I've neglected my blog for a few days. Just got lazy--no other excuse.
Saturday:
Brian was still on his campout--they ended up doing a drive in Camp Verde, sleeping at his parents' cabin in Mund's Park, then doing an other drive plus a hike in Williams. They were going to mountain bike, but the wind was relentless! On Sat. morning, Ellie went with my parents on the second part of her birthday outing. They went to Target and Ellie "picked out" some long sleeve shirts (which she loves wearing and says, "Gramma" and points at her shirt) and a Little People bus. That has been lots of fun for her to play with, too. While she was gone, I took the other three to the park so Eliza and Libby could practice their monkey bar skills. We came home and joined Ellie in eating Happy Meals (the kids--not me!). Around 4:30, I picked up Sarah and she babysat while I did some Christmas shopping. Normally, I shop and see what I want and chicken out buying it, thinking, "What if it goes on sale, etc." This year I decided I wouldn't do that because usually nothing does go on sale, so I'm stuck getting everything at the last minute, etc. So I got some tablecloths for Brian's work party and some ornaments to decorate the room. I enjoyed PB for dinner (mmmm!) and hit Target for a LONG shopping time. It was fun to walk around without having the rush. I found some things I needed and got a raincheck for a couple things they were out of. And guess what? Three things I bought that night so far have gone on sale. And not like save one dollar...like save almost 1/2 of what I spent!!!! Annoying!! So I've had to get a couple price adjustments so far and still have to do one more. Oh well. Glad I could save some money!
Brian and I got home within a few minutes of each other so he could take Sarah home.
Sunday:
meeting.
church. It went well. Two of our young women taught and did a great job!
Got dinner mostly made. We had my parents over.
Went to choir with Eliza
Enjoyed a nice evening at home. Watched a touching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The kids' story was so sad!
Monday:
Bback in the routine. School. Libby had a field trip to Bashas and enjoyed that. She got to eat pizza and tour the store. Same old thing the rest of the day.
Tuesday:
Did a price adjustment at Target and grabbed some groceries. Eliza had piano. At night I went to Becky's and helped Leslie finish her mom's Christmas gift--a Rolodex album like my mom made for me at Hattie's shower. It went pretty quick, was fun to do and looks so darling!
Today so far:
While Libby was at preschool, we price adjusted at Party City and grabbed some gifts at Wal-Mart. We had lunch and are now out front. I just got reamed by my neighbor for the girls playing in the street. I am so mad! Maybe if I write about it, it'll be cathartic and will help me not be so angry! I can only hope!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
23rd
This morning I tried to take it somewhat easy and not move around too fast for fear of having a repeat performance of yesterday. Brian got ready for his outing and I did some stuff around the house and went out front with the girls. Brian took three of them to the park before he left. Eliza can now skip bars on the monkey bars and Libby went across for the first time by herself today! They were both so pleased with themselves.
After Brian took off for 4-wheel driving, we played outside a little more. Ellie loves being on our neighbor's motorized cars and her favorite right now is their motorized Harley. She looks so cute and little on it! She is funny to watch riding it. Later Ellie took a nap and the rest of us girls decorated for Christmas. Eliza and Libby put most of the tree decorations on and they set out most of the nativities and other holiday stuff. I went very simple and low-key this year. But it still looks festive and it's fun to recall the memories associated with all the decorations.
My parents came and watch my girls while I took some photos. I have been soooo stressing out and nervous about these but it went well and was easy. As I was pulling up to the place, I saw Natalie taking her brother's family's pictures. We had the same idea!
After that we all went to the mall. Whenever a grandchild turns two, he or she gets to go to Build-A-Bear to make a bear. At first Ellie didn't really get it and she was only interested in looking at the outfits.
After holding up each animal one by one asking her if she wanted it, she finally held on and said yes to the blue winter bear. She stood in line so cute waiting for her turn to have it stuffed.
She helped step on the pedal, then put its little heart inside.
I think her favorite part was "washing" and combing her bear, which was affectionately named "Snowflake" because of the snowflake on her nose.
She was very opinionated about the outfit she picked and knew exactly what she wanted.
