What A Fun Night We Had!!!

WARNING THIS IS A LONG ONE!

Lately our kids have been "bickering" and fighting more than usual. It has been driving me crazy! Monday night it was my turn to teach the lesson for FHE. I was not looking forward to this because I knew it would turn into another "Family Home Grieving" night. I was determined to come up with a fun lesson that would help my kids realize that they could have friends within their own family. I mean look at Tara and I we have always been good friends. I am not saying we were perfect because I know we had our moments of frustration with each other, but we made the most out of our situation and are still to this day very close friends as well as sisters.

I found an idea on the Internet that was perfect for my plan. We started out the night with the song "Happy Family". Then after a prayer, we promptly went into the kitchen. We were then put into groups; Mom and Abby, Bryndee and Porter, Torie and Kymber (I am determined to get these 2 to enjoy each other). Bryndee, Torie, and I sat down and our "partners" were blindfolded and then told they would be applying make up on those of us sitting on the chairs. I know what you are thinking, the same thing Ron was thinking...Where is this going? All of us had the best time. It has been a long time since I have heard our whole family laughing together having pure clean fun with no teasing involved.

After we were done, we went into the living room (this is our usual FHE spot) with make up and all and asked the kids if they knew why we did that? The response was I don't know why, but it sure was fun. I then read to them: "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and WHOLESOME RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES" ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World") This prompted a great discussion about what we can do as a family so we can enjoy each other. We came up with lots of ideas that we can do as a family that #1 don't cost anything, and #2 that we can enjoy together without having to include others outside the family.

To finish the lesson I brought out the "For the Strength of Youth pamphlet" and read: "Being part of a family is a great blessing. Your family can provide you with companionship and happiness, help you learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and help you prepare for eternal life. Not all families are the same, but each is important in Heavenly Father's plan.

"Do your part to build a happy home. Be cheerful, helpful, and considerate of others. Many problems in the home are created because family members speak and act selfishly or unkindly. Concern yourself with the needs of other family members. Seek to be a peacemaker rather than to tease, fight, and quarrel. Remember that the family is the most sacred unit of the Church.

"Honor your parents by showing love and respect for them and by being obedient. Be willing to help in the home with chores that need to be done. Participate in family activities and traditions, including family prayer, family home evenings, and family scripture reading. These traditions strengthen and unify families. Set a good example for other family members.

"Strengthen your relationships with your brothers and sisters. They can become your closest friends. Support them in their interests and help them with problems they may be facing."

After a closing prayer we had cookies and a quick game of charades. It turned out to be a wonderful night. And by the way, the makeup came off with only a little bit of scrubbing. If you do this, I suggest not using waterproof mascara. :0}

Abby applying make up on Mom

Porter and Kymber working their "magic"! Porter was so funny he kept waving his hand and shaking his hips saying "Just call me a Stylists!" It was so out of character for him. Either Tara or Ron took the picture and they were laughing so hard the camera shook hence the blurry picture.

The end result. Aren't we lovely!

I think we had a little too much fun. Ron crashed on the couch at 8:30 pm. I am the one to blame for this blurry picture I was laughing at him this time.

Abby's Declaration

Ok Ok Cherai I am moving on...The other day I came to Abby's room and found this posted on the outside of her door...
Translation... It is a picture of a boy with a circle around and a slash through it. It reads No not one peek (in brown letters on the top) I do not like boys (in pink letters in the middle) unless it is my brother (in brown letters on the left) and then signed Abby and Ellie. I love the innocence of little kids. Lets just hope she stays this way a long time.

MEMORIES

I got this from my sister's blog. I thought this would be fun. I hope you will play along. Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together (or my husband). It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Here we go...

SCHOOL STARTED!!!!!!!

Yesterday was the first day of School! Did you hear shouts of joy coming from my house? It didn't only come from me, my kids were ready and excited to start school again. Bryndee is a big freshman at high school this year. It is really weird for me to have a child that old, I remember vividly things that happened that year. I am excited for her to be in Seminary and experience what a fun and rewarding class that is. Her teacher is Bro. Corey Goodman. He went to Mesa High school with Tara and was one of her really good friends. She was excited to make that connection. Porter is in 7th grade, Torie is in 6th grade, Kymber is in 3rd grade, and Abby is in 1st grade. They are all growing so fast I can't believe it!

Torie (11), Porter (12), Abby (5), and Kymber (8) on the first day of school.

Bryndee (14) coming home on the first day of school. She had to leave that day at 6:30am so I didn't get a picture of her before she left. Look at the big smile on her face she enjoyed her day!

I have heard complaints about school starting too soon this year. I disagree with anyone who says that. If you think about it Aug is an awful month as far as weather is concerned. All the kids do is sit inside and watch TV or play the Wii. This way they are in school doing something productive. And they now get out earlier in May and that is a wonderful month so they can still go outdoors and enjoy themselves. I was thrilled with this new schedule. :o)

Our Utah Adventure Comes To An End

We are home! We have been home for a couple of days, but the flu bug hit our home and we have been out of commission. So I will try to remember the details of the remainder of our adventures so I can share them everyone.

