Track Star

Saturday was Eliza's first track meet. It was out in Mesa at Westwood HS, so we left around 8:20 to get there on time. It was so cold!! The wind was blowing which made us freeze. And the bleachers were in the shade for the first little part. Once the sun came out, we weren't too bad. Eliza ran the 60m and the 200m. She got first in her heat in the 60 and third in the 200. She had a lot of fun. I think she was surprised that she was getting first in the 60. She looked over to try to find the person who was next. I think she'll do even better as she practices more. She had only done starts for two days and just has regular tennis shoes. It was fun to watch her though and fun to be at track meets again. It reminded me of going to watch Brian at his.

That afternoon we went to a ward activity. It was kind of like a missionary training center. We are encouraged as a family to do missionary work and tell our neighbors about the gospel.

Saturday night we sold our big area rug. I just posted it the night before and it sold yesterday! Sweet.

Today was church. The morning went smoothly. We made it to church on time and the house wasn't a tornado when we left, so that made it nicer to come home to. Brian taught the fifth Sunday lesson about prayer. I asked if they didn't think anyone listed to the talk I gave on prayer last month! He did a good job. At the end he showed a video on prayer from the LDS channel on You Tube. Brian didn't have to do too much after church, so after he got home, we headed over to my parents for dinner. We had French dip sandwiches, which turned out really good. We got the recipe from one of our favorite cooking blogs--Our Best Bites.

Well, here's to a new week. Eliza's baptism is on Saturday, so we'll be looking forward to that! I can't believe it's finally here.

Selling

I've been selling lately. Brian is a little worried that he is next. Ha ha. Yesterday I sold my diaper bag. I know. I just got it right before I had Ruby. It just didn't work for me. After having it, I decided I am just a purse/tote type person. The one I had (and sold) had a flap on it that you have to open to access the main pocket. I thought I could get used to it, but I never did. I loved everything else about it, but it was enough for me to want to sell it. I sold it for $5 less than I bought it for, so I was happy about that. I am using one that I bought when I was pregnant with Ellie and it's working fine. I am not sure I'll get a new one unless I come across a fun purse.


And today I sold our furniture set that has been in our front room. A few weeks ago we found two chairs that I loved, but I couldn't justify buying them without having sold what we have first. So today I sold those, but I don't think the store has the chairs anymore! I'll have to keep looking. Next I'll work on the rug and set of decorative pillows. I love Craigslist.

My First Time

Tonight I used Red Box for the first time! It was SO easy. Brian had what they called a "slacker" camp out (they met at one of the houses and the boys played video games and watched a movie until late), so I thought I'd have a movie night with Eliza and Libby after the little ones went to bed. I rented Imagine That. We had fun watching that and having popcorn and ice cream. I think I will totally use Red Box again. Now if only I could actually stay awake to watch a movie.

Boring

Ellie loved her first little class. They did some bells for music and made two cute little crafts for art. She had a blast and can't wait to go back.

The rest of that day was really busy, too. I went visiting teaching. Eliza had a friend come over. Libby was going to have gymnastics, but the class was canceled due to lack of sign ups. She'll now go a different day of the week. I also went to Enrichment that evening. A lady in our ward teaches self defense and assault defense. I learned a lot. I would like to take one of her full 4 hour classes.

Friday night was date night. We first got our taxes done. I don't mind it too much. Then we went to dinner at Chilis since we had a gift card. We saw at least three couples we knew.

Saturday I hiked with Leslie and Terri. Libby went to her make-up gymnastics class. I went to the grocery store and Brian went to an ASU basketball game with one of the wholesalers from work and a few other brokers.

Sunday was another busy one with two ward conferences for me. We survived and thanks to people being willing to help out with our girls. We had dinner at my in-laws, then Brian had a fireside to go to. It sure felt good to get into bed that night. To bad I can't sleep in longer!