After getting her dressed, she went back to the wash area, got the brush and cleaned her bear again.
What a fun time!
We hadn't eaten, so I got the girls some pizza to share, then we went to Bath and Body and probably drove everyone crazy there! But overall it was a great night and everyone had fun. Eliza got her unicorn stuffed some more so it stands up and she and Libby got to pick out a new outfit. They were loving that for sure!
...some pictures from yesterday:
The table before Thanksgiving feast at my parents' house.
Fun and games at our extended family gathering at my aunt's in Gilbert.
And from Ellie's birthday yesterday:
Off to have my own leftover Thanksgiving feast!
After Brian took off for 4-wheel driving, we played outside a little more. Ellie loves being on our neighbor's motorized cars and her favorite right now is their motorized Harley. She looks so cute and little on it! She is funny to watch riding it. Later Ellie took a nap and the rest of us girls decorated for Christmas. Eliza and Libby put most of the tree decorations on and they set out most of the nativities and other holiday stuff. I went very simple and low-key this year. But it still looks festive and it's fun to recall the memories associated with all the decorations.
My parents came and watch my girls while I took some photos. I have been soooo stressing out and nervous about these but it went well and was easy. As I was pulling up to the place, I saw Natalie taking her brother's family's pictures. We had the same idea!
After that we all went to the mall. Whenever a grandchild turns two, he or she gets to go to Build-A-Bear to make a bear. At first Ellie didn't really get it and she was only interested in looking at the outfits.
After holding up each animal one by one asking her if she wanted it, she finally held on and said yes to the blue winter bear. She stood in line so cute waiting for her turn to have it stuffed.
She helped step on the pedal, then put its little heart inside.
I think her favorite part was "washing" and combing her bear, which was affectionately named "Snowflake" because of the snowflake on her nose.
She was very opinionated about the outfit she picked and knew exactly what she wanted.
After getting her dressed, she went back to the wash area, got the brush and cleaned her bear again.
What a fun time!
We hadn't eaten, so I got the girls some pizza to share, then we went to Bath and Body and probably drove everyone crazy there! But overall it was a great night and everyone had fun. Eliza got her unicorn stuffed some more so it stands up and she and Libby got to pick out a new outfit. They were loving that for sure!
...some pictures from yesterday:
The table before Thanksgiving feast at my parents' house.
Fun and games at our extended family gathering at my aunt's in Gilbert.
And from Ellie's birthday yesterday:
Off to have my own leftover Thanksgiving feast!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
How Not to Gain 5 Pounds on Thanksgiving:
...get a migraine. Yup. Can you even believe it? I sure couldn't. I was so mad and disappointed! So here is a recap of my Thanksgiving day.
Note to Aunt Ellen: Sorry--no pictures yet--so you can wait for that post if you want!! :)
Pre-migraine:
Got up.
Sang happy birthday to Ellie. Made her 2 toaster strudels--what she requested--for breakfast. She got her gift--a little scooter. She has had a lot of fun on it today.
Made pumpkin trifle for a dessert which we ended up eating tonight at my aunt's house. So so good!
Made Ellie's birthday cake. I used Kari's amazingly delicious homemade chocolate frosting recipe. Thank, Kari!
Brian put the Christmas tree up. The girls were in and out playing.
We got all loaded up to go to my parents for Thanksgiving lunch. We got to my parents and somewhere between getting out of the car and in their house it hit me! I "saw the light." I was thinking, "You've got to be kidding me. Oh no. Not today." But alas...it was true.
During Migraine:
--All the family was enjoying a (from what I heard) a super delicious Thanksgiving lunch around my parents new, huge table (all the adults fit at one table!) and in their newly remodeled kitchen/dining area.
--I was in my parents' bedroom, laying on the bed, in and out of their bathroom (albeit--newly remodeled and decorated!) and sleeping. I was so ticked I missed it. At about 4:30 I came out of my "cave" (lol), feeling a little better. The nausea, vision issues and headache pain had subsided...I just had to take it easy and not move to fast. Still not feeling great.
