Water World

On Friday, Brian stayed home from work, Sarah came over to babysit Hattie, and the five of us went to Water World and met some other friends there. It was with my dad's summer program at work again. We all had a great time. Eliza and Libby (especially) were so much more adventurous--wanting to go on all the rides. They were a touch too short for a couple they wanted to do, but they had fun on everything else. Ellie loved the little kid area and after a bit enjoyed the lazy river, which I loved, too.

We came home in the late afternoon--Eliza and Libby ended up going to Rachel's to swim for a while longer. We hung out at home the rest of the day as no babysitters were to be found. I went to bed early for me--like 10:30 because I was supposed to go to the temple in the early morning with all the ladies who are going to girls camp. Well I woke up about 4:15 to Ellie fussing. After I took care of her, I tried to go back to sleep, but I had a splitting awful headache. My alarm was set to go off at 5:15, so I just got up, took some Aleve and started getting ready hoping my headache would go away. As I continued getting ready, I realized it wasn't a regular headache..I think it was a migraine seeing that I got sick sick in the bathroom. Eliza had come into our bed in the night and Brian had escaped into her bed, but she heard me in the bathroom. (TMI? Sorry.) I heard her say, "Mom??? Are you okay in there?" I assured her I was. Eliza came into where I was and said, "Mom--do you need anything? Do you want to say a prayer so you can feel better and go to the temple?" It was so sweet and meant so much for her to say that. So we folded our arms right there and she said a prayer for me. I didn't feel better though and went back to bed and pretty much slept off and on until about 11 in the morning. I was so sad to miss the temple trip, but I wouldn't have been much fun there. In the afternoon, Brian took Eliza and Libby to pick something up from his office and he took them to Peter Piper Pizza for pizza and games. I was feeling a little better but still took it slow. Luckily Ellie and Hattie napped at the same time. We couldn't find a sitter again, so after the girls went to bed, Brian got some take out (Chili's for him, Babbos for me) and we watched 27 Dresses which we both really enjoyed. It was a cute movie!

Today was church and Hattie didn't do so hot. I don't get it--at home, she clings to me and doesn't want me to put her down, but at church she just wants down to run and play! Ugh. During the second hour, Brian taught his Sunday school class, so I went into nursery with Hattie. It was either there or out in the halls. She is going to love going to nursery in 2 months. I can't wait! We had a combined meeting the last hour and it was focused on the worldwide training that was broadcast in February.

Tonight my parents came over for dinner--I made spaghetti and garlic bread and my parents brought salad. After dinner we watched the end of Alice in Wonderland, then played the thimble game. After a couple of rounds, Libby actually joined in which made me happy. For that game you fill a thimble with water and someone is "it." That person thinks of a category--it can be anything...flavors of ice cream, Disney princesses, cereals, animals, colors, etc...and "it" also thinks of one thing in that category. They go around to each person and each person says something from that category. If they say what the person who is "it" was thinking, "it" throws the water from the thimble on them. They they are now "it." It is a fun little game.

Here's to a new week! We'll be busy getting ready for our trip!
Here's a picture from this time last year. Look how fast they grow!!

Paradise

Yesterday was a paradise kind of day--Paradise Bakery that is. I got up and went there early for breakfast to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday! I tried their oatmeal...yum! Loved that. Then for lunch a few friends and I went to chat and catch up. It was a great time visiting and just hanging out without kids.

In the afternoon, we had piano, so we passed the time at Wal-Mart. I had to get some more cellophane to wrap some of those quote blocks. Then at night I had mutual. It was the first one with just our new ward. It felt so weird to be so small. I kept thinking we had a ton missing, but we only had a few gone. It's an adjustment! After mutual I headed over to the resort to run--with vacations, it had been a while--so that felt good to go again.

This morning my mom and I made bread. We had three helpers who want to be right in the middle! While the bread was cooling we went to a fun little surf shop for a baby gift. If money were no object, I would outfit my girls there--have I already said that? Or at least by them lots of outfits. Just darling stuff!

Tonight we went to the resort to swim, but it was closed--an "incident" happened--which I think was a bathroom incident, so there was some intense cleaning going on I am sure! So we kind of invited ourselves over to the Pribyl's to swim. They were headed out the door to dinner, so we just swam and enjoyed ourselves. Thanks! :)

Summer Days

Today Ellie got up early--6:15--so I got up with her. She ate breakfast and played Barbies for a while before going in to wake up Brian.

We hurried and got ready this morning and I dropped Eliza and Libby off at my parents'. She took them along with Abby and Dallin to see Alice in Wonderland with my dad's summer program he does through work. I guess they really enjoyed it!

