This Weekend:

* The "Ladies" spontaneously put together a breakfast on the spot Friday morning; 

 we went to Sill's Cafe. 

(home of the scones as big as your face)

By the time we left there, they were serving lunch to all the tables around us!  :)

* I was planning on going to the temple afterwards - I'd gone to breakfast dressed for it...

But, first I went to a store,

then to get gas,

then to a grocery store,

then to drop off two garbage bags full of stuff at the D.I. from our closet clean-out.

And by that time, the kids who'd gotten home from school were calling me.....

So, I returned home.

* I sent Kyle off on a group date he had planned with his friends.

The went to the Ice Castles up in Midway, UT.

(sidenote: this girl's mom was one of Kyle's preschool teachers!)

* Matt & I had date night at Sizzler.

We were seated in THE SMALLEST booth ever!

There was NOT enough room for me, my coat, AND my purse.

* On Saturday morning, I took Kyle and Katelyn to go audition for 

the Farmington Youth Theatre upcoming production of... 

There was quite a long wait to get in to audition,

and some good silly, young teenager watching in the meantime, too!  ;)

The fact that Kyle is a 16 yr. old MALE auditioning, made him very noticeable to the directors!

Not a bad position to be in at auditions!  :) 

* My official [write-on] calendar was finally delivered,

so I spent the afternoon filling it in with all the things we have going on this month/year.

It felt so good - I've been a bit unsettled without my "brain."

* Matt & I went on a group date of our own - I think you'd call it a quintuple date.

Our friends had reserved a court at the Rec Center and we played wallyball.

We first did girls vs. guys - I was told that it was so the girls

would actually get a chance to touch the ball!  ;)  haha.

After that, we mixed it up - and I quickly learned it was very 

advantageous to be on Matt's team!

We were reaching/lunging/jumping/hustling in ways we

are not accustomed to.....and boy, have we felt it in our bodies ever since!!!

#gettingoldstinks

Two of the couples had to return home to their young babies/toddlers,

but the rest of us went to Dairy Queen for "cool treats" 

and visited for another hour - or two....

* Church-y Church on Sunday.

This year we changed to the 9:00 a.m. time block - my favorite [at this season in my life]!

* We watched our 2015 Year-in-Review 

slideshow that Matt makes for us every year.

Always fun to reminisce!

(BUT do I REALLY look like that lady in some of the photos???)

* Brookelle got on a crazy-hair kick,

and did her own hair first....

...and then she moved on to Kyle!

* We got a surprise visit from Grandma/pa.

* I ended the day by writing my weekly email to our missionary.

NO-Post November

I guess that's what happened this month??!?

While all the guys (idk, maybe there were girls, too?) were doing "No-Shave November," I did my own version of "No."  

It was not purposeful.  It's never happened thus far since the inception of this blog in August 2008! 

What was I doing, you ask?!? 

It's called, "Mandatory Volunteering."  How's that for an oxymoron? 

Otherwise known as, "Volun-told." 

Katelyn was in a play, "Bye Bye Birdie," that was performed November 18-21.

So, towards the end, it got really intense.  (Like it always does with plays). 

It meant she had rehearsal EVERY day except Sunday the whole month.

Which meant that I had to drive her to and from all of those.

AND which meant that, as a parent, it was required that I put in so many hours (about 20) of volunteer time.  (They hold our $75.00 deposit over our head to ensure our compliance).

I'll be honest, during some of the rehearsals I was at, I thought: This is utter chaos!  How is a real show going to come out of this?!? 

But, it all came together (like it always does!) and was really quite GOOD and delightful! 

The play was the MAIN occupier of November, but here's the short version of the breakdown of my month:

1st weekend: Scrapbooking weekend

2nd weekend: Annual Park City Shopping weekend

3rd week: Bye Bye Birdie performances  x 5 (AND a Cub Scout Carnival that my group was in charge of putting on!)

4th week: Thanksgiving in St. George 

No wonder it ended up "NO-POST NOVEMBER!"  ;) 

Maybe I'll make it a "tradition!"  ;) 

Lessons learned at the Kitchen Stove

With the start of a new school year, and a new work schedule (all day) for me, I instituted a new "dinner plan."
That plan involves other people than just me making dinner.  Brilliant, eh?
I'm not available in the days to do all the dinner planning/prepping like I used to be PLUS it's time for my children to discard the phrase, "I don't know how to cook" from their vocabulary!
So, Kyle has Mondays.
Haylee has Tuesdays.
Katelyn has Wednesdays.

