Saturday March 5

Today was a good day.

I left about 8:30 this morning to go to my friend, Ashlee Birk's, conference, A Reason to Stand.

It was a really nice day.

The overall theme was forgiveness and we went to different 'classes' where we heard from people and their different types of problems and how they dealt with forgiveness.

It was very interesting.

I didn't stay the whole time because Hallie was getting baptized today, and I needed to get home to get ready for that!

But I did go to lunch with Jenni, which was fun.

She was also at the conference.

I really liked it and I plan to go when she does it again next year!

So I got home and the kids had gotten all the chores done.

But they needed to get ready for the baptism.

So we rushed to get everyone showered and ready and we were off.

Sweet little Hallie got baptized and it was so great to be there for it.

Then we went to the Young's house afterwards for a dinner.

And we got to talk and the kids got to play and everyone had a nice time.

So nice that I didn't even take any pictures!!!!!!

But luckily I have pictures of Hallie from when we did pictures in her dress :)

Isn't she the sweetest!?!

Friday March 4 (add pictures)

We had a fun day today.

Except the day started with dad having to leave to take the captain's test.

He has not been excited about this....but it's just what we gotta do.

Two years ago he took the test.

He made the list which is good for two years.

He is the next person on the list.

The list is good until May.

The next person to retire, retires two weeks (or so) after the list is retired.

It really kind of stinks.

So they start testing for the new list in March, today.

He has been studying, still in hopes that something will work out, but really no choice but to take it again anyway.

It just stinks.

So that is where he went this morning.

The little kids had school off today.

And I took Madi to PT and let her stay home for the day :)

She had an easy day at school with not much going on.

And we made plans to go to Wahooz for miniature golfing for a birthday party/test over party.

Dad got home around noon.

I went for a run and we all had lunch and we were to Wahooz at about 1.

We played a round of miniature golf which was super fun :)

Then dad took port and the big girls on the go carts and Elsie and I played some games, but then she spent most of her time on the play gym place.

She worked herself into a sweat and had so much fun!

We got home and Cassi, Elsie and port played outside some more.

I ran to the store for milk and some girl scout cookies.

Tonight was our 'man-food' night for our ward.

It usually consists of a lot of meat and bacon wrapped stuff :)

We went with Girl scout cookies this time.....

It was a fun time though.

Madi went, and is still at, the high school for the Mav Factor.

It's the high school talent show of sorts, but they win scholarships and stuff.

It is always a fun time, I will go one of these years.......

And Cassi was out babysitter tonight while we were all out.

But she was really wishing she could go to the Mav Factor.

Maybe next year......

Thursday March 3 (add pictures)

Well, happy birthday to me!

It was a great day.

Dad got home just after Madi left for school.

So we waited until after school to open presents.

But Dad did want me to open one.

And it was an amazing 1928 replica of a three picture locket.

I LOVE IT!

It is super cool.....and he hit the nail right on the head with it :)

The rest of the morning, he made the lunches for the kiddos and got them all ready and off to school and I was told to just chill on the couch.

Once Dad got home from taking them to school, we decided to take a nap.

He had a long night at work, and I had a pounding headache.

So that was nice to rest for a bit.

When we woke up, we got all ready and he took me to the Boise Fry Company for lunch.

Sweet potato fries....yummmmmm!

We came home and I made him study (since his test is tomorrow!!!!!) while I worked on my Sunday lesson, which I still do not have done.

Or really even started.

I just read more talks that I wanted to use.

Which is great to have material to work from.....but I need to take a class on how to prepare a lesson!!!!!!

I just get myself so much information and then don't know how to fit it all together to make sense.

It's a real problem :(

Anyway.

After school we had a Marty Lane party.

Vern, Billy, Bob (Billy's dad) Max , Graham, Bubbles, Eldon all came down with all kinds of treats.

We didn't get to celebrate with them on Brent's birthday, so they brought a cake for him and me to blow some candles out.

And they brought some yummy pineapple boat things and stuffed strawberries!

Mmmm.....mmmm!

We visited for a bit and then they headed out because we had to leave for Port's first football practice.

He has been so excited!

We all went and Dad had fun being an unofficial assistant couch :)

The coach liked having his help because this age is not exactly easy to work with........especially if it is their first time playing flag football.

After practice, we went to Red Robin for dinner.

It was a late dinner.

And we had to wait, so while we waited we made a run to Krispy Kreme because they had the hot and ready sign on.......

Then we had our dinner :)

Hey, it's my birthday, I can party however I want!!!!!

