Today the kids and I went into Moses Lake with the intentions of going ice skating.  We changed our minds and decided to go to the movies instead so that we can invite friends to go ice skating with us another day.  We saw Yogi Bear in 3D.  When we got to the theater we only had 5 minutes before the movie started so we hurried inside and bought nachos to snack on.  It was lunch time and we were hungry but waited until after the movie to get lunch.  We had Taco del Mar after the movie and then headed home.  It was a fun day.

Christmas Eve

Christmas was great this year.  Grandma and Grandpa Sedgwick arrived on the 23rd.  We had fun with them that evening and we were all excited for the next day.  The next morning, we got up at 5 am and drove to the Ronald McDonald house to make breakfast for the people that were staying there.  We had a crepe bar with all sorts of different toppings for them to choose from.  We were there from 8 am to 11 am and fed 3 families with 3 people each.  The numbers were a bit disappointing but we still felt like the trip was worth it.  Dad and Grandpa left for home and the rest of us took Kale up the highway a few more miles so that he could get his Zoom Dog fixed.  Zoom Dog's heart quit beating and he needed surgery to get it fixed.  While we were at the mall, Grandma decided that she wanted to buy everyone new hats. They all chose the kind with ear flaps and braided yarn.  We were a little late leaving the mall and didn't quite have enough time to go home before the Jenks family party so we met Dad and Grandpa in Basin City.  We had dinner with the Jenks family at Great-Grandma and Grandpa Jenks' house and then watched a short video that Michael Christensen had put together for the ward Christmas party at the Elementary school.  We headed home at about 5.  We still had to make our last 12-days-of-Christmas delivery and reveal ourselves to the Cervin family.  The kids were let down when they discovered that Mrs. Clause had not visited our house while we were at the Jenks family party.

When we got to Cervin's house, Kai and Seila took the last delivery and the puzzle with the message to look out the front door again up to the poarch.  From the van we watched Juan open the door and get the present.  Then he walked around, looking for the secret family.  Once he went back inside, we all quietly ran up to their front poarch and waited.  After about 5 minutes, Natalie opened the front door and we about knocked her socks off when we started singing " We wish you a merry Christmas".  The whole Cervin family came to the door with big grins on their faces.  We had big grins too.  It was so much fun.  They invited us in and we traded stories.  They knew it was us just because they thought that would be something that we would do.  After visiting for a few minutes, we invited them for breakfast the next morning and left.  When we got home, we were surprised to find that Mrs. Santa Clause had visited while we were gone. So, the kids all put their new long fleece nightgowns (or robes) on and we visited and played until it was time for bed.

I hope everyone is enjoying this Chistmas season!  We have been so busy every day but doing things that keep us pointed toward the Savior and serving more than we thought we even could!  So busy but loving every minute of it!

Videos for the Grandma's to watch our piano recital on the 19th:

 

Justin's new head injury.

Yesterday Justin thought he would do a little icicle control at the warehouse so that no one would get hurt. He pulled off the first icicle without any problems. He pulled the second one, it fell and fit his head and the next thing he knew he was on the ground. He saw stars but did not loose conciousness. We had to go in for 5 stitches. This morning he went back to work and found the culprit.

Purse or diaper bag? & giant snow drifts.

Yesterday's drifts.  Yes, Hadley is standing on her feet.

 This is a bag that I made with the intention of using it as a purse.  Now, I just can't decide.  Three different people told me it looks like a diaper bag so now I'm a little skeptical to use it.  It is a little larger than I would even want for a purse.  It has a zippered pocket on the back, a pocket under the front flap, one outside side pocket, one large pocket inside, and two small pockets inside.  Does anyone want it?

 A few highlights from the month of November:

Hadley made hot chocolate for many friends during the month.

Just another Saturday afternoon without Mom and Dad.

Looks like he's centered, phew!

More hot chocolate. Yes, they left the mugs for me to clean up when I got home.

They forgot to tell me about this part of their day.

Weekend update:
Piano recital on Friday went well.  I am trying to get video of each of the kids' performances but I can't get my video camera to upload to my PC.  I'll keep working on that.

