Jumping and Dreams

It's been another good Wednesday. I had to get outside and fill up the trash bins again before the garbage truck came by. Need to try and clear up leaves and pine needles while I still can before winter comes. I really should have the kids do it on Saturday... But it's good to get outside since it's not as hard now as it will be once there is snow on the ground. The kids put on their shoes and coats and out we went. It didn't take long to fill up the garbages. We had time to spare before the kindergarten bus came, so we went over to jump at the neighbors house.

It was quite chilly in their shaded back yard but the kids had fun. 

They told me to jump with them and they were all quite surprised and delighted with the amount of air they got as I jumped with them. Just a few small bounces from me and they went flying. It was fun. We only stayed over there for 30 min before we headed back for lunch before Natalie left. We've got a good toddler routine going these days and on most days both Owen and Daniel go very willingly down for naps either right before or right after Natalie leaves. So sometimes they come out to the bus with us, other times they are already resting. That gives me a good 2 hours of quiet time to get things done! Yeah! Yesterday and today I've been working a little bit on going through the piles and files of papers that I have around the house. Now that I have scrapbooks for all of the kids in place (2nd to last pic), I've begun to attempt to organize or toss the years of artwork, school work, photographs, certificates, etc. I must say I'm impressed with the elementary school's 3rd grade efforts of having the kids write down things that capture their thoughts at that time of their life. They have a whole big notebook, bound and laminated, that they make for the kids at the end of the school year. Yesterday I went through Lily's 3rd grade book to put things in sheet protectors in my scrapbook and today I did Abi's. I had to take off the binding and go through each paper. I threw away some that didn't mean anything to me (like of reports of some class science observations) or things that I've already blogged (like the wax museums Abi as Helen Keller and Lily as Amelia Earhart). For things that I wanted to keep I had to trim them down or take off the construction paper behind them. I got a kick out of these little write ups from Martin Luther King day - I read Lily's yesterday and thought it was a bit scary/sad and I felt the same today when I read Abi's. I mean what kind of horrible "dreams" for a better future are they having? I have a dream to not be kidnapped or killed?!?!

Oh my sweet children... Let's have some dreams about good things, shall we? Although it might be our fault... Abi's below on kidnapping might have something to do going back to 2012 when we told our little 5 year old Abi about Sierra Newbold. Perhaps that wasn't the best parenting move on our part... 

I just googled Sierra Newbold and saw this picture here - such a beautiful little girl - reminds me of our sweet Natalie. Oh what a hard trial that must have been for her family - to lose their little girl in such a horrible way. I haven't talked to the kids about things like that for a while - though I'm not really up to date on news and current events these days, as I've kinda checked out of the news since Novemeber 2016 when Trump won. I used to get some news from facebook, but I've hardly been on there the past month now - after doing the 10 day social media fast from President Nelson's challenge, and finding I much enjoyed it, so yea, now I'm mostly get my news from Corey, my mom, or catching things from comments people make at church. I'm definitely out of the loop. But I don't mind. I'm going to try to focus on things here in my home with my children, things that I actually have some control and influence over. 

Life in the Bubble

Somedays I wish I don't want to know what's going on in the world. Cause when I go there, it's pretty easy to let my natural man give in to worry. It usually takes some mental effort and discipline to suppress it. Then I look at Owen. I think he knew what would be going on here on this planet when he signed up for mortality. Well, Owen, what do you say?

Aren't you worried?! Do you realize there is a possibility that Trump might be the Republican nominee? That he could become president?!?! You don't worry about stuff like that? You just like the red flashing light on my camera? Is happiness in life really that simple?

Hmm. there's a lot I could probably learn from this little person. It's not too hard to be happy if I am really and truly in the now and enjoy the present moment. (Shannon's life lesson #3) I've learned this all before from Screwtape. But it seems to be something I need to re-learn and remind myself of everyday. Just be present! Maybe I just need to cut myself off from all of it until November. Well, except when I participate in Utah's caucus' on the 22nd. But other than that, there's not much I can really do or control about this whole situation until November when I cast my vote. Although Corey and I do enjoy all the material it gives us to share with each other. Part of me wishes that I could/would just let it all disappear from my mental radar until Nov. I wonder if I could. My life is pretty easy and happy here in my bubble if I let myself truly be here and present. I liked this little comic a friend shared on facebook recently:

Yeah, maybe I should just work on focusing on today for me, here and now. It's pretty easy when we just play with this adorable baby! Owen, you really are just the cutest thing in the world!