Port made sure they sang to me, he made a big deal of it and I think the waiter must have thought it was his birthday......so she made him stand while they sang :)

It was cute though.

We got home and had another visitor.

Elsie's aide, Ms, Chris came by with an amazing chocolate cake for me :)

So sweet of her!

She stayed and visited for a while.

Then we got everyone to bed late, and all with sugar highs!

Tomorrow is no school for the little ones.....after dads test we plan to go miniature golfing, as an extended birthday party/test-is-over celebration!

I have fun pictures that I need to get off my phone!

But I will do that later...... ;)

It was a great birthday though!

Wednesday March 2

Today wasn't as crazy as I expected it to be....but it was still crazy.

This morning I had a lady in my ward come over to teach me some Family Search tricks.

I am so excited about it :)

It was so much fun to find names....but also clean up ALLLLLLL the duplicate names!

I also figured out that I cannot attach Brent's line to my line because there are different record numbers that were created....and you can't merge duplicates while they are still living.

So that kind of stinks!

But I can still just log in as him to look down his lines :)

Anyway.....so it was a successful Family Search lesson!

I still have a ton to learn, but came away with lots of names to take to the temple for work.

I went for a long run today after that.

We did not get up early today.

We decided mid week is a good day to rest.

So those are the days I will make long run days, if I can.

After my run I tried to work on my lesson for Sunday, but ended up going to Family Search for a little bit before I HAD to jump in the shower and go pick up Cassi to take her to piano and then get the little ones from school.

Then pick Cassi back up from piano.

Came home and made dinner with Elsie as my side kick while the big girls did homework and Port played soccer with the boys.

After dinner cleanup we headed to the church for YW.

All of us....littles included.

But turns out that I was not needed, they were doing camp certification, so they sent me home with the kiddos.

Which worked out nice cause I got them to bed at a good time and then did more Family Search ;)

I MUST get my lesson planned for Sunday though!!!!

I have everything I want for it, except a lesson outline!

And I need that.

I just need quiet time to sit down and really think about it..........

Tuesday March 1

Today was a fun day :)

First, I helped in Port's class for a little while.

Then I came home and got some stuff done around the house.

Not everything I wanted to get done...but some stuff :)

Then I made a trip to Target and a couple other spots to try and find some clothes.

I find it so funny that every time I go to get something for myself, I always end up looking for stuff for my kids!

Oh well.....

But I did find myself a little dainty heart necklace at a thrift store.....so that made me pretty happy!

Then I got to meet up with a handful of my friends to celebrate my upcoming birthday :)

We met at Red Robin and it was a fun time to sit and talk.

I am lucky to have such neat ladies in my life.

After lunch I headed home in hopes of getting other stuff done.

But instead I took a 15 minute nap before I had to go get the little ones.

Madi said I could :)

After school, Elsie had speech.

She worked really hard even though she had a kind of rough time at school, and I was worried if she would cooperate for Joanne!

But Joanne brought a new game, so that helped keep her going.

And port played with the boys.

I just love all these boys together......Max, Graham, Cannon and Port.

I do have nightmares about what is to come with all of them....but it makes me so happy they all have each other.

They spent their time placing army guys all around the deck and then 'fighting' them with some spinning toy that Port got from Grandma Ene the last time we were with her.

He loves that toy :)

And loves to knock down the army guys with it!

I just had to take pictures cause they make me so happy.

And they mostly get along with each other.

Sometimes there is a fight to be the 'leader' of the boys between Max and Port, and it is kinda funny.....

Port also spent quite a lot of the evening reading to me.

He is really doing so well.

He is reading Magic tree house books.

And I made the same deal with him that I did with Elsie.

When he finishes one book, we will order the next one from Amazon.

They are only about $2-$3 a book, and it works out perfectly.

We are currently waiting for book #2 to arrive, so he has been reading book #9, which we already have.

So fun to watch my baby learn and grow :)

Kinda sad too......

Monday February 29

The big girls and I were up at 5:30 this morning.

Cassi and I have been working out together at 6 for the last month.

well, Madi asked if she could join us......but we would have to do it at 5:30!

We were happy to let her join in :)

It has been a fun time for Cassi and I and I think it will be great to add Madi in.

I hope getting up early will get them to go to bed at a better time!!!!!!!

*****

Dad got some studying in today.

The test is on Friday......and he's not very excited about taking it :(

I got some stuff done around the house and some YW stuff done.

I need to plan the combined lesson for this Sunday......

I have all the stuff in my head that I want to do, but have yet to put it all into a lesson.

I should get going on that!!!!!

I did get a short run in.

The workouts we do in the morning are pretty simple 30 minute workout....which are great.

