Chalked

The young women in our ward came and chalked our driveway to welcome Camille in to young womens. It made her feel good. Hard to believe she is 12 already. I am excited for her. I realize how grateful I am as a mother to have awesome young women leaders who care about your daughter and want to help her through her teenage years. What a blessing! Teenagers need all the love they can get I think.

And They're Off!

We made it through the summer, and all the kids left for school this morning. Morgan doesn't go for another week. I love having them home for the summer, but have to admit that I was very ready for this week to come. it freaked me out a little bit that have to use 2 hands for her grades now. She is getting so grown up. Just wait until next week when I send my baby to kindergarden.

Ward Campout

We just got back from our ward campout at Heber Valley girls camp. Kent and McCray were not able to come because McCray had 4 baseball games- 2 Friday night and 2 on Saturday. So the rest of us went up for an adventure. We had a blast! The highlight was Camille Reed and I were able to do a high ropes course. They both did it 2 times, and I did it once. Camille and I were pretty nervous but really enjoyed it. Reed was an old pro and didn't seem nervous at all. In fact, when he was finished he told me the next thing he wants to do is skydiving. Yikes! I think we have a daredevil on our hands.

Another New Year Of School

  Here we go again!  The kids were really excited to go back to school.

 

 These two get to be home with me.  Yay!

 

Camilles Hero Performance

Camille's 4th grade did a performance about Heroes. It was very good, and I enjoyed watching her perform. She was singing out and having a great time.

Her best friend Susanna came to watch the performance with us. They are both cute girls. I am glad that they have stayed friends, even after we moved.

Camille's 1st Piano Recital

Camille had her first piano recital in January. She did a very nice job, and didn't seem too nervous.

First Day Of School

Here we go again! Another school year about to start. The kids were excited. Morgan thinks she is going too. Not yet, thank goodness.

Days of 47 Childrens Parade

The kids had the opportunity to participate in the Days of 47 Childrens Parade this year, and they had a great time. The theme of the parade was the pioneering spirit then and now. Our stake's theme was how music was part of that pioneering spirit back then, as well as today. They were a little band. Before the parade, we took the kids to the church and helped them make their instruments- out of pools noodles. They were actually very clever, and turned out pretty cute. Camille played a french horn, Morgan a flute, and the Boys trumpets.

The parade route was only about 5 blocks long, which was good, because the little ones probably couldn't have gone much more.

What a great experience for the kids. They had a lot of fun. I guess that the stakes only get a turn to be in it every 8 years or so, so I was glad they got a chance to participate. The way the kids are all growing up so fast, it won't be too long before they are out of primary!

Camille Mothers Day

We Also Sing Concert and Temple Square

Carter, Uli, Camille and I went to a concert on temple square the night before they left. I had got some tickets for this choir concert that Marilee Webb in my ward was directing. Many of the sisters in our ward sang in it as well. I had tickets for everyone to go. But SILLY ME, I did not realize that I got the tickets at the same time as the BYU / UTAH football game. When we realized that we had this conflict, I was pretty sad, because I had been looking forward to going to this for a long time. BUT, I also realized that scheduling a choir concert during that game, and expecting your husband who has been looking forward to this game all year to go with you was not fair. Choir concert vs. the "Holy War" football game. Hmm, which one would you choose? I was still going to go, but gratefully, Carter offered to go with me. I was so happy. So Carter, Uli, Camille, and I went. I think we all had a really nice time. It was kind of fun to just have the older kids. The concert was great. It is a choir made up of 400 normal people who love to sing, but may not be considered "singers". The director is wonderful, and made this group of 400 women fantastic. I want SO BADLY to be in this choir next year.

I like these pictures. They make me think of the picture of Uli with baby Camille from not so long ago. The older an handsome big cousin with the taller and cute little cousin.

After the concert, we walked around temple square and had fun taking pictures with the Christmas lights. It was really beautiful, and thankfully, it was not too cold.

Isn't this a great picture of Carter and Uli? Cater put Uli up on his shoulders, and I had the thought that he won't be able to do that for too much longer. Uli is growing us really fast. He is a great kid, and the kids love to have him come. He has a great Dad too.

I really love this picture of Camille and I. I think it is a cute picture of us, but I love that the temple is behind us. How grateful I am for the temple, which allows me to be with my family forever.

Girls Night Out

We had a Girls Night Out with Stephanie, Bentley, and Paula the week before Halloween. We went to Gardner Village, and had such a fun time. They decorate it with witches, and have it looking so fun and festive. We went on a tractor ride, and got to see a "real" witches house. It was really cute, and the girls loved it. Morgan was a "puffy princess" with her coat under her princess dress. She didn't love that costume. It was too long and scratchy for her tastes. She weeded it out before we got to the big night, and decided to be a clown instead.