Without or with the flash? It gives a different look, but either way we get those big beautiful eyes! You can almost see Owen's hair with the flash on! Hey Charlie Brown, you've got hair!

Life is good with this Lil' Man around. These kids help me keep perspective on what is truly important. The worry tries to creep in every day in different ways, so I have to constantly remind and discipline myself to remember God is in charge and I should trust in Him and his plan. Ok Owen, I'll do it.

Christmas Is Here

It's CHRISTMAS!!!

Let's all sing it with President Trump: "Christmas is here! Christmas is here!"

It's CHRISTMAS!!!!!

I let the kids do the photo documentary this morning. The kids got up early around 3:30 am, but since there wasn't much loot in the stockings, they just went back to bed. So since they were nice to us by not being noisy at a crazy early hour, we were nice to them and we got up around 8. We met in the front room to see the presents the kids had gotten for each other and for us. 

Next, we headed over to the side room for opening gifts from "Santa" aka Mom and Dad. Corey had a unique numbering system again. The kids would pick up a present, find the small number on it, tell the number to Corey, Corey would look it up on his spreadsheet, and reveal the name of the gift's recipient on the big screen. 

We soon got to a point where everyone had received a gift except for Daniel, who was having a hard time understanding how this unjust system worked. 

I knew one of the sized of Daniel's gifts, so we grabbed one of the presents that had a remote control car in it for him. He was very happy to open it. Owen saw it, then looked at the board game that he had opened, and gave it back to me as he said "Not this one..." He wanted a car like Daniel. And he knew there was one, since he had been at the store with me when I bought them. Sophi got the biggest gift - a huge Friend's Lego set Amusement Park. 

Mel had sent us a package with letters for everyone and some small gifts. She made three little cars out of clay for Peter - Peter holding his big and his very tiny red cars - 

And she got me three lovely sets of earrings - a tree of life, pretty bronze oak leaves, and some red cardinals to remind me of my promised land of Virginia. The kids continue to find and open their gifts. 

A present for me - Corey got me a new phone! Yay! And it's an iphone! Ethan will be so happy for me, no more poor quality photos!

The girls built their legos at the kitchen table - 

Owen, Daniel, and Peter liked this marble run set I got at Kid to Kid. 

Corey was feeling a little sick today, as were Lily and Peter, so we didn't go over to Corey's parents' house or anything. We stayed home and it was fine. Peter was being super fussy tonight though...

I'm a little worried he might have an ear infection like he did a year ago. I took him for a late drive to calm him down and gave him some Tylenol before Corey put him to bed tonight. He was doing better after that. Don't be sick Peter!  

Playing with the little blue and green cars that Mel made. So it wasn't our normal Christmas with all the usual family traditions, but it was still a good day and I think it was a good Christmas for the kids. 

Tropical Day

So, at the high school, it's some kind of spirit week in preparation for the WAMA dance this weekend. Monday was pajama day. TODAY was Tropical day. Ethan is a student body officer, thus he tries to take the "show your school pride" up a notch from the typical student. Here he is in his full glory after coming home from a day in the tropics.

How did Ethan achieve such a great look you might ask? Well, last night Melodie took Ethan to the store so he could buy some Loreal bronzing lotion - "L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze" to be exact. Last night he started caking it on. And we were all laughing at him. This morning we were still laughing, it was pretty funny. Ethan comparing his fake tan with Joseph's wintery-white skin.

Looking good Ethan! He said that at school he got called Trump, Cheeto, Dorito, and carrot.