Torie sure enjoyed having Sadie visit her while in Utah. They spent a lot of time talking and just being silly. After 2 months they had a lot of catching up to do.

Torie and Sadie pulled branches off of Mom's Weeping Willow tree and made hula skirts. They made up a dance and performed for Mom, Dad, and I. They did a pretty good job! It is so wonderful that my kids have good friends to "hang" with! I really enjoy all their friends.

On the day that Tara and Sadie left home, Ron flew into town. It was so good to see him! 3 weeks is too long to be apart! Most of the kids were just as excited to see him as I was, Taralee on the other hand wasn't quite sure of him. She just kept looking at him like "I think I know you." Once Ron got there we just kinda hung out with the family. He and my Dad and Torie went to Spanish Fork on the morning of the 24th to watch Porter run in the "Speedy Spaniard", a mile fun run that Porter was really excited about running. He did a really good job, out of about 100 kids Porter got 21st. That night we found ourselves back in Spanish Fork with Stacey and Kirk and their kids. After really good pizza, Ron and Kirk took the kids out to the "hills" to go shooting. Isn't it funny in AZ we go out to the desert to shoot in Utah they go to the hills. Anyway, they had a blast! We then waited around for fireworks. It took forever for them to start we were about the leave because it was after 10:00pm but I am glad we waited. This was probably the best fireworks show I have ever seen. Well worth the wait.

Then on Friday July 25th Mom, Dad, Ron, and I went back to Salt Lake and the Conference Center for a wonderful concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Osmond Family. I really enjoyed this concert. Pres. Monson and his wife were at this concert also. It was really neat to be sitting there talking and having it very loud around you and then all of a sudden silence. Even though we could not see him at first we knew that the Prophet had just entered. What a neat experience. It was kinda different though being in the conference center for something other than General Conference. At first it was hard to clap after the songs. Then when the Osmonds were singing some of their old songs from the 70's tie died lights were dancing around on the organ pipes kinda different but fun.

Saturday morning it was time for us to pick up Bryndee and Joselyn from EFY. They had a blast! I will let you read Bryndee's blog to learn more about her time but here are a few pictures from her week.

Bryndee and Joselyn after registering. They were in search of their dorm room.

Bryndee and Joselyn during a class. It is so good to see them enjoying the scriptures!

Bryndee and her new found friends!

On of the advantages to having your brother-in-law direct EFY, you get your own personal spy. We have lots of pictures of Bryndee and her friends dancing with really cute guys! At one of the classes on dating, Chad called Bryndee up on the stage in front of everyone (about 800 youth) and had her do a role play about dating and the importance about waiting till 16. After this Chad and Cassie had numerous guys ask them when their niece would be 16. Sorry boys, not for a couple of years! Thank goodness I am not ready to cross this bridge!

Cassie and Bryn!

Another advantage to having Chad direct was that Torie and Reagan got to go and help judge the skits. This just gave her a taste of EFY and she can't wait till she is old enough to go and enjoy the fun.

Apparently sleeping is not an option at EFY. After a week of fun and no sleep this is Bryndee and Joselyn just minutes after arriving home.

Saturday being our only day to spend as a family Ron wanted to take the kids on a Pioneer trail that he found a couple years ago. I was not too keen on this idea because we were going to spend lots of time together in the car Monday on our drive home, but Ron won and I am really glad he stood firm. Because we just got through with the pioneer trek in June he really wanted Bryndee to witness first hand the "Rocky Ridge" and the trails that the pioneers had to cross. At one point you can see the actual path the pioneers walked and the ruts that were created by the hand carts. It was a really neat experience for us all. At the end of the trail you end up in "Emigration Canyon". This is the place were Brigham Young announced this is the place. A state monument is there and a recreated pioneer village is also there. It is an actual village with real pioneer homes that were relocated to that spot. I think we would have really enjoyed it if it had not been so dang hot. I think I would like to go back in the spring or fall some time.

Ron and the kids on the start of the pioneer trail.

In the village they have little crafts for the kids to do. Here they are branding leather.
They had a barber shop where Porter was given an "shave"
Abby on a pony ride. Porter, Torie, and Kymber on their pony ride.

Sunday was a day spent with family. We barbecued for dinner with Mom, Dad, Stacey and her family, Cassie and her family, Aunt Micky, Uncle Bryant, and some of their family. It was really good to see them again. Then 4:00am (3:00 Az time) Monday morning we started our journey home. At about 2:00 pm we drove into our garage and at 3:00 I was back in the car taking Bryndee to the high school for cheer practice. Nothing like being thrown right back into the fire right? Thanks Mom and Dad for having us and or ciaos for the month of July. We really enjoyed ourselves. Enjoy the peace and quiet, and if you miss the noise I know where you can find some.