While we had girls night out, Stephanie's husband Ryan took Reed and McCray for boys night. That was so nice. Kent had to work, and met up with them later when he got off. He took them and got pizza, went bowling, and then they went to Nickel Mania. They had a ball. It was funny, they stayed out much later than the girls. They bought A LOT of nickels to play, and it took a awhile to use them all up. Poor things!

I am grateful for good friends. It sure makes life more fun! Thanks guys!

13th Ward Autumn Blast

Our ward had it's annual 13th ward Autumn Blast. It was a really fun night of food, visiting, and entertainment. We had chili, corn bread, and desserts. The primary kids were in charge of making desserts. We don't have very many kids in primary, and I wondered how many desserts there would actually be. Camille, McCray and Reed all wanted to make something of their own. It was a little overwhelming at first, but it ended up being really fun. Reed wanted to make brownies. That was pretty easy, and with some frosting and sprinkles, turned out pretty cute.  

 McCray wanted to make cookies. We made cake mix cookies from a fun-fetti cake mix. They are VERY easy, and they are good. At least McCray and I like them. So we frosted them, put some cute sprinkles on them too, and there you go. McCray's cookies. ( They got a little smooshed in transit trying to get out the door. Oh well, the were still eaten with no problems)  

 Camille decided to be a little more difficult, and wanted to make cinnamon rolls. I have been using a new bread recipe that is incredibly easy. So with very little assistance, Camille made some mini cinnamon rolls. I had taught her a few weeks ago, and I was very impressed, because she really did make them mostly on her own. I figure if I teach her how to do it now, I can sit back in the future, and let her do the baking! :)

   

 I am glad that the ward had the kids do this. I really had a good time teaching each of the kids how to make their dessert, and just spending a little time alone with each of them. They are getting so big so fast, I keep thinking that I had better enjoy all of these little moments with them, because before I know it, I won't be so cool , and they will have other things to do that are more fun than cooking with Mom. For now though, I am going to enjoy it.

Jr Bees Baseball

The kids played coach pitch baseball and t-ball in June and July. The weather was nice, and it was really enjoyable to be out at night, watching the kids have fun. I have to admit that I look forward to the day when they play competitive sports. I think it will make it a little more exciting. But they are young, they just need to have fun for now. Camille and McCray were on the same team. That really helped so that it wasn't so crazy. I think they are all game to try it again.

Reed has a good throw, and can hit well. We had to remind him when to run occasionally when he was checking out something more interesting than the game. It is getting better-way better than basketball.



McCray loves to hit, and every time he was at bat, he swung like he was trying to get a home run. Do you see his tongue sticking out? He always does that when he is concentrating. He was great in the outfield, and many times fielded most of the balls. I was a little embarrassed at first and thought he should give the others a chance. But I guess if you are willing to hustle after the ball, you deserve to get it!



Camille is our lefty, and unfortunately I was sitting on the wrong side. She always hit it out into the outfield, and that made her happy. 3 cheers for being a lefty! In fact, she is using my glove, because she has grown out of hers. She is growing up too fast.



And once again, Morgan was in the cheering section. She doesn't seem to mind, until they pass out the snack after the game. That is when she thinks that she is missing out.

Saturday, um I mean THURSDAY!

***This is an old post that I was working on that I never actually got posted. I have a couple that I never got to, so I will post them today.


For the past month, I have been working Saturdays from 1-9 pm. I have to say that I don't love it, but it is a blessing because we needed the extra hours. Hopefully it will just be for a little while. So instead of having Saturday be our family day, we have been doing fun things on Thursday nights. We have really enjoyed it too! Last week we went to Murray park and had a picnic. Afterward, we played baseball with the kids. Camille, McCray and Reed are signed up for coach pitch and t-ball, so we figured that we had better practice a bit first. I played catch with Camille and Morgan most of the time. Camille is a lefty like her Mom. I always liked being left handed. It was something different.

Morgan was having a ball. She had an old broken yo-yo that is round, and had a string coming out of it. She would have me throw it way out into the field, and would go and get it over and over again, and throw it back to me.

The boys were practicing batting with Dad. They did pretty well. It was fun that they were willing to practice.

After baseball, we all walked over and saw the baby geese. They were furry and cute. It was a fun night. It is so nice to do something out of the routine. I am learning to really look forward to Thursdays.