Friday May 27

We made it here to Emmy's house.

And besides the last extra hour of traffic, it wasn't too bad of a drive.

Last night Port was crying because he couldn't go potty.

He was still hurting this morning so we made an appt with Dr Allie and took him in.

The test looked okay, but they are still culturing it to see if there is anything.

But we did get him to go, so that was good.

He figured out that it hurts at first, then it isn't too bad.

He has been okay the rest of the day.....so hopefully all is good.

We got packed up and headed to Utah.

Em had a yummy breakfast dinner planned for us when we got here.

We also worked together to get her pear tree trimmed down and cleaned up.

And Dad fixed the bent bars on her fence.

And now he is down in the basement fixing her toilet.

He's a good guy to have around :)

We plan to have a family lunch tomorrow with whoever can make it, so that will be a lot of fun!

Thursday May 26 (add pictures)

Okay....it is running late.

So I will catch up tomorrow.

But today we had Port's first baseball game!

It was a lot of fun and they were doing really well....but lost in the end.

But they are learning and growing and doing good!

After that we went to dinner at Sizzler.

When we got home it was such a nice night, we ended up being outside until almost 10!!!!!!!

This is why I am excited for summer!

Those relaxing summer nights with nothing you have to wake up for!!!!!

Wednesday May 25

Not the greatest day :(

Well, besides the fact that it started at 3:30 with Elsie not being able to sleep......a lot of things did not go my way today!

So like I said Elsie was up at 3:30.

She did go back to sleep........

at 6 AM!!!!!!!

So of course I can't go to sleep now because all the other kids are waking up at that time.

I did threaten the big girls that I would be SO MAD if they woke her up!

Port went to school with the Edwards boys and I let Elsie sleep as long as she could before I took her to school.

I am scared it is gonna happen again :(

I have too many past experiences with late night long hours with Elsie to think it will only happen once......

But I really hope she just sleeps!

Anyway.....

I sent her to school and then I had too many things that needed to get done to I didn't get a nap.

I planted a few more plants in the garden.

I want to get them all in the ground before we leave for our trip!

Then I came in and I made a bunch of cookies for the YW/YM activity we had tonight.

Then we, the old YW presidency, had plans to meet for lunch.

I got to Costa Vida in good time.

But didn't see anyone there.

So I texted them.....

Ya, they were at Cafe Rio!

So they ordered for me and I met them there about the time they got their food :)

It was nice to sit and chat.

We will miss Coralee!

I am glad we didn't lose anyone else!!!!!!

I can't believe how big our ward still is!

I think we only lost about 60 people total.

And we have two big neighborhoods that are building right now.....so our ward is gonna grow leaps and bounds soon!

Oh well......I am sure there is a bigger plan in keeping us as a large ward.....

So I got home and put some water on the lawn and then picked Cassi up for Piano.

Madi drove us to piano and then we picked up the kiddos.

Elsie had a good day!

Yay!

I was worried how it would go.......but she did good.

Me......ya, I have been sooooo grumpy :(

At 5, I went with Elsie and Kyra to activity days.

They showed a cute movie the girls all made together.....not Elsie because she never goes....

But she had fun watching the movie anyway.

Came home and I stuck the already made Parmesan chicken in the oven for dinner.

I cooked zucchini and cut strawberry's and when the timer was done, the chicken was not cooked!!!!!

But we had like 5 minutes before we had to leave......

So I threw the lunch meat on the table and that's what they had for dinner.

I was so bummed......I worked hard to get a real meals for the kids tonight........

Oh well.
I took Port to the Morgans and Elsie went with the big girls and I to YW.

We combined with the YW again.

It was kind of a get to know you kind of thing with all the new people.

It will take some time to get everyone to mesh together......

Now we are home, except Madi went to the Lacross championship game....

But I soooooooo need to get to bed!

*****
Dad also had a pretty cool day doing a mock airplane crash at the airport.
They had a bunch of BSU students pose as victims and they all acted like it was a real plane crash.
Pretty great training!