And I'll do the rest of the days.  EXCEPT, according to this article, my husband should be doing Sundays. ;)

There were also some "rules."

1. It has to be a REAL meal.  (Ramen, Mac & Cheese, and Spaghetti-O's or anything like unto these are excluded!)
2. They cannot repeat the same meal within the same month.
3. It has to include a vegetable and/or fruit, plus be a balanced meal (with a protein and a grain.)

 Here's how things went the first week:

Kyle wondered why it took him 2 1/2 hrs. to make dinner!
He learned that he shouldn't leave the kitchen multiple times in the middle of making dinner - especially when he has put butter in a saucepan to melt!  ;)
He also learned it will go a lot quicker if he cut up all the vegetables and cooked/diced the meat BEFORE he started cooking!

Haylee wondered how in the world we could stand eating all the pancakes she'd made WITHOUT any syrup!
She learned that she should probably take inventory of ALL the ingredients (including condiments) she will need for her dinner and, if we don't have them in our pantry, she should write them on a shopping list BEFORE mom went shopping a few days prior.
(Luckily, mom knows how to whip up homemade syrup, and saved the dinner).  ;)

Katelyn wondered why her entree did not yield as large of a quantity as it usually does (like when mom makes it) and worried there wasn't enough for everyone to feel satisfied.
She learned that she should follow the instructions on the size of pan that the recipe says should be used and add ALL the ingredients that were cut and measured ahead of time.  (She used a smaller pan and everything wouldn't fit in it, so she just filled it and then left out the excess ingredients).  ;)

{Hopefully, they all become more proficient, with time!}  :)

This first week, I had to answer a lot of questions and assist with various tasks, when asked, so I actually had to be available or present - but I did not take it over for them when they struggled; I wanted them to be "in charge."  My vision is that one day, they'll all be able to function in the kitchen like a well-oiled machine, and I could walk away from the kitchen or our home, and everything would run normally without a hitch and they would pull off dinner with success!

{In other words, I hope to "work myself out of my [cook] job."}

Nice Shot!

Last night was Katelyn's last soccer game of the season. Even though the last game was SUPPOSED TO have been May 19th.
But, one game got snowed/sleeted out.
And then another game got rained out.
And then the make-up game got called after 7 minutes due to lightening in the area.
And then another make up game got cancelled due to......you got it - RAIN.  Rain, rain, rain; that's been the story of our May this year.  (To compensate for all the LACK OF SNOW in January/February?)

I had my camera out and ready the whole game for all the action.  I had some problems with the delay between the time I pushed the button to take the picture (at the exact moment that something photo-worthy was happening) and the time the camera actually captured the picture (after the moment was over).  We need a better camera - or a better photographer - one of the two, or both!  ;)
I also encountered the problem of a certain coach (my husband!) who kept walking in front of the photographer (me) as he paced up and down the sidelines, coaching.
But, even in the face of these problems, I ended up with some nice shots of the coach.....OH!....uh, and of Katelyn - that's why we were there, right?!?  ;)

Here's a good shot of Katelyn's fashion "awareness."

Katelyn opts to NOT wear the [boring] red soccer socks that are provided as part of her uniform, and instead dons one of her many other, more exciting, pair of long socks for the games!

{Nice shot Exhibit #1}

Here's a shot of Katelyn's kicks off.

It didn't happen on this particular kick, but Katelyn has been known to actually score a [unintentional] goal on her kickoff; a perfect rainbow shot up and over all the heads of the opposing team, including the goalie's head, and dropping right into the back of the net!  No one was more surprised than Katelyn, herself, when that happened for she had only meant to kickoff!

{Nice Shot Exhibit #2}

Here's a shot of Katelyn dribbling.

It appears that a couple of players on the opposing team (white jerseys) are undecided about which direction they are currently going, one thinks north, the other thinks south.  ;)

{Nice Shot Exhibit #3}

Here's a shot of Katelyn's shot on goal

And she kicks and she......doesn't score (this time), 

but sent it right to the goalie.  Don't ya hate it when that happens!?!  :)

So, what d'ya say?  Do you think I got enough NICE SHOTS to keep my job as photographer?  ;)

This Weekend:

* Katelyn went to her Annual Valentine's Tea Party with her friends.

(Her friend's grandma, who lives about 50 miles away, has them over every year for this event.

They go in their "Sunday Best,", use REAL porcelain tea cups/dishes to eat/drink from, 

make big hats to wear, do a craft, pamper & primp, 

and come home with a "goodie bag" of sorts!)