While they were gone, Hattie, Ellie and I hung out at home. Hattie napped twice...Ellie napped once. I worked on some vinyl boards that were a pain in the neck. The vinyl just wouldn't stick. It took me all day to do 13 of them. Glad they are done!

This evening we went swimming at Brian's parents'. Ellie was a fish! Swimming further and further. We all had fun though.


A random picture of Libby doing one of her chores a few weeks ago.

Monday

Today was back to the daily grind--chores, laundry, etc. We did sneak out to stock up on some groceries at Wal-Mart. Tonight we had burritos for dinner, which is one of my go-to meals because it's easy! After we ate dinner, we had family home evening. I did our first lesson from a book called Before They Turn Twelve--a book Rachel got me for my birthday. I had to wait for The For Strength of Youth pamphlets to come in. It went great and I think my girls will remember the activities--the sock game, the treasure hunt and throwing marshmallows at Brian. I can't wait to do the rest of the lessons in the book.

After home evening, I headed to Lindsay's to get my hair done--color and a trim. Next time she wants me to go dark and a shorter asymmetrical cut. The girl she did after me did something similar and it was way cute. I need to get up the courage to cut my hair!

Sedona

We just got back from being in Sedona since Thursday. We went for Brian's work summer regional that they have every summer for families. So here is a recap of what we did.

Thursday:
Finished packing and cleaning up the house to leave. We left for Sedona a little before 1. We got to our hotel--the Radisson--and got situated in our rooms. We had to get two rooms this time, so that was a bummer. It worked out well though--Hattie was in one room by herself so she slept great (it was connected, of course). The rest of us 5 shared 2 beds. It was just like home when some of the girls come in during the night. Soon after we got there we dropped the girls off at the kids' club babysitting. Every Jones thing we have been to has had amazing kids' clubs. This time it was a bit chaotic and the people were just not as fun. All the moms were not thrilled about this. By the Saturday night event--it was rearranged so it wasn't so chaotic, so that was good. Brian and I went to the welcome meeting where everyone introduces themselves. Each FA stood up and briefly introduced him or herself, then the spouse had to stand and say something. We got a few ideas (like a book, TV or movie that best describes your spouse, something no one knows about him, etc). I just said that a movie that best describes him--based on the rate we seem to be at now--is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. At that meeting, Brian got a pin or tie tack for being with the company for 5 years. It's hard to believe it's been that long! After that meeting, we rescued the kids, then went to the family dinner--cowboys and Indians theme. There were bandannas, squirt guns, face pain, stuff for a head piece, etc. We ate Mexican food, then decorated Eliza. After dinner Brian took Hattie, Ellie and Libby back to the room to put Hattie down. Eliza and I went back and she played a couple of the games--red rover and just general running around on the golf course. That night there was also a cake contest. Each family was supposed to bring a cake to enter--it could be homemade or from a store. I didn't find out about this contest until Monday, so the girls and I raced to think of what to do and then to make it. Of course, I picked something really involved and something I hadn't made before. I opted for some cupcake bite things I saw online. We decorated them and they ended up looking like trees. We put Edward Jones in sugar letters on top of some and made it look like a forest. We didn't win, but it was "fun" to try. A popcorn cake won--it looked like a popcorn bucket and had real popcorn coming out of the top. After the judging, the cakes were the dessert. I saw lots of people with our cupcake bites and someone asked for the recipe that next morning. Personally I think they are too much work!









Friday:
Brian got up early and went mountain biking with a few other guys. Then he had meetings in the morning, so we had to find something to do to pass the time. We had breakfast, then went back to the room for a bit while I put Hattie down for a nap. We watched TV and played in the room until she woke up. We still had about 2 1/2 hours before Brian would be done, so we got in the car and we went looking for a place to get some water shoes. We found a Beall's outlet where I found some croc-like shoes for Hattie and Walgreens where I found water shoes for the afternoon. We also drove to Chapel Rock and looked at that for a minute. On the way we saw a ridiculously huge house that seemed so out of place. It was palatial!!! Through one of the windows we could see a huge rock waterfall on the inside. I would love to see inside!

While we waited for Brian, Eliza and Libby had fun with the little reading lights attached to the headboards. They used them as microphones and did a mini concert (as pictured) and we played doctor and shined in in each other mouths, ears, etc... They loved that!

After Brian was done with his meetings, we went to Beaver Creek. There was swimming in a little creek and Eliza and Libby did a rope swing and jumped off a rock. It's early training for Havasupai! One of the wholesalers supplied sandwiches, chips, cookies and sodas.