It's been really cold hiking and running this week. Brrr! Good thing we warm up quickly. On Monday my mom and I made bread. It has been a while. It's nice to be stocked up for the week again. We went to Target while the bread was cooling. That is always fun--my girls have missed doing that! That evening Libby went to gymnastics. Terri was so nice and watched all my girls but Ruby so they didn't have to hang out during the class. That night Eliza did our FHE lesson. She was so cute and had prepared the night before--finding quotes and pictures and a scripture to go with her topic.

Tuesday evening Eliza had her first track practice. She's been wanting to do track for a while, but you have to be eight. She had a fun time at practice and is looking forward to her meet on Saturday.

The rest of this week has been filled with Ellie playing wiht her little friend a couple of days, me going to another ward's New Beginnings, a bridal shower to attend, etc.

Tonight we had the missionaries over for dinner. I never sign up because I'm worried about it being a circus. It went well though. Ellie and Hattie kept them entertained.

This is so boring just posting a travel log of sorts. Hopefully I can keep up so I can add some emotion in!

Week Behind (Again)

This is turning into a weekly journal at this rate. Things I wanted to note from this past week...

On Friday, Libby had her student of the month breakfast/assembly. She was excited for it until it was actually Friday morning. That morning she cried that she didn't want to go, etc. Brian and I just tried to remain upbeat and that not going wasn't an option. Once we were in the car she stopped crying and I think realized we were going anyway. The "breakfast" was juice and Nutri-grain bars and I think only Ellie and Hattie ate one. Brian and I were just nervous about how the whole assembly would go. One by one, they read a little blurb their teacher wrote about them, then they go to the front to get their certificate and awards. When it was Libby's turn she just stayed in her seat. It was okay though and I think she still felt special. The principal actually came and brought her award and gift card to her and Libby walked a few steps in front of our chairs and meet her. We were just thrilled she was at the assembly and hopefully she realizes things like that aren't too bad!

That night Eliza and Libby had a girl cousin sleepover with Brian's mom and with all their American Girl dolls. Libby just brought her doll she got for Christmas. But they just had a fun time watching movies, eating and playing with their dolls. Brian and I had a babysitter come for the little three girls and we went out. We did some errands. I finally got a new pair of jeans. We also went to dinner with his secretary and her husband. We owed them dinner from a friendly March Madness contest from last year. We went to Red Robin.

On Saturday Brian went mountain biking with some friends. Eliza had a birthday party. So after shuttling everyone around and picking everyone up and doing our chicken duty, we came back home and cleaned out the garage. It was just getting cluttery, so that was nice to get done.

Last night was our stake priest/laurel activity, so our presidency has been busy getting ready for that. We served dinner--veggies and dip, French dip sandwiches, chips and root beer floats--and they had some fun little games/contests they did among themselves. They seemed to have a really fun time.

This week I have really enjoyed the rain. Ellie started a little preschool music/art class that meets once a week for a couple of hours. She was really excited to go--today was her first day.

Staying Caught Up

I am trying not to get behind here! So far this week has been pretty good. Libby has had a good week actually--it was her last day of gymnastics and they said she can move up to the next class. So we need to decide if we are going to sign up again for another session. She also found out she is student of the month in her class. And, finally, she won her class's Polar Express reading challenge. She read the most books in a month's time. She got a gift card to Harkins, a plastic popcorn holder with a thing of microwave popcorn and a package of Red Vines. She was excited in her quiet way. We are so proud of her. Friday is her assembly for student of the month and we are hoping she'll go! Crossing our fingers. All signs indicate that she is going to go. Today she said they came and took her picture for being student of the month.

Last night, Brian had his bishopric stuff, followed by basketball, but happily bedtime went really well. Yay! And tonight was mutual and basketball and I had four in bed and sleeping by 8:30! Eliza was last and she went soon after. I can finally say--knock on wood--that I am feeling more confident about having five kids and especially having them alone while Brian is gone at night. Who couldn't have fun with these cute girls?!?

