We started the month up in Idaho, well at least some of us up there. I took the three youngest and went up to watch General Conference with the Idaho folks. The kids loved seeing the baby goats and chasing the chickens. They even got to gather eggs. The moment we arrived we went to the high school to watch The Princess Bride. What a wonderful show! During GC, the kids kept busy with crafts, play doh, etc and I introduced Heidi to coloring books for adults--so relaxing. I love to keep busy during GC, but need to keep my brain free to listen and coloring is so good for that. We didn't stay too long, but it was a nice visit. We listened to a book on tape the way there and home. They are pretty fun books--"Rush Revere" by Rush Limbaugh. All about American History told in a very fun way for kids. Though it is difficult to listen to his voice for four hours...
We had some good friends from Herriman that moved to Colorado and they came back for a visit and came to see us. Maddie was Weston first best friend and it was so fun to have them back together. The kids loved seeing each other and I loved catching up with Missy.
Scott and I got a group of friends together (5 other couples) and we did an "Escape Room" date. We were locked inside a camp trailer that was retrofitted like a big room with puzzles and clues, etc all around. We had to find the clues that led to other clues, etc, until we found the keys that unlocked the door. It was a fun evening and totally my type of fun.
Heidi, Tallis, and Ro came one weekend for a Tai Kwan Do meet and so Elise got to play with Ro for a day and we had some time to hang out with them. Omi and Opa came on their way home from Europe--bringing Beanie with them. It was perfect timing because they got to be there for Elise and Brennan's Let's Play Music recital. It was Elise's first and Brennan's last. Brennan created his own piece of music and played it beautifully. I am so proud of his hard work these past three years. Now he wants to learn how to play the violin.
Weston's schooling is going fine. He has been reading quite a bit and is really into wilderness survival. (He tells more in Cuz Chron) He has also been hired by our neighbor to weed her yard every week. Initially, it is TONS of work, but he has done a great job.
The kids had a week out of school for spring break and we mostly played around. We did go to Antelope Island with Mom Daw. We obviously went to see the Buffalo... but we also went hiking, geocaching, and took a look around the Island and the old ranch there. While up north, we tried to visit the cabin Great Great grandfather Captain James Brown lived in, but they were closed.
I was able to go on field trips with Elise, Brennan, and Aidan! Aidan went to the Hale Center Theatre and to "This is the Place" where they learned about the civil war. Brennan went to the Radha Krishna Temple which was very interesting. I am glad they get exposed to so many different things at APA. And Elise got to go to the zoo. Unfortunately, the playground was closed as was the bird show. That made for a VERY long day at the zoo and everyone was grumpy by the end. Omi, Beanie, and Weston met us there for the last hour.
We ended the month with Weston on a campout and the other three running a race at Thanksgiving Point. Aidan and Brennan ran a 5K and did exceptionally! Scott ran alongside Brennan (who was a trooper!) and halfway through Brennan said, "Dad, do you think if we held hands we would go faster?" So they held hands and they went faster. DARLING! Then Elise ran a 1 mile and Brennan decided to do that race as well! HOLY COW, four miles in one day! Both of them did a great job. Elise was darling, but that night she was crawling up the stairs and said, "My legs aren't working!" Poor tired kids!
It was a good month. Now begins the yardwork, end of schoolwork, and summer planning!
Sunday, May 1, 2016
March
The weather is teasing us with some nice days full of sunshine and we get outside playing and having fun (and cleaning the garage) and then a winter storm will pass through and make us wish for summer. It is my fault, though. I packed away the winter coats, and every year when I do that we get a storm the next day!
It has been nice for Scott to have a few warm days so he can go biking and running outside. He is training for some big races this year. He has also been itching to get into the yard and get his hands into the soil. I am happy that the pansies I planted in November have come back and look bright and happy welcoming spring.
Elise has been drawing spring-ish pictures (she explains them in Cuz Chron) to welcome spring as well. She is becoming quite an artist, being very detailed on the pictures. She is learning all about american symbols at school. I have been able to be the "room mom" for her class this year, so I get to go in each time there is an activity and help out. She is such a happy child. She has done well at APA, and I love the school, but she got accepted into another charter school for the fall (North Star) and we have decided to have her go there. I think it will be a good fit for her. Side note: Funny thing she has been saying lately every time we ask her to do something, or when she gets frustrated is "Ah, come on!" It cracks me up.
One of the reasons we are happy about that is because Weston has been accepted as well. Weston hasn't been very happy at school. He got accepted and we talked about him going there. At first he really didn't want to go. But then one evening we went to a Stake Youth Fireside with Al Fox Carraway and happened to sit in front of the lady who helped found North Star. She talked with Weston all about it and after the meeting, we got in the car and Weston turned to me and said, "I really want to go to North Star." I am so glad he felt that prompting and felt good about making that decision. He won't get to start until the fall, and he is unhappy now, so we have decided to home school him until the end of the year. I am excited to get to spend so much time with him. I want us to have a great relationship so that he feels happy about his teenage years. He is such a good boy. His indoor soccer season is over (they were the winners in their league!) and now has started outdoor games again.