The water was pretty cold and I was in and out with Ellie and Hattie. Hattie had fun splashing in the shallow part. We left there and I took Eliza and Libby swimming at the hotel pool. That night the dinner was Italian food. After dinner the kids got to make masks and they did fun activities while the parents had their own activities next door.



The kids did hot potato, the donut eating game, eating tons of suckers, etc...The adults played BINGO (when Eliza found that out, she came over and played). There was also a fundraiser for the West Valley Child Crisis Center. There were several auction items and raffles. We bought raffle tickets and bid on a couple items. The only thing we won was a candle in the raffle! But it went to a great cause. It was a late night by the time we got back to the room and got everyone sleeping.

Saturday:
Brian did more mountain biking. This time a group of them hired a guide who went with them. He said that was fun. His bike ended up breaking down, so luckily the guide was able to fix it enough for them to get back. Brian had morning meetings again and I had the spouse meeting. I took the girls to the kids club again (chaos ensuing) but luckily I knew it would only be for about an hour. The spouse meeting was really good. Brian actually was in there helping out. Each FA made up an award for his or her spouse, so they gave those out along with a letter each FA had written to his or her spouse. The regional leader also gave each person a cute tealight lantern thing from Crate and Barrel. My award from Brian was the "Textiest Spouse" award...he thought he was so funny to combine "sexy" and "texting" ha! He gave it to me since he thinks I send him a lot of text messages during the day. I probably do, but it's quicker than calling every time! He also said he thought about giving me the "When Do I Get a New Car" award! Ha ha! His letter was really sweet and I enjoyed getting that too. I picked the girls up and we killed some time waiting for Brian to finish his meetings. Then we grabbed lunch at McDonalds and went back to the hotel for more swimming. First it was just Libby and Ellie. Eliza wasn't being very kind so she had to stay back. After a while of missing out, she got to join us for a little bit. That night was the fancy dinner and awards banquet. We dropped the kids off one more time. Ellie and Hattie cried (again) but ended up doing well. Eliza and Libby got to stay together. They had dinner, played games and watched a movie.

Our dinner was a masquerade theme, so each person got to pick out a mask and have their picture taken. I thought mine had a cat-woman look. Funny.




The dinner was nice--they did some fun and funny awards. Brian and several other who mountain biked while they were up there got a "Slim Jim" award...they got either a Slim Jim or a Snickers...Brian opted for the slim jim. They also did the serious awards--Brian got a production award, so we got to go up and get that and get our picture taken. Before dinner they had the kids parade through in their masks that they made the night before. Eliza did it but Libby stayed back and didn't want to!

We weren't surprised Libby didn't do it. It was another late night after we picked the girls up. Ellie was sleeping when we got there and Hattie was close. Sleep came fast that night.

Sunday:
This morning we woke up and packed up. We went to the hotel restaurant and had breakfast before leaving. We took our time coming home..we drove on Schnebly Hill Road up to Mund's Park to Brian's parents' cabin.




It was 11 miles of dirt, rough road. It was amazing that Hattie slept the whole time!
This was my first time seeing their cabin. I just haven't had the chance to go...everytime Brian would go with the girls I had some young women thing to be at. So it was nice to see it. It is nice and will be fun to stay at sometime. We stayed there a little bit and let the girls play before we drove home. The ride home was less than desirable...Eliza and Libby were both hornery! I was glad to be home! Tonight I had a fireside, so I went to that. Our Bishop's son-in-law (and Bishop's daugther) do triathalons, so they spoke about that and how it relates to the gospel and to life. He also showed parts of a cool documentary about triathalons and the stories behind some of the athletes. It was so inpsirational! I don't ever want to do one unless it was a little mini one but still I think I would have trouble with the swimming part! My favorite quote from the video was "If you quit, no one will care, but you'll always know." That is so applicable to so many things. What a great motto for life!

I got our mail from being gone and inside were letters from the school and it had Eliza and Libby's teacher assignments. Eliza was excited to read a letter from her teacher about all the fun things she is going to do next year. And Libby was more than excited that she got Eliza's teacher from last year (we are thrilled, too!!). Libby seriously read her letter from her teacher at least 5 times tonight. She had me read it to my mom on the phone, too. She can't wait. It was cute to see her get so excited. While I was reading it to my mom, Libby would clap here and there. Tonight while I put Libby to bed, I said, "OK--in the morning when you wake up, what are we going to do?" "Get up, make your bed, do your daily 5..." and Libby piped in and said, "...And go to kindergaren?!?"

OK--we'll, I guess it's back to the grind for a couple weeks at least until New York!

