Isaac didn't wake up.

 The picture above is quite a treasure.  When I showed it to Mom and Liz they both said "She never smiles like that!"  And then I show them the next picture and they say "Yes that is more familiar".  Ha!  She is quite wary, but really she is so much fun.

 All of our snow kids.  I was surprised how much snow gear we had amassed through our years in Ogden, although we luckily could go across the street to Liz's to grab a few boots and miscellaneous things to fill the gaps.  Adam had a pretty crappy night too and so after playing in the snow for about 30 minutes the next morning, it started to snow and I said "We are leaving!  I am not staying another night up here!" So we packed up to go down the steep mountain through a storm.  Oh how fun it is with all wheel drive.  I love our van, and what a great snow driver Adam is.  I forced myself to breathe a lot more on the way home.

 Christmas Breakfast!  I have a hard time understanding my kids following Adam's example of wanting to eat breakfast first before opening presents.  BUT as a Mom I do appreciate them getting something in their bellies before the chocolate and candy, which is what I normally had for breakfast when I was a kid.  Adam and I once fought about it, I was incensed and thought it was crazy that people just didn't even care that the next room was filled with presents waiting to be opened!  Because I sure did!

 Adult get togethers!  Here is one with spouses (without Mom, but Britt joined us too), at a little French restaurant in Santa Clara.  Be prepared for long conversations, there is one cook that starts from scratch; also a bit chilly as it is a brick room with a little space heater to heat it.  But still fun.  Dad had just finished his second hip surgery so we are all happy he survived!

Our annual get together with friends, always so fun to see everyone, and Maria was in town for this one.  I think it has been about 10 years!  Also Amanda was here to help out with Dad's recovery so that was fun too!  Always good to catch up and laugh together.

I had some stuff to drop off for Primary and took the kids for a little ride.  Adam had Isaac's coat so he wanted this as a replacement.  Along with his ninja headband I thought he looked pretty awesome.  He is quite the speedy biker and love to go super fast.
And that is the end.