After the worst of the migraine:
I was feeling "better" so I figured we were still safe to go to the festivities at my aunt's house. So we drove out to Gilbert for our annual big family get together. It was a lot of fun. We started out by eating finger foods and desserts (still not Thanksgiving dinner--but I'm not bitter!), then we all sang to Ellie and enjoyed the cake. We played pictionary (using words related to Thanksgiving or our family) and played bingo and got little prizes for winning (candy bars or the kids got little toys or games or lip gloss. Then it was time for the ornament exchange. We did it a little different this year. Instead of having a name in advance, we just brought an ornament or Christmas decoration and Chris read a story that had lots of the words "right" and "left" in it. So the gifts went around and back and around. When the story was over, you got that ornament you were holding. The kids exchanged first, then the adults. We got so lucky and Brian got what my mom made. I'll have to take a picture. It's an altered book she made, but in the front is embedding "Santa's watch." I was tickled to get it!
We left a little before 9--our girls were so very tired but it was good evening. Happy Thanksgiving.
Note to Aunt Ellen: Sorry--no pictures yet--so you can wait for that post if you want!! :)
Pre-migraine:
Got up.
Sang happy birthday to Ellie. Made her 2 toaster strudels--what she requested--for breakfast. She got her gift--a little scooter. She has had a lot of fun on it today.
Made pumpkin trifle for a dessert which we ended up eating tonight at my aunt's house. So so good!
Made Ellie's birthday cake. I used Kari's amazingly delicious homemade chocolate frosting recipe. Thank, Kari!
Brian put the Christmas tree up. The girls were in and out playing.
We got all loaded up to go to my parents for Thanksgiving lunch. We got to my parents and somewhere between getting out of the car and in their house it hit me! I "saw the light." I was thinking, "You've got to be kidding me. Oh no. Not today." But alas...it was true.
During Migraine:
--All the family was enjoying a (from what I heard) a super delicious Thanksgiving lunch around my parents new, huge table (all the adults fit at one table!) and in their newly remodeled kitchen/dining area.
--I was in my parents' bedroom, laying on the bed, in and out of their bathroom (albeit--newly remodeled and decorated!) and sleeping. I was so ticked I missed it. At about 4:30 I came out of my "cave" (lol), feeling a little better. The nausea, vision issues and headache pain had subsided...I just had to take it easy and not move to fast. Still not feeling great.
After the worst of the migraine:
I was feeling "better" so I figured we were still safe to go to the festivities at my aunt's house. So we drove out to Gilbert for our annual big family get together. It was a lot of fun. We started out by eating finger foods and desserts (still not Thanksgiving dinner--but I'm not bitter!), then we all sang to Ellie and enjoyed the cake. We played pictionary (using words related to Thanksgiving or our family) and played bingo and got little prizes for winning (candy bars or the kids got little toys or games or lip gloss. Then it was time for the ornament exchange. We did it a little different this year. Instead of having a name in advance, we just brought an ornament or Christmas decoration and Chris read a story that had lots of the words "right" and "left" in it. So the gifts went around and back and around. When the story was over, you got that ornament you were holding. The kids exchanged first, then the adults. We got so lucky and Brian got what my mom made. I'll have to take a picture. It's an altered book she made, but in the front is embedding "Santa's watch." I was tickled to get it!
We left a little before 9--our girls were so very tired but it was good evening. Happy Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Fun, Fun, Fun Day!
Today I signed Eliza out of school a little early and we picked up Sarah to babysit Ellie and Hattie. Then Eliza, Libby and I headed to Kierland for our annual girls' day out. Each year during the week of Thanksgiving, my mom, two of her sisters and their daughters get together for lunch and shopping. This year, Eliza and Libby got to join in on the fun. I didn't tell Eliza until I showed up to get her from school. At first she was sad to be missing school! That's my girl! When we got to Kierland, we met at Cheesecake Factory for lunch. I had the salad and pizza lunch special (too much food!), Eliza had the pasta kid's meal and Libby had the chicken strips with fries. They weren't on the menu, so I didn't know how much the kid meals were. Ouch!!! Libby's was 9 bucks! Eliza's was 7. Next time, they'll share--especially because they both were huge portions. I should have known for that restaurant. For dessert we split chocolate mousse cheesecake. Libby loved that and all the whipped cream. It was so fun to sit and catch up. My aunt and cousin from Texas came for Thanksgiving, and my cousin who just moved to Portland was down, too. So fun!
