A trip to Colorado

We have been away, and just got back this last weekend. We (the kids and myself) took a trip to Colorado to visit family and friends. We all had a great time, but wished Sean could have come too, maybe next time. While we were visiting there was a brother there for Arkansas who was holding some extra meetings. It was nice to get to sit in a few extra meetings while we were there. We heard some really good things. It was nice to go back and feel so loved and cared about.

Most of the time I spent at Naomi's house, but it seemed like I didn't really spend a lot of time with her during the day because she had to work a lot. Most days were spent visiting with different ones, and chauffeuring the kids around to visit there cousins. One of the days while we were there. I took a group of the teen/pre-teen girls to the mall. We all went to lunch, and then went to try on prom dresses in the mall. They had a great time, and I took pictures of them in there dresses for a little keepsake.
Eating lunch together...Just the girls!

Walking through the mall

All dressed up!


We had quite and adventurous trip home. Within a couple hours of leaving Junction Hayden started throwing up, and didn't stop all day. I stopped and got a motel and did some laundry. Thankfully Hayden slept pretty well during the night. The next day he was still sick, but luckily was over the throwing up stage. I finally got home Saturday afternoon. It felt so good to be back home. Every time I leave for a while and come back I have such a grater appreciation for my surroundings. The air seems fresher, the bed seems softer, and I just love my surroundings. There's no place like home!

While Naomi Was Visiting

While Naomi was here we really enjoyed her, and were busy most everyday. While she was here we went to the Pitock Mansion, and we also went to the coast and to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. I took a lot of pictures, so here are a few.

A group photo on the stairs

Teenagers, just can't keep them off the phone

Alyssa being "Vanna White"

Hayden loved chasing the seagulls


Yumm...Ice Cream!

A Wonderful Weekend

This last weekend we took a little trip up to Elma/Olympia and spent some time. It was great to get to see everyone from there, and also ones from other parts I hadn't seen in a while. This weekend was the long awaited masquerade party. Alyssa has been looking forward to the party for quite some time now. She even spent some of her babysitting money on some of the accessories for the party.

We headed up to Elma on Friday night, and when we arrived we dropped the older girls off at Gale's so they could stay the night there. We visited for a while and then headed over to Sis. Linda's to spend the night. Saturday I visited with Sis. Linda some in the morning, and then spent most of the rest of the day at Gale's. At about 4:00 we loaded up all the teenagers (from her house) and drove them to Olympia for the masquerade party. We snapped a few photos, and then headed back to the guys, who were at the house with all the non-teenagers. We had a pretty good visit on the way home, and the things we talked about were good, and encouraging.

On Sunday morning Hayden woke up not feeling to well, and I was afraid we were going to have to go home and miss church, but we waited it out, and by the time we left he seemed fine, and actually he hasn't been sick at all. Church was wonderful! We had a beautiful meeting, and we heard so many good things throughout the ministry, and in testimonies. It will be one of those meetings that will be long remembered. After church two gave there had to be baptized. We all headed down to the lake, but they postponed the baptism until later that evening when the parents arrived. So we went to the church dinner and then headed home. All in all it was an uplifting weekend with the brethren filled with great conversation and great memories.

Here are a few pictures of the masquerade party


A group girl picture

Alyssa and her friends

The Forest Fairy Princess

The In-Laws are Coming!

This last week has just flown by for me, I have been so busy every day running myself and everyone else all over town. Our van had some mechaical issues on Sunday, (just as we were leaving for church) and it has taken most of this week to get it up and running again. But it is finally going again which makes me happy. Today also looks like a pretty busy day. I have more running around to do in preparation for the weekend and I also have cleaning to do...because the In-laws are coming to spend some time with us. Sean's mom and Bro. Walt will be here soon and are planing on staying for about a month. And my Sister (In-law) will be here on th 19th for a few of days. I am excited to get to see them again. It has been almos 8 months since we have seen them,so I am looking forwad to it. Well I should probably get going with my day...the clock is ticking!

Funny Things

Maria says driving is like sewing??? I was trying to figure out what she was talking about. She explained "Well there's a peddle and you have to make sure you don't push it to hard, and go to fast. And you have to keep the car in between the lines, just like you have to guide the fabric in a straight line." I never thought of it like that, but I guess they are similar. It's funny what they think about....

I was going to go do some shopping today and I was going to be near Sonic, so I mentioned to Sean that it was "Happy Hour", and maybe I would stop and get a drink. He said "Happy Hour? I didn't know you had a "Happy Hour." And I jokingly relpied "Yeah every day between 2 and 4, you just happen to miss it."..... I guess I have been a little grouchy lately :)

The other day we were in the car driving and Alyssa was taking a mile a minute about the up comming Masqurade Party, and how excited she was bout it etc. etc. All of a sudden Hayden piped up and said "Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah" I wonder who he learned that from.

Easter Time Memories

Having lived several places, your mind goes back to special memories during holidays, and special occasions. It seem like each place we have lived holds a special place in my heart, and great memories were made at different times in each place. I was thinking about Easter this time last year. We were living in Colorado, and we had a house full of company and had a big Easter bash at my house with lots of family and friends. It is hard to believe that we were actually there, and it was for such a short time. I'm thankful for all the time that we did get to spend with our family and friends, and I am glad I was able to host things in my home. Even if at times it did seem a little overwhelming, because it really did pass quickly, and who knows when we will all be able to get together again. But I would have to say some of my favorite Easter memories are from when we lived in Brewster. It was a day I truly looked froward to. Every Easter Sunday after church they would have a pot luck dinner, and then the day would be spent visiting, and watching the kids hunt eggs. It was a fun day spent with the brethren. I have several photos to look back on and when I see them I am reminded of the love I have for the brethren in that part, and how each family is near and dear to my heart.

This year was a good Easter likewise. We went over to Bro. Rusty and Sis. Mary's for dinner, and just spent most of the day visiting, and eating :) The kids had fun playing with one another, and it was fun to sit back on the sidelines and watch them interact so well with one another. After dinner we came home, and hid Easter eggs. This year we did our egg hunt inside, because it was so wet, cold and muddy outside. But the kids had a fun day, and so did I. Spending the day with brethren, and watching the kids have fun makes for a great Easter, and more great memories.

Kayla found the prize egg!

She's 14 !!!!!

My oldest daughter Alyssa just had another birthday. I can't believe she is already 14...where did all the time go? Before long she will be driving. How sad, and scary, but happy all at the same time. This year for her birthday we kept it pretty simple. We spent a few hours at the mall, mostly browsing, and she got to try on a few fancy dresses, so that really made her day. It kind of cracks me up (her obsession with formal gowns) but I guess most every gal likes to feel like a princess from time to time, and hers just happens to be anytime we enter a store. I am thinking her wedding dress will be someting she gets a lot of use out of if she dosen't out grow this phase. Here husband will come home and she will be decked out veil and all cleaning house. LOL

I usually let the kids pick what kind of cake or desert they would like for their birthady, and this year Alyssa wanted an icecream sandwich cake. She found the recipe on the internet, and it was so simple, quick and yummy I thought I would share it all with you.

Ingridents:
12 Icecream Sandwiches
1 jar of Hot fudge topping
1 Tub of Cool Whip
1 Small Chocolate bar

Directions:
Place 6 icecream bars in the bottom of a an 11X7 pan, cover with halfof the hot fudge, and then half of the cool whip, repeat with remaining ingridents. Grate chocolate bar on top and freeze for 1 hour before serving.

Anyway like I said it was quick and easy and really good. Here are a few pictures.



He enjoyed the cake!!