Friday night we ran into a couple of families who didn't have any  plans so we had a game night.

Saturday we made 50 gal of apple juice, picked up the last of the piles of leaves, and then took Seila on a date with us to Moses Lake.

Sunday was crazy but we survived and actually felt great at the end of the day.

Monday was quiet except for an early release from school for snow.

Today, no school for snow.  Playing, then cleaning.  We must keep our priorities in order.  Now, my entry way looks like this:

Wow!  I can't believe how we can seem to cram so many different things into our time.  Since the last time I posted, we have done so many things.  I can remember thinking to myself almost every day that I needed to blog so that I wouldn't forget but of course, I forgot.  I seem to forget a lot of things actually.  I keep thinking that there is something wrong with me and I would actually love to find someone who would agree with me and then fix it!  I am developing another theory because I don't really want anything to be wrong with me.  I think I am just running out of room to store info in my head and my to-do list is spilling onto the floor of my brain where I am left to pick up and sort through all the notes.  Someone should come over and clean up that mess.

Anyway, we went to Utah for my nephew's baptism and our Thanksgiving dinner with my family.  We had such a great time eating at my Grandma's house.  The kids had fun playing with cousins and even some 2nd cousins. 

Kale read his first chapter book in about a week.  He finished it last Saturday.  He also won a coloring contest at our church Harvest dinner and now he has decided he loves coloring.  This is after years of hating coloring!  Thank you to those who chose his picture to be a winner!

Another ward Harvest dinner is under my belt.  That makes three, I think.  We had a ham dinner and played Minute To Win It games for entertainment.  It was very entertaining.

Halloween consisted of the trunk-or-treat at the church with the other ward.  Hadley and Kale made quite a haul from that small amount of candy gathering.  Seila and Kai were at a friend's halloween party so they didn't come.  Justin wasn't feeling well  so he didn't go either.  I'll try to get some pics up of the kids.  Oh man, I hope that I remembered to even take pictures.

Last week we had dentist appts.  All went well, no cavities!  So I took the kids for ice cream at Dairy Queen.  That was a fun day.

Thursday was Veteran's Day so the kids didn't have any school.  They hung out at home.  Justin and I left early to go to Tri-Cities.  We went to the temple and did some shopping.  Then we went to a wedding reception in Pasco on the way home and visited with old friends (after wishing the bride and groom our congratulations of course). 

Friday was a football game in Wenatchee that Justin and Seila went to.  Kai had an overnight campout at his scoutmasters house (brrr!) and the rest of us stayed home and watched a movie (Wall-E) and ate oreos.

Saturday Justin, Hadley and Kale helped me plant the daffodil bulbs that I bought a month ago.  Then we cleaned up some of the back yard leaves, stirred the compost, and mowed the lawn.  That was all before lunch.  After lunch, Detton and Ben came over.  Sierra, Zoe, and Carter came over.  I sewed a dress and tights for Hadley and then a skirt for myself.  Justin went to a worldwide training mtg in Othello.  As soon as I finished my skirt, he came home and we headed in to Moses Lake to run a couple of errands and then dinner with Sean and Amber at Sunami Sushi's.

Sunday brought church, of course.  Jen, Det, and Ben came over for lunch.  Brandon and the two other boys were in Idaho picking up Jen's baby grand piano.  Our home teachers came over and then Justin and Kai had stake priesthood meeting in Othello.  When they got home, bed time.

Peter Piper

Yesterday afternoon Justin was home and felt like pulling up the garden so, he did.  He and the kids went out and started picking all the produce that was left hanging.  They brought in quite a few peppers.  We had anaheim chilis, jalepeno chilis, and banana peppers.  We didn't know what to do with them so we found a recipe for pickled peppers.  We also tried jalepeno jelly.  The peppers need to sit for a while so we haven't tried them but Justin tasted some of the jelly and thought it was good.  We'll see. 

Kai's last cross country meet was Thursday.  He ran well and got 4th place.  We're proud of him.

Seila still has two volleyball games left this week.

I've been working at the warehouse two days each week.  So, we're all trying to juggle it all and help each other out.  I haven't made any mistakes yet that our secretary hasn't been able to fix.  Thank goodness for her.  Harvest is going alright.  The fujis haven't had great color but we're hopeful that the ones left to pick will show better color.