But I am also trying to get running back into my life.

We are ALL much happier people when I get to run!

After my run and shower it was time to go and get Madi to take her to PT.

She was hurting over the weekend because she didn't do her exercises and she forgot to pack her anti-inflammatory medicine.

So she was not feeling good.

But she got a good workout today and hopefully it won't take too long to start feeling good again.

I dropped her off at home then went and got the little kids.

They all got homework and chores done.

While I cooked dinner Elsie cried on the floor about not wanting to do her homework.

Once she shaped up and did it, it only took her 2 minutes!

Stinker....20 minutes of throwing a fit over 2 minutes of homework!!!!

That girl!!!!!

BUT...she did more scripture reading tonight!

Yay!!!!

For FHE we talked about our family challenge......and how we are really starting it now.

I had their tracking sheets printed off, and weekly family goals made....it's for real this time!

I think it is gonna be fun for everyone :)

Sunday February 28

It was a super quick trip, but I'm so glad we did it.

We are home safe now.

It is always so good to be home :)

This morning we got up and went to church with Grandpa.

Nancy, Russ and their girls came too.

And when church was over, Kay, Johnny and Monica were there getting some lunch sandwiches ready for us to have a little lunch get together.

The girls.....Madi, Cassi, Heather, Lauren and Monica had a blast together!

They were laughing so much.

It was nice to have a little visit with everyone.

Gramps was in and out.....teasing and joking one minute, then looking dazed the next.

This is hard for him,.

He wants to be around family, but then it reminds him that Grandma is missing.....not that he ever forgets.....but it just makes it even harder.

I am glad we took the time to be with him this weekend.

It was good for all of us.

We left a little after 3.

We made a stop at the cemetery to visit Grandma real quick.

And on the way out we checked out the Buffalo.

The ride wasn't too bad, and we made it home.

 Madi, walking with Gramps before church

Cassi, walking with Gramps after church

I tried to crop Cassi's goofy face photo bomb in the back!

Silly girl!

Saturday February 27

It was a very nice day today.

We got up and spent some time with Gramps.

Dad, Port and he went up to the store to help him out with some stuff.

Then they flew Dussy Boy's drone with him.

His new one with a camera on it.

These boys sure love it!

Then we got ready and drove to Utah and met at my parents church for a little lunch get together with most of the Utahan people.

It was fun to have a chance to talk together for a bit.

Madi was missing Morgie......she was pretty melancholy without her :(

But Cass still got to hold the babies, so she was happy!

And Elsie had her Emmy, so she was better than happy.

And Port had a handful of kiddos to run around with.

We got the place cleaned up and headed to the Provo City Center temple with Emmy, and the Miramontes family.

We had tickets....but there was still quite a bit of a wait.

But still not too bad.

Man it was such a beautiful building.

With quite the story....and I love buildings with stories :)

The colors they used, the textures....it was just so beautiful.

I can't wait to go back again!

We said our goodbyes, and headed back to Evanston.

Little Elsie Bug wasn't so happy about leaving her Emmy so soon :(

But we will be back before we know it!

So we got back home and had some dinner with Gramps.

He was kinda quiet tonight.

We couldn't get him to come with us to the temple, and I think he had a kind of rough day :(

He breaks my heart.

We also made visits to see Dussy Boy, Sandra and Doug and also Dave and Cindy.

It's nice to have that time to visit with them all.

Tomorrow we will get to have lunch with Kay and Nancy's family before we head back home.

So that will be great too :)

Friday February 26

We made the trip to Evanston safe and sound.

It has been great to visit with Gramps this evening.

Dad even tried to give him an iPad lesson :)

Haha....we will see how far that goes!

Thursday February 25

So it wasn't supposed to be a crazy day, but somehow it still turned out that way.

We are heading to Wyoming/Utah tomorrow......and have nothing ready!

Well, I did do laundry....we just need to pack it all up tomorrow......

I did get a little downtime when i went to lunch for my friend Alyson's birthday.

Man oh man.....kind of getting sick of eating out!

But it is fun to celebrate with friends :)

Lets see.....

Then I had to do some running around to get Cassi's immunization records to the school for registration, only to find out it isn't due until Monday!

Oh well, at least that is checked off the list now :)

I did get a run in.

I had a goal to run every day this week, and so far I have done it!

Yay!

I should say weekdays...I don't feel like running in the snow in Wyoming.......

Anyway....then the day was over before we knew it.

The kids got to bed at a decent time, but I think I will let them sleep until 8 or so before I make them get up and do their Saturday chores before we head out :)

I am so mean, right???