Katelyn feels so lucky to always be invited since it is limited to just the # of friends who can fit into their car!

This year, her friend's grandma had made them all CUTE pillow cases!

Do you like how Katelyn was "Valentine-ing it Up" with her heart night gown & heart jammie pants that match so well?  ;)

* We went to the big "RIVALRY GAME" for Kyle's [rec] basketball team.

It was the "Bearcats" vs. the "Rejects" (kids all from the same High School, but on different teams).

It was very serious.  The Bearcats (Kyle's team) put in an extra practice during the week PLUS a "team bonding" hanging out session to get ready for the game.

The Sophomore class was divided; picking sides, either for the Bearcats or for the Rejects

The Bearcats called for a "blackout" game - all their fans were suppose to wear black.

(which was easy enough for me, I have lots of black in my wardrobe!)

 In addition to us parents, their following of "Bearkittens" (girls their age) and the "Bearcubs" (boys their age) turned out in droves to support the Bearcats in the big game.

We're talking posters, painted faces, standing for the whole game, Bearcat "growls," and lots of cheering!

In the end, I think the Bearcats expending all their energy get psyched up (or psyched out?) for the game, and 

didn't have enough left to actually play the game.

The "Rejects" crashed the boards like crazy, and were able to score from their third & fourth chance shots.

The Bearcats lost.

But, they went out together to celebrate - or commiserate - afterwards anyway!

* Matt & I went out to Ruby River Steakhouse afterwards. (we had a coupon!)

There was a wait, but it was OK.  I still needed to get some Fitbit steps in for the day,

so we went walking around the parking lot and neighboring businesses in the meantime.

We were at the restaurant for a while......I ate veeeerrry slowly.  You see, I may or may not 

have been eating cinnamon lips candy lately, and there's an ingredient in 

cinnamon candy/gum that makes my tongue swell, which in turn makes me talk funny and it's hard to move it/eat. ;)

* My sister-in-law invited me to her stake's Women's Conference, so I went.

The guest speaker was Wendy Watson Nelson, wife of Elder Russell M. Nelson.

There were a few things that were impressionable to me that I have already shared many times with others.

She is the author of a book, What Would a Holy Woman Do?

(I'm going to check out the "book on CD" from the library!)

She also had us all stand up and recite, out loud, a portion from Elder Holland's General Conference talk he gave in October 2012.  She had us insert our own name instead of the name, “Peter,” who Christ was responding to, in Elder Holland’s nonscriptural elaboration.)

“What I need, Peter (your name), are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter (your name), for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally...”

It really was impactful to me.  And it was inspiration for a Relief Society presentation that I am currently preparing for.  I have been asked to speak on the topic of "Hastening the Work of the Lord" in an upcoming meeting, and I just think I might use this little bit!!  ;)

* Matt & I had a "date" at the plasma donation center.  Matt & I ended up on the same row, but a few beds down from each other, and the phlebotomis saw me wave & talk to him a bit.  

He asked me if I knew him, and I replied, "Ya, and I kinda LIKE him, too!"  ;)  

Then we went out to lunch at Nielsen's Frozen Custard. (we had a coupon!)

* After a break (3 months) due to the holidays of not doing private dates with our children,

we finally started up again and it was Haylee's turn.

She chose her favorite Gluten Free pizza - David's Pizza.

But, there's no seating there (it's just pick up & delivery), so we got hers from there,

and then went down a few doors to Big Daddy's Pizza (where they do have seating AND we had a coupon!) and

ordered mine & Matt's pizza, so we'd be able to eat at their tables.

Then she wanted to go shopping at the D.I.  - don't be jealous!  ;)

 She LOVES finding $0.50 treasures!

AND we found some brand new, with-the-store-tags-still-on clothes for all of us!

We finished off by going to Menchies. (we had a coupon!)

* Churchy-Church on Sunday.

We had a Missionary Homecoming, which was great.  The returned missionary

was someone who was in Young Men's when I was serving in Young Women's.

He's gone and come home already?  Wasn't that just the other day? 

Time flies......when it's someone else's child!  :)  haha.

*  We had our New Beginnings in the evening for Haylee & all the Young Women.

They did such a good job!  It's so different (& nice!) to just be part of the audience and not

be in charge of it.  I thought it was way better and cuter than the ones we did....probably because I could really sit back and enjoy it - unlike the last three years when I was IN YW!  ;)

Look how adorable our "cruise ticket" (program for the evening) was:

 {front}

{back}

The mutual theme for this year is D & C 4:2, "Oh, ye that EMBARK in the service of God...."

so they pretended we were aboard a "ship" for the evening.

