Family Update

                                                      

Stetson started part time at mountain crest high school. He is taking a robotics class, engineering principles and seminary. He's a super smart techy kid who has built several PC's for himself and friends. He also really enjoys anything outdoorsy. He went on a 15 mile bike ride this week, an 8 mile back packing trip last weekend and an overnighter to Bear Lake this weekend to fish and tube and play on the water. He does best if kept very busy.

Evelyn has started Ballet classes and really loves it. She is super excited to be apart of The Nutcracker later this year. She just turned 12 today and helped me make her favorite dessert, Lemon meringue pie. Ironically that was my mothers favorite too! She still plays the violin and is starting orchestra next week.

                            

Hailey is prone to hurting herseft, unfortunately! This week while at Costco she somehow fell and sprained both her wrists and also her right elbow. She isn't able to pick up anything heavy. I'm sure she is liking not having to do some of her chores.  

Bristol lost her 2 front teeth yesterday. She sounds different now. Her and Ezra are often playing silly made up games together and mostly getting along. 

Ezra has all his church teachers wrapped around his finger without knowing it. He is just a kind, loving, fun kid. Who loves Silas and all of his siblings. Silas is a good eater, very active, and very smart. Communication is lacking and sometimes causes discomfort for all. We hope his vocabulary will increase soon. "He seems to think screaming at people is effective means of communication."(Stetson)

Spencer did an amazing job getting our bus ready for our Mount Rushmore trip. He worked very hard long hours at work and then came home and kept on working. We were able to get away for 8 days as a family. He is a great adventure planner. Now he Has been working on organizing our garage and new shed. Hopefully, as we organize, we will be able to find all his tools so we can finish the bus.

I am still primary president and gearing up for the third primary program since being called. Thankfully we have a smaller primary. I am also striving to preserve all that we grew in our garden and save it for later. I'm sure there are a 100 other things I could add, but we are staying busy and strong in our testimonies of Jesus Christ. We love you all and are so grateful for your influence in our lives.

Warmer weather, parks, fairs, movie parties, friends and more...

We went to the Hyrum cemetery to do service on Friday and Saturday. Friday with Grandpa where we focused on the area surrounding Grandma's headstone and Saturday with Dad and our ward family to work on another area of the cemetery.  

Also on Friday Hailey, Stetson And Evelyn volunteered at the Logan Zoo helping to remove and organize all of the Christmas decorations that needed storing away. 

While they were doing that the rest of us went to the adjoining park to play and eat a pic nick lunch. 

Friends!!!

Some of our favorite people are the Hayes family and we so enjoyed getting to see them for a few weeks as they stayed with grandparents near us and frequented our home. They have 5 kids all similar in age to my 5 oldest and they all get along famously. 

Sunday family photo. 

The girls were doing Stetson's hair and so it has accessories in it. 

Not a normal occurrence for that young man. 

It's not very often that all of the family wants to be in the same area. However, on this Sunday it seemed they all just wanted to be with Spencer and I and together all day. 

Evelyn invited a few girl friends over and watch a movie. They had popcorn and enjoyed some chatting as they watched before after and during. She has a big group of great girls to grow up with. 

We went to a "Family Resource Fair." Daddy was marketing there and we wanted to support him as he gave presentation about posture. The kids got a very individualized presentation and learned more about what daddy does each day. 

They also played lots of games, won treats, played with baby goats, met new people and enjoyed themselves.  

We also tried out new park equipment at a nearby park and enjoyed getting wiggles out. 

There are no pictures but the kids are participating in a play called "A Field of Star's." They will be preforming May 15th and we are learning a few things about the making of America and our founding fathers. I am excited to see the final production. 

 

Rainy Day Indoor Field Trip Activity

Relay races, scavenger hunt, hot potato, card games, coloring, dodge ball, bingo and more were played at this last minute field trip. We were scheduled to do another activity outside but the weather wasn't agreeing with us. Thankfully our group is full of talented women who love to help their kids and mine learn and enjoy friends. 

We had such a great time getting together as we always do.

As we were loading up and locking up the church I was looking for my Evelyn realizing that we had just left and locked the building and she was still inside. She was so interested in her book that she had come to the event but found an empty room in the building and just read. Thankfully I knew what room she was in and I knocked on the window. I scared her but she got the message and was a lot less scared than if she had been left there alone.  

