Our Crew: there's always something to celebrate

May 10-16, 2015

Sunday 05.10
Happy Mother's Day to all those amazing ladies who work endless and are a force of good. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful women in my life. I love the chance to celebrate ALL of them.

I had a delicious french toast breakfast in bed thanks to my cute daughters and husband.

A great Sunday for Kurt not to have a calling & meetings ;)

This cake was awaiting for me on the table. Baked and decorated about Emma Lynn.

There is a little people to represent everyone in our family + our dogs, hogs and steers. haha

The kids were SO excited to give me all the gifts they had made for Mother's Day. I love their teachers would always help them create something sweet and meaningful. I love them all and feel so loved. Austin had been working on this painting for quite a well. He was VERY excited about it and made a big deal about keeping it a secret. I am so gald he did. I LOVE IT!!! I love how there is enough detail that you can tell each person even though there is no face. Stellar job Austin.

From Ruth

Every year Emma Lynn is always super thoughtful with her gift giving. She creates card after card after gift. And in the end I am showered with love. Extremely blessed mama.

From Spencer this year:

One of the best gifts is that Austin was interviewed today for his first temple recommend. He was glowing and pretty pumped to have it. Those are the good moments. {{He shared in FHE that he felt the spirit during his interview.}}

We dropped the kids off at home and then Kurt and I headed over to the Spanish meeting. Our friend from Vale, Oscar Rayo was speaking and we wanted to support him. I was able to play the organ again. Brother Gonzalez brought roses for all the sisters. He is so kind. That even we had the Bairs, Jacobs and Sister missionaries over for dinner {unfortunately the Rayos had to work after church.} I enjoy these good ladies.

I love this sign Spencer made and put on the outside of the house.

Lucy was passed out, I finally had to go and wake her up so she could eat.

Emma Lynn drew a fun interactive table cloth on the kid's table.

This strawberry pie Darla made was to die for.

The sisters were able to Skype with their families and we enjoyed each others company passed bedtimes {can it be summer already?!!} It was a delightful mother's day.

Monday 05.11
We had Johnathan over to play. Its always a good thing for everyone when mom mops the floor.

With no Girl Scouts or ballet we had all kind of time after school to floor dance

{this is harder than it looks - try it!}

and create more Ojos de Dias

Tuesday 05.12
We were Alphabet spies in preschool. Austin was home sick {again} and so he was a great helper as we hunted for the missing letters. We had lots of fun with this!

Every day this week the First Graders are doing science experiments for the last 45 minutes of school. Ruth has been SO excited about it. We were there just a little bit early to see the end.

We got Spencer to his drum lesson {only one for the month of May} before he had scouts. While he was at scouts we ran Austin & the little girls home and gathered all our supplies for the Activity Days Celebration at 6 pm. Emma Lynn did a great job helping me {as always} and with the Belnaps help we got everything set up just in time. Michelle opened with a quick overview of the activites we had done during the year Then a parents spotlighted each girl, and the girl explained the 3 items they brought to portray themselves. We enjoyed their favorite desserts and games afterwards {that was the theme - you are some of our favorite things!}

After seeing Austin picture he drew for Mother's day I thought it would be cute to use the same style for this activity. So Monday I asked Emma to draw one for EACH girl. I total of 14 and she excitedly said yes and got to work. The girls loved them! Thank you so much Emma Lynn for sharing your talents.

Love this fabulous group of girls!

Emma Lynn's spotlight:

Favorite Color: purple

Favorite Food: Tacos

Favorite Game: Apples to Apples

Favorite Memory from Activity Days: Daddy Daughter Survivor

A talent: art & dancing

What do you want to be when you grow up: Artist, Dancer, Teacher & Mom

When I have free time I love to: Read

If I had a $100 I would: put it into savings

I really want to visit: Seattle

I love to go: Camping with my family

The items she brought to display were: Book {Percy Jackson & the Lightening Thief, Ballet Shoes & her painting of the Tiger.}

After scouts Spencer went with Braxton to his baseball game. He LOVED it. And is wishing so badly he was playing too. When he got home he dug out a baseball mitt and after some practice took it to bed with him.

Wednesday 05.13

I love late start Wednesday. It is a nice coushion in the middle of the week. We had a huge storm the night before and the sunrise and the sky was beautiful. After every storm there comes a calm. This quote really spoke to me:

"My brothers & sisters, however dark conditions may seem in the world today, whatever storms we are facing personally, in our homes and our families, this joy can be our now... The One who had power to calm the elements of the earth has power to calm our souls, to give us refuge from the storm."

Elder Robert D. Hales

Who can be sad with this face to greet you in the morning?!!

Jane was so funny at breakfast. Apparently the oatmeal was not that tasty that morning and a lot of bowls were left on the table still with cereal inside. After finishing her bowl she moved to the next seat and finished that bowl, then moved to the next seat down and cleaned that bowl too. She worked her way around the entire table eating all the oatmeal she could find. Look how happy a full belly makes her!

After dropping the kids off we stayed at the school so I could finish getting the banner ready for the Art Sale and BBQ. Lucy went to 1st grade with Ruth while Jane and I worked on it. There were some sticky parts so we made a quick trip to Bi-Mart also {and Lucy stayed in class. I have a feeling she will have NO problems going to kindergarten.}

We had a yummy school lunch with these cuties.