Eliza's Birthday

I told Eliza that she really got to stretch this birthday out! She had her party Saturday, her real b-day on Sunday and she still gets to celebrate at her baptism in a few weeks. On Sunday morning, she got toaster strudels for breakfast. She was so excited since she hasn't had them in a while! Then we let her open her gifts before Brian had to head off to his meetings. She mentioned a little while back that she wanted a hair dryer. So she got a pink one, her own shampoo and conditioner (she is always stealing mine and I have to go get it before I wash my hair!), her own brush and a little purse to put her hair stuff in. She was excited.

Yesterday was really hectic for me. We got ready for church and I dropped my girls off at our building. I had Abbie sit with my girls and my friend Jenny took Ruby and I had to head over to the stake center to visit a ward for their ward conference. Then I came back and finished up at our ward. After church I took my girls to my parents, then headed back to the stake center for a second ward conference. Then we met over at my brother's house for dinner. We had soups, salad and bread. For dessert we had ice cream and brownies.

Today started early with a hike. I was SO tired all day. I couldn't shake it. But I tried to keep going otherwise I would have zonked out, I'm sure!

Tonight my mother-in-law came over and gave Eliza her birthday present--an American Girl. For the granddaughters' 8th birthday, they get an American girl and some clothes. Eliza got the Nellie doll, which I think looks a lot like her. She was excited and is having fun with her.

Family Get Together

Saturday was a busy day. Brian had a planning meeting with the youth in our ward, then he came home a little early to pick up Libby, Hattie and Ruby. Libby had a friend's birthday party to go to, so she decided to go to that instead of staying for Eliza's. I am glad she went to it. They met at the mall theater and saw Alvin & the Chipmunks. Then they walked over to Johnny Rockets for ice cream. I thought that was such a great, easy idea for a birthday party! Ellie stayed with me during the party, but Brian took the others so I could be a better hostess.

After the party we had to zoom over to Gilbert for a family get together for my mom's side of the family. Only one of my mom's sisters and her family and my grandpa were able to make it. But we still had a really great time. I wish we would have had more time to stay and visit. Next time we'll have to allow more time. We picked up our late lunch/early dinner and then just met at a park right by my aunt Deb's house. We ate our food and visited. My grandpa's 84th b-day was on the 8th, so we sang to him and had cake. Aunt Dovetta found a recipe book of my grandma's and she made three of the family favorite recipes to bring. I thought that was very thoughtful of her. She made a favorite cake that my grandma used to make--lemon poke cake. She also made Boston cream that we haven't had in forever and she made green jello salad. We played a couple of games--one called "Whack-a-Knee." Everyone sits in a circle and there is a container in the middle with a rolled up magazine. Someone is it and he or she goes around and whacks someone on the knee. That person who was whacked has to try to tag the person with the magazine before he puts it back in the center container. It was fun. We decided those sitting in the camp chairs had a disadvantage because it was hard to get up quickly! That was a fun game and my kids loved it--Ellie especially! We also did a game where you divide up into groups and then you have to line up based on different things....like line up by shoe size. Line up by the last number of your address, etc. The first team to line up and clap gets a point. So fun! A funny thing that happened was that we were at a park and there was a neighborhood boy there. He came over and let one of the little girls play with his soccer ball. My cousin Jared asked him if he wanted to play with us. So this random boy--he was probably about 12--played all the games with us. He was so nice and seemed to have fun. We just thought it was funny that he would want to play these silly games with us!

Some of the kids wanted the balloons for their piece of cake, so my brother cut circle pieces. We thought it was funny.

