Week in Review July 13-19

Monday: We are getting the holes in our bedroom wall and kitchen ceiling fixed. The guy came today and did the estimate and will start tomorrow! Yeah, it has been over a year since we had the leak from the master bath shower, so I guess it is time! For a Family Home Evening treat we went over to a friend's house for homemade ice cream. It was great to chat with some families in the neighborhood. Taylor had to work late so I was very thankful to have somewhere to go and have adult interaction.

Tuesday: My visiting teachers came and then Jeffrey stayed with us most of the day. Serena loves to feed him animal crackers, thankfully, he seems to enjoy them. The kids also like to sing and dance for him and he is a very appreciative audience and claps for them.

Wednesday:Playgroup at the park. Harold Seeley, a member of our ward, died on Monday from complications related to cancer. His viewing was this evening so I took some display items to the funeral home. I had Monica Phair watch the kids until she had to go to YW while I typed a story they wanted displayed. Then I ran it up to the viewing and bribed the kids to be good. Wed. night we set up the tables and got things ready for the luncheon.

Thursday: Steph and girls spent the day at our house while I was at the funeral. I took Aleeya with me for the funeral and then left her home during the luncheon. I am so thankful for the North Park Ward, so many people helped prepare food and we had lots of help. In the evening, I was driving around and returning dishes and I caught the last part of garden group. I even got the door prize for being the last one to come! The kids played while we sat on the lawn and chatted. I love our neighborhood and the amazing people that I get to interact with.

Friday: I watched Jackie and Emily today, trade off for yesterday and the kids played in the water outside. My wonderful visiting teacher brought us dinner tonight. She made awesome pizza and the kids got to put on the toppings. Taylor worked late every night this week, so it was nice to have the weekend coming!

Saturday: Carter went to Tyson Capps birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. He has been excited all week. We did house cleaning, car maintenance, and errands all day. Then we went to WVC for a Dearden Summer Birthday party. Anela made all of the food, so we just went and relaxed. The kids played in Alana's kiddie pool.

Sunday: We had the most amazing musical number in Relief Society, one of my favorite primary songs, "Love is Spoken Here," played by Amy Alvord, piano, and Missy Schwartz and Suzi White on violins). It was so inspiring I could have listened to them play all day. Carrie and Rhondda came over for a BBQ and it was nice to chat and relax with them.

Week in Review July 6-12

Respect Reward Marble Jars!

Life is always fun and busy...here is what we did this week.

Monday: Aleeya had her nine month pictures taken, we played in the backyard with water toys with Jackie and Emily and for Family Home Evening we talked about respect and started jars that can be filled with marbles for doing respectful things (listening to mom, sharing, helping out siblings, using quiet voices etc.). When the jar is full they get to go on a date with mom or dad to a restaurant of their choice.

Tuesday: Summer movie was "Horton Hears a Who," cute movie. At the end Serena and her friend Mariah went down front and were dancing, I figured since the whole theater was kids, it was okay. In the afternoon we went to the library for the summer activity, Harmony Music school. They sang and played instruments.

Wednesday: Playgroup at the park was enhanced today. Angela Orton, a friend from Summerfield Ward that moved to Mountain Green, came with her two darling girls. We all brought potluck and enjoyed lunch together. Then Angela and I ended up hanging out at Tauna's house for several hours catching up.

Thursday:We went to the Ogden Dinosaur Park in the morning. Then in the afternoon our friend Jeffery came over.

Friday:Friday night we went to the Drive-In. We had planned to see "Ice Age 3", but I wanted to see "The Proposal," so we saw "Up" again since that was the double feature. The fun thing was that our friend's the McBride's were there. They were on the end of a row and there was almost room for a car next to them, so I let my rebel side come out and went and moved the orange cone over a bit so that we could fit next to them. It was great fun and the kids fell asleep right as the second movie started so we could watch the movie in peace.

Saturday: We went to a neighborhood block party over in the Summerfield Ward. The Parkinson's were hosting and it was a great set up. Taylor played ball with Carter most of the time and I chatted with friends.

Sunday: After church we went up to Logan to celebrate the July Birthday's. The kids played in the kiddie pool and we ate and opened presents. I got lots of cute shirts, clothes are always a bonus, and money and face cleaning cloths (I requested these, as I am sure I should do better at washing my face at night.)

Sometimes eating is messy business!

Aleeya is at the fun stage when she wants to feed herself, so she grabs the spoon as you feed her. If you are fast enough to get the food in without her getting the spoon, then she just puts her hand in her mouth and takes the food out so she can play with it!

By the time she is done eating, her bib, clothing and whole body need to be washed, so the best plan is to get right into the kitchen sink!

Vacation in St. George

Getting ready to swim in the hotel pool!

Future stars at the Tuachan!
St. George Temple steps

Fountain Park

Taylor had a 3 1/2 day vacation so we decided to visit St. George for the Fourth of July and my birthday. We left on Thursday afternoon and stayed until Sunday.

We swam in the hotel pool the minute we got there on Thursday and every day we were there. Carter and Serena both have life jackets and can swim around. Aleeya had an inner tube that she sits inside and enjoyed floating around.

We saw "Footloose" at the Tuachan. It was awesome! Carter and Aleeya sat through the whole thing with me. Serena had to be taken out by Taylor during the first half, she didn't want to sit.

We saw the show on the 4th so afterwards they played "Proud to be an American" and did a great fireworks display. Aleeya didn't even cry with the loud noises. Serena got her blanket and laid on the ground, she was not a fan.

We visited the St. George temple grounds and visitors center and then played at a park that had fountains to run through. We also got a pay-per-view movie at the hotel and watched "Monsters vs. Aliens."

It was a fun and relaxing vacation and I enjoyed the time to talk with Taylor during the drive to and from. The kids napped or watched DVD's for most of the drive. We stopped in Lehi on the way home and ended up going over to Uncle John and Aunt Dorothy's house. It was nice to see family and give the kids a chance to stretch!

Birthday Party for Carter and Serena with the Hoppie's

More food, presents and attention for the birthday children! But don't worry Aleeya gets tons of love also! Grandpa and Grandma-ma Hoppie and Aunt Kimmie came to celebrate with us today.

 

The kids had tons of presents to open, so as you watch the slide show, you will see them opening many packages. It is so fun to be spoiled!

Birthday Party for Carter and Serena with the Dearden's

 

Since Carter and Serena both have birthday's in June we combine them for one family party. This year the Dearden's and Hoppie's came on different days, which only convinced Carter that he can have as many parties as he wants.

For their cakes Carter wanted a round chocolate one with candles. Great, and I got to buy round pans since I didn't have any. For Serena I made a cake decorated like a present. I got the idea from our Relief Society Birthday party, Lisa Teuscher brought the cutest cake and she said it was easy!

All of the kids loved the presents and food and attention! It was great to have Grandpa and Grandma "Dear", Aunt Marian, Uncle Mel, Granny and Grandpa Dearden, Staci, Stuart, Crystal and cousin Alana come and celebrate with us.

Hill Aerospace Museum

During the summer we have planned a field trip every Thursday. Last week Lagoon, this week the Hill Aerospace Museum. It was very fun and kept the kids attention much longer than I thought it would. Best of all it was free, so we can go again, now that I know they like it.

When we were leaving Serena said, "No go home, again airplanes!" So apparently she is willing to go again!

Cutest pilot ever!

So cute I had to add both pictures!

Carter is willing to take the controls on both sides!