That video presentation can be viewed HERE.

There are GREAT YW leaders now, it's good for everyone to change it up!  

* Finished the weekend (like I always do these days) by writing my letter to Ryan on his mission,

while "Talkin' Sports" was on T.V. in the next room.

Three Strikes.....on My Idea

Katelyn turned 10 years old this week.  Double Digits!!

It was her year for a friend birthday party and she wanted to have a “Game Show” themed party.
We played "Wheel of Fortune" and "Friend Feud" with some puzzles/questions I made up.

I made the game show boards out of poster boards and paper.

I thought it would be fun & clever to have one of the “Friend Feud” questions be:  
"Name something great about Katelyn.” 
I thought it would be a good way to "CELEBRATE" the birthday girl.

FOR THIS QUESTION, I had all 12 answers worth 100 points each (instead of how I did it on the other questions and how they do it in the real game where ALL the answers only total 100).  This way, the girls could REALLY earn a lot of points for this *BRILLIANT* question.

The 12 "Katelyn" answers on the board [that were covered] were: Friendly, Happy, Athletic, Crafty, Honest, Brave, Great singer, Caring, Helpful, Gives compliments, FUN, & Smart).

Well, this *special* idea of mine?.....it kind of bombed...
because the first person guessed, “funny.”  STRIKE ONE. 
Katelyn:  "WHAT?!?  I'm not funny?  I always make everyone laugh."  (As everyone, literally, laughed!)

The next person guessed, “sweet.”  STRIKE TWO. 
Katelyn: “WHAT?!?” 
Oh no.....she's [thinking she's] NOT funny, and she's NOT sweet!

The next person said, “Awesome.”  STRIKE THREE. 
Katelyn: (practically speechless, with mouth gaping open)


So, the other team gets a chance to "steal."  And they say, “pretty.” 
I was dying because I knew THAT answer wasn't on the board, either, but I didn’t want to give ANOTHER strike.....because what Katelyn wasn't understanding was, that even though all the previous answers given about her were TRUE, and it's what her friends thought of her....it just wasn’t one of the TOP TWELVE ANSWERS ON THE BOARD.
"Pretty" got a STRIKE, also.
 
When Katelyn saw it wasn’t on the board, she hid her face in the couch and started to cry.

Come on - everyone break out into song now, "It's MY party, I can cry if I want to, cry if I want to.....YOU would cry, too, if it happened to you!"

*****************
But, in an attempt to make things better, I let the "stealing" team call out another one of their answers they had brainstormed up together - and it was [finally] ON THE BOARD! (Makes friends easily)

This Weekend:

* Friday, Matt & I went to the Bountiful vs. Viewmont High School football game.

I'm a BHS alumni, and Matt's a VHS alumni (MAJOR RIVALS back in our day!!!)

....and our kids go to VHS (I know! SOOO embarrassing!)...

...so WHICH TEAM should we cheer for?  And WHICH SIDE should we sit on?

Well that's easy!  I gotta go with the BRAVES!  And I DID wear [the mighty] Red & Gray!  ;)

Actually, our nephew plays on the Bountiful team, and we don't have ANY

relatives playing for the Vikings, so it was a NO BRAINER!  (For me, at least!)

We ended up in the middle of the Braves fans - on the Bountiful side, even though it was played at Viewmont.

(AND the Braves got the victory!!!)  :)

* We went to Sonic Drive-In - a brand new one was built in our community! -  afterwards for one of their gazillion flavors of slush.

I think we lucked out and only got two [completely unnecessary] phone calls from home during our "date" - maybe three...? 

*Saturday, Matt, Katelyn, Brookelle, & I went to the Ogden temple open house.

(Everyone else in our family had already had a chance to go with others.)

It just so happens that my cousin & family were volunteering there at that time!

His daughter & wife were some of the ones putting the shoe cover slippers on the guests' feet before we entered.

All during the walk-through, the girls kept admiring all the PRETTY THINGS they saw everywhere!

 They brought up several questions - which I was thrilled with!  It created a special opportunity to talk & teach about the sacredness of temples.

See HERE for explanations.

 We went to the visitor's tent afterwards, too.  They were especially enthralled with the nail marks in Christ's hands & feet and the pierce mark from the spear in his side.