For carpool on Tuesdays, Joseph brings home the jr. high kids. So while they were waiting for the jr. high to let out for the day, Ethan and Mel ran in to see their favorite teacher, Mr. Arnell. Mel said Arnell took one look at Ethan and then was jokingly banging his head against the wall. "Arnell, you should get a spray tan!" Ethan joked. "I would if I could look THAT good!! You have no blotches AT ALL" he teased (Eth did have blotches). Funny. Kids at the jr. high thought it was a serious tan, and he got lots of stares. There was a cop coming in to the school as they walked out, he looked at Ethan and said "Ooops!" as in "That tan got messed up, huh! Oops!" Anyway, it was really funny. He didn't take a shower this morning, not wanting to risk rubbing off any of his bronze color. But he took a good long bath after he got home. It didn't come off much, but the overall tone does look a bit more even.

So that's that. A few other tidbits - I had two sit down dinners the past two days, yay. Last night I made this Kidney Bean and Lentil Dal, it was so good and the house still smelled delicious this morning. I love Indian Food. We had an alfredo pasta tonight. Corey went to a jazz game tonight again, he got 2 tickets from work, he took Lily. It was a nice day, the kids played outside in the front yard. Not tropical weather, but it was nice, we're ready for spring!

First Email from Our New Missionary

The highlight of today was Ethan's first email to us as a missionary. I thought it was really funny. It's always exciting when they first start out, even if we are probably going to see him tomorrow. It's just fun to see how it's going from his perspective. I just created a mission blog for him, like I did for Joseph (and like I still need to do for Mel...) so anyone who is interested can check there from now on (in my blog list in the right side bar →). I might post a thing or two from him now and then, but that blog is where to find all the detail. ...Or get on his email list. We read his email with the kids tonight.

Here it is, fun stuff!
__________________________________
Okay, WOW. I have SO MUCH to tell all you guys, which is weird because I thought being in online MTC I would have nothing to say but I really have lots I want to share with you guys, so if you have the time, I hope you'll read through this whole thing.

Here's what I want to cover in this email...

1) What online MTC is like

2) Funny story

3) My reassignment!

4) Crazy news about my reassignment

5) My companion who's actually famous (tik tok)

6) Giving my first priesthood blessing

7) Getting set apart as a representative of Jesus Christ

8) Spiritual thoughts

1) Okay so online MTC is super interesting. Honestly, I have ZERO complaints about it. Truly. Actually that's not true. My only complaint is when I try to change my background on my screen on the zoom calls to make it look like I'm in outer space the green screen feature is busted so it takes out my entire face too. That's kinda a bummer but I'm working on getting that fixed so I can be one of the cool elders who is in outer space. 

Anyways, but here is what my schedule is like....

6:30- wake up, workout, that sorta thing

8:00- zoom workshop with like 400 missionaries

9:00-12:00- district class

12:00-5:45- during this time I have to eat lunch and dinner, do 1 hour of personal study, 1 hour of companion study, and 1 hour of language study. 

5:45-8:45- district class

9:00-10:30- go to bed and check in with my companion

Every district is a bit different, but that's the basic idea. So it's lots of zoom calls during the day. 9 hours to be more exact haha. Originally, I was at my house, but as you guys know the place isn't very ideal for being a missionary. Not to say that the spirit isn't there, it's just...insane. I did my first day or two there but kids were trying to play with me while I was on calls or screaming things like "HELLO ELDER WRIDE" through the vents into the room I was in, so I had to get out. I am currently at my grandparents house who live in holladay. It's SO NICE. My grandpa set up computers for me to do my stuff on, and I have the whole basement. 

It's seriously just so great. I also love talking to them about stuff. The spirit of God is strong in this house haha.

2) So my district is a total party. Not totally, but just enough. I honestly feel like I've known these Elders my whole life. We are all homies. We should also probably stop calling each other "homies" because Hermana Kerr gets very upset. I do a good job of calling everybody Elder but it's gonna take a bit to get used to. Anyways but yesterday we did a show and tell, so I showed them my bowling ball and was like "I bowled a 243 with this bad boy" and everyone was super impressed and I got lots of respect. But then, Hermana Kerr apparently is like a pro bowler and was like "not to make you look unimpressive Elder Wride, but I bowled a 263" and the entire district was like "OOHHHH" and I kid you not I almost cried. That was my chance to prove myself and I blew it. I'm gonna bowl with Hermana Kerr one day and show her up.

