Monday, September 4, 2017

Dinner at Casa de Negro


Sunday night Tori invited all of us to dinner. They moved to Utah from Texas a year ago.  Their house is really pretty. I loved it.

Dinner was delicious and the company was awesome. 

After dinner we sat out on the porch and the kids played with bubbles on the soft grass. 

Behind their house is a lot that has goats and horses and a mule on it. The kids enjoyed petting the animals.



I love Penny's face in this picture!

Overall I have to say that the whole weekend was just a treat and so much fun and filled with joy. It was even worth the drive in the traffic... twice.




Penny's shopping trip


Penny's birthday is this week. Saturday between events we had a couple of hours of free time so I asked her if it would be more fun to get a surprise birthday box in the mail or to go on a shopping trip and pick a present. She picked to go shopping.
After lunch Hannah, Emma, Kenz, Penn and I went to Target. The big girls walked around looking at dorm stuff while  Penny and I shopped. She picked some num noms, some cute kitty boots and some cute clothes! It was a fun little trip!

When we got home the kids rode bikes and Clayton and Ethan and dad played basketball and we all sat outside watching. We had a nice afternoon.

Party


Dani turned 30 and she planned a big dance party to celebrate! It was super fun!

She had donuts and popcorn and an Italian soda bar for treats.

She rented the pavilion at the park, which was an awesome venue. The decorations were fun and festive and the music was great!

She had a glitter tattoo station, "George of the Jungle" playing, a coloring station with pictures of the guests she had printed out and we could color them and also other pictures to color. There were also lawn games for the boys.



We danced the night away and everyone had a blast. Penny and Marshall went home at 9 to sleep but Tate got to stay!

It was a good night! The weather was lovely and it was fun to celebrate!

The good thing about living far away from your family is that when you are together it is such a treat. I am always happy to see the familia!



Baptism



















We are driving home and I am trying a new mobile app to blog. It let me put up pictures but not place text where I want to. I guess that's better than nothing. 

Saturday morning was Tatum's baptism. It was really special and just as nice as it could have been. She was very excited and looked so mature and pretty. 
Her cousin Carson was also baptized so that was very special. There were tons of family members there and also many friends. 
Ethan gave the talk on baptism and he did a great job. Tate's cousin Abby gave the talk about the gift of the Holy Ghost and she also did a great job. Both teens were poised and articulate and you could tell they meant what they were saying. 
Tatum had to be dunked twice because her hand didn't go under the first time. She was fine with it though:) 
When Tatum was confirmed it was very special. She had so many priesthood holders surrounding her. I actually took a little peek in the middle because the spirit was strong and it felt very special. Greg gave the blessing. Her uncles: Dave, Zach, Ryan, Clayton and Tyler stood in the circle. As did her Grandpa Rob, Grandpa Bob, Papa and maybe the Bishop. They all had their white shirts on and looked strong and protective. Little Tatum was in white, smiling, and fresh & clean in the middle. So very sweet with the promise of eternity right before our eyes.

After the baptism we all went out to the pavilion for cookies and milk. 

We took lots of pictures and had a fun time visiting. Greg's parents are leaving on a mission in November and it is as fun to see them and congratulate them. 

What an awesome & special day!! I'm so glad we could be there.

Driving

Friday after the kids math classes, both Ethan and Grace have math 2nd period, we packed up and drove to Utah.  It was a good drive but a little on the long side. We had to make a lot of stops.  We stopped for gas about 30 miles from home because we were low, then Z started whining and carrying on so we pulled over again and she did her business in the desert. Then we needed a human rest stop. Then we stopped twice at different Walmarts and one of those times was also a dinner stop. And we had another gas stop. Made it to Dani's a little after 10.

Busy day, inefficiently executed, but not unpleasant.