After lunch we shopped! First was Anthropologie. I LOVE that store. They always have the coolest displays and store decorations. Today was no exception. We loved the snowflake garland in the front of the store and the hanging things made totally from straws. Cool. Every time I go in that store, I always say I am going to by an article of clothing there. But I never do because it is sooo expensive. Well, today was my lucky day. I totally scored. I found 2 pairs of shorts on sale for only $9.95. If you've ever been there, you know that is like an unheard of deal. Both pairs started out at $78. Ouch! After that we hit Babystyle, J Jill, Crate & Barrel, etc. I bought my ornament for our ornament exchange on Thursday. It was just such a fun, fun, relaxing time. Eliza and Libby had a blast and loved hanging out with my aunts and cousins. They also loved entertaining Emali's baby Grace and pushing her in the stroller. Audi took them on escalator rides in Crate and Barrel and they thought that was so fun.
All the pictures are especially for my Aunt Ellen who wants me to post more pictures so she doesn't have to read so much! LOL.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Day 2 of the Retreat (and a Day 3 Bonus)
Day two of the retreat started with the girls gathering back at the resort at 9 AM for a breakfast made by our bishopric. We had scrambled eggs, pancakes, ham and orange juice.
After a leisurely breakfast, we hopped into cars and went to Souflez and had our cake decorating class. Each girl got her own 9" round cake. We learned how to frost the cake, then how to decorate it with a shell border and how to do stars, a flowers, leaves and how to write. We filled two pastry bags with frosting and went to town! The girls were quite creative with their designs--ranging from very well done and thought out to crazy! I enjoyed it and learned how to decorate better!
After decorating cakes, we drove back to the resort for our lunch. We had ordered subs from Capriotti's. A family in our last ward owns one of the franchises at 91st and Thomas, so we ordered those. I LOVE their subs. After lunch and giving away more great prizes, Rachel did her bracelet class. She had kitted lots (and lots) of bags with beads that the girls could use to design their own bracelets. Each girl made at least two to three bracelets. They looked great! They had fun doing it, too, and today I heard the moms say their daughters were so proud that they made something they would wear.
During that class, Becky and I headed outside to do a mini photo shoot for each girl. I think that will be fun for each girl to have some pictures of themselves.
To close our big weekend, Aimee Benefield from our ward came and spoke to the girls about the theme "Bloom." She focused more on how we can bloom spiritually. It was a perfect ending to our weekend. Before each girl left, we sent them home with a goodie bag. Inside was a t-shirt (I'll have to take a picture and post later), a couple products Heidi donated, a couple of coupons from a couple of the companies who sent donations and one of my quote books. So many of the girls were so kind and thanked us after for the weekend and stayed to help us get cleaned up. I love those girls!
While I was gone, Brian took our girls up to Flagstaff to see his sister Jenny and her new baby, Elena. They had a great time and had a full day, too! Last night (I was beat!) but Eliza, Libby and I went to Target to get some groceries and to get Ellie's birthday present. She'll be 2 on Thanksgiving day! I CANNOT believe Thanksgiving is this week. Holy cow! I am not ready at all. I mean I am ready for my assignment for our family feast, but once it's Thanksgiving--that means Christmas is soon after. And I am NOT ready for Christmas. But I'll kick it in gear and be ready!