3) Alright you guys, so I was pretty sure I was gonna get reassigned and honestly I'm not mad about it, at all. So me and my district were all chatting on google hangouts and one by one they all started getting their reassignments, so I was like "oh shoot here we go" and sure enough, I got a call from mi madre. She was like "President England just called" and I was like "Oh shoot" and then she was like "you've been reassigned to the wyoming mormon trails mission!!!."

Just kidding no that's not it, but for some reason I love telling people that. Not to hate on Wyoming, but dressing as a pioneer every day would be hard for me. Actually we had a zoom call with my district and we were all announcing our reassignments, and my district already knew where I was going but our teachers didn't so I was like "wyoming mormon trails!!!" and it was totally silent and then my teacher hermana kerr was like "wow that's so awesome!!" and then I told her I was kidding and she was lowkey kinda mad that I fooled her but it was great. Anyways, until they can send me to la Republica Dominicana voy ay servir en la St. Louis Missouri mission! I leave August 25. I'm pretty hyped, but the story doesn't end there...

4) So obviously I'm excited, but it's hard to be super excited when I've thought for months that I'd be in the DR a month from now, but the Lord knew that too I guess.

So most of you guys probably know mi amigo/friend Truman, or Elder Pugsley. Me and Truman have literally been mejor amigos for the longest time, and if you knew us in HS then you know how tight we are. We were in Student Government together, both play lots of music together, we're bowling all the time, etc. Basically outside of my family, there's no one i'm better friends with than him. He started his online training my same day and is supposed to go to Tijuana Mexico. After I got my reassignment I sent him a google hangouts message right away about my call to st. louis missouri, then a few hours later he said 

"bruh (should have called me Elder but whatever) my stake president just called. this is literally insane. like i don't think you realize. I'm going to the st louis missouri. no joke. august 25. my mind is blown."

LIKE WHAT!!! It took me a minute to process but then I responded with "dude (should have said elder my bad) we can just not get enough of each other. maybe we should just get married" and then he was like "uh. hasta luego"

Anyways, I got pretty emotional if I'm gonna be honest. Like this was such a tender mercy for me that just proved to me that st louis missouri is where the Lord needs me to be right now. I don't have a doubt in my mind about that anymore. We'll see if we become companions, and if we do let's hope it goes well. I dropped AP stats because we sat next to each other and our combined mental capacity plummeted in there and I knew we were both going to fail the class so I left. Either way, this is a huge blessing. Me and Elder Pugsley are gonna fly out on the same day, same plane, to the same place. How did the Lord do all of that?!

5) Alright fellas now it's time to talk about my companion. If any of you guys use the app Tik Tok, I guarantee that if you don't follow him you have at least seen him. If you don't know what tik tok is, it's basically like Instagram except all videos and honestly it's a pretty stupid social media platfrom. Even Elder Hansen said so. Go look up Ben Hansen on Tik Tok right now. Seriously, unless you don't know what Tik Tok is, go look him up. That, ladies and gentlemen, is my companion. He's 6'6'', famous, ripped, tan, and has a perm. He also surfs. Meanwhile I'm chilling at 5' 9'' or so, skinny, not tik tok famous, very white, and my mom buzzed my head a few days ago so I'm not lookin' too fresh. I also don't surf, I just bowl. Not the most attractive thing in the world. I feel kinda inferior to him because he's so awesome, but yea. Elder Hansen is seriously the best. At first I thought like "okay if he is tik tok famous he can't be a good companion" but he's awesome. Our comp study's are great, we discipline ourselves really well and there's no one else I'd rather be comps with. There are some people in our district who aren't as disciplined, because with this online MTC nobody is making you get up in the morning, it's all up to you whether or not you're going to do those things that invite the spirit. Elder Hansen does a great job, and we make a great team. So ladies, I have an in with the famous Ben Hansen of Tik Tok so maybe be nice to me for the next two years and send me lots of emails and maybe I'll hook you guys up. Elder Hansen is also going to the Dominican Republic Santiago mission, but first he's been reassigned to the SLC west mission. He's such a stud. Maybe you guys will see him while he's up here!