Tuesday May 24

Ya, I think I am ready for school to be out.

Today was a busy day.

Maybe I should just start getting used to busy days :(

Anyway.

It started off with a 6 a.m. call from Eldon saying our cows were out!!!!

Ahhh!

So we rushed out......and dad brought a bucket of corn.

I stayed at the gate and blocked the way down the lane and the other neighbors helped block while Brent went back to them in another neighbors back yard.

Next thing I know, I see Brent, shaking his bucket, and the cows following right behind him!

I wish I would have had my phone with me to take a picture!!!!!

So they got in and the boys fixed the spot in the fence that they trampled over.....then dad went off to work.

Today was Tourist day at school.

Port is a fun little tourist man.....and Elsie is a Yellowstone Tourist with her binoculars :)

They were excited about going to school all dressed up :)

After I dropped them off, I went to the church and we cleaned out our YW closet.

Since we are changing church buildings, we need to move our stuff too :)

We also had a meeting about all the changes....and things we need to get going on....

I got home a little before lunch.

Then I made a grocery/milk run.

Came home and went for a short little run.

While on my run I got a call that our cows were out again!!!!!!!!!

So I ran towards home when Vern called and said they were over by Stacia's neighbors house.

So I switched directions and went that way.

We were able to push them into Billy and Vern field.

The corn trick didn't work that time,

Guess they just like Brent shaking the corn :

I had to hurry and jump in the shower after that and take Madi to a dr appt.

Her back has just been so bad.

We took her into Dads dr office.

I think it will be a good thing.

We still have a few more appointments to go to.

But I hope we can find a real solution to help her feel better!

Madi drove us home and I took Port to his baseball game.

It was fun to watch him practice.

I haven't gone to his practices because Dads there.......but today he was working so the assistant coach took over.

Their first game is this Thursday.

I am excited to watch him play :)

After that I drove Madi to a friends to work on a group assignment.

Then into the field to switch some water around with the irrigation.

I took the little ones over to Bubbles and Eldon because they had some extra plants for us to put in our garden.

She has a ton of strawberries for me that I am excited about!

We will do that once our strawberry spot it ready :)

Got the little ones put to bed at a goo time then went out and worked a bit int he garden.

Then Madi came home and I am hoping to go to sleep now!

Monday May 23

I went over to Stacia's this morning to cut names out some iron on stuff for Port's baseball teams jerseys.

I hope it works out.

I put Port's on his shirt, and it worked, but it took a bit more effort than I was expecting......

While I was there, I got a call from the school.

Cassi had a migraine :(

So dad went and picked her up.

Darn it!

When I came home I saw Brent out in Bro Clapson's field with Bro Clapson working on sprinkler heads.

I got home and Cassi was sound asleep on her bed.

I worked on my blog book.

I need to use the 40% coupon before it expires tomorrow.

The books are 160 pages.....and I could only fill it with 6 months :)

I did the first half of 2011.

I have a lot to catch up on!

But I will be happy to have another printed book!

Then I sent a text to dad to see if I could help in any way....so I went down and we weeded their raspberry beds together.

Got home and Dad took the tire off the dump truck to get fixed.

When he picked the tire up from the shop, he came home with some pizza.

So we ate and then for FHE we planted the garden.

Well, we started planting the garden :)

I will need to finish up tomorrow.....

Then I left at 7 to go with Cindy Peterson to go and meet the new YW the we got in the ward change.

It is sad to loose to many awesome girls....but exciting to meet new ones!

Sunday May 22

Today was a big day.

We had our ward boundaries change!

There have been whispers here and there.....but no one really knew anything.

So today they announced there would be a meeting this evening to discuss the ward boundaries.

It is always a sad thing....but kind of exciting.

Fun to get to know knew people, but sad to not be able to see some people that you wouldn't usually see other than at church.

So today at church we had ward conference though.

I helped dad in his class for the first part.