Today was church and it went well. I taught the lesson in laurels on self-discipline. It's always a great reminder to set goals and have the self-control to achieve them! But we had great discussion and sharing. I love that about our class and leaders. After church we had a longer than normal BYC for the youth class presidents. From there it was home, lunch, play, then off to Brian's parents' to drop off three girlies while Brian, Eliza and I went to a fireside. This was the Day 3 Bonus! Sam Payne stayed and did fireside for us tonight. Actually we invited another ward, so there were lots of youth there. It was an AWESOME fireside! I loved it. First he sang a humorous/light-hearted song about kissing. Then he got on with his message. He shared two stores from the Bible--first was about David and how he became King. He was such a faithful/righteous youth, then at the end of his life, he didn't make very good choices. Then he talked about Esther and how she was an ordinary girl, but ended up saving herself and her people. I love the scripture he referred to: "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" She was the Queen, but she had that thought so she made good decisions, whereas David said, "I am the King--I can have whatever I want." I am certainly not saying it as well as he did, but then he compared it to decisions we make. Are we like Esther or are like David at the end of his life? He told a story of a girl when he was in high school who was devastated that she wasn't asked to prom (and never had). Then he shared how one boy--who was very popular and "sought after"--after hearing about this girl's sadness, asked her to the prom and saved her so to speak like Esther did her people. Now of course, life doesn't revolve around going to the prom, but this was a time when that boy had a decision. He could have said, "I am the 'King'" so to speak--and I can have what I want. Or (like Esther)say--I am the 'King'...what can I do for you today? Anyway...I am going on and on, but I really enjoyed it. After he shared that, he played the piano and sang a song that he wrote about David and how we see an ordinary boy but the Lord sees a King. I asked Sam later if that song is on any of his CDs and unfortunately it's not! Then he talked for a couple minutes about not believing the untrue things our friends say about us. He ended by playing his guitar and sang a song written by Cherie Call.
It has been a busy, full weekend, but one we won't soon forget!
I did forget to mention our Young Women in Excellence we had on Wednesday night. Our theme was Bloom (we made it our week-long theme). Olivia Montez was in charge and did an amazing job! The room looked fabulous--decorating is her forte and it showed! For the night, I spoke for just a minute about the theme of the night, then each parent (who had previously told us what flower they felt best represented their daughter) got up and told why they chose that flower. It was a neat time for the girls to hear about themselves from their parents. Then the parents gave each girl that flower. The girls also got a CD of songs recorded by a few people in our ward with songs about reaching their fullest potential. Dessert was from Sweets Unlimited and again--yum. They looked beautiful, too!
Here's to maybe a less stressful/crazy week. We'll see!
After a leisurely breakfast, we hopped into cars and went to Souflez and had our cake decorating class. Each girl got her own 9" round cake. We learned how to frost the cake, then how to decorate it with a shell border and how to do stars, a flowers, leaves and how to write. We filled two pastry bags with frosting and went to town! The girls were quite creative with their designs--ranging from very well done and thought out to crazy! I enjoyed it and learned how to decorate better!
After decorating cakes, we drove back to the resort for our lunch. We had ordered subs from Capriotti's. A family in our last ward owns one of the franchises at 91st and Thomas, so we ordered those. I LOVE their subs. After lunch and giving away more great prizes, Rachel did her bracelet class. She had kitted lots (and lots) of bags with beads that the girls could use to design their own bracelets. Each girl made at least two to three bracelets. They looked great! They had fun doing it, too, and today I heard the moms say their daughters were so proud that they made something they would wear.
During that class, Becky and I headed outside to do a mini photo shoot for each girl. I think that will be fun for each girl to have some pictures of themselves.
To close our big weekend, Aimee Benefield from our ward came and spoke to the girls about the theme "Bloom." She focused more on how we can bloom spiritually. It was a perfect ending to our weekend. Before each girl left, we sent them home with a goodie bag. Inside was a t-shirt (I'll have to take a picture and post later), a couple products Heidi donated, a couple of coupons from a couple of the companies who sent donations and one of my quote books. So many of the girls were so kind and thanked us after for the weekend and stayed to help us get cleaned up. I love those girls!
While I was gone, Brian took our girls up to Flagstaff to see his sister Jenny and her new baby, Elena. They had a great time and had a full day, too! Last night (I was beat!) but Eliza, Libby and I went to Target to get some groceries and to get Ellie's birthday present. She'll be 2 on Thanksgiving day! I CANNOT believe Thanksgiving is this week. Holy cow! I am not ready at all. I mean I am ready for my assignment for our family feast, but once it's Thanksgiving--that means Christmas is soon after. And I am NOT ready for Christmas. But I'll kick it in gear and be ready!