* I had to go out to my work in SLC for a quick meeting, so Matt drove me there, then we

found a restaurant that was nearby - and had a coupon in the Happenings book - to eat at.  

If you don't mind flies flying all around you, average food, and waiting a REALLY long

time to get your check, you should give it a try, also!  ;)  haha.

* We went to Temple Square in Salt Lake to the Paul Cardall concert.

{Matt REALLY likes his piano music - and I do, too.}

He played a few piano pieces, then would get up and speak, then play again.

He told interesting stories, jokes, & bore testimony - it was a good mix.

* It was Fast Sunday this week (due to our Stake Conference next week on the usual 1st Sunday) so

our Maddox turkey steak dinner (& sides) seemed REALLY yummy.

We also let them have slush AFTER they ate real food.

* I made cinnamon rolls since it'd been a while, and Brookelle was sad that

she had missed them at school on the day she was absent

when we all took Ryan to the MTC.  

I think we got like 3 dozen out of the recipe, so we started taking the excess around 

to our home teaching & visiting teaching families.  (Since it WAS the last day of the month anyway!  haha!)

* Monday was the holiday, so we went out for our traditional Labor Day breakfast 

at Sill's Cafe for their famous frisbee-sized scones and hash browns with S.O.S.  Yum!

{Unless you're a Celiac, like Haylee, and she has a plate full of bacon & eggs.}

* I had to work during the day, so Kyle convinced Matt & the other kids

to go up in the Farmington mountains for a hiking Encore.

{It's SO sad I had to work!  ;0  NOT.  haha!}

This time, they went on the "Hell Hole" trail.

* We went over to the Brenchley's for a BBQ and cousin play time.

* Late at night, I finished putting together a package for our missionary, then dropped it off
on our neighbor's porch - to be delivered tomorrow.
It's really convenient that he runs an [approved & licensed] Same-Day MTC delivery business -
AND he gives a "ward discount."

The First of Many More to Come and Thoughts on D-Land

I've been looking forward to and making plans for various Mother/Daughter outings that I will do with my girls [when they are old enough] for years.   Well, I think we officially started this past week.  We went on our FIRST "Girls Trip."

Matt actually had a work conference at the Grand Californian Disney Hotel - and we tagged along.  

Why not?  Hotel room paid for?  Check.  Per Diem money provided for Matt & I by his company?  Check.  Discount Disneyland tickets offered by the conference?  Check.  Private Dinner Party/Evening of Entertainment/Priority viewing of World of Color included for the entire family?  Check.  

Fly for FREE on jetBlue?  Check.

 Matt spent all day in classes - poor guy!  :)

This MAY have been a mistake to start out so BIG.  Will the girls be satisfied with "Chick Flick" night out at the movies in the future now?  ;)

Now, a list of my random thoughts:

1. If I were RICH, I would always opt to stay at a Disney property.  We were spoiled to be there by "riding on Matt's work conference coat tails."  Not only was it such a nice resort (inside & out) but it came with "privileges" like Early Entrance at 7:00 EVERY morning.  The best part, though, is that we literally walked out our hotel room door, turned two corners, and we were right IN Disney's California Adventure!  To get to Downtown Disney, we walked out the hotel the other way...with Disneyland just a bit further up the way.  SOOO convenient (but also expensive!)
2. I have to say that I have officially "graduated" from the Tea Cups ride.  No more.  I really can't handle it anymore - I lose my equilibrium.
3. I LOVE my Disney Dream Reward Dollars.  I have the Disney Visa and earned about $150 to use anywhere in the park - no need to worry about packing in food.  But, we DID use it ALL in 3 days!
4. August is NOT my favorite time to go to Disneyland.  I've been at several different times through the years, and August probably lands at the bottom of my list.  (The HEAT.  The lines.  The crowds.  Even the cast members are a bit less "on their [magical] game" having to deal with all of the above.)
5. I need to wear "hospital shoes" or some other kind of super-duper orthopedic-bionic shoes while there - my feet were KILLING ME!  Seriously, I COULD NOT WAIT to get off my feet at night.
6. Dole Whip and Frozen lemonades are like manna from heaven!  (See #3 & #4)
7. We Americans are INSANE!  The first day we were there, the line to see Elsa & Anna (from Frozen) was a three HOUR WAIT.  3 HOURS!  So, I told the girls we would come the next day for our Early Entrance.  We were lined up outside the entrance gate at 6:45 IN THE MORNING to go in - and we still weren't the first in line!  What is wrong with all of us?  Who does this?  Isn't this a vacation?  Once the gates were opened, we walked directly to the Elsa/Anna house.....and the line was already starting - we ended up waiting 1 hr. 40 min!
8. Times have CHANGED!  Now, every ride is posted with a sign stating that children under the age of 7 (Brookelle) must be accompanied with a person 14 or older (neither Haylee or Katelyn) or they couldn't ride.  And they enforced it - our girls were denied entrance once!  Which meant, if Miss B wanted to do ANYTHING & EVERYTHING, I was the ONE to go with her.  Now let's go back 34 years, when my dad took me (then age 10), my older sister (age 13) and my younger brother (age 4) to So. Cal with him once on a business trip and he just DROPPED US OFF at Disneyland for the whole day.  I'm not sure, but I think that would be grounds for getting Child Protective Services involved these days?!?  Just a hunch.  ;)  AND, on that trip, my older sister (the one in charge???) got separated from us (the 10 & 4 yr. old) for HOURS!  We spent all that time looking for her - we eventually found her later and learned that she had just kept on going on rides the whole time - after all, she didn't want to waste her day looking for us! 
9. My bum sure doesn't fit the same in some of those seats as it used to!  Dang it!
10. I think it's time Disneyland establishes a "modesty standard" of some kind.  There was WAY TOO MUCH boobage (a lot more than just cleavage), backs, bras & bum cheeks showing!  For that reason, I was glad my teenage boys were not with us to see that.  It was still a bad example for my girls, though.  If the guests don't have enough common sense to cover themselves adequately, they should be policed.  No, seriously, they could make rules.  When we were at Hershey Park last year, this "warning sign" was out in the parking lot:
    