Kale's birthday.

Today is Kale's birthday.  My baby is 7!  Before I know it, he'll be gone.  It was a busy day for us and we ended up splitting the festivities into small tidbits throughout the day.  We started off with a few presents.  We opened the ones from far away family and Kai and Hadley gave theirs.  Then they all headed off to school.  I made cupcakes and took them in to Kale's class after their lunch hour.  That was a surprise to Kale.  I actually almost forgot, okay I did, that I was supposed to do that until Justin reminded me.  (I seriously wonder about myself sometimes.)

Kale sits in the back row of his class.  The class is singing Happy Birthday to him.

After school Kale and Hadley rode the bus to their piano lessons where they discovered that Hadley did not have Kale's piano books like she usually does.  She decided that he should remember them himself but forgot to tell anyone that she wasn't going to bring them.  So, he almost cried, he said, because he didn't have them.  Their piano teacher is super flexible and was able to give him a lesson anyway.  (I've never figured out how to do that with my students.)  After the lessons, we went to Kai's cross-country meet at the Royal golf course where Kai placed 3rd. Good job Kai!!  He's really improving.

Kai started out over on the right end.  He's in one of those yellow shirt things.

Crossing the finish line.  Oops, snapped the shot just as he blinked.

When Kai finished running, we went home for about 10 minutes so that Justin and I could give Kale the rest of his presents.  Kale really wanted to stay home and play with all his new toys so while Justin showered and got ready for his meeting, Hadley and I went to Seila's volleyball game.  I took a couple of pics and then the flash threw her off and she missed her serve.  She made sure to let me know the flash was not appreciated.  I turned it off after that but couldn't get anymore good shots.  Their team won!  They played Ki-Be.  They looked really good tonight.  As soon as Seila was able to go, we headed home so she could give her present to Kale.  Then all the toys got opened and spread out across the living room floor and they all played together for about 15 minutes until Kale had to go to bed.

Kung Zhu pets.

Tomorrow night we'll go to Othello for his requested birthday dinner.  He wants egg flower soup and then ice cream bars.  Sorry Royal football game, something had to be sacrificed so that Kale's birthday wishes could come true and until I actually have a kid on the team, it's going to have to be you this time.

Baby goats

We have new baby goats, finally!  The first kids were born Mon, Oct 4.  These pics were taken last week when they were 2 days old.  They are super cute!  Our other pregnant goat had her kids this Monday but had a hard time delivering. In fact, Kameron had to pull both of them.  Justin stood back and watched, for moral support.  They kept calling me for advice, like I know how to deliver a goat kid.We were so excited for the heroes that we all went out for pizza that night.  Yesterday they died.  Guess they weren't heroes after all.  maybe they pulled too hard?

Baby goat #1, 2 days old

Baby goat #2, 2 days old

Wanted to know what it would be like to stand underneath the rain gutter waterfall.

Found out that it feels cold and wet.

We had a seafood dinner last Tuesday while Jared and his friend were here.  We ate out on the deck and had yummy food.  After we cleaned up dinner and took everything in the house, I went out to check on things one last time and found Kale all by himself still working on cracking his crab and eating it.  He doesn't leave any meat behind.  He cracks every tiny shell until all the meat is gone.

Crab lover.

Prophets and Apostles

I love the New Testament and recently decided to read from it more often.  So, this morning the house is still quite and I grabbed my Bible.  I have been reading in Ephesians and this is what I read this morning:  "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"  Eph 3: 19,20.  I thought it was so cool that this is what I read today of all days, General Conference time!  This weekend, we are priveleged to hear from apostles and prophets who have been appointed and are led by Jesus Christ himself!  It gives me great comfort and peace to know that our church is lead with the same organization that was established by the Savior when He was living here on the earth.  He leads the church today through the apostles and prophets just as in days of old.  I am more excited than ever to hear from them today and tomorrow!  I also love that He has blessed us with modern technology that allows us to listen at home and even record the conference! 