Today was church and it went well. I taught the lesson in laurels on self-discipline. It's always a great reminder to set goals and have the self-control to achieve them! But we had great discussion and sharing. I love that about our class and leaders. After church we had a longer than normal BYC for the youth class presidents. From there it was home, lunch, play, then off to Brian's parents' to drop off three girlies while Brian, Eliza and I went to a fireside. This was the Day 3 Bonus! Sam Payne stayed and did fireside for us tonight. Actually we invited another ward, so there were lots of youth there. It was an AWESOME fireside! I loved it. First he sang a humorous/light-hearted song about kissing. Then he got on with his message. He shared two stores from the Bible--first was about David and how he became King. He was such a faithful/righteous youth, then at the end of his life, he didn't make very good choices. Then he talked about Esther and how she was an ordinary girl, but ended up saving herself and her people. I love the scripture he referred to: "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" She was the Queen, but she had that thought so she made good decisions, whereas David said, "I am the King--I can have whatever I want." I am certainly not saying it as well as he did, but then he compared it to decisions we make. Are we like Esther or are like David at the end of his life? He told a story of a girl when he was in high school who was devastated that she wasn't asked to prom (and never had). Then he shared how one boy--who was very popular and "sought after"--after hearing about this girl's sadness, asked her to the prom and saved her so to speak like Esther did her people. Now of course, life doesn't revolve around going to the prom, but this was a time when that boy had a decision. He could have said, "I am the 'King'" so to speak--and I can have what I want. Or (like Esther)say--I am the 'King'...what can I do for you today? Anyway...I am going on and on, but I really enjoyed it. After he shared that, he played the piano and sang a song that he wrote about David and how we see an ordinary boy but the Lord sees a King. I asked Sam later if that song is on any of his CDs and unfortunately it's not! Then he talked for a couple minutes about not believing the untrue things our friends say about us. He ended by playing his guitar and sang a song written by Cherie Call.
It has been a busy, full weekend, but one we won't soon forget!
I did forget to mention our Young Women in Excellence we had on Wednesday night. Our theme was Bloom (we made it our week-long theme). Olivia Montez was in charge and did an amazing job! The room looked fabulous--decorating is her forte and it showed! For the night, I spoke for just a minute about the theme of the night, then each parent (who had previously told us what flower they felt best represented their daughter) got up and told why they chose that flower. It was a neat time for the girls to hear about themselves from their parents. Then the parents gave each girl that flower. The girls also got a CD of songs recorded by a few people in our ward with songs about reaching their fullest potential. Dessert was from Sweets Unlimited and again--yum. They looked beautiful, too!
Here's to maybe a less stressful/crazy week. We'll see!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Day 1 of Bloom Retreat
So after months and months of planning and preparing...our young women retreat is finally here. Today was day one!
We held the retreat at a conference type room at Cibola Vista and today a few of us decorated it. It looked so great! Wendy did such a great job planning out how it would look.
At each place setting, I had filled mugs (10 cents at IKEA a while back) with chocolates and tied a tag (printed "Welcome" on a paint chip).
Kari did the cutest place cards and table names.
When the girls arrived, Kari helped them find their table. At 5, we started with a special meal. Our bishoprics' wives made a steak dinner, baked potato, rolls and salad. We had several dads and men from the ward serve the girls.
During dinner I gave away 10 of the gifts. We got so many amazing donations...each giveaway was worth about $25! They were all excited to win.
We cleaned up dinner, put on plastic tablecloths, then Becky did her "All About Me" album. Each girl got her own kit and worked on her album. I gave away 10 more things during her class.