Aidan has been working extremely hard on his piano pieces and studying theory. He took a test for AIM (Achievements in Music) and scored a 96 out of 100! It is a very hard test and takes a lot of work and practice. He also learned two recital pieces and is really improving. He is also excelling in school and scouts (he will soon be an 11 year old scout!). He loves school and said to me recently, "I have so many friends at school." That makes me so happy! He is well liked and gets along with everyone.
Brennan has been studying magnetism and is loving it. He got a magnetic toy for Christmas, and then another one for Easter! He is very scientific minded and always wants to do experiments. Just recently he bought a Venus Fly Trap seed and is trying to grow it. Can't wait to see if it grows! I love being his scout leader and we have done some fun activities lately. One of the things they are supposed to learn about is "a problem in the community and discuss possible solutions." Well, I thought, why not ask the Mayor to meet with us? And he did! Mayor Applegarth met with us for an hour and discussed the option of a TRAX line going in down a street in Riverton. Then he took us on a tour of the building. It was very interesting for all the boys and so fun for them to meet such an important guy! We also needed to learn about recycling, so we went to the dump. Well, technically the landfill. They have a presentation they do for groups about garbage and recycling. They got to go out to the big pit that they dig and put garbage in and watch the big trucks do their work. It was so much fun!
Easter was a hit. We had a fun egg and basket hunt on Saturday morning, though again for the second year there wasn't much candy at all (that came later with grandma!). I found a scavenger hunt that they did looking for "symbols of Easter". We made yummy Morning Buns (love these, but they take hours to make, so worth it when they melt in my mouth!). Our ward choir did a few numbers for sacrament meeting and it was beautiful. We visited the new Assisted Living place near us (Aidan is telling about that in the Cuz Chron). For dinner we had a family (the Alexanders) in our ward over to eat with us. It was a very sweet, calm day. Happy Spring to you all!
Sunday, March 6, 2016
February
Happy Love Month!
Weston signed up to do a STEM class after school to learn how to do computer coding for games, etc. He enjoyed it while it lasted. He picks up on those kind of things so quickly. Well, on anything really. He got all A's and one A- this term. This coming term he is starting a Journalism class. He is rocking Spanish--he has a great memory and a good accent. He is just finishing up indoor soccer and starting outdoor soccer. He has played really well indoors but it is quite different than outdoor--the ball bounces against walls, etc. He did score several times. We are excited to move to real grass!
Both Weston and Aidan have enjoyed skiing this winter with Scott and got to go one (probably) last time. Now that they know what they are doing, they are whipping down the hills. It is a more expensive hobby, dang it, but I am glad they feel comfortable out on the slopes (something I don't feel...). And we live in Utah, for heaven sake's, we should know how to ski! Aidan is growing up fast--and to be such a responsible kid! He is so happy at school and came home the other day and said, "I have so many friends at school." That made me so happy! He is going to a pokemon club on Saturdays with some friends from school. He is in the middle of doing AIM piano tests--he did his written theory test and got a 98% (and 100% on ear training). Next month he has his piano playing test. I am proud of him.
Brennan got to go to the baptism of his best friend Luke. So special that they are such good friends. Then when the kids had a week off of school for second winter break, he did his own Bakery (called B & B Bakery Jr. (because some day we will have a real one that won't be junior...). He sold triple chocolate cookies and brownies. About 12 people ordered things and he made over 30 brownies and about 50 cookies. It was so much fun to do with him and he is so darling! He has been studying the digestive system at school and one day they made "poo". Gross, but boys that age think it is pretty fun.
Elise had fun with all sorts of cousins this month. Omi and Opa and Rowan came down to see Linzi and we were all introduced to Seraphina (what a beautiful mellow child!). It was wonderful to see Linzi, I just wished they all lived closer. Elise got to play with Rowan (they get along so well!). We took a trip to the curiosity museum with Omi and Opa and had a great time (such a fun place). And then she also got to do nails with her Daw cousins--Adrianne, Halle, and Olivia (who came up from New Mexico). We did gold nails to go with the wedding colors (dark blue dresses with gold touches). To make the month even better she passed off her kick over in tumbling class!
Scott's brother Cameron got married to a wonderful gal, Abby. She is so perfect for him and a great fit in the family. I got to host the bridal shower for her and I had so much fun preparing it (I have never hosted one before). Since it was on Valentine's day, it was an easy theme... Love! We had normal food--chicken salad sandwiches, salads, fruit, etc. I made pink lemonade cupcakes and pink meringue heart shaped cookies (which were a hit!). I made them a house decoration where I nailed nails into some boards into the shape of a heart and then took several different colors of pink thread and wove it around the nails. I think it turned out pretty cute! The wedding dinner was held at the Joseph Smith Building and Scott did a little roast--10 things Abby needs to know about Cam. It was fun and he delivered it well. The wedding was held at the Draper temple on February 27th and then a reception after at a country club. It was absolutely beautiful and very classy. We are so happy to have her in our family now!