 

Fire Station 71

Another great field trip to the fire station. We were not very far into our tour when the whole crew was called out to a incident. They were not gone long so we waited around in our cars and in the parking lot next door for about 20 minutes and then they returned and picked up right where they left off. We learned that this particulate unit, 71, is specialized in extracting people from collapsed locations and repelling in or out for rescues.  

We got to feel the pressure of holding a fire hose while it sprayed out water and see the distance of the water tank on a truck. It was a pretty chilly day so playing in the water was not so enjoyable but we still had fun. All the kids enjoyed this interactive learning opportunity and really liked all of the firefighters that we got to meet. Sure makes us grateful for these great men and women. 

 

Easter

 Who has ever heard of doing a Easter egg hunt in 3 feet of snow? Well it happened for us this year and we are still waiting for our year to emerge. 

Each of the children had a different color of egg to find in the snow. Bristol dark blue, Hailey yellow and gold and Evelyn pink. 

                                        Stetson Purple                                             Ezra Orange

Ezra needed a little extra help as the snow was as deep as he is tall in some places. Good thing that his dad put on his fishing waders so that he could hide the eggs in the first place. 

Looking at their loot. 

                  Silas and Ezra got a water toy to start the summer off with. We immediately started putting it together and then even though it was still quite cold we took it outside and Ezra played in it until his hands were too cold to play anymore. Silas had the light blue Easter eggs and they were filled with dinosaurs. Bristol got some Lego's, books, Beanie Boo and water bottle stickers.

Evelyn and Hailey got a fun 3 in 1 Lego set, some cloths, books, stuffed animals and treats. Stetson was good enough to know that he is probably old enough that he shouldn't need Easter goodies and presents but we did it anyway. 

Attending church was the best part hearing Hailey, Bristol and Ezra sing "Jesus Is Risen" and hearing others sing and share testimony of Christ.  I love that are our children get to attend church with many older members and couples and hear from them a lifetime of strength and fortitude. 

Jesus Is Risen!!!

Library

Evelyn especially has loves going to the library this year. 

She has really excelled in her love of reading and has found several series that she enjoys' reading. Namely "Junie B. Jones" and "Geronimo Stilton" I'm not sure that I can count how many she has read already. I thought that just her brother was a book worm but she is proving to be just as much a book worm as him, now. 

I requested an interlibrary loan this last week and my book came all the way from Hawaii. 

Hailey and Bristol didn't make it to the library with us this last time as they were invited to a friends house to make Easter cards. I acquired a few books for them that I am excited to share in our morning devotionals as the illustrations look amazing! 

The weather is finally warming up and we are very excited to be going outside more. I am hoping that the kids will be able to play outdoors more from now on. 

 

Creative Writing

        Once upon a time there was a family. There was a mom named Felicity and a dad named Mark. Twins with the names of Sam and Sarah, they are 8. They have a baby brother named Jack who is 1 year old. They also have a dog named Ralph. He keeps them company as they are home school. 

        Our story starts when the twins get home from their friend's house. Mom greets them at the Door and says, "did you have a good time at your friends?" Sam and Sarah reply "yes we did, what did you do mommy?" Mom replies, "I was mostly doing laundry and the dishes." What did you do while you were at your friend's house?" Sarah replied, "I was playing dolls with my friend while brother was playing dinosaurs outside with his friend."  "Mom, did you know they have a baby? It's a girl and she is so cute. Her name is Charity." Mom responded "Yes, I did know. Now let's get lunch." 

        Sarah was taking off her shoes and coat when mom asked Sam to let Ralph the dog in the house. The front door wasn't shut so when Sam let Ralph in he escaped out the front door. As Sam ran past, Sarah put back on her shoes and coat to run after Sam who was running after the dog. Before they realized it they had passed the stop sign and were on their way to Willow Park.  The dog was really fast, and he ran to the middle of Willow Park. 

        Sam and Sarah had only been to Willow Park once, so they stopped and looked around at all the beautiful trees. It was a beautiful park, but they need to focus on getting Ralph back to the house. Willow Park was a very big park. Sarah said to Sam how about you go left, and I'll go right? Sam went left and started to run when he spotted Ralph, he ran toward him then heard him barking. He wondered if there was another dog nearby, he kept on running. He did spot another dog and the old man Scrooge, an old man that passed their house every day on his way to Willow Park. "I see him" Sam called to Sarah "I found Ralph" Sarah ran left to help catch him she got to Sam and Ralph and saw Scrooge just as Sam did Ralph was distracted playing with Scrooges dog and so Sam and Sarah were able to get to him and grab him. They were going to go home but couldn't figure out which way home was. They asked Scrooge if he would help them get home safely. Scrooge said yes, but asked "Why they were here and without a leash for their dog?" Sarah said Ralph escaped and ran to Willow Park and they ran after him. Scrooge said "hum" and then headed in the right direction. As they were walking home, they saw a truck that looked like their dads. It was their dad and he picked them up and thanked Scrooge for taking them home. 