Teeny Tiny 8th Birthday Party

Since my girls don't get a birthday party every year, Eliza has been thinking about this party for a long time. We decided to do a "Teeny Tiny Party" and everything was in miniature. The invitations were tiny and we put them in tiny envelopes. For decorations, I made a tiny pennant banner and we hung mini streamers (curling ribbon). Out front in chalk on the sidewalk I wrote little words and phrases about "tiny". As the girls arrived, we had a little contest to see who could write their name the smallest. Then we made beaded rings. Luckily my mom came and helped me out. I really needed her hands the whole party! After the rings, we decorated mini composition books. After the crafts, we had lunch--mini bagel pizzas, small hot dogs in BBQ sauce, tiny carrots and dip and soda poured in tiny cups. I had gotten some chips but forgot to serve them. On the tables, I also had put out tiny bowls of mini goldfish, mini Hershey kisses, mini jawbreakers and mini Oreos. After lunch and refilling their drink cups over and over and over again, we went out side for some tiny relays. We did a pom-pom on a spoon relay and they had to pass a tiny balloon to the end of their line using only their necks. It was funny. We came inside the girls had a treasure hunt to find their favor bags that we had filled with tiny things. It took them around to different parts of the house and at each one, they had to do something. At the piano, for example, they had to go around and tell what their favorite little song was. At the DVD player they had to tell their favorite little movie. At the mirror, they had to tell a little something nice about the person next to them. That was fun and it made it last longer. Next, Eliza opened her presents. She was really spoiled by her friends. Then we had tiny cupcakes and tiny scoops of ice cream. One of my former YW works at Baskin Robbins, so I got enough sample spoons from her so they could eat with those. We had a little time left after cake, so we had a contest with gum to see who could blow the tiniest bubble, then we made tiny cootie catcher/fortune teller things. It was fun party and I think Eliza and her friends had fun, too!

Sick Hattie

This week has flown by--probably because it's been a busy one. On Tuesday morning I had a presidency meeting. After those I always feel very overwhelmed with all I have to do and all that we have coming up. That afternoon I met Terri at the park. The kids played while we visited. That night Brian had bishopric stuff and I'm happy to report that I had all the kids in bed and sleeping by the time he got home. I did bribe them with candy bars, but that was a small price to pay!

On Wednesday after hiking, it was a usual day. I spent a lot of the day getting ready for Eliza's birthday party and getting ready for a mutual activity that night. It was a stake mutual activity to kick of the 2010 mutual theme: Be Strong and of a Good Courage. We watched part of the DVD and then the kids were in groups and created "Mormon Ads" based on the theme. We served ice cream sundaes for refreshments. It was a busy night but it went well. It is hard to keep that many youth engaged in an activity--especially the viewing of the video. We saw more kids than not who were talking, texting, looking through the magazines, etc. It kind of bugged, but hopefully they got something out of it. As we were cleaning up I got a text from Brian saying to come home and that Hattie had just thrown up. Ugh. Not what I wanted to hear! She was pretty sick that night, so that was a bummer. She was sluggish the next day and even a little bit on Friday morning. After I got a little Coke in her, she was much better. It sure settled her stomach. In between trying to take care of her, I worked on getting ready for Eliza's birthday party which was on Saturday. Now I know why I don't do birthday parties every year--they are a TON of work!

8

On Saturday morning we went to a baptism for a couple who have been taking the missionary discussions. It was such a great baptism. After the husband came out of the water, he was so overcome with emotion, he just sobbed. It was really touching. After the baptism, we did stuff at home, then I took Eliza's baptism pictures. I can't believe she will be 8 on Sunday. We had a lot of fun doing the pictures. She had some fun ideas of what she wanted me to do. She is so creative. Here are a few I liked...



(one of Eliza's creative ideas!)




That night we had a sitter and Brian and I went to a wedding reception. Then we did a couple errands. I got to spend my gift card Brian got me for Christmas. It's nice to get a couple new pieces of clothing.

Sunday went well. I am not a fan of later church, but it wasn't horrible. I'd just prefer to get up, get ready and go instead of having time that we have to try to fill. I'm sure we'll get used to it. After church Eliza had her baptism interview, then we went to my parents' for dinner.

Today was back to the regular routine. I went hiking with Terri. It was windy. Ick! Then I got home and started getting everyone going. Eliza and Libby did well getting ready and off to school. I think they were a bit excited to get back and see their teachers and friends. It almost felt like the first day of school for me back home, worrying about my girls and wondering how their day was going.