Scott and I have been busy with various things. We went out with a mission buddy and his wife (the Deschlers) one weekend, then had a date night with some friends for Valentine's day (the Simisters). Scott is busy with scouts, and so am I! We have been worried for several friends in the neighborhood--our ward seems to be plagued and many are sick with various problems. A good friend, Heather was just diagnosed with a thyroid cancer (she is my age) and another friend, Katie has a disease called POTS. It is horrible--she can't stand up or she faints. She literally stays in bed (lying down, sitting up is only for about 20 minutes) all day. Gets up to go to the bathroom and to exercise for five minutes! Doing the most simple things can wipe her out. We have had a ward fast for her and we pray that she can return to normal activity quickly.
We are so grateful for our health and the blessings we have from the Lord. Our lives are blessed because of the gospel. And as we meet challenges and trials, we know we can turn to the Lord to make it through and to feel peace and love.
Weston signed up to do a STEM class after school to learn how to do computer coding for games, etc. He enjoyed it while it lasted. He picks up on those kind of things so quickly. Well, on anything really. He got all A's and one A- this term. This coming term he is starting a Journalism class. He is rocking Spanish--he has a great memory and a good accent. He is just finishing up indoor soccer and starting outdoor soccer. He has played really well indoors but it is quite different than outdoor--the ball bounces against walls, etc. He did score several times. We are excited to move to real grass!
Both Weston and Aidan have enjoyed skiing this winter with Scott and got to go one (probably) last time. Now that they know what they are doing, they are whipping down the hills. It is a more expensive hobby, dang it, but I am glad they feel comfortable out on the slopes (something I don't feel...). And we live in Utah, for heaven sake's, we should know how to ski! Aidan is growing up fast--and to be such a responsible kid! He is so happy at school and came home the other day and said, "I have so many friends at school." That made me so happy! He is going to a pokemon club on Saturdays with some friends from school. He is in the middle of doing AIM piano tests--he did his written theory test and got a 98% (and 100% on ear training). Next month he has his piano playing test. I am proud of him.
Brennan got to go to the baptism of his best friend Luke. So special that they are such good friends. Then when the kids had a week off of school for second winter break, he did his own Bakery (called B & B Bakery Jr. (because some day we will have a real one that won't be junior...). He sold triple chocolate cookies and brownies. About 12 people ordered things and he made over 30 brownies and about 50 cookies. It was so much fun to do with him and he is so darling! He has been studying the digestive system at school and one day they made "poo". Gross, but boys that age think it is pretty fun.
Elise had fun with all sorts of cousins this month. Omi and Opa and Rowan came down to see Linzi and we were all introduced to Seraphina (what a beautiful mellow child!). It was wonderful to see Linzi, I just wished they all lived closer. Elise got to play with Rowan (they get along so well!). We took a trip to the curiosity museum with Omi and Opa and had a great time (such a fun place). And then she also got to do nails with her Daw cousins--Adrianne, Halle, and Olivia (who came up from New Mexico). We did gold nails to go with the wedding colors (dark blue dresses with gold touches). To make the month even better she passed off her kick over in tumbling class!
Scott's brother Cameron got married to a wonderful gal, Abby. She is so perfect for him and a great fit in the family. I got to host the bridal shower for her and I had so much fun preparing it (I have never hosted one before). Since it was on Valentine's day, it was an easy theme... Love! We had normal food--chicken salad sandwiches, salads, fruit, etc. I made pink lemonade cupcakes and pink meringue heart shaped cookies (which were a hit!). I made them a house decoration where I nailed nails into some boards into the shape of a heart and then took several different colors of pink thread and wove it around the nails. I think it turned out pretty cute! The wedding dinner was held at the Joseph Smith Building and Scott did a little roast--10 things Abby needs to know about Cam. It was fun and he delivered it well. The wedding was held at the Draper temple on February 27th and then a reception after at a country club. It was absolutely beautiful and very classy. We are so happy to have her in our family now!
Scott and I have been busy with various things. We went out with a mission buddy and his wife (the Deschlers) one weekend, then had a date night with some friends for Valentine's day (the Simisters). Scott is busy with scouts, and so am I! We have been worried for several friends in the neighborhood--our ward seems to be plagued and many are sick with various problems. A good friend, Heather was just diagnosed with a thyroid cancer (she is my age) and another friend, Katie has a disease called POTS. It is horrible--she can't stand up or she faints. She literally stays in bed (lying down, sitting up is only for about 20 minutes) all day. Gets up to go to the bathroom and to exercise for five minutes! Doing the most simple things can wipe her out. We have had a ward fast for her and we pray that she can return to normal activity quickly.
We are so grateful for our health and the blessings we have from the Lord. Our lives are blessed because of the gospel. And as we meet challenges and trials, we know we can turn to the Lord to make it through and to feel peace and love.
January
After a wonderful winter break, reality set it and we were thrown back into the cruel world of school, work, and the daily grind. Brennan had a project over the break (argh...) about his ancestry as he learned about Ellis Island and people immigrating to the United Sates. They did a mock Ellis Island where the kids went through the same kind of things immigrants might have gone through (doctor's check up, people speaking in a language you don't understand, etc). Fun activity for them all. He has also been learning all about the digestive system. The greatest news with Brennan is that he has a new scout leader: ME! I was released from Young Women (quite a surprise) and now I get to be the Wolf Leader. The new program seems to be much easier. I am very excited. And hopefully so is he.