The fact that they even have to put up a sign.....Really?!!?

Out to Lunch - 5 Ways

One of our traditions during summer vacation is that I get to take each of my children, one by one, out to lunch one day - and then maybe do a little shopping or something.  The restaurant is their choice.  This had to be calendared during "family business" at the beginning of the summer - or else it wouldn't happen, especially with preparing to get a missionary ready to leave in August and my work schedule with the airlines that is inherently busy during this peak travel season.
Brookelle got to do it this year, too, since it's her first "summer vacation" from a 5-day-a-week school year.

It's something I look forward to.

Yesterday, I just finished up my last lunch.  And when I stopped to think about it:  5 different children = 5 different lunch experiences.  :)

1. I first went out with Kyle to Costa Vida (I'll never complain about that!)  He goes there for the BIG sweet pork burrito.  He hopes eating like that will cause him to get big(ger) and tall. ;)  He's in a stage where he's more interested in going out to eat good food rather than to be with me, I think.  ;)  He talked a little & barely muttered a "hello" when he was greeted by one of his old cub scout leaders who was also there - being the "quiet giant" that he is.    He wasn't much into the "dining experience" where you hang around even after the food has all been consumed.  He was ready to go.  (Was that so the fewest number of acquaintances possible could potentially see him there together with me???)
2. Next I went out with Brookelle to Kentucky Fried Chicken.  She goes there for the drumstick, original recipe.  She also got a side of Mac & Cheese which she decided wasn't that good.  She chose for us to sit on a high table with tall stools, but then she wanted to get down & up, down & up a good part of the time.  Our conversation was also disrupted by her having to go potty (or just wanting to check out the restrooms?), watching other customers and then telling me [in a not so quiet voice] any interesting/odd/funny thing she noticed about them (while I tried to shush her volume down a bit), looking at all the signage on the walls, needing more napkins, and me reminding her to actually EAT.  (lots still left on her tray).  It may have had something to do with the fact that we were going to her Dr. appt. immediately afterwards?  (Or that she just CANNOT sit still!)
3. I actually made it on Ryan's schedule one day, too, for lunch - his days are filled with working a couple of jobs & friends, that I didn't know if he could "fit me in"  haha.  We went to Sizzler.  He goes there for the STEAK, of course!  There was a special with a steak/salad bar combo, too, so even more food in his book is always a PLUS!  And I'll just say that he DEFINITELY got his money's worth!  We talked about this, that, & the other: friends, mission calls, World Cup soccer, money, work, ranch dressing, the "game plan" for his mission prep, our family, traffic, etc. etc.  Our waiter came back at least 10 times to refill our water and ask if we needed anything else, and left the after-dinner mints.  (WAS HE TRYING TO HINT THAT IT WAS TIME FOR US TO LEAVE, OR SOMETHING?!?)  :)  And then we talked some more - and he ate some more.  ;)  What a vast contrast from my previous lunch date with the 6 yr. old!
4. I took Haylee out next - also as a combo with her Dr. appointment.  Picking a place is difficult for a Celiac because so many places have gluten all over their menus.  And then it's especially difficult for Haylee because the gluten-free options are things she doesn't want to eat.  She settled on Wendy's.  She got a really healthy lunch (HA!) which consisted of a vanilla frosty, some fries, & a root beer (but she would not try a flavoring in it, even though they have the 200+ fountain drink variety machine there!)  Even though I like their burgers & chicken sandwiches (now on pretzel rolls!) I got a baked potato because I think it'd be rude to eat good bread in front of her on our date.  Eating out is very different when you have to worry about food allergies, I tell ya.  We talked about random things - even though she's going into Jr. High this year, I'm glad she's not into all that "Jr. High stuff" (pop culture, phones, boys, bling, expensive clothes, and non-innocent things in general) yet.  Although I do get rolling eyes, looks of disgust, & sassy tones already - yuck!  She doesn't talk & eat at the same time, so I have to sometimes stop the talking, every now & then, so the eating will happen!
5. Finally, I ended up the Summer lunch rotation with Katelyn to Chick-Fil-A.  She hadn't ever tried their food, but had heard really good things about it.  She opted for the chicken nuggets - and was not disappointed!  She discovered she likes their special sauce - even better than honey mustard!  The thing about Chick-Fil-A is that it's required that their employees all be so nice....which led to a couple of them stopping by our table to chat.  They were very pleasant, but it took away from my time with Katelyn, so I was kinda bothered - although she later told me she like them.  That's just like her - she's so friendly - she DID sit there totally smiling at them the whole time.  Katelyn got a lesson in asking adults for what you need.  I taught her how to approach the counter to request a drink refill and also to trade in her "kids toy" for an ice cream cone.  She was nervous before doing it, but then felt quite accomplished afterwards.  I did get a few texts during lunch that I responded to -- and she called me on it!  Yep!  I should BE WITH her.  We stayed after our trays had been cleared away to talk longer to make up for all the other talking time we missed out on with the interruptions from the employees & my cell phone. 