I also particularly loved verses 11 through 14 in Ephesians chapter 4: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting fo the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be nomore childre, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind fo doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"  The apostles and prophets guide us and we will be protected from the deceit and craftiness and sleight of man if we follow what they say.  They only lead us to do good and be more like the Savior.  All you have to do is hear them to know they speak the truth and are led by Jesus Christ.  I want to invite everyone to listen to them this weekend.  The General Conference can be found on Dish Network channel 9403 (BYUTV) at 9 am and 11 am today and tomorrow.

Last night Seila thought she needed to have a party because she and her friends are not old enough to go to the Homecoming dance. Our Saturday schedule was tight but we were able to fit it in. So, after a cross-country meet in Connell, helping clean up an afternoon wedding reception, and the Relief Society broadcast (which was so uplifing, dont' you think?) I helped Seila host a party. Fortunately, my friend went to Costco on Friday and picked up some heat and serve food. We didn't do any decorating, mostly because we spent all our time cleaning but also because we're really not into that. We did play a scavenger hunt game. Justin and I each drove one team around Royal looking for certain pictures. It was a sports theme and so some of the pics to get were pinning a total stanger to the ground, making a free throw shot with a football, kicking a field goal, standing at the end of a diving board fully-clothed. They were all worth different points so we could tally a winner at the end. We had a fun time. This would be a great family reunion game or group family home evening game. There are several different versions of the game so you could play a few different times and not have the same items. There is also a list of things to collect but we didn't have that much time and I didn't want the girls bothering other people. Here are just a few of the pics:

tug-of-war with a total stranger

6-man gymnastics pyramid

"tight end"

pinning a total stranger to the ground

a real "tight end" Brady Dixon

pregnant goats

This is kind of a weird picture but I wanted to show our fat goats.  They are pregnant and we are waiting any day for them to have their kids.  So, this pic is from the top looking down.

It's homecoming week here at Royal and Seila's first time to participate in homecoming week has been more fun but also more stressful.  The costumes are quite a bit more involved.  I liked the middle school dress up days better.  They have things like "crazy hat day".  I can handle that.  "Lord of the Rings" day was a little rougher for me.  We worked on her costume that was borrowed from someone up until the last minute that she left the house.  I'm still not sure that she was happy with it.  She loved her "disco day" outfit (again, borrowed).  Her first powder puff football game was fun and she enjoyed the bonfire.   I will be so glad when this week is over.  I'm tired of dress up days.  I can be such a party pooper.  On that note, Seila asked to have a party on Saturday for her friends (like her) that can't go to the homecoming dance.  We agreed even though our Saturday is looking jam-packed already.  So, I guess I'm not such a party pooper sometimes.

I just wanted to share two things that have given me strength in the last couple of days. 

I don't get to attend the Relief Society meeting at church on Sundays because I play the piano in primary but that's okay because the RS president sends an email to all those who miss, recapping the lesson and any announcements.  I love those emails, thank you!!!  This week really touched my heart and I had to open my RS book to read more.  The lesson was entitled "The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times".  It points out that Jesus personally led the church when he was here on the earth but received his instruction from Father in Heaven (Hebrews 1:1-2).  He taught that revelation (receiving Heavenly instruction) was the "rock" upon which He would build His church (Matthew 16:16-18).  He continued to guide His church on the earth even after he was no longer on the earth by sending revelation through the Holy Ghost to his apostles at that time.  Joseph Smith received instructions from Jesus Christ in how to restore His church  and lead the saints in latter days.  Thomas S Monson receives instruction today from Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.  President Monson guides the saints on the path that the Savior has set before us that we might return to live with our Father in Heaven.  I, too, can receive revelation.  Not for the saints of the church, but for myself.  I can receive revelation from Jesus Christ through the gift of the Holy Ghost.  As I seek, He will send the knowledge that I need and want.  I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, that he led the church in his day.  I know that President Monson is a prophet of God today, leading and guiding us in the world at this time.  I love the blessing of revelation.