Scott celebrated his last birthday in the 30's. For his cake I got him six different kinds of ice cream... Nice! We each had a bite of every kind (to see what was the best). He got "toys" for his ironman training. Which he is really doing well at. He runs or bikes for about 2 hours daily and then swims a time or two a week. What a perfect year for him to do an ironman. Finish off his 30s being a superhero. We went snowshoeing together for his birthday (it has become a yearly tradition). He is also busy with work and 11 year old scouts (he only had ONE scout for January!).
Elise shares a birthday month with Scott and I must admit I spent a lot more time on her birthday parties than his party. She had a friend party and I stewed about what to have as a "theme". We have already done so many and mostly what she wanted was Barbie or Glamour type. Then we realized that we have never done a Fairy party! And with the new dress from Auntie Ali she looked like a fairy, so we knew it was the right choice. I researched and came up with the idea to have the girls make a fairy garden. I found little wooden houses for one dollar each, and I already had little gems, mossy stuff, flowers, etc. I came across a recipe for "fairy playdough" several months ago, so I made that for each girl and they could use some of it to put around the house to decorate with the gems, etc. They got to paint the house and sprinkle glitter on everything. Then I found darling little fairies for really cheap. As the girls arrived at the party they each received a Fairy Name (google fairy name generator) --Elise's name was Chanter Rainbowfrost. Then we painted the houses and while they were drying they played a game with balloons. Then they decorated the garden. It was rather crazy trying to help them all paint and not make huge messes, but they loved it (one girl even said it was the funnest party ever). It is nice to know I don't have to spend tons of money (really, it wasn't too expensive since I had so much of it already) and didn't have to come up with tons of games, yet they had fun. I decorated cupcakes really cute for the treat and they ate, opened presents and it was over! Whew. Another party done.
Fortunately for her party with the family on her actual birthday, I had help. Mom came! She helped me decorate a Fairy Garden Cake and also painted and added cute stuff to Hilary's bear house that she gave Elise (and Elise loves--especially all the new additions!). Hilary was able to come for the party, and Scott's parents, too. Scott's brother Cam and his new fiancee came as well. For her dinner she wanted "Pizzeria Limone" (my favorite, but kind of expensive Pizza restaurant). So, she got a pizza from there and the rest of us had cheap pizza. Her big present this year was a new bike. Her last bike was SOOOOO small for her, and this new one the seat is set as high as it can go... But any bigger and she would have had a bigger bike than Brennan. It was a great birthday and we love our new six year old (I can't believe it has been six years since I had a baby!). She is doing great in school and loving life.
It was so fun having mom here for a few days. We spent some great time doing projects and shopping. She is so fun to shop with, though I ended up buying nothing, I did convince her to buy several darling shirts... They kids loved spending time with her. And I especially loved our trip to the Provo City Center Temple. It is a beautiful temple. And although I had already gone with Scott (he got to go when all the people who worked went to the temple --since he has a client that worked on it), it was great to see it all again. The detail that they put into it to make it special is amazing and awesome.
Aidan and Brennan had the Pinewood Derby this month. They both did wonderfully well (I think Brennan got 4th), but mostly had a great time planning out and making their cars. Aidan is such an easy going child and doesn't let much bother him. I am constantly amazed by him and his ability to let things that are annoying to most people just slide off him. He is very studious and has been doing wonderfully in school. He just finished the book "The Great Brain" and we are all reading "Charlotte's Web" together.
Weston had his first away tournament down in Mesquite over Martin Luther King Day. Although it wasn't our first choice for a place to go for a weekend getaway, it wasn't horrid. We actually stayed in St. George in a really small hotel room and then just drove to Mesquite for the games. We got down there on a Thursday night and Scott and Weston went early the next morning to a very early game. We met up with them later for a game in the afternoon. Weston played well. They won one of the three games, so no going onto finals, but we were ok with that since it meant we could head home a day early. We did hang out with some friends on the team on Friday night and then Saturday night we all hung out at an arcade place. I was having back problems and just didn't feel good. So Weston stayed there with his friends and we went back to the little hotel. Sunday we packed up and headed home and along the way found a church so we could attend Sacrament Meeting. It was really nice to be able to still have Monday to unpack and play before the kids had to go back to school. We are proud of Weston and his hard work on this soccer team. He is so interested in doing different sports so we will see what he does next. He is doing marvelous in school--all A's and one A- this past term. He is also finding ways to be helpful around the house and once made dad and I a special little dinner. Sweetheart!
Looking forward to a busy February, full of love and kisses!
Monday, January 4, 2016
December 2015
Ring out the old, ring in the new. So grateful we get to renew ourselves! It hasn't been a bad year, but it is time to start fresh again. I am so grateful that weekly we get to renew ourselves spiritually as well.