Father's Day

Sunday was Father's Day, so I got up with the kids for a while before taking in Brian's presents. We got him a t-shirt, a movie (Hoosiers), some hose attachments and a socket set. Fun (but on his list!). Brian is not much of a big breakfast type of person, so I poured some Cocoa Puffs for him. Then we got ready for church. Hattie lasted until about sacrament time, then I was out with her. I tried to go back in, but Brian ended up going back out with her. Brian taught his first lesson as the new gospel essentials teacher. I tried to go in with Hattie, but a small room becomes smaller with a loud 16 month old. 2 more months and she'll be in nursery!

After church we went to my parents and enjoyed a yummy dinner. We made Cafe Rio pork and all the fixin'. Yum yum. It's a lot of work but so worth it!! We stopped at Brian's parents for a minute to wish Brian's dad a happy father's day. Right when we got there Hattie threw up on me. It was weird. She was fine before then and hasn't been sick since then. Must have had what Ellie had!

It was a fun father's day...I am grateful for my dad. He is one of the funniest people you will meet. He makes everything fun and positive. I love that he'll watch my girls without complaining and my girls LOVE being with him. They especially love it when he does "steamroller." He has always been so supportive of me in all that I do.


I am also grateful for Brian. He is a lot like my dad in that he is patient and laid back. Not too much ruffles his feathers. I love that Brian is a loving, involved father who loves doing things with our girls. Four little girls are lucky to call him dad!

Yesterday was not a great day in that I had some sort of stomach bug. Ugh! I tried to rest as much as I could, but with Brian at work it wasn't so easy. I am feeling 100% better today, so I am glad about that. I didn't get anything done yesterday because of it! When Brian got home he took the girls to the store and I took a nap. Nice!

Today I took Hattie to the doctor for the dry skin on her back...eczema. I got a prescription for her so hopefully that will clear up soon.

Now we are hurry up to get ready for the summer regionals for Brian's work in a couple of days.

Havasupai

This past week was our Havasupai trip, and it was a blast. Brian's mom watched our girls Wednesday night, then Sarah got them Thursday evening and watching them until we got home on Saturday afternoon. They did well--except for lots of potty accidents with Ellie (Sarah thinks she had diarrhea. Ewww.) And Ellie threw up her lunch on Saturday but didn't act sick before or show any signs after (probably ate too much!).

Here is a run down of our trip.
On Wednesday night the laurels came over to our house for pizza and snacks. We passed the time playing games: ultimate spoons, the thimble game (then the girls started calling me Sister Thimble) and mafia. At midnight the drivers came over and we loaded up and drove to the Grand Canyon. I dozed off and on during the drive. When we got there, it was sooooo crowded! We had never seen so many cars. It was also really really cold at the top! We were freezing and a little nervous that we were going to freeze, but luckily that was the coldest it was the whole trip. Soon enough we were on our way down. We hiked 8 miles to the village, then waited there a little while for our packs to be flown down. We passed the time relaxing, eating fry bread, going to the bathroom one last time in a real bathroom, watching some unique characters who live in the village. After our packs came, we strapped them on and made the 2 mile hike to the campground. It wasn't as hard as last time, but Rachel and I still took our time! We enjoyed the view of Havasu falls before we made the final descent down. We spent a while in the sweltering heat trying to find a big enough place to camp, then we set up camp. I loved our tent. I am glad we hauled it down. After setting up, we got in our swim suits and went to Havasu Falls. I inched my way in the FREEZING water, and four of us counted to three, then jumped in and swam across to a shallower part. We froze in there for a while before getting out and heading back to camp for dinner, scriptures, games, hairdos by Kayleen (as seen in one of the pictures below) and bed.






On Friday morning, we got up, had breakfast and hiked down to Mooney Falls. I am amazed every time going down to those falls how crazy the hike down is. It definitely takes some focus so you don't make one wrong step! Once again we inched in the water, then Brian and I took the plunge in off a 10 foot waterfall. Brrrr! After catching my breath, we swam down the stream a ways to another little waterfall and we explored a ways down from that. After Mooney we had lunch, rested for a little bit, then went to my favorite waterfall--Navajo Falls. It's such a beautiful place! I brought my shampoo and we washed our hair there. Brian showed some of the girls a fun place to jump in through a waterfall and they seemed to really enjoy that. Brian, Ben and a few of the girls also jumped off a 40 foot or so waterfall. Too scary for me! After a while there, we went back to camp for dinner and I did a little devotional where we related any experience we had in Havasupai to a gospel principle. It went well and got the girls to think.