After her class, we got a private concert by Sam Payne. About 15 years ago (ouch--I am old!) I went to my first EFY at BYU in Provo. It was there I met Margie Lott--who 15 years later is still one of my very best friends. We wrote to each other all through high school, wrote while she was on a mission in Hong Kong, we were in each other's wedding and visited each other a handful of times. Margie's sister Kristie married Sam. A few years ago, Margie gave me a couple of Sam's CDs for Christmas. That was my first introduction to him. Last Thanksgiving we met him at Margie's house while we were up visiting her. I knew I wanted him to come do a fireside or something, so this was a perfect chance! Tonight he sang several of his songs--which was so great--but he also gave background about what inspired him to write those songs! My favorite of the night was probably Everest. The girls seemed to enjoy him. He told great stories and sang wonderfully! After the amazing concert, we cleaned things up and the girls went home. Before they left, I sent them home with some white chocolate popcorn--from Sweets Unlimited.
I was glad that Brian got to help serve and stay to listen to Sam. We both really like his music, so Brian was looking forward to hearing him, too.
We'll be back at 9 for breakfast and another full day!
We held the retreat at a conference type room at Cibola Vista and today a few of us decorated it. It looked so great! Wendy did such a great job planning out how it would look.
At each place setting, I had filled mugs (10 cents at IKEA a while back) with chocolates and tied a tag (printed "Welcome" on a paint chip).
Kari did the cutest place cards and table names.
When the girls arrived, Kari helped them find their table. At 5, we started with a special meal. Our bishoprics' wives made a steak dinner, baked potato, rolls and salad. We had several dads and men from the ward serve the girls.
During dinner I gave away 10 of the gifts. We got so many amazing donations...each giveaway was worth about $25! They were all excited to win.
We cleaned up dinner, put on plastic tablecloths, then Becky did her "All About Me" album. Each girl got her own kit and worked on her album. I gave away 10 more things during her class.
After her class, we got a private concert by Sam Payne. About 15 years ago (ouch--I am old!) I went to my first EFY at BYU in Provo. It was there I met Margie Lott--who 15 years later is still one of my very best friends. We wrote to each other all through high school, wrote while she was on a mission in Hong Kong, we were in each other's wedding and visited each other a handful of times. Margie's sister Kristie married Sam. A few years ago, Margie gave me a couple of Sam's CDs for Christmas. That was my first introduction to him. Last Thanksgiving we met him at Margie's house while we were up visiting her. I knew I wanted him to come do a fireside or something, so this was a perfect chance! Tonight he sang several of his songs--which was so great--but he also gave background about what inspired him to write those songs! My favorite of the night was probably Everest. The girls seemed to enjoy him. He told great stories and sang wonderfully! After the amazing concert, we cleaned things up and the girls went home. Before they left, I sent them home with some white chocolate popcorn--from Sweets Unlimited.
I was glad that Brian got to help serve and stay to listen to Sam. We both really like his music, so Brian was looking forward to hearing him, too.
We'll be back at 9 for breakfast and another full day!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Today
A few things from today:
--Eliza was back at school, so this morning we were back to the grind!
--I had an appointment with my chiropractor/naturopath. Because of my last couple migraines I want to keep them in check! He said structurally I was looking great, so it might have been something dietary or emotional--like stress. Nahh. Not me! :)
--Today I wore my capris that are a camouflage print. I was sitting in the waiting room, waiting to be called back. A lady was walking out and said to me, "Thank you." I was like...huh? I said, "Um..for what?" She said, "Aren't you in the military?" LOL. When I think about it now, it just makes me laugh!!! It was so funny! I said, "Uhhh, no, these are just my pants." Funny!
--Picked Eliza up from school, then took her to piano. We came home and put Hattie and Ellie down. I got dinner ready and in the oven, then went out front with Eliza and Libby. Then it was dinner and to the church to get ready for YW in Excellence tomorrow. I came home and put everyone to bed. Brian had a meeting, so it was just us girls!
--I just wrote my talk for tomorrow night. I am so glad that is done! Now I get to choose...do I do BPS stuff, AL stuff or retreat stuff. Ahhh! The choices! :)
--Eliza was back at school, so this morning we were back to the grind!
--I had an appointment with my chiropractor/naturopath. Because of my last couple migraines I want to keep them in check! He said structurally I was looking great, so it might have been something dietary or emotional--like stress. Nahh. Not me! :)
--Today I wore my capris that are a camouflage print. I was sitting in the waiting room, waiting to be called back. A lady was walking out and said to me, "Thank you." I was like...huh? I said, "Um..for what?" She said, "Aren't you in the military?" LOL. When I think about it now, it just makes me laugh!!! It was so funny! I said, "Uhhh, no, these are just my pants." Funny!
--Picked Eliza up from school, then took her to piano. We came home and put Hattie and Ellie down. I got dinner ready and in the oven, then went out front with Eliza and Libby. Then it was dinner and to the church to get ready for YW in Excellence tomorrow. I came home and put everyone to bed. Brian had a meeting, so it was just us girls!
--I just wrote my talk for tomorrow night. I am so glad that is done! Now I get to choose...do I do BPS stuff, AL stuff or retreat stuff. Ahhh! The choices! :)
Monday, November 12, 2007
YW Program
Sunday was our Young Women's Sacrament program. I thought it went very well, and I think everyone there really enjoyed it, too. I had written it similar to a Primary sacrament program with each young woman having a speaking part, then interspersed was music. We had a few solos, a duet, a trio and a couple songs that all the YW sang. I saw lots of women (and a few men) quite choked up during many of the songs. I sure was, too! I was really pleased with how it went, plus I am glad it is over!
My cookie-making helpers today.
Ellie enjoying her spaghetti a little too much!
And a funny-the other day Eliza made name tags for herself and sisters. She said, "Now you won't have to go--'Libby, Liza, Hattie, ...whoever you are!'" Guess I get mixed up too much!
In other news, Saturday morning I was up early to go to our ward's Super Saturday. I made some decorated soaps for neighbor gifts and a few pebble frames that Becky featured on her site a few weeks ago. It was fun to create and visit, then we had a yummmmmy lunch. After that morning, we did house stuff and Brian took Eliza and Libby on a little bike ride. In the evening, we had a BBQ for Brian's work to say thank you/goodbye/good luck to their regional leader who is moving on to be an area leader. It was at the Mitton's out by the White Tanks, in their beautiful home. Wow! We had dinner, dessert, visited, watched a slide show and listened to a few roastings!
On Saturday Eliza lost her first tooth! It was so loose and got to the point that it needed to come out. So she kept wiggling it until it came out. She was so pleased that she lost it and happy that the tooth fairy brought $1 during the night.
Sunday started early--I was at church at 6:40, making sure everything was set up for the program, then I had a meeting at 7. During young women's we thanked the girls and brought goodies for them. It was a nice touch to the day! In the afternoon, Eliza and I went to choir. She is going to sing in a little children's choir for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We came home and had spaghetti, then went to Brian's sister's to see her new baby. My girls loved holding her--Eliza said, "I think she really likes me," as she held and cuddled her.
We came home, ate lunch and played out front for a bit. The weather was really nice today. Tonight consisted of:
--eating dinner (I didn't know Brian took all the leftover spaghetti for lunch today--I was planning on that for dinner), so we had an award-willing dinner. Some of us had scrambled eggs--others cold cereal.
--taking cookies to the aforementioned neighbor who saved me. They weren't home, so we'll have to try tomorrow.
--having a weird family home evening. It was actually not too fun because we ended up teaching Libby and Eliza a hard lesson. We told them on the way home from trying to deliver the cookies that we were going to have family home evening when we went inside. When we got inside we were in Hattie's room and called Eliza and Libby in to join us. Well, they chose not to listen and chose to play instead. Normally we would call them again and again to come. Not tonight. Hopefully they will listen the first time next time! Brian, Ellie, Hattie and I had home evening just us 4. After it was over and when we told Ellie she could have the home evening treat, Eliza and Libby cried that they wanted one. As hard as it was, we told them they couldn't since they didn't join us, plus they had to go to bed first. Hopefully it was a lesson learned instead of us being worst parents of the year!
Glad today is over! Hoping for a much better Tuesday. I'll end with some recent pictures from our life.
My cookie-making helpers today.
Ellie enjoying her spaghetti a little too much!And a funny-the other day Eliza made name tags for herself and sisters. She said, "Now you won't have to go--'Libby, Liza, Hattie, ...whoever you are!'" Guess I get mixed up too much!
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