Then I went with the youth in a combined meeting there.

There were some great talks, and I wish I would have taken notes.

But the thing that really stood out to me was when Pres. Packer used the analogy of the two lights lining up......

He had a kid up on the stage with a flashlight and a kid on the floor with a flashlight.

Then had another kid walk the perimeter of the room and tell him how many times those two lights lined up perfectly.

And it was only in one spot, of course.

And he told the story that his Grandpa told (Boyd K. Packer) about a  lighthouse and having the two lights line up so you know where to enter.

This is the talk......The Atonement

Anyway, it was a great message to share with the youth.

After church we ate lunch, some people took naps, and our home teachers came over.

Then Madi and Cassi went to the Morgans to practice some guitar songs for girls camp.

I picked them up and we had dinner.

The we watched our conference talk for the day, which was 'That I Might Draw All Men Unto Me'

He talked about how the closer to Christ we feel, the more we appreciate the Atonement and that is was meant for me, you, each of us specifically.

And in order to draw closer to the savior we must do things that bring the spirit in our lives!

And he spoke about how the sacrament helps us to know the savior and understand the love he has for us.

And he challenged us to strive to draw closer to the savior each day.

It was a great talk :)

Then Madi and I got dressed and went to the stake building for the boundary change meeting.

Our ward didn't change much.....but it sure is sad who we lost :(

So many great friends and really great people.

It will be sad not seeing their faces each week, but I still hope to have them as part of our lives.

And we got a few new people pulled into our ward.

But then they moved us to meet int he stake building.

Which is kind of silly, since we live right by the church....but our ward will still be big, so we needed more room!

So it makes sense.

Change is good.

Sad sometimes, but still good.

We can always learn and grow and become better people because of change :)

Madi and her friends, Lindy and Carley, were twinners in their stripes today :)

Saturday May 21

I woke up this morning to go and clean the church.

The girls all went to bed really late and I didn't want them grumpy all day so I let them sleep.

There were tons of people there to help!

So it got done extra quick!

Came home and Dad and Port came home about 9:30.

They would have stayed longer, but Dad and I had to go to a umpire class thing for baseball.

I DO NOT want to be an umpire.......it is parent volunteers that do it, and we did not have very many show up!

We will see what happens.....I would make a very indecisive umpire!

We ran a couple errands while we were out.

When we came home Dad changed the break pads on the suburban, then left again when he realized the rotors needed replaced.

So he got that all done while the kids did their chores and I went running.

I did a long one today since I missed the last two days.

I ran 8 miles, and it felt really great!

Except that the first two miles took 45 minutes due to me fighting off dumb hawks!

It was ridiculous!!!!

Then my last mile home, I looked up to see 4 haws swirling above me.

They weren't very close, but it doesn't take them too long to swoop in, so I was very cautiously running while I was looking up :(

But it sure was a beautiful day to run!

I got sprinkled on a little bit, and the clouds were awesome!

I figured out how to do panoramic picts with my phone :)

I got home and Dad and Port went to baseball practice.

The girls and I played around taking funny pictures in the kitchen.....with the panoramic feature!

Then I finally showered and got ready and Dad took me out on a date.

We went and ate at Cheesecake factory then went to the mall and bought Dad a cubs hat to wear for the baseball games :)

Now my boys have matching hats, and I just love it so much!

We didn't stay out too late because both the girls had plans with friends.

The little ones watched 'Harry and the Henderson's' with mom and dad :)

It's a classic!

Friday May 20

Happy Birthday EMMY!!!!!!

So sad to not be able to spend the special day with her....but we will be there in a week!

The little kids wanted to send her a happy birthday sign this morning :)

Cutie patooties!

Today Dad and I went to help with the MDA fill the boot.

It was a cold rainy day, but man did they make a lot of money!

By the time we left at 3, they had made over $10,000 at just that one spot!

That is so awesome!

What a great community!

So that was fun.

We got back and then the kids started coming home from school.