Saturday morning we woke up, packed up and hiked a treacherous 2 miles up to the village. It was hot and hard with my pack! Last time we got a mule--should have done that again! When we got to the village, I only had time to get a drink from the "store" and hop on the helicopter up to the top. That was a fun ride again. On the way home, we had lunch in Seligman at a fun little hamburger shop. The owners were quite fun and had great customer service. It was nice to have some "real" food again instead of packaged stuff. We downed a hamburger, fries and a shake. It was also nice to have a better bathroom, too. In Havasupai, it's port-a-potties--full and stinky ones!

Our girls were excited to see us, but that night I was zonked. I went to bed at 7:30, which for me is unheard of! It felt so great. I woke up on Sunday hardly sore at all, so that was nice.

Small

Yesterday was another Saturday without a lot we had to do. Brian went hiking in the morning, then we went to Costco for lunch--pizza and hot dogs and I had a turkey wrap. I really liked the wheat tortilla it was in. We got a few things at Costco while we were there. In the afternoon we went swimming at the resort. I actually got in all the way (except for my head) and it wasn't too chilly! I went on the slide, too, which was fun but made me dizzy! I am pathetic.

This morning started fairly early. I went to the new West Wing Ward because it was Leslie's baby blessing. Then I left there a little early to go to my meeting, then it was on to our Sacrament meeting. It was so tiny! I think only three or four families sat in the hard chairs in the back. Not only was it smaller but it was quieter...which meant that Hattie's ear piercing screams (to simply indicate...well..nothing) weren't muffled by the rest of the other noise. Does anyone have ideas for how to get a 16 month old to stop squealing so loudly! Ugh! She doesn't do it because she is mad--it's just a shriek.... I would love ALL ideas. I had to go out with her because of that. I felt like my lesson went well, so that is always good.

This evening we went to my parents for dinner and Eliza stayed for a sleepover. I am just trying to catch up on young women stuff and getting ready for Havasupai this week.

Catching Up--Stream of Consciousness Style

Hattie's first pigtails

Wednesday:
--swimming lessons
--lunch with Brian and to orient my new laurel advisor
--mutual--we had a swim party with the young men...our last joint activity as the original Pleasant Valley ward. I was prepared to swim but didn't end up getting it. It was cold! Rachel got thrown in. One of my laurels said they talked about throwing me in, but decided not to because they said I was too "fierce!" What does that mean?!?! She said it was because I would kick their behinds. Ha!

Thursday:
--last day of swimming lessons
--Miss Jenny put Ellie in pretty far and she turned and kicked to get to the side.
--went to my parents in the evening. ..had Taco Bell for dinner. Helped them put their tent up to practice for their trek next week.
--Libby spent the night with my parents

Friday:
--swimming
--presidency meeting
--home for naps
--date night (bought a swim shirt for Havasupai, went to a ward council "Christmas" party, Wal-Mart)

It's been a busy week trying to get ready for next week and doing a bunch of young women stuff.

Pick Up Line?

So tonight I was running at the gym and one of the workers came in and said something, but I couldn't hear him because I had my iPod on. I took my earphones out and he proceeded with either a weird comment or a pick up line (which made me totally laugh inside.) He said, "Through the blinds it looked like Jennifer Aniston running in here." I know you are thinking--I am not even close to movie star quality! He said, "I just had to come do a double take...blah blah blah." I said, "Not quite" and a forced laugh "eh ehhh ehhh." Was he saying I looked 40 years old or that I looked like a movie star? But sorry, why would she be vacationing in Arizona in June?

In other news...yesterday we spent most of the day at home. In the evening we went to my parents' house for pizza and ice cream. Brian and his family was there, too. We went out back and played kickball which everyone seemed to enjoy (even Ellie after I kicked the ball smack dab in her face! Good thing it was a soft ball).

Today we hurried and did all the chores before heading off to swimming lessons. When we pulled up to the house, Ellie started crying a little! She did well though.

Tonight I dropped off a birthday gift to one of the YW who just turned 16. A few other laurels met me there, so that was fun. Then I headed to a baby shower. It was fun to visit, enjoy some desserts and see the cute boy clothes she got.

Changes

This morning I had BYC and Bishop wanted to skip over most of the agenda and just have each youth and leader there bear their testimony. I knew then that our ward was going to be split. It was like a downer from there on out! No split is easy as you'll be taken from people you've gotten to know. Church was kind of buzzing with speculation of where the split would be etc. Our ward and another ward were invited to a meeting this evening to learn all the details. I knew we would lose one of the neighborhoods in our ward, but I honestly didn't think it would be West Wing. But it was. I am so sad to lose three of my closest friends. This has been so hard on me! But I will trust that this is inspired and meant to be. I am still YW president, but we are losing about 19 girls, so we'll have such a small group (for a while at least!).