This evening Libby had gymnastics, so I took her to that. When we got home we had dinner and Family Home Evening. Ellie gave a cute prayer. I had told them before (as we are trying to work on reverence during FHE) that we were ready to start but we weren't going to until everyone was sitting down and quiet. And if someone got up to get a drink or whatnot, we would stop or if someone was talking, we would stop. And if we weren't done at 7:30, we wouldn't get to have our treat. Ellie gave the opening prayer and she said, "Please bless that no one will scream and that no one will get up to get a drink and that we'll be done by 7:30." So specific! I told her it was a great, specific prayer. In my talk last Sunday, that was one idea I gave--to be more specific in our prayers. That was a great example! I gave a mini lesson about our new stake theme this year: "Love One Another." Then Eliza and Libby had prepared a scavenger hunt where we had to find hearts around the house and do what it said on it, such as "give someone a hug" or "give the person closest to you a kiss." It was cute. We finished in time and had ice cream sundaes for dessert.

Happy 2010!

Yesterday morning started with an early, cold hike with Terri and Susan. Then I came home and got ready. I had to go help set up for the the youth New Year's Eve Dance. It went pretty quickly--I was worried it would take a while as they had to blow up 1500 balloons for the balloon drop. While I was there, Brian went to Costco with the girls and to his parents to do our chicken duty. After that we met up and headed up north to his parents' cabin in Munds Park. Brrrrr. It was cold. Brian's dad came with us, but just hung out at the cabin. When we first got there, we dropped our stuff off and his dad, then we continued on up to Flagstaff. We ate dinner at Garcias, then we went and saw Princess and the Frog. It was our first time ever taking everyone to the movie. And I think it actually (sadly?) was Ellie's first time ever to go to a movie! They all did pretty well. We got there a half hour early, so that wasn't the best idea, but the movie was cute and we all enjoyed it.





After the movie, we drove around a bit to kill some time before our next activity. We went to the "Pine Cone Drop" in downtown Flagstaff. They do one drop at 10 and one at midnight. We opted for the 10 o-clock one. It was FREEZING--just a nippy 15 degrees--but we bundled up and braved the cold. We saw the pine cone drop followed by some fireworks. Jenny and Mike went, too, and we saw them for a minute afterward. It was a fun time. We went back to the cabin after and the temp. dropped to 8 degrees! We finally got everyone into bed. Hattie thought it would be funny to wake up at 5:45 and not go back to bed. I got up with her and Ruby woke up, too, so Brian got up with her. I think she was cold, but he fed her and she went back to bed thankfully. I let Brian sleep until 9, then I switched and slept till about 10. Today the kids played a little in the snow, then we drove around Flag for a bit before heading home. It was a good time until Brian hit a cow on the way home. Dumb cow. We were about 10 minutes from home and it was dark...there was a pack of cows that crossed the road. He saw them in time and stopped. As he was getting going again, one lone, dark colored cow was crossing. He barely saw him, slammed on the brakes and swerved, but he hit it. We think he just hit the very back, but it shattered the front light cover. GRRRRR! Luckily, I guess, that was it--it could have been worse for sure, so if we had to hit it, I'm glad it was just the back end and the damage was minimal. It'll probably still be about $70 to fix, but again, it could have been worse. We are all safe, so that is good.

Happy 2010!

Christmas, Etc,

Let's see if I can recap the past week or so.

The week of Christmas we spent getting everything ready. My brother and I swapped kids one day so we could each have some time to get last minute shopping done. When I got home from my shopping, If found him on the couch with Hattie and Luke asleep on him. It was cute. They just zonked out watching TV.

Last week was bittersweet as we said goodbye to our cars. We've had a lot of memories with those cars--especially Brian's! We are enjoying our new car though--it's a nice ride and much smoother than the one I test drove.

On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed time together at home, then in the evening we grabbed Burger King then went to Brian's parents' house. The kids acted out Luke 2, then we had cookies and hot chocolate. It sure didn't feel like Christmas Eve! We came home and Libby actually fell asleep on the way home in the car. A Christmas miracle! She has been doing well at bedtime lately though, so that has been nice. Eliza got Santa's treats out and ready, then everyone was sleeping.