6) Okay, so now lets talk about my experience about giving my priesthood blessings. It's kind of a long story. So I was supposed to get set apart on tuesday, but then my little brother Wesley got sick. They thought it might be covid, so while I was running errands they got him tested. While driving home my mom called and told me about the situation, which meant that I wasn't going to be able to get set apart. Not gonna lie, I was really upset. I kinda went off over the phone about how I "need to leave this crazy house" because the situation also meant that I wasn't going to be able to go to my grandparents. That night, me and my dad gave all my siblings priesthood blessings. It was awesome. He showed me how to do it, and my dad blessed two kids who were feeling sick and I did the other two. I must have done it right because I made one of the kids cry, so that was sweet!!! My dad said on the phone yesterday that my siblings said that my "priesthood blessing worked". And yes we got Wesleys tests back as negative! So all was well and I was able to get set apart

7) My setting apart experience was super neat. My stake president gave an awesome blessing, and no joke right when he said amen and I opened my eyes, I was a new man. Like, it was really weird. In 5 minutes I feel like I turned into my older brother. I've never wanted to do something well as bad as I want to be a good missionary. It honestly felt like right when I got set apart like a big blanket got put on my back, and it's still there. Maybe it's just the millions of people who pray for the missionaries every day, and I just got added to the list! Elder Hansen told me the exact same thing. He literally said "It felt like someone put a blanket on me" and my mom said that when she got released, it "felt like a mantle was taken off me" so I guess God just really likes blankets!!! Anywho, if you're about to get set apart be ready for some weird but good vibes. To put it as simple as possible, I feel like I have a spiritual gun to my head 24/7. It's great, but I really don't want to mess up this time that's been given me to represent the Lord Jesus Christ.

8) Man I already feel like that in just this week, I have grown so much. How is that possible? I'm still in the basement 5 minutes from where I went to high school, but the MTC spirit is here and it's so strong. I know this gospel is real, like I KNOW it. Nothing can or will ever change that, but I'm also excited to serve in missouri and the dr to see that continue to grow. The gospel in the bible is the same gospel here today. It was restored! It's real. And the Book of Mormon has it all. I know it's true. This church isn't the church of mormon, joseph smith, or even president nelson. This is the church of JESUS CHRIST and he's at the head of it. I promise you it's real. A testimony of that comes from reading the Book of Mormon. Honestly it should be called the Book of Jesus Christ, because that's really what it is. Some form of Christ's name is mentioned on an average of every 1.7 versus in the BOM, with an average of I believe 2.5 or something in the Bible. It is all about Jesus. I am so grateful for this time I have to be a disciple of Christ, and I know that if the church wasn't true, the missionaries would have destroyed it a very long time ago. Honestly, two years almost doesn't seem like enough time. 

I love you all and would love to hear from all/any of you! Like seriously. I just talk to my district elders all day every day and I love em but it'd be nice to hear from some of you guys.

__________________________________

Pretty fun, huh! He's already grown so much! Ha. And that's so cool that Truman and him are both going to St. Louis. Ethan is going to do great, and we're super stoked for him going to Missouri! It feels a bit more real with that, since it appears he is really going to leave next month. Way cool. One other thing he told us - he and his district were talking and Ethan mentioned/bragged a little bit about how Elder Christofferson was our neighbor and signed Ethan's Book of Mormon that he got when he was baptized (cause they sat up on the stand together during the meeting) and then later in another zoom meeting, Ethan finds out that Elder Nelson in his group happens to be the son of Pres Nelson's tenth child and only son. Ethan is second column top, Elder Nelson is 2nd column 3rd row. Funny.

Ethan told Elder Nelson "Well now I just feel dumb" and Elder Nelson said he was just quietly smiling when Ethan was flexing. "You can just sit back knowing that you can trump anybody's story, whenever you want... 'I walked on the moon!'" - Brian Regan. So that was a funny story.