As well as ending with a bang, the month started with a bang! President John and Margaret Jury from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia came to visit us. Scott had the privilege of serving under them on his mission and getting to know them well. And now our family has had the privilege of getting to know them--and they are wonderful people. Scott was very fortunate, and I am so grateful for their good influence in his life. They have been planning a visit to the states for awhile, and now that our basement is done, there was a place for them to stay so we invited them to stay here. After an exhausting flight (over 36 hours traveling), they arrived, but with energy still! We stayed up talking for a little bit, but then rushed them to bed. The next day Scott took them downtown to see a few sites and visit a taffy store (Maggie really loves taffy and they must not have it there). Mom and Dad came down for the weekend and we all met up with at Cheesecake Factory. After, Omi and Opa took my kids and went to the German Christmas Mart at "This is the Place" and the Jury's and Scott and I went to the temple. President and Sister Jury met with President and Sister Samuelson (President of the SL temple), whom they had known from before. Then we attended a session with some missionaries from their mission. How wonderful it must have been for them to see these missionaries after 18-20 years--and see them still firm in the gospel. And the next day didn't disappoint as well.
Brennan was lucky enough to have the Jury's, Omi and Opa, Grandma Nancy, Uncle Adam (right before he went to his OWN wedding!), and other family attend his baptism. He shared his baptism with Lily Taylor (and others from the stake) and the chapel was FULL (the Jury's were in awe of it all). Opa spoke on the Holy Ghost (this was actually the first baptism in our family that Omi and Opa have been able to attend). We are so proud of Brennan and his decision to get baptized. He has been so excited for this--he and Scott read the entire Book of Mormon in preparation. After the baptism we were able to host our first big party in the basement. We were able to fit 32+ people at tables! It was a glorious celebration.
That afternoon we set up for Scott's mission reunion at a local church. There were 260 people expected, and we think about that showed up. It started at 4:00, and by 5:00 it was pretty full. I wanted people to be able to visit and not worry about the food, etc, so I did most of the coordinating of things. There were rooms set up for kids to watch movies with treats, etc. The food for dinner was set up in the kitchen and along the hallway. I kept everything stocked and moving along. After a lot of eating and chatting, President and Sister Jury made some remarks and then there was a beautiful slideshow. Scott did a marvelous job organizing and preparing for the reunion. It was pulled off beautifully and we were EXHAUSTED at the end of the day (finally got home around 10;30).
Fortunately, the next day was a day of rest. Whew. We were lucky, and blessed, to have gotten tickets to the First Presidency Devotional. The Jury's were in heaven seeing the interior of the conference center and all the people. And seeing all the lights downtown. What a great thing to be a part of for us! Monday they packed up and went to stay with some other friends (the McDonalds) and we were left with a quiet and lonely house. It was so wonderful having them here. I am so glad Scott was able to see them and the kids and I were able to meet them!
Aidan had a choir concert and it didn't disappoint. The school has the best music teacher. She does a marvelous job. Brennan and Aidan both made finals in their classrooms in the geography bee. Then they both did well in the school wide finals. I am proud of them for working so hard. Elise had a culminating activity about continents and I was able to help out. Because of things the Jury's had brought (Australian Christmas books and candy), I went to her classroom and taught her class about Christmas in Australia. And Weston has been busy learning Spanish (and is really good!). But, we were ready for a break! We did take a quick trip up to Idaho for Heidi's Christmas Party, which was a blast! Unfortunately, the moment I sat down in the car for the drive my body decided to get sick with a cold, so I had to fight that the whole time. We made some delicious food and bought a bunch of fun sodas. It was fun to meet friends of the Barkers and see Mr. Bowen. It was great spending a few days with the Browns and Barkers and fortunately, the weather was nice so we were able to travel without any problems.
We returned quickly just in time for a storm to hit and cause all sorts of problems in Utah. Monday morning the storm hit as people were trying to get to work and school. It usually takes Weston 5 minutes to get to school, but it took them 45! After being on the road for an hour and only getting a mile, Scott finally turned around and just worked from home. The poor kids trying to get to APA, though... it took them almost two hours. (Fortunately I didn't drive...). Because of all of it, the school decided to start late the next day.
We did have our yearly Christmas sing along with neighbors. I love this tradition we have because it helps us feel the true meaning of Christmas. It helps us share that spirit with others. We did have a sweet friend, John Hocking, pass away, which made us emotional at the time as well. He was a member of our ward who had some disabilities. He was so sweet to us and our family--bringing gifts to the kids and I bought eggs from him weekly. We will miss his sweet smile, but we feel so lucky that we were able to know him.
There were many football games in December, and parties--like the Polar Express ward party. We still had soccer, piano, visiting the old folks home, playing with friends, etc. And then the real parties began. Scott's family party was on the 23rd, and his sister Lauren and her family were able to come into town and make it to the party. We ate a delicious dinner, went caroling, had a visit from the big man, and then did the nativity. Kids had a great time. And in Daw fashion, the party continued the next day, Christmas Eve, when we watched a movie and went out to dinner. Then our little family went home and did our traditional eve activities: new pajamas, cookies for Santa, and then amazingly, the kids wanted to go to bed. Nice and early, and I liked it! We did ask Santa if he would bring the presents to the basement this year so we could have a cozy Christmas morning down there.
Our Christmas was just about perfect. We opened presents--big things were Disney princesses for Elise, Legos for Brennan, a digital piano for Aidan, and clothes for Weston. I got Scott a watch and bike stuff, and he scored big by buying me an electric dustpan--basically I sweep the garbage up to it and it sucks it in! I was so excited. He also made me a little foldable stool for me to use at church on Sunday (my legs are short and get uncomfortable at church... this solves that problem! Aunt Janet used to have one). We visited Grandma Nancy (driving through the storm) and then went to Scott's parents in the afternoon.
On Sunday following Christmas we had the Brown Family Party here. I think there were over 50 people here. It was rather crazy. I had the appetizers on the main floor, kids playing on the second floor, and dinner in the basement. I don't know what everyone else did the whole evening, but I ran around like a crazy woman--from this to that. Getting all the food where it should go, making sure people were happy, taking coats, interrupting children fighting, cleaning up throw up (yes, one poor kid threw up while he ran down the hallway. I would give an estimation of 8-10 feet of barf... and then up three steps and every other step the rest of the way up the stairs. He must have tracked it on one of his shoes....), keeping sweet Porter (with Austism) from trying to kill me (I wouldn't let him play with a wii game and at one point he gave me a crusty look and said, "You have ruined my entire life!"), and generally keeping the house from exploding. But, it was fun. And I think everyone had a good time. The next day I was so extremely tired, I could barely move.
And so the rest of the break, I didn't do much moving... We were quite lazy, sleeping in until past 9 almost daily (so very very nice to sleep until your body is rested!), and playing games, doing puzzles, and reading (I read out loud to the kids the book "Magic by the Lake" --the book following "Half Magic" by Edward Eager). We ate a lot of nothing and had a great time. My friend Patty Rubalcaba Manguia and her family came to visit one afternoon (she was a member from my mission) and we had such a lovely time catching up and getting to know her husband and kids. Great people. I am so blessed to have been able to make so many wonderful friends.
I am sad because after three and a half years I was released from Young Women. It was a great experience to be able to teach them and get to know them. I will always be able to see them and say, "My Mia Maid!" (reference to Elder Eyring's talk from GC April 2014). I will miss them, but now I get to work with the 8 year old boys in cub scouts--and that means I am Brennan's Scout Leader!
We love you and hope you had a marvelous Christmas and will have a wonderful New Year!
As well as ending with a bang, the month started with a bang! President John and Margaret Jury from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia came to visit us. Scott had the privilege of serving under them on his mission and getting to know them well. And now our family has had the privilege of getting to know them--and they are wonderful people. Scott was very fortunate, and I am so grateful for their good influence in his life. They have been planning a visit to the states for awhile, and now that our basement is done, there was a place for them to stay so we invited them to stay here. After an exhausting flight (over 36 hours traveling), they arrived, but with energy still! We stayed up talking for a little bit, but then rushed them to bed. The next day Scott took them downtown to see a few sites and visit a taffy store (Maggie really loves taffy and they must not have it there). Mom and Dad came down for the weekend and we all met up with at Cheesecake Factory. After, Omi and Opa took my kids and went to the German Christmas Mart at "This is the Place" and the Jury's and Scott and I went to the temple. President and Sister Jury met with President and Sister Samuelson (President of the SL temple), whom they had known from before. Then we attended a session with some missionaries from their mission. How wonderful it must have been for them to see these missionaries after 18-20 years--and see them still firm in the gospel. And the next day didn't disappoint as well.
Brennan was lucky enough to have the Jury's, Omi and Opa, Grandma Nancy, Uncle Adam (right before he went to his OWN wedding!), and other family attend his baptism. He shared his baptism with Lily Taylor (and others from the stake) and the chapel was FULL (the Jury's were in awe of it all). Opa spoke on the Holy Ghost (this was actually the first baptism in our family that Omi and Opa have been able to attend). We are so proud of Brennan and his decision to get baptized. He has been so excited for this--he and Scott read the entire Book of Mormon in preparation. After the baptism we were able to host our first big party in the basement. We were able to fit 32+ people at tables! It was a glorious celebration.
That afternoon we set up for Scott's mission reunion at a local church. There were 260 people expected, and we think about that showed up. It started at 4:00, and by 5:00 it was pretty full. I wanted people to be able to visit and not worry about the food, etc, so I did most of the coordinating of things. There were rooms set up for kids to watch movies with treats, etc. The food for dinner was set up in the kitchen and along the hallway. I kept everything stocked and moving along. After a lot of eating and chatting, President and Sister Jury made some remarks and then there was a beautiful slideshow. Scott did a marvelous job organizing and preparing for the reunion. It was pulled off beautifully and we were EXHAUSTED at the end of the day (finally got home around 10;30).
Fortunately, the next day was a day of rest. Whew. We were lucky, and blessed, to have gotten tickets to the First Presidency Devotional. The Jury's were in heaven seeing the interior of the conference center and all the people. And seeing all the lights downtown. What a great thing to be a part of for us! Monday they packed up and went to stay with some other friends (the McDonalds) and we were left with a quiet and lonely house. It was so wonderful having them here. I am so glad Scott was able to see them and the kids and I were able to meet them!
Aidan had a choir concert and it didn't disappoint. The school has the best music teacher. She does a marvelous job. Brennan and Aidan both made finals in their classrooms in the geography bee. Then they both did well in the school wide finals. I am proud of them for working so hard. Elise had a culminating activity about continents and I was able to help out. Because of things the Jury's had brought (Australian Christmas books and candy), I went to her classroom and taught her class about Christmas in Australia. And Weston has been busy learning Spanish (and is really good!). But, we were ready for a break! We did take a quick trip up to Idaho for Heidi's Christmas Party, which was a blast! Unfortunately, the moment I sat down in the car for the drive my body decided to get sick with a cold, so I had to fight that the whole time. We made some delicious food and bought a bunch of fun sodas. It was fun to meet friends of the Barkers and see Mr. Bowen. It was great spending a few days with the Browns and Barkers and fortunately, the weather was nice so we were able to travel without any problems.
We returned quickly just in time for a storm to hit and cause all sorts of problems in Utah. Monday morning the storm hit as people were trying to get to work and school. It usually takes Weston 5 minutes to get to school, but it took them 45! After being on the road for an hour and only getting a mile, Scott finally turned around and just worked from home. The poor kids trying to get to APA, though... it took them almost two hours. (Fortunately I didn't drive...). Because of all of it, the school decided to start late the next day.
We did have our yearly Christmas sing along with neighbors. I love this tradition we have because it helps us feel the true meaning of Christmas. It helps us share that spirit with others. We did have a sweet friend, John Hocking, pass away, which made us emotional at the time as well. He was a member of our ward who had some disabilities. He was so sweet to us and our family--bringing gifts to the kids and I bought eggs from him weekly. We will miss his sweet smile, but we feel so lucky that we were able to know him.
There were many football games in December, and parties--like the Polar Express ward party. We still had soccer, piano, visiting the old folks home, playing with friends, etc. And then the real parties began. Scott's family party was on the 23rd, and his sister Lauren and her family were able to come into town and make it to the party. We ate a delicious dinner, went caroling, had a visit from the big man, and then did the nativity. Kids had a great time. And in Daw fashion, the party continued the next day, Christmas Eve, when we watched a movie and went out to dinner. Then our little family went home and did our traditional eve activities: new pajamas, cookies for Santa, and then amazingly, the kids wanted to go to bed. Nice and early, and I liked it! We did ask Santa if he would bring the presents to the basement this year so we could have a cozy Christmas morning down there.
Our Christmas was just about perfect. We opened presents--big things were Disney princesses for Elise, Legos for Brennan, a digital piano for Aidan, and clothes for Weston. I got Scott a watch and bike stuff, and he scored big by buying me an electric dustpan--basically I sweep the garbage up to it and it sucks it in! I was so excited. He also made me a little foldable stool for me to use at church on Sunday (my legs are short and get uncomfortable at church... this solves that problem! Aunt Janet used to have one). We visited Grandma Nancy (driving through the storm) and then went to Scott's parents in the afternoon.
On Sunday following Christmas we had the Brown Family Party here. I think there were over 50 people here. It was rather crazy. I had the appetizers on the main floor, kids playing on the second floor, and dinner in the basement. I don't know what everyone else did the whole evening, but I ran around like a crazy woman--from this to that. Getting all the food where it should go, making sure people were happy, taking coats, interrupting children fighting, cleaning up throw up (yes, one poor kid threw up while he ran down the hallway. I would give an estimation of 8-10 feet of barf... and then up three steps and every other step the rest of the way up the stairs. He must have tracked it on one of his shoes....), keeping sweet Porter (with Austism) from trying to kill me (I wouldn't let him play with a wii game and at one point he gave me a crusty look and said, "You have ruined my entire life!"), and generally keeping the house from exploding. But, it was fun. And I think everyone had a good time. The next day I was so extremely tired, I could barely move.
And so the rest of the break, I didn't do much moving... We were quite lazy, sleeping in until past 9 almost daily (so very very nice to sleep until your body is rested!), and playing games, doing puzzles, and reading (I read out loud to the kids the book "Magic by the Lake" --the book following "Half Magic" by Edward Eager). We ate a lot of nothing and had a great time. My friend Patty Rubalcaba Manguia and her family came to visit one afternoon (she was a member from my mission) and we had such a lovely time catching up and getting to know her husband and kids. Great people. I am so blessed to have been able to make so many wonderful friends.
I am sad because after three and a half years I was released from Young Women. It was a great experience to be able to teach them and get to know them. I will always be able to see them and say, "My Mia Maid!" (reference to Elder Eyring's talk from GC April 2014). I will miss them, but now I get to work with the 8 year old boys in cub scouts--and that means I am Brennan's Scout Leader!
We love you and hope you had a marvelous Christmas and will have a wonderful New Year!
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
November 2015
The first of November was a celebratory day for Aidan. It was National Buffalo Day. Besides celebrating that, Aidan had a piano recital this month where he played "Pirates ****" and did a marvelous job. Full of talent, Elise was in a thanksgiving play at school where she dressed as a pilgrim and said the line, "How will we plant our corn?" What acting skills. All the kids got to be a part of sacrament meeting--Weston spoke (first time as a youth, and he did a great job!!!) and the other three sang "Could I hold the Baby" with two other friends. I love that my kids aren't afraid to perform in front of others--and that is hard to do!
Scott and I went up to Park City for a much needed weekend getaway. It was wonderful to go shopping, not clean house, eat out, and just be together. Omi and Opa were sweet enough to come hang with the kids--and the kids loved it! They went to a movie, ate out, and lived it up. I am so glad Omi and Opa are close enough to see them often.
Right before Thanksgiving, Garners got to visit for a day. It was so fun to see them! Ali and I went shopping for a bit and then we went to Rita's (her demand... and delicious!). It was short, but sweet. And then Thanksgiving was nice to have a few days with the kids and eat delicious food. In the morning Scott and Weston played football with guys from the neighborhood. Weston is really getting into football! We went to Scott's parents for dinner and the next day we put up Christmas decor. We are so excited for Christmas Break. I miss having the kids home with me!
Brennan FINALLY turned eight. He has been counting down to this day for a LONG time!!! The birthday party was quite a bit of fun. The kids played pokemon games, and each time "earned" a pokemon badge/pin. They played a pokemon battle game (that I made up...) and hit down a pokemon pinata and ate cupcakes. For his actual birthday, we went out to Rocky Mountain Pizza Co (the kids' favorite pizza place) and I made a delicious chocolate poke cake. He got a candy bar maker from a friend and a pokemon battlefield (notice a theme here???). He was so excited to get baptized (more on that next time) and start scouts! He looks so grown up in his scout shirt!
Scott and I are busy with work and house and etc... Scott hung the Christmas lights and is working on getting the snowblower to work. I have started a parenting group that meets weekly. It has been very helpful and successful. We discuss principles from the book "Parenting with Love" by Glenn Latham. It is so nice to discuss with other mothers that are going through similar situations how to get through them without being the enemy, without fighting, and keeping a good relationship with the kids. I just hope everyone keeps up with it--coming to the meetings, and applying the principles. So far, so good.
Next month there will be much more to report.
Scott and I went up to Park City for a much needed weekend getaway. It was wonderful to go shopping, not clean house, eat out, and just be together. Omi and Opa were sweet enough to come hang with the kids--and the kids loved it! They went to a movie, ate out, and lived it up. I am so glad Omi and Opa are close enough to see them often.
Right before Thanksgiving, Garners got to visit for a day. It was so fun to see them! Ali and I went shopping for a bit and then we went to Rita's (her demand... and delicious!). It was short, but sweet. And then Thanksgiving was nice to have a few days with the kids and eat delicious food. In the morning Scott and Weston played football with guys from the neighborhood. Weston is really getting into football! We went to Scott's parents for dinner and the next day we put up Christmas decor. We are so excited for Christmas Break. I miss having the kids home with me!
Brennan FINALLY turned eight. He has been counting down to this day for a LONG time!!! The birthday party was quite a bit of fun. The kids played pokemon games, and each time "earned" a pokemon badge/pin. They played a pokemon battle game (that I made up...) and hit down a pokemon pinata and ate cupcakes. For his actual birthday, we went out to Rocky Mountain Pizza Co (the kids' favorite pizza place) and I made a delicious chocolate poke cake. He got a candy bar maker from a friend and a pokemon battlefield (notice a theme here???). He was so excited to get baptized (more on that next time) and start scouts! He looks so grown up in his scout shirt!
Scott and I are busy with work and house and etc... Scott hung the Christmas lights and is working on getting the snowblower to work. I have started a parenting group that meets weekly. It has been very helpful and successful. We discuss principles from the book "Parenting with Love" by Glenn Latham. It is so nice to discuss with other mothers that are going through similar situations how to get through them without being the enemy, without fighting, and keeping a good relationship with the kids. I just hope everyone keeps up with it--coming to the meetings, and applying the principles. So far, so good.
Next month there will be much more to report.
Friday, November 6, 2015
October part 3 Moab
Another highlight of October was going to Moab for a weekend. We left Thursday night and got there in time to do some hiking out to a place called Faux Falls. So pretty, and then a fun little place called Ken's lake where we did some rock skipping. We tried to go to "Hole in the Rock" but it was closed, so we got dinner and watched a movie. The next day we hiked to Corona Arch--kind of scary actually, but everyone did great. And beautiful. Because it was a weekend when everyone was out of school in Utah, it was pretty busy. We also hiked park avenue a bit later in the day and no one was around for that. It was great and just gorgeous. We got to go to Hole in the Rock which is a great place--a family years ago blasted out a cave in a rock and lived in it. There is a little museum there now and a little zoo where we could feed the animals. Weston fed a camel by holding a carrot in his mouth! The next day we went to Goblin Valley which was like being on another planet. It was so cool and so much fun for the kids to run around in. We drove home that evening in time to see a Utah game (of course...) and they won so it really was a great weekend!
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