I wrapped a few more gifts. I had tried to do it the couple nights before so I wouldn't have to be up so late on Christmas. I like it that way much better than pulling an all-nighter! We got everything done and were in bed by like 1. Eliza woke up first around 5 and came into our bed. We made her go back to sleep for a bit. Most of us ended up awake around 7. I put the egg casserole in the oven so it could be getting ready. We watched TV until the everyone else woke up. My parents came over around 7:30 and my girls couldn't wait! We let them into the front room to see that Santa had been there. They got to see their special porcelain dolls and got to open their stockings. They all got sunglasses and gum in their stockings. They still couldn't wait (we were going to eat breakfast first, then open), so we opened the presents from my parents. The girls each got a couple presents from them, and then we got a family gift--lots and lots of DVDs--mostly for our car since it has a DVD player--a first for us. We hurried and ate breakfast, then started into the presents. We had a great time. Hattie was cute and loved opening her gifts. She was so patient and didn't expect any more gifts after she opened the first one. Eliza was cute this year in that she was adamant that she get a gift for everyone. She made Brian a coupon book, she arranged to have my mom make me a corn bag/heat bag using an owl print fabric, she and Libby wrapped up their little light sticks they had gotten at a parade for Ellie and Hattie, and she got Libby a tiny little stuffed animal. Libby's gifts melted my heart. She gave me a gift that she had made at school--a little penguin ornament. Then sometime--I have no idea when--she wrote notes to each of us and put them in envelopes and put them under the tree. In a couple she had taken an ornament off the tree and wrapped it in the envelope as a gift. The notes were darling--she told Brian thanks for taking her to school every day. In Ellie's she said, "I'm sorry I didn't buy you a gift. I love your smile." Total heart-melting notes. The girls had a great Christmas--Eliza and Libby got iPods. Ellie got a new Barbie bike and Hattie got a Little People castle. Overall it was a great Christmas. My parents got my girls Bop-Its...those have provided some fun times this past week. I got a few pieces of cookware--I am trying to slowly replace my cancer-causing non-stick ones, LOL, some perfume that I've been wanting for the past year and a couple other little things. Brian got a soccer ball, a soccer net, a couple shirts, a flashlight for camping and a book he has been wanting--The Book of Basketball. We went to my in-laws in the afternoon. We had lunch, then we did our gift exchange among the grandkids and siblings. Then the grandkids got to open their gifts from Brian's parents'. The kids had fun playing the rest of the afternoon. As always, Christmas is over way to soon, but it was fun while it lasted!











On Saturday afternoon, we had a family dinner with Brian's mom's side of the family. Right when we got there Ellie acted sick. She ended up throwing up, so we skipped out early. She seemed better the next day, but we kept her home from church. She was better that day, but threw up again Monday morning and was a little sluggish yesterday. Today she is much better and seems back to normal. On Sunday Brian and I had to speak in church, so my parents came over in the morning and stayed with Ellie and Ruby so I could go. My talk was about prayer. I was grateful for the time I spent studying up on prayer--it was something I needed. I'll have to share some of my favorite things I learned in a separate post. After sacrament I went back home to relieve my parents--although they stayed over till after I picked the rest of the girls up from church.

We started potty training Hattie on Sunday afternoon. She is funny--I think she thinks that there is actually a "potty train." Any time I would bring it up, she would whine and say, "I want you to go on the potty train with me." So funny. So we started just saying that she was going to learn how to go potty on the toilet. She has been doing great!! I think I am being blessed since Ellie had such a hard time. Hattie has only had two accidents--both times she was outside and I'm sure just forgot to come in. But she'll just go in by herself and do her thing. I am SOO glad.

This week we've enjoyed not having to get up and get the girls off to school. They have been playing with their new toys/things from Christmas, helping me with Ruby, helping me potty train, etc. Brian came home early this afternoon and we went hiking. Brian's dad and brothers came with their kids. We hiked West Wing Mtn. I pulled out the baby sling thing that we bought when Ellie was a baby and I put Ruby in it. Not two minutes of me putting her in, she fell asleep and she slept the entire time! The hike took longer than my morning hikes, but everyone finished and had a fun time.