May 15, 2005

May 15, 2005
Well, I traveled with the Stake RS today to a town called Waverly. It is about
1 ½ hours North. The Waverly branch just broke ground for a chapel, they have been meeting in the town hall which has a gorgeous view. The fun part is that one guy there is a guy I went to college with and haven’t seen since he sang at our wedding. It was fun to see him and meet his family. We were asked during sacrament meeting to speak for a couple of minutes. I think I may need to start coming prepared to speak!!
On Monday, Marisa had a combined Orchestra concert with Indian Creek Elementary. Bob took Kayla to go see it and I heard it went well. She had a huge final concert with all elementary and middle school orchestras. Kayla and I went to go see that one. Once again, it was an amazing performance. We found out only 2 middle schools in Iowa have a full orchestra and ours is one of them. We also heard all the awards they have won in competitions and found out that the program is ranked one of the best in the country. How lucky we truly are! Marisa did such a great job!
On Tuesday, we thoroughly enjoyed the finale of "The Amazing Race". The kids and I were literally on our feet jumping and cheering . We have such fun together!
We spent some time bike riding again this week. However, the temperature dropped and then it rained for several days, so we weren’t able to go out then. But we love to go out and Tyler finally figured out how to get on and start riding by himself. Before, we had to hold it til he started pedaling. Hopefully the weather will cooperate more this week. We make a huge train of bikes on the road. We hope to branch out to some fun trails soon.
Kayla had a fun assignment for school this weekend. She had to take a historic tour of Marion. SO, bob took the 3 older kids out to do that on Saturday. They had a great time and learned a lot more about Marion. (Basically driving in the car following a paper she had) Yesterday was a very busy day!! Marisa and dad mowed the lawn, I did the grocery shopping, they went on the historic tour, cleaned the house, got Wendy’s for dinner, made homemade frosty’s, then watched some movies. Crazy day! We started watching "Phantom of the Opera" and the kids have LOVED it so far. They love the music too. I have never seen it so hopefully the rest is ok for them to watch.
The kids have been putting leftover salad from dinner in the bunny holes in the backyard and we seem to have bunnies back there all the time now. The kids love it, Bob is not so thrilled. Alayna is always back there chasing birds and bunnies.
Well, I can’t think of much else going on. Have a wonderful and fun week!

Mother's Day

Alayna chasing bunnies and "exploring"

Alayna and Kayla with giant strawberries

May 8, 2005

May 8, 2005
This is my favorite week of the year. I get my birthday and Mother’s day rolled together in one. It has been such a fun weekend. I turned 34 yesterday and am proud of it! Bob took me to Olive Garden for lunch while Marisa babysat the kids. That was so nice. Then Bob and I stopped off at Kohl’s and I bought myself an adorable summer pajama outfit. Then I promptly came home and changed into it. We watched a movie and in lieu of birthday cake I had kitkat bites and chocolate chip cookies- now that is heaven!!

Today, I wore my new outfit I bought for my birthday and Marisa and Kayla made me corsages in Activity Days that matched what I wore. I loved it! So- all of us girls went to church matching today. I also helped teach the RS lesson which I think went well. Sometimes I can be funny and I actually pulled it off today. The kids stayed quiet so I could get a nap and enjoy the day. A special HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY to all you moms out there!!

On Monday, we had one set of missionaries over for dinner and then they stayed (along with my VT companion) to watch "The Work and the Glory". We absolutely LOVED it!! What a wonderful movie. The kids loved it so much that I am going to start reading the books to them. The next night, the other missionaries happened to stop by on their bikes, so we had them stay for dinner too. These poor guys are not getting fed enough...

On Thursday, it was our enrichment night and I was part of the VT program. But the rest was all about Mexico. We had a lady who talked to us about her Spanish heritage (her ancestors were at the Alamo, etc) Then I learned how to make tortillas from scratch as well as homemade chimichangas and guacamole which was so awesome if I do say so myself. We also got the recipe for this yummy kid friendly margarita. Maybe I should post the recipes in case people want them? So, we decided we will do an FHE on that so the kids can learn too.

Kayla had her second track meet this weekend. We had MUCH better weather this time and it was at a big stadium. She did well, but it scared her that everyone was so fast. She wore out on the 200 meter (half track) so we couldn’t talk her into trying the relay run or the 400 meter. It really discourages her that others can beat her, but hopefully she will still try again for her last meet on May 21.

Marisa has been reading like crazy again and finished 2 Nancy Drew books this weekend. We went out bike riding a lot as a family and Tyler has finally learned how to turn as well as dismount without falling over. His knees and legs are horribly bruised but that comes with learning how to ride a bike right?

Alayna really made mommy and daddy mad this week. Sunday night, Bob was making homemade pizza. When he turned the oven on, Marisa kept commenting on a weird smell. I told her it was just misc. stuff on the bottom of the oven. HOWEVER, when Bob went to put the pizza in, we found my scissors and tongs as well as the kids plastic bead projects all on the oven rack. Of course the handles on my scissors and tongs had melted off leaving strings of plastic attached to very hot metal pieces. I swear, I hope she gets 5 kids JUST LIKE HER!!! On the other hand, she has LOVED going outside in the backyard to play and explore. Her favorite past time is chasing birds and bunnies. We just saw that there are baby bunnies now as well. She often goes out by herself and can actually play alone for a while without getting into trouble which has been so great.
Happy Mother’s Day!

"I am washing my hair, mommy"

her new "funny face"