        Meanwhile, mom was wondering where her twins had gone when the phone rang. It was Mary, she asked if she was coming to the homeschool parents committee meeting. Mom had forgotten all about it. Mom replied yes, but asked, can I bring my kids? Mary said no this is a parent only meeting. After getting off the phone she saw her husband's truck pull in the drive away with both twins. She quickly made lunch. They came in and all ate together. 

        While they were eating, she told everyone about her meeting and wondered who could watch the kids. Dad said he had to return to work for a meeting of his own. Sarah offered to stay home, and she and Sam could watch Jack. Mom said we've never done that before.  What do you think Mark? Dad said it sounded like a good idea. It was settled. Mom went to get ready, and dad went back to work to prepare for his meeting at the fire station. Sam and Sarah were excited. They were planning all the fun they would have with Jack. Jack was in his highchair finishing his mashed yam's. Mom came down, gave them some instructions, and then left to her meeting. She said she would be back by 4:30. They had a little more than an hour.  

        First, they helped Jack finish his food and cleaned him up. Then Sarah wanted to play a game with him like peek-a-boo or hide-go-seek. Sam wanted to watch a movie. They decided to play games together. Jack thought that was great and laughed a lot until he didn't and started to cry. Sarah checked his diaper it was poopy, so Sarah changed his diaper for the 1st time. He was happier after that and then they started playing games again like tag and acting like different animals. They called that easy tag because Jack was always it. Before Sam and Sarah realized it, it had been an hour, and mom was pulling in the garage. 

        They could hardly believe it babysitting was so much fun. When mom came in the house they asked, "When dad would be home?" She said, "Not until later tonight." Mom started making dinner and Sam and Sarah kept playing with Jack. It was so much fun they wanted to do it again. Mom was so happy everything had worked out.

                                                        The End

Rigby, Teton, Theatre & Recital

The best way to travel anywhere is if your two youngest fall asleep and the other 3 kids listen to a relaxing book on tape. My drive to Rigby was the best I can remember, even though there was that moment when you 4 year old says I've got to poop and you're in the wrong lane to turn. We worked it out and shortly after is when he fell asleep.  

Our last concert of the school year. We have been so blessed to be able to go to all of these amazing performances at such a remarkable theatre for practically nothing. We have been very culturally enriched. We have some very amazing friends!

Evelyn has been playing guitar for about a month and had her fist recital. It was great! Short but sweet. We enjoyed her sharing her talent and also seeing others and their development of their talents. 

 

Cousin's, Painting & Moana the Play

Evelyn with her most favorite person on the whole world, her cousin Bethany!!!

Two sisters and a cousin dressed as triplets. 

We have been on several short trips this month. This week we went to Riverton, Lehi and Eagle Mountain to be with family. 

First we went to see Grandma and Grandpa Wade and do a little service. Stetson, Spencer and I painted a bathroom and Evelyn helped out by tending to Silas so mom could work. Grandma and Grandpa Wade have been working on remodeling there master bedroom and adding a bathroom so we wanted to do a little to serve them. We also eat dinner together and the little kids played with classic toys and watched a movie. 

Next we went to cousin Bethany's house or dad's sister Rachel's house to stay the night. We are very close to them and enjoy being together with there family. Saturday morning we eat a big breakfast and did a little shopping at Good and the Beautiful. 

Then it was time to attend cousin Ambrea's play "Moana" where she was the main character Moana. She was also the most talented singer of the entire cast. We had fun watching her preform and hope that it inspired our kids to want to be in performances and to do their best. After we went to Ambrea's families home and eat dinner with family and friends. We are always so grateful to be able to see family. 

Once we left we actually stopped at another family home to grab a long forgotten Christmas gift and then went to a man's home who made a custom fireplace for our "Scoolie" conversion. Spencer is so excited about the stove and how nice this man was to do all this custom work for us. 

All in two days time or a little more than 24 hours!!!