Here is the other thing that I wanted to share.  Monday night we had been invited to family home evening at the Allred's with the Lees and the Franks and the missionaries.  We had a salmon dinner and then Allreds went with Elder Lyons to another appointment, Franks went home to put their kids to bed, and Elder Romero showed the Lees and us a movie about Joseph Smith.  When the movie was done, I bore my testimony and then Elder Romero asked Becca to bear hers.  We had a closing prayer and went home.  Kale later told me that when I was telling my story (bearing my testimony) he thought he was almost going to cry but it was a good feeling.  I told him that was the Spirit and he was very excited to think that he felt the Spirit.  He prayed that night that Heavenly Father would help him feel the Spirit at church.  I love seeing my children grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I love to see them seek after righteousness.  I love to watch their faith grow.  It only helps me grow too.

Don't get me wrong, we're certainly not perfect.  This was just an uplifting moment in our otherwise crazy lives.  I live for those moments that make our home a little bit closer to heaven.  They bring me such joy.

I think I'm organized and then. . . . .

I cleaned out Hadley's closet the other day so that we could make room for her new school clothes. I found some things that were hand-me-down's from Seila and too big for Hadley so I put them in a seperate pile for storage. Today I pulled out the storage box and found 6 pair of jeans that will fit Hadley!!! Why do I bother to keep a storage box if I'm not going to bother to use the clothes in it? Why do I forget to check there before we go shopping? Consequently, Hadley ends up with enough clothes for 3 girls! So, I went back to Hadley's closet to pull out the jeans that still have tags on them. There are only 2 pair, that's better than none. I'll take those back to the store.  Anyone need any size 10 girls jeans?


Early in the summer I bought Kale a couple of new things. He usually can wear a pair of shorts for 2 summers so he didn't need much. I bought him a pair of green plaid shorts with a shirt that matched. He wore the shirt one time and then I didn't see it again for weeks and weeks. A couple of different times that we were packing for a trip, I would ask about that green shirt that matched the plaid shorts. No one seemed to know where it was. I always pack in one central location of the house and have the kids bring their clothes to me: 3 pants, 3 shirts, 3 underwear, etc. So, I asked a couple times if someone would please go to Kale's room and look for the shirt. I also looked a couple of times. None of us ever found it. I found it yesterday as I was making room for Kale's school clothes. It was hanging in the closet. Imagine that. Hanging in the closet. It still looks brand new.

This was officially a successful first day of school for everyone in our house.  Kale came home just as happy and excited as when he yelled bye to me this morning.  He made sure to tell me that he got a "B" buck today (the kids earn Buster Bucks with good behavior and then can save up to buy cool pencils and stuff).  He was definitely on a high and was obnoxious over the top a few times so he had a time out while I was trying to get dinner ready.

Hadley came home for lunch so she could take her pill and told me that she gets to sit next to her friend Sariah.  She misses her friend Hannah.  She got to make her science notebook and is very excited to have Mr. Skeen, although he only teaches in his classroom in the mornings.  In the afternoon he tutors math in the other grades and Mrs. Schrom teaches in his class in the afternoon.  She said Mrs. Schrom will be just fine too.

Kai said school was great.  So far he thinks Mrs. Eilers is funny and he already has two pages in his journal for her class (4 pages/wk is the requirement).  Seila warned him about Mrs. Eilers language and he quickly responded with his plan to ask her not to swear during their class time.  Wow!  Can't wait for that phone call. 

Seila is super disappointed in her locker assignment.  It's so small, she said, that she's not even sure how her books will fit in there.  Her binder doesn't fit.  Experiences parents of Royal High schoolers, what are the freshman supposed to do?  Carry their books in their packs all day long?  She's going to go early tomorrow to see what she can figure out.  She's pretty happy so far with all her teachers, except science.  She didn't get the new guy, who is also our new neighbor.  Her teacher is hard of hearing and she and Jackson are the only kids in a class full of naughty and obnoxious kids who don't mind getting in trouble.  Ugh!  What to do.  She already asked for help with her geometry homework (homework on the first day, I LOVE that!) and then realized how easy it was once I showed her.

What did I do?  I can't remember. 