Thursday, August 31, 2017

football and birthdays and cookies

I spent the day making cookies for Tatum's baptism.  She is getting baptized on Saturday morning, her cousin Carson is also getting baptized.  It will be a special day.  Tomorrow after 2nd period, both the kids have math 2nd period and we hate to miss that, we are going to drive to Utah for the weekend.  I am really looking forward to it.  Hannah and her roommate Emma are already there.  They took the BYU bus.  Jenna and Clayton are there too.  Clayton's friend happens to have a wedding tomorrow so the timing worked out great and they could fly out for the wedding and be there for the baptism and Dani's birthday party.
This type of cookies take me a long time...and they look cute but not professional.  They are fun to make if you are baking with a partner.  In this case my partner was the "Great British Bake-Off", newly recommend to me by Dani for netflixing purposes. They do taste good though so that's a win.

Last night we had a fun YW night.  It was a 5th Wednesday and we always work on personal progress on a 5th week.  Our personal progress sister recently moved so we had to come up with something ourselves.  I found a fun idea on pinterest to do 8 experiences in one night.  Most of our Laurels and Mia Maids already have earned their medallions so it's basically Beehives that need to do to the work.  I asked the older girls to each prepare an experience that they could work on with a younger girl.  Rachel, Audrey and I did too.  Then I bought 8 kinds of candy/treats and we set up 8 tables with a leader/older girl & a treat at each one. Then the Beehives went around to the different stations and started and sometimes finished or sometimes went home with just a bit more to do.  All of the girls visited all 8 stations and I felt like we got a lot done.  Hopefully it was fun.  We have one more 5th Wednesday this year so we will have to come up with something again, unless we get a leader called.

I haven't heard back from my interview.  I was really hopeful but I kind of think I was not chosen.  I guess I'll just keep applying!

Today Rob went back to the shelter to try and rescue Steve back.  It turned out that he was adopted the first day he was there.  I hope he will work out great for the new family.  It's awful to give a pet away. Seriously I can't deal with it.

Hannah is almost done with her summer term.  She has 2 A's and has enjoyed her weeks in Idaho.  Next weekend is move in weekend for all the new fall freshmen, which she is one as well.  She will move apartments to a different building (I wish I was there to help because that will be a lot of work),  and Kenz and Madi will be there as well as her new roommates.  I think it will be a lot busier and crazier.  She's up for the task. She is taking 6 classes and I am excited to hear about them.  She has loved her religion class and is actually talking about majoring in theology.  I don't think that's practical ~future career wise, but she could minor in it.  Sawyer broke up with her this week.  She is sad but taking it well.  I feel bad for her, of course, but really I feel like this is a great move.  Sawyer needs to really focus on being an awesome missionary and not be distracted by Hannah.  Likewise I am happy that Hannah is now emotionally free to pursue her own passions and interests.  She is sad but handling it really well.  I am excited to see her tomorrow and give her a big hug.

Today is Dani's birthday.  30! Wow!  She's having a big party on Saturday night, which will be really fun.  She is an awesome awesome woman.  I think I've written about her every birthday since I began blogging but honest it's so easy to do.  I am so proud of the woman she has become.  She is the best big sister ever.  A sweet and loving mom and wife.  The best daughter.  She's so fun and smart and hard working.  I LOVE that girl!! and feel so blessed to be her mom.

Today is the first football game of the season.  Ohio State Vs Indiana.  Rob is off watching it with friends from work.  We are watching here.  By "we" I mean mainly E while Grace and I do whatever but I am paying some attention to the game.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

still hot out

Last night Rob and I were watching Ethan's soccer practice (at 8pm).  It felt quite nice out so we looked up the temperature and were surprised to find out that it was 95 degrees.  We've been in the desert too long!

Soccer practice went well.  Ethan is a much faster runner than he was last year.  He's got a great foot.

Grace had choir tonight.

I subbed 7th grade.  I've had a lot of not horrible sub days lately.  Which is nice, but weird.  After school I had a job interview.  I took a test last week to see if I was qualified to be a school secretary and I passed so the panel interview was today.  I think it went well but I've been applying for literally 2 years and haven't ever been chosen so I am not holding my breath. I have long thought that school secretary would be an awesome and pleasant job.  You have the same schedule as school but don't work with the kids.  What could be better?

We shall see.