Dad got hi stuff all ready to go to the Fathers/Sons camp-out tonight.

It was cold wet and rainy all day.....hope they don;t freeze tonight :)

Port was so excited about it though!

I hope dad remembers to take some pictures for mom........

Madi went to hang out with Sydney and Cassi went over to Brinley's house.

Elsie and I stayed home and watched Hotel Transylvania 2 too many times.......

And I also worked on getting some blurb books put together.

They are having a 40% off sale right now.

I have so many years of books I need to order, so it is a great deal.....but I need to get them put together first!!!!!

Thursday May 19

I might just get to bed early tonight!!!!!!

Another busy day.

I was hoping to get a run in this morning, but it was raining.

So I ran to the store to get my friend, Kim, some milk, then I helped her unpack some more stuff at her house.

I left a little before lunch and met up with some other friends for my friend Kirsten's birthday lunch at Panera.

I had to leave that before everyone else because I met with one of the beehive moms who is doing a exercise/nutrition thing for us next Wednesday.

That was just a short meeting, then I hopped next door to her house for my YW meeting :)

It was a little bitter sweet with this meeting.

Rumor has it, our ward will be splitting this Sunday.

And it is hard to sit and make specific decision for youth conference or girls camp when you don't even know who will be in what ward!

But we did what we could and we will just have to be patient and wait for Sunday to see what happens.

I left there and went to the school to get Elsie for PT.

She worked hard for the 30 minutes we were there.

We had a shorter PT because I had to get home and get dinner and stuff ready before I had to get Cassi to her school for her choir performance.

So we got all ready and headed out to the school.

Cassi did such a great job.

She had a little solo part and pretty much rocked it :)

I knew she would!

Little stinker Cassi didn't ever tell us about the performance until yesterday, and Dad wasn't able to get some time off.

But I did record it for him to watch.

We sat right by the Pugmire family :)

Madi sat by Tripp, and they totally have a crush on each other.

Anyhoo.......don't tell her I said that......

After the performance, Lainey and her mom and sisters (Tripp's family) invited us to go with them for some ice cream.

Which was a lot of fun.

No Tripp though......he had basketball practice.....

We all had fun then came home and got everyone into bed.

They were all fighting when we got home.

I told them it REALLY makes me want to buy them ice cream more often (said sarcastically!!!!!!!)

Wednesday May 18

Man, today was a busy one!

I helped in the office this morning.

After that I had to take Cassi's lunch to her.

Dang girl!

So many times I ask, do you have your lunch?'

I can't complain too much....I was pretty much just like her!

After that, I took some banana bread to a couple of friends....

Then Stacia and I went to a local nursery and bought plants for our gardens....99 cents a plant!

Can't really beat that!

Came home and I had to stick a run in!

I knew I wouldn't be able to later.

So it was in the middle of the day and really hot.....but I survived and ran 5.

But that pesky hawk found me again.

I found a piece of metal on the canal road and waved it above my head while I went by.

Seemed to help deter him from bugging me......

I survived :)

After I showered, I left to pick Cassi up from school.

Then Madi drove us to take Cass to piano and then we picked up the little ones.

After we got home, I dropped them all off and then went to pick Cassi up again.

She and I made a quick trip to Walmart.

Port needed a white tshirt for his school camp week next week.

We got that a few other things.

Then I saw we got a text from the Morgan's to go swimming.

So the kids all changed and they went swimming.

Cassi had fun swimming laps with Avery :)

Stacia and I went and packaged the other thing of meat that we left in her fridge.

After about an hour, I took the kids home and bathed them and fed them.

Took the little kids back to the Morgans because they were gonna hang out there while the big girls and I went to the YW/YM activity.

It was fun with some water games and a camp fire.

Madi's back was hurting pretty bad, so she just mingled :)

I left early to go home and put the little ones in bed.

Then Sydney brought the girls home.

I am so so tired!

And tomorrow is going to be just as busy!!!!! 

:(