See?  Different.

So, whether it's reserved & eager, or fast-paced & unfocused, or long-winded & glutinous, or anxious & pure, or bold & enthusiastic, I am glad for the opportunity these lunch dates provide for me to spend time with my children.

This Weekend:

*Friday Night was Katelyn's turn for her DATE with Mom & Dad!

She picked everything we did.

We went out to dinner at The Nacho House and

then went to Get Air trampoline park.

* Saturday was Farmington Festival Days!

We started by going to the breakfast in the park.

Still the best city "chuckwagon" style breakfast we've encountered:

French Toast on thick bread, with your choice of maple or vanilla syrup

Bacon AND sausage

Hashbrown patties

Cup of fruit (watermelon, canteloupe, grapes, blueberries)

Orange Juice

Milk

Chocolate Milk

*After that the girls and I like to browse the booths.

There's always this "bag" booth that has some cute stuff,

but this year we actually made our purchase at 

a maxi skirt booth - the girls each got one - very darling!

*We went to the parade.

The other people beat us to putting out chairs and roping off sections,

(It's getting earlier & earlier every year!  Aaugh!) so we were only partially shaded.

 As always, GOOD "candy" (not taffy) was given/thrown out including:  sliced watermelon

from Harmon's grocery, otter pops, gobstoppers, Reeses PB cups, Mrs. Cavanaugh's

Mindy Mints, balls, fans, water bottles, smarties, skittles, etc. etc.

*We came home in the middle of the day to COOL off!

I read a bit & cleaned a bit.

Matt got the garden weed-free.

Katelyn went to the movie with her cousin.

Then we decided we "needed" some Costa Vida for supper.

I first tried to call in the order, but they didn't answer, so Matt just drove over.

After a little while, I tried to call again, and was able to order.  Great!  Matt won't have to stand in line.

I texted Matt, I called it in, it's under 'Suzanne'

4 minutes went by and I didn't hear from him, so I texted again, 

Did you get my message?  No need to stand in line, it's ready for pickup at the checkout counter.

And then 1 minute later, he called me.  He hadn't gotten my text.  He'd ordered on his own and was driving home with our food.
Ooops!  My called-in order was still there waiting...

(I tried calling back, but no answer.  I called again, and they guy who finally answered couldn't hear me even though I repeated myself 3 times.  Oh well....)