Other than that, we spent most of today working in the basement. Corey and the kids organized legos by color and I sorted bins of junk with Hyrum. It doesn't look like we made a lot of progress, but we did make a small dent. The little kids avoided work by finding things I was trying to sort, like the costumes, and getting them out to pay with. Natalie as Cleopatra.

Wesley made them crowns. Prince Owen

Prince Daniel enjoying a pb and J sandwich for a late lunch at 2.

And here's a random picture from this morning. I'm not sure what Owen and Hyrum are doing, but I took this photo to capture our Grumpy Peter moment of the morning.

We are staring to let him try sitting at the bar, he hasn't fallen, so that's good. It was a good day, and with that, another week of the pandemic is done, check.

There's a Run on Toilet Paper

Today we went down to Provo for date night to see Mel perform with her wind ensemble. We took Peter with us, because it was going to be a long date with the drive down there and back. We figured Peter wouldn't be allowed into the music hall, and he wasn't, so we took turns with him out in the lobby. Corey saw the first half, and then I went in after intermission. Mel did a good job. Corey apologized to Mel that we weren't going to take her out to eat, but the concert didn't finish until after 9pm and I don't eat that late. (I try to be done eating at 7pm) So instead of going to a restaurant, we gave her a hug and said goodbye. Corey said "We can't take you out to eat every time..."

So I don't watch the news or listen to talk radio or check news websites. I used to do all those things, but I don't any more. There are just other things I want to spend my time doing, like blogging, reading, or playing violin. Let me see... I officially decided to tune out of news after Obama won, and then really gave up after Trump won. There's nothing I can do about the government of our nation except pray, and I'm not interested in any of the typical negative news stuff, so I just don't bother. Corey is my main source of current events, other than a few things I see on facebook now and then or in the family group text. So I was not ready for Costco today. I went to Costco because we were low on Toilet paper.

I very rarely let it get this low, but I haven't done the Costco runs the past few weeks cause Corey likes to go. So I was like "I'm going today - I need toilet paper" and I go, and I walk to where it always is, and it wasn't there. I thought that was curious. Did they move it? I walked up and down the isles close to it, and nope. Ok, so I thought maybe they moved it, so I continue shopping. It wasn't over by the water either. Hmm. I kept shopping and kept an eye out for a Costco employee and eventually over in the freezer isles I find a worker to ask. He said it was out - "It is taken as soon as they open it." I honestly was confused. But I thought for a second, then asked "...cause of the coronavirus?" And it was! Weird! And at check out I notice that EVERYONE is buying bottled water. ...and I was starting to wonder, do I need water? Does everyone else know something I don't? Should I not have brought my little kids into the store? What is going on people? I text Corey - I scolded him for not letting me know about this, that is if he was aware. "Yeah, Corona is causing a toilet paper shortage all over the place" "When were you aware of this?" He should have briefed me on this state of the nation, cause now we might be facing a tp drought at our home. "Chad who I worked - tried to buy some at Sams Club and another guy from Australia said back home all the toilet paper is gone". So that was weird. What are we supposed to do? We legitimately need toilet paper now in a few days, not just for our emergency prep! Where can I find some?

On my way to the store, a neighbor and Abi's piano teacher, wanted to talk about what Abi wants to do about piano, so I called her, but then her phone died, so I said I'd call after I finished at Costco, and so the first thing I say to her on my drive home was "Is there a run on toilet paper? Is it just at Costco? or is it everywhere? I haven't been shopping for a few weeks...." And we were laughing a little bit about it and she saved the day and saved me from having to try to find tp in the stores, cause she had some, so I picked it up from her on my way home and yay, we might get through another week! Listen, all you panicked toilet paper people out there, we've got 12 bathroom go-ers here at our house, we need toilet paper. If you've got some stockpiled, just don't. We do have a lot of wipes I guess. We'll just have to use them sparingly.

I did go by Walgreens later after the kids were home to see if they had toilet paper, and they did, so I got some from there. But that Costco run was a weird experience. Perhaps I shall need to watch the news and be aