Journaling

Mt. Man Rendezvous-
Back at Holbrook, the fourth grade does a thing called Mountain Man Rendezvous.  The whole field is set up with Mountain Man things.  There are a few Teepees, a pool of fish, and LOTS more, that the kids get to rotate through and learn and participate in fun activities.  It is the most anticipated day of the first 4 years of your time in that school!  Needless to say, it was a huge disappointment to Kelly that she was going to miss this activity when we found out we were moving.  Luckily! Mrs. Davis agreed to let her come back and enjoy the day with them!  Since I was signed up to help, I just went along with that, and was able to tag along with Kelly.  It was SO much fun!  We were both surprised, and bummed a little when we realized that she wasn't going to have any of her old friends in her group, but I'm almost certain that was done on purpose... I can think of a few reasons... she was still able to have a good time, and even stayed for the second half of the day, when I was not there.  We did lots of fun stuff.  Started out at the wool spinning and made our own yarn from sheeps wool.  Then went on to make our possibles bags (real fake leather!) those are so fun and she have it forever to remember her old school by.  Then it was on to Tall Tales where we got to hear a fun story about a guy who only had one bullet left and no food.  By the end of the story he had several (mostly large) animals, even 7 turkeys with only the one bullet... lots of fun!  After that Kelly got to shoot a bow and arrow... she missed all of hers, but I think she had fun.  Then we watched a guy make a fire with flint and steel, carbon paper and some bark in a matter of seconds even with some pretty heavy wind!!  Couldn't believe it!  He taught us about guns as well.  The last station she did while I was there was the fish catching.  I was SO proud of my Kelly for sticking her hands in the dirty water and grabbing the slimy fish out with her bare hands!!!  She impressed me!  She doesn't even touch chalk!  So I wasn't sure she would do it!!  Such a cool girl :).  She was bummed that she didn't get to gut it herself.  I left at that point to relieve my Mom, she was watching the littles (Jack Jack is still not taking a bottle or sippy cup, so I can't leave him too long).  I did hear a little about the tug-o-war, I saw her homemade candle that she had dipped herself, she didn't get to do the pie eating contest, but loved the candy cannon at the end.  There are a few other things, but I can't remember it all.  I need to have her write up something.  But anyway.  It was such a fun day for she and I to share, and I was SO grateful for her old teacher for letting us do it.  We didn't feel completely comfortable anymore, knowing we had moved, but it was still so fun.  5-22-13

OUR NEW YARD-
Thursday we had a LOT planned and wanted to get so much done.  We got a lot done, but not everything.  The first thing on our list though, was our flower garden in the front yard.  We did a TON of weeding!  It was SO fun!!  Nate and I have all sorts of ideas for our new yard.  It will be fun to take care of for the rest of our lives.  We're trying to be patient and want to stick out this first summer and just see what our yard has, then maybe next year (or later, if it so be), we will do some of our own changes.  It's exciting either way.  It's so fun to have a yard to care for.

That night our Bishopric was supposed to come and visit, but they had to call and cancel.  We were a little bummed, but it was all good.

Still tons of driving around to get kids to and from friends' houses... not ideal :) but I"m SO GRATEFUL that they have friends to play with at all.  Bradley seems to have a few he can ride his bike too.  Maybe once they all have bikes!
5-23-13

KELLY'S Birthday Table-
On Friday, we were invited to Kelly's birthday table at our new school.  We were glad that everyone brings fast food to this school's too, since we had our bags of Arby's in tow :).  It's hard to not know everyone like we're used to at Holbrook, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time.  We had a good time. 5-24-13

LUKE'S STAR OF THE WEEK-
After Kelly's Birthday lunch, we got to go to Luke's class to tell them about him!  He had wanted to get donuts for his class too, so we passed those out.  It was fun talking about Luke and letting his classmates ask questions.  I'm not sure they know the real Luke yet!  There's still time :) but anyway.  I think Luke approved of the things that I said.  My favorite thing was when I asked him what I should say, or what he wanted me to say, he said, "That I'm funny!"  He is super funny, so that was the perfect way to start off my presentation :).  Cute little guy.  I love Luke.  5-24-13

OZ the Great and Powerful-
We decided a trip to our new theater was in order, so even though it was a little last minute, we loaded everyone up and headed on over to the Kaysville theater for a movie night.  The place was PACKED!  There was one row in the whole theater that had enough seats for us, second to the back!  I think the movie was fun enough.  It seemed a little dark for the kids, and there were some scary parts.  Which just for the record were "not scary!" to anyone except Charity.  She cracks me up.  She actually got out of her seat and came down to get some loves when she'd had enough scary.  I LOVED it!  Any chance to snuggle with my big girl.  I love her innocence.  Everyone else is so brave when Charity's around :).  Nobody else was scared. (insert sarcasm)  It was a fun night though and Jack even slept through part of the movie.  I love watching him throw his little hands into the popcorn bucket and come out with fists of popcorn that he doesn't quite know how to control so it ends up all over me!  It's really adorable.  He seems to love popcorn.  5-24-13

TIMPANOGOS CAVE WITH THE MAYNES'-
Nate's sister planned a fun hike up to the cave for a pre-memorial day activity!  We got up bright and early and were up to the ticket office at 8:00 am!  This was the opening day for the hike, so unfortunately, we had to wait til 11:00 to start the hike!  I couldn't believe it!  Luckily there were tons of cousins to run around with and Jen kept taking the little ones on little walks all over.  I had fun chatting with Becky.  We ate our lunch before heading up there, and made the trek up.  I cannot believe how hard that hike is!!  I know it's a paved road, and shouldn't be called a "hike", but even for a walk, it's SO STEEP!!!!  It's insane!  I'm always surprised that we did that hike so much when I was growing up.  And that I was able to do that six months pregnant with Erika!  Sheesh!  I was totally dying this time.  I had Jack on my back, so little sympathy there :), jk, but it was SO HARD!!  Some of our kids went on ahead with Aunts and Uncles and cousins who apparently are in much better shape than me.  But we had Luke, Noah and Erika most of the time.  I was SO proud of them!!  Erika LOVED the hike on the way up.  She kept saying, "This is hard, but it'sawesome too!", "awesome, but hard", "hard, but awesome".  I loved it :).  Noah was a trooper too, he taught us that the reason it's called a "side walk" is because it's on the side of the mountain and has rocks! (rocks being pronounced "wocks") HA!  He's so cute!  Luke seemed bored most of the time.  He didn't look strained at all either, he had so much energy to burn at every stop, and at the end, even played all evening with his friend Carter.  He's funny.  He said the best part of the day was "the cave, I guess..."  If he had to pick something... Funny kid.  I really enjoyed the day though!  Good positive time.  It was fun to hang out with the Maynes Family.  We had a little picnic lunch afterwards too (second lunch, yes).  5-25-13