*We returned to the park for the music performances (singers/bands)

as we sat on our camp chairs in the shade.

 The girls spent time on the playground, too.

*While there, we got word that Ryan & Kyle had returned home from their 

4-day high adventure camp to the Wind Rivers (13 mile/way backpacking trip) with the 14-18 yr. old scouts!!
(I've never really worried about the boys going on scout camps before, but THIS TIME I did a bit.
Ryan has his mission call.  He has to go on his mission!  Please don't let him get lost, or sick, or hurt, or worse! 

*They cleaned themselves up and met us just in time for the fireworks to start.

(And Yes! It was a respectable showing, so it help in satisfying my craving.)

But, I'll tell ya - the crowd for that is growing every year, too - not so small town anymore?

*On Sunday, Matt & I were able to go to the Missionary homecoming church service

of the West Virginia Charleston Mission president & his wife who just returned.

Fun Fact: He also used to be Matt's Bishop & Stake President.  In fact, he was the

Stake President who interviewed Matt & I when we were to be married.

(Ryan will obviously have the new mission president when he is out there in a couple months, but we wanted to attend to see if there was anything we could learn.)

We learned there will be:

Squirral gravy

Windy, curvy roads

Missionary-minded local members of the church who make it their life to help the missionaries.

Miracles following a missionary's faith

*Went to our own church, too.

I taught a combo of this lesson and this lesson to my Young Women class.

And I couldn't get through this [true] story without crying.

(Try as I might.  Geez.)

*I cooked a whole chicken (with various seasonings) in the crock pot for dinner.

It was "Haylee approved" - that's always a very GOOD THING.

*I made chocolate chip cookies for Sunday night treat.

*Ryan had a girl FRIEND (two separate words) come over to watch 

the replay of the World Cup final game with us...because she LOVES soccer and missed it during church, too. 

(We hadn't watched it live, nor had we spoken to anyone to find out the results.)

*I worked on my Personal Progress program - I am SO SO close to completing it 

as a Young Woman Leader! (I already did it the first time as a young woman back in the 80's)

May Madness

About a year ago, when I was talking to a friend, who has kids the same ages as my kids, she brought it to my attention that we would have children in the oldest grade of every school in 2014.
I realized THEN that we were going to have a VERY BUSY MAY!!!  And boy howdy, was our calendar ever cram packed!!

Haylee would graduate from Elementary School!

(Do you like how she "dresses up" for this Special Occasion?  She says it's WHO SHE IS, so I agreed to disagree.)

Kyle would graduate from Jr. High School!

And, I don't know how this is possible......

.....but somehow he donned this cap & gown......

....because it was time for my own son, Ryan, to graduate from High School!

Wasn't I just in that situation myself?!?

 

REALLY.  I can't be this old!!!

But, before we could even get to all these graduation ceremonies, our May was also filled to the brim with other things:

 Katelyn's final school choir concert

Brookelle's End-of-Kindergarten program

{Spot the yellow pants?}

Haylee (& the 6th grade) also had:

D.A.R.E. graduation

3 Field Trips

End of Level testing

Medieval Feast 

Greek Olympics

Swimming Pool party

6th Grade vs. Teachers Basketball game
Field Day

Kyle also had:

2 A.P. Exams (Human Geography & Environmental Science)

Field Trip to City Creek Center (to "study" urban life!)

9th Grade Honors Recognition Ceremony
9th Grade Dance

9th Grade Lagoon Day

Ryan had:
A.P. Exam (U.S. Government)

Baccalaureate Services

Seminary Graduation

Senior Picture

Senior Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Spring Fling

Graduation orientation/rehearsal

End-of-High-School stomp

 the "Looking Back" assembly which he M.C.'d
(these 4 students, Parker, Ryan, Sierra, & Amanda, M.C.'d together and had many, many rehearsals & filming sessions)

All Night graduation party 

(that Matt & I served at - then Matt went to work the next day and I threw a birthday party for Brookelle!  Can you say, "Bleary Eyed" or "Crazy"?)

{I was doing A LOT of praying for these kiddos this month - especially on test days!}

AND we get to do this again in THREE years when Kyle is a senior, Haylee a 9th grader, & Katelyn a 6th grader.

THEN we get to do it again in SIX years when Haylee is a senior, Katelyn is a 9th grader, & Brookelle is a 6th grader.

After that, we'll only have 2 or 1 graduations in the same year -- unless there's some college ones that happen to fall in 2023 or 2026.

THIS is an amazing time of our life.....but can I nap in June now?  ;)