The Yard

Ahh, it's that time of year. The time of year to head outside and see what is left in the yard after the snow melts. We found lots of toys, and to our dismay, lots of very small holes! What are these exactly, novices as we are, have no idea. There are three rather large holes, indicating some sort of critter! Yikes! But there are also dozens upon dozens of small holes, about the size of an index finger all over the place. If any of you know what these are-lend me some of your knowledge! Also, every year about this time I get somewhat passionate about pouring a big concrete patio in the back yard. I actually have a call in to a friend this year to give me a price on such a thing. And this year we are planning to actually plant and hopefully grow a few things, so I need to clear some garden space for those. So the goal is yard prep. Nate and I have committed to getting it all ready by the end of May. In the past we have been able to make it through one project, then we just maintain. All our past projects are in place, so first maintenance, then progress-wish us luck!

Happy Birthday Jack!

I am so blessed to have you as a son! You are a great kid and I am so proud of who you are!

10 Favorite things about family vacation

1. Exercising and stretching in gas station parking lots.

2. Going to bed at the same time, especially if some of the beds are bunk beds.

3. Being able to wear warm weather clothes.

4. Flying!

5. Looks of pure excitement!

6. Getting to use the force!

7. Trying new things.

8. Being amazed!

9. Getting Wet!

10. Playing together!

Conference Sunday

I love conference weekend. If nothing else, you get to stay in you pajamas most of the weekend. Yesterday I listened on the radio in the sewing room and finished up binding a quilt for Shelly. This morning we got invited over to Roger and Marshall's apartment and had breakfast. Then together we all watched the morning session of conference. I brought some coloring pages for the kids, they were still and occupied for about an hour and a half, then restlessness and wiggles took over. We all then played Imaginiff and had a good time together. I listened to the afternoon session again in the sewing room. I heard two talks that stood out and spoke to me. The first one was Saturday focusing on perfection and that sometimes we expect to much of ourselves and need to rely on the Lord. I think sometimes I lose focus and it is helpful to rely on the Lord and allow my flaws and imperfections to just be part of me without beating myself up about them. The other talk I really enjoyed was the one on young mothers. I am not completely sure I qualify as a young mother, but I have only been a mother for almost 8 years, so I suppose that is young in the larger scope of things. I know I enjoy so much playing with my kids rather than checking off a list of activities and moving on to the next thing. I love being encouraged to live in every moment of their childhood and doing everything I can to let them know they are my priority and how much concern and love I have for each of them. Yesterday I was trying to fix the photo program on our computer and I felt how frustrated I was with the whole process. Bella asked me a question and I was a bit short with her. Then I took a deep breath, apologized and left the problem unsolved to go talk with her about what she needed to talk about. I felt so much better, she felt better, and later I resolved the problem. I also liked the way it was pointed out in the talk to make sure and have time for yourself. I think everyone needs this to maintain some level of sanity. Nate has always supported and made sure I get the time I need not to turn into a complete crazy person. I suppose that benefits him as well. It felt good to be recognized and appreciated as a mother in general conference. The whole talk made me smile and feel proud of the choices I have made in my life.

Happy Girl

Makenzie has been sending her outgrown clothes to Isabella. She saw this dress come out of the box and had to put it on immediately. She loves all the clothes Makenzie sends but this one dazzled her a bit more and she had to wear it the rest of the day. It is still a bit too big at this point, but not too much. I love that she loves this dress because it was handmade by her Aunt Jessica. I have such a love and appreciation for all things handmade and am tickled when the kids feel that too. Sometimes I think they are so used to having handmade jammies and blankets and bedding and toys, they don't notice. But the other day both Bella and Jack asked if I could teach them how to make pillow cases and I must say I was thrilled. I love that they like what I and their aunts and grandma's make, but what could be better than they wanting to create things themselves. I know that Jessica poured a lot of love into the dress Bella is wearing and I thank her for passing it along to a girl who appreciates it!

I am married to a famous guy.....

So about 4 years ago, my brother in law, Marshall, was doing some extra work for movies being made around Salt Lake. The needed some more extras one day and he asked Nate to tag along with him. He came home and told us what the movie was and who was in it-so we waited and waited for it to come out. It was a very long wait. Then, the movie, isn't all that great----but----you can definitely see Nate in it. We got the DVD in the mail yesterday and had to go slomo through a few sequences to pick him and Marshall out, but they are there and it is pretty funny to see. I could tell Nate was excited to finally see the final fruits of that one day of unpaid standing around. It was pretty great. Then I realized, he is also in this book:

The photographers came to Russia while he was there in the early 90's and he managed to be in a few shots as well. Then he reminded me of the time his band's music made it on to Farmclub-a TV show in the late 90's. And then I reminded him of the short film he was in a few years ago that won an award at a local film fest-not a famous one, just a local one. I've been giving him a pretty hard time of it all since these things are all strange coincidence. But I am also sure I better get some autographed photos ready to send out! Love you Nate!

Congrats Tim and Vanella!

Nate's youngest sister got married yesterday! The wedding was beautiful and everyone had a really great day. We started in the morning at the temple, went to a Chinese restaurant for the luncheon, took naps in the afternoon, then decorated and had the open house in the evening. The kids were good all day. Sophie tolerated having no good naps all day pretty well. And we all were at the point of lovely exhaustion when we got home. The above is a picture of the bride and groom with the nieces and nephews on our side. There are seven more that were sorely missed.

The wedding was really refreshing after everyone being sick for the past few weeks. I am finally starting to feel normal again, and I think Nate has dodged the sickness all together. Bella and Jack had a just a touch, but Soph and I were really yucky. She had the sticky eyes and the pathetic coughs. I had the sore throat, cough, headaches, and general yuckiness as well. We are so grateful to be on the mend!

The wedding colors were blue and yellow, so Alice and I did lemon filled centerpieces. This has left me with about 15 pounds of lemons, so send me your fresh lemon recipes!