Oh yeah, I blogged first thing.  Then I entertained Ben while Jen took Detton to kindergarten orientation.  Next I made nectarine jam and then Kai came home.  He was psyched and pumped so we got right down to business with the math.  We worked together on the art easel white board and then we raced to simplify products of polynomials.  Hadley came home for lunch, ate, then left.  Kai started working on history and we realized he forgot a bunch that he learned at the end of last year. So, a little review was needed.  The internet was too slow for the review activity on line!!!  I got frustrated and sent in the email to order the fiber upgrade.  Haven't heard back yet and if they don't reply to my request soon, I'll drop them and pick up the other company. 

I dont' remember much of the rest of the day other than I made tomato soup from scratch with tomatoes from the garden and wheat bread for dinner.  I also managed to teach a piano lesson after school and fold one basket of laundry.  Dinner time was full of stories, one after another, and sometimes on top of each other.  I couldn't hardly keep my attention on one kid before another one would start.  Justin headed off to Othello for a mtg and I had a SummerFest mtg here in Royal.  Yes, planning for next year.  I'd love to quit but I just can't bring myself to do that until someone else (must be competant) volunteers.  Any takers?

First Day of School

Kale couldn't decide if he needed me to walk him to school today. All the kids walked together and they tried to convince him that they could drop him off. In the end, he decided he wanted me to go with him. Once we got over there, he almost left me behind. So, he didn't really need me after all. Good. He's growing up. I think it helps that he knows Mr. Buster and trusts him. So, there's no worry about what his teacher will be like. He didn't even give me a kiss and hug which is tradition every day for the past two years (preschool and kindergarten). He at least yelled bye to me. A twinge of sadness to know that my little sweety-boy is growing up and doesn't need me as much anymore. Mostly though, I feel great relief and triumph that we conquered his fear of school. Okay, his fear of the first day of school. I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch.
Hadley was definitely nervous. She couldn't eat breakfast and it took her at least 15 minutes of thinking about swallowing her antibiotic before she actually did it. I made her eat some banana after she got her pill down. I had to write her a note to come home for lunch because she has to take another pill and she's nervous about that. It'll be fun to hear all about her morning when she gets home. She has Mr. Skeen for a teacher. He only teaches in the morning and she'll go to a different classroom for reading so she really probably won't be with him much. She's very excited.

Kai started the morning off with a new shirt on but by the time we left the house, he changed into a t-shirt that he's been wearing all summer. One of his favorites. I'm not sure if that's more cool or more comfortable, maybe both. He also decided yesterday that he's going to try cross-country this year, not football. Justin's not thrilled because he thinks Kai will miss out on some way important skill or something. Football is everything here in Royal. Some say that the kids should play all the team sports now because this is the time in your life when you can. Some say that kids should just play the sport that interests them and have a fun time.

I think Seila is just very excited for high school. She put on her favorite outfit and decided to walk with us instead of ride her bike. I think she thinks it's not cool to ride a bike in high school. She'll be able to get rides from friends when seminary starts on Monday. Seminary? Ahhh! I can't believe it. She's going to love seminary!

Help!

We need to upgrade our internet connection!  We want to watch Netflix through our Wii but our connection is too slow.  We currently have a 512k connection and we need a 1.5M connection.  We've narrowed it down to two options, both are fiber optic.  But, we can't decide if we should just get something to fit our needs now or look to the future and get the higher speed.  You can help us by voting in the poll on the left of this post.  Thanks!!

Turning the tables

I thought this was funny but ,after typing it, I don't think it's all that funny anymore.  Hence, this disclaimer at the beginning:  every detail is included because I couldn't figure out how to summerize but now, I don't think it's all that funny.  I guess you had to be here.