Spencer is such a great big brother. We sure love that boy!

Then we headed home to get a few things done. We weeded then planted a few tomato plants and flowers in our front boxes. Plus I made a quick wreath for the front door. A little TLC sure makes the door a happy and inviting place to enter. Now hopefully I can keep the flowers alive.....

Meanwhile the little girl found plenty to keep busy.

The puddle splashing was so much fun it required a bath afterwards. If there is actually enough standing water around jumping in it is a MUST. Love the happy giggles.

The little girls and I went to Parma to pick up Emma from dance. Spencer went to Braxton's baseball game, "Mom I just GOTTA go support him and the team. I can't miss a game!" Grateful Marti was willing to take him. He got to hang out in the dug out and afterwards the coach invite him to join them at practice. So grateful for kind coaches.

This is how my son returned home after scouts....ash from fundraiser poles they were moving. Oh deacons...

Thursday 05.14
The last day of preschool. It has been a very interesting year to say the least. 3 different locations and a whole bunch of emotional boys and then just a few kids altogether. And just like all things, it all works out in the end. The enjoyed the final six that "graduated" with me. The SUPER SIX! ;) It was fun to share this year with Lucy. She did great and was a fun and anxious learner.

It was Jolene's birthday. I told her that preschool pick up was at noon that day since it was the last day of school. That gave me time to clean up, throw together a few decorations, & Brittney and Christy to arrive. Jolene was suprised and we enjoyed a delicious lunch and fabulous company until it was time to go get kids from school.

In the middle of lunch Kurt called and said that he {and Cortney} were driving to Utah that night to look at a bucket truck they wanted to buy....ok...

Emma went to Art and Spencer baseball practice with Braxton. The rest of us went to the last clogging class. Of course we had to go to Jane's favorite park.

Since our husbands were on a road trip we decided to get together. While the dads are away the moms will play. After getting back to Vale we stopped at Logans to get cereal and cantaloupe to contribute to dinner. Ethan was kind enough to drive our to Willow Creek to get Emma and Spencer so they could join us. Thank you! Teenage drivers are so awesome! We ate dinner and the kids played. Finally around 10 pm we loaded up to start for home. These are the benefits of having a partner. Its perfect.

Friday 05.15

I suggested that morning that we skip school since we had such a late night. Emma agreed and we enjoyed a quiet day at home. The 3 oldest did some weeding {yes, in the rain.} Spence was dedicated and did extra for some mula.

Austin packed and prepared for his campout that afternoon. That included setting up our 2 man tent and triple checking the list Kurt had left for him. Unfortunately the tent was missing pieces but fortunately he wasn't required to bring a tent.

Ethan drove Baylea out and the girls enjoyed playing together. A lot of time was spent playing school and sewing for their American Girl dolls. I took Baylea back into town when I took Austin in for his campout.

Turning him loose with the scouts on an overnight trip is not very comforting. I'm in denial about him going to scout camp in July. Cutting the apron strings is a very real problem. The struggle is real.

At some point Kurt did make it home from his whirlwind trip. And sadly the truck was in terrible shape and so they didn't buy it. That's kind depressing to make such a quick trip and not have it work out. Glad he made it home safely.

I stayed up very late to put together the preschool yearbooks in preparation for the preschool graduation at our house the next morning. This is what midnight messes look like.

Saturday 05.16
Due to the weather I changed the location from the park to our house. It was a wise decision. We had a brunch at 10 am. Kurt was amazing and cooked scrambled eggs and about a million pancakes, with some variety too. Families brought fruit, muffins and their favorite pancake topping. We had plenty of food. We ate first and then I present the awards, diapolma and yearbook. It was simple and sweet. Grateful for these super supportive families I get to rub shoulders with.

The decor:

The food:

The graduates:

It was a simple but great event. So grateful for my amazing husband, his constant support and manual labor when necessary to these shin-digs together. The kids do a great job to pull together too. I like those moments of teamwork. The parents took a nap then Kurt went to work. Before he came home he picked up Austin from his campout. I could breathe easier knowing he was home safe and sound.

Austin's report on the campout: We went to Givens Hot Springs. We went swimming. The water was really hot. Like 100 degrees. That's what the thermometer said. I made quesadillas for dinner. They were burnt because Cayson put a ton of butter on the pan. I was whittling a small tree and then Cayson pulled it out of the ground. It is really tall. It was a fun campout. Thumbs up. {{the whittled tree}}

That evening we prepared for the girls clogging recital in Fruitland. When I was in the middle of doing hair and make-up this little walked in. She had been working on her own beauty routine.

All in her hair, hands, face and dress. AHHHH! I was on a time crunch at this point {of course} so I asked Emma Lynn to help with the removal process. Kurt came home in time to help too. She didn't look quite so homeless when we left for the recital. Don't you just love the almost two year old.

This is what your face looks like when you have a consequence for mishap beauty routines.

And somehow the other two did great ready on time.

Yes, Lucy was in heaven with the make-up and pictures that followed.

The girls did a wodnerful job with their dances. This clogging studio always starts with 'freestyle' first. Ruth was not very excited to do that part. They each danced to 3 songs, knew them well and smiled big. We love watching them on stage. After the recital the Rufs, Bill & Cindy, and Grandma Romans and us all went to Pizza Hut for dinner. Luckily it was not busy because we took over the place. Austin took care of Jane the entire time, it was great.