So, after we got home tonight from all of our fun activites for the day (swimming for hours at Uncle Duane's house and an ice cream social for dinner), I was trying to get everyone to get ready for bed but they all wanted more ice cream.  I didn't mind serving more ice cream so I did.  Hadley didn't want any so I told her to get ready for a shower.  She followed me to the garage while I was doing whatever and decided to tell me why she was justified in the things I got mad at her about today (I didn't even get mad, I just corrected her) because she felt like she had been treated unfairly.  I must have been kind of moody today because then she told me that Seila thinks I'm off my rocker today and Kai said it's like I don't want anyone to have any fun.  I only wanted everyone to change their sheets and vacuum their rooms this morning.  They didn't even get it all done and we went swimming for hours and hours anyway.  Then we had pie and ice cream for dinner!!  They are so right.  Boy, they can read me like a book.  Well, Seila can anyway.  I think I am off my rocker!  Today was so unlike me.  So when we got back in the house, I said I just wanted everyone to do their chores and be responsible without me asking so many times (Hadley still wasn't in the shower).  It was time for bed and I wanted everyone to get ready for bed.  Justin said he had an idea.  His idea was that he and I go to bed and the kids tuck us in.  I thought that sounded great so I grabbed his arm and off we went.  We climbed in bed, clothes, shoes, and all, and called for Kale to come tuck us in.  He gave us kisses and hugs and then turned our light off and left.  We could hear him in the kitchen reporting to Seila and Kai (Hadley was finally getting in the shower).  He came back and tried to shut our door.  I begged him to leave it open a little bit because it's too dark in my bedroom and I can't see when the door is shut.  He went back and reported to Seila and Kai.  Then Justin called for a drink.  Kale brought one and asked Justin to please try not to spill.  Justin complained that it was warm and then Kale went back to report to Seila and Kai.  We started whispering and I guess Kale heard us.  He came and stood outside our bedroom door.  I asked him what he was doing.  He said he was waiting for us to be quiet.  So we stopped whispering.  After a few more minutes he came to check on us again.  We closed our eyes and then heard him run away to tell Seila and Kai that we were asleep.  They all went downstairs and I heard Seila tell Kale to get ready for a shower.  We would have stayed in bed but I hadn't put sheets on our bed yet.  In fact the sheets were still in the washer. 

first two weeks of August

One week in Whistler, Canada.

One family baby blessing.

One private swim party at the Othello city pool.

One orthodontist appt.

One Dexascan for Heather.

Two piano lessons.

Two fishing days.

One 30# fish, one 15# fish. (pics at whackinandstackin.blogspot.com)

One father/son campout.

One trip for Hadley to Callahan's water slide.



On the schedule for next week:

One mother/daughter fashion show and talent show.

One haircut for Heather.

One city council meeting.

One employee barbeque.

One farewell party.

Hadley's backstroke

  Wednesday, July 28.  Othello vs. Selah 

She came in 6th place out of at least 12 girls.  She loves it.

Justin's fishing blog

Justin's new fishing blog has officially begun. He's posted several stories from June until now with pictures and everything. If you've been out with him recently, you might find yourself on it. Check it out: http://whackinandstackin.blogspot.com/

Another month has just flown by without me recording anything! I can barely remember what happened yesterday. Fortunately, most things in the last month have been picture worthy and I can look back at the pics to help me remember. So, here we go:

Justin did plenty of salmon fishing this June. I made Kale lay down next to the salmon so you could see how long the fish was. I can't remember for sure but I think Kale was with him this day. I am going to help Justin start a fishing blog tonight so that he can post all his pics and tell all his stories. Some of them should never be repeated and some should never be forgotten. Either way, he's telling all.

I missed blogging about the Kindergarten Beach Day in June. Every year, the kindergarten teachers plan a beach day for the kids at the end of the school year. This year it was cold but the kids didn't seem to be bothered by the goosebumps, shivering, and blue lips. They had a great time. They played some relay games, made paintings and crafts, and got wet on a slip and slide.

The 8th grade middle school science teacher helps the kids build rockets at the end of the year and then they have an entire school day dedicated to launching all those rockets. Seila loved this project and her rocket did pretty well. Then, the teacher hosts a family night where the students can bring their families and build a rocket and then launch it outside. Of course we went and we had fun building a rocket from scratch.

At the end of June we went on our annual 4th of July vacation (that wasn't on the 4th of July) with my family. We rented a cabin at Bear Lake. We had a ton of fun practicing and then competing some of the Minute-to-win-it games. See slide show in the side bar. It was great to all be together. My brother-in-law joined the Utah National Guard and just happened to be in-between trainings so he was able to come. My sister-in-law was 8 months pregnant and so they came up for one day. They did send their kids with my mom and dad so we were able to be with the kids all the time.

This is Justin's catch from July 7. Just so happened to be the day after my dad left. Dad had been here for a few days fishing and they only caught one every day. On this day Justin took a friend who was cashing in on his birthday present from his wife and they caught 10.

We had SummerFest the following weekend. Our family had a food booth. We sold hamburgers and hotdogs. Yes, I'm still helping organize that every year. I handle Friday night. It turned out nice and really, not many problems arose.

The following week Seila went to girls camp. Justin and I usually get to go up for one night. We look forward to it (well, I do). I love girls camp!

More swim meets in July. The kids tell me that they don't like it but they sure have fun at the meets. Right now I only have a picture of Kai and Seila swimming. Hadley was sick so she didn't go. This is a meet in Prosser. Kai is swimming freestyle and Seila is swimming butterfly. I really don't know if we will do that again next year. It has been an incredible time committment that has resulted in some sacrifices (no fishing for the kids). I can't believe all the things that I had planned to get done but we didn't because we really don't get home until almost 10 in the morning. It sounds like there should be plenty of time in the day still to get things done but somehow, it never is.

That brings me to last week. We had concrete curbing poured in our front yard. We worked all weekend to get the front yard ready for that. My sister-in-law asked for before and after pics. It's really ahrd to tell which is before and which is after right now. I need to add the flower beds and stuff like that. I'm not sure when I will get to the planting for the new flower beds. Maybe next year. The sidewalk border ended up being a bit more narrow that I had planned on so boxwoods are out of the question. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm taking them.

Wednesday morning we left to go crabbing in the Puget Sound. We had company every day while we were there. Our friends came the first day and then family came subsequent days. We have a great time every year. This year we were able to find a beach house for rent and our family stayed there. It was really convenient because that meant we had somewhere to clean the crab when we came in. It also meant that the kids could go beach combing every morning at low tide. This year we actually snagged one of the jelly fish that plague our ropes with stinging tenticles. We weren't able to get a pic before it floated away.

Last of all, this is a picture of the baby birds that grew up in the nest under the eaves of our house this spring. When we left for our trip, they were just beaks peaking out over the ridge of the nest. Now, they fly.

Yesterday was cold again in the morning and swim team was quite controversial (the coach even yelled at me) so the kids were not very happy. Today, however, proved to be a new day with the weather much warmer and the coach much more pleasant to be around. Not sure what yesterday was all about but hope it never happens again.

Justin didn't fish yesterday but decided to check on his orchards. He took Kale with him and they had a great time. Kale was hungry about mid morning and Justin asked him what he felt like eating. He said a corn dog so Justin bought him a corn dog. Gross. Corn dogs should never be eaten before lunch! Kale was thrilled.

Today Justin went fishing for shad. I'm not sure exactly what shad are or why other people fish for them but we have found them to be great crab bait. We need to stock up for our annual crabbing trip the end of July. They were able to catch 25 today which is much less than was hoped for. Oh well. He had Kale with him again today and of course, Kale had a great time.

Seila and I took the opportunity to go golfing this afternoon. We had a great time on the golf course. We learned that we are worse golfers than we remembered and it was sure nice to spend some relaxed fun time with her one-on-one.

We had our last baseball/softball games last night. Yipee! Our Tuesday and Thursday nights are free again! The kids sure have a great time and it's nice to live in a community where everyone makes sure that the kids enjoy themselves and learn something too.

Primary activity today at the church. It went really well. The kids had a fun time with each other. Hot dogs for lunch again. I skipped the dog and ate lots of watermelon and a snack bag of chips instead. I assigned myself the left-over watermelon clean up job.

Justin and Kai got up early to go fishing. They came home early too. Fishing seems to have slowed down. I mean the catching seems to have slowed down.

I can't believe that we are only one week into summer. It doesn't feel like summer because of the weather but it feels like we've been into summer for a few weeks now because of our crazy schedules. It's a weird feeling.

It was warmer today and I think the forecast is looking up for the next week. I'm not hoping for hot, just a little sunshine.

Some pics:

Big salmon

Family rocket night at the middle school.

Seila with her friend and the two rockets that they built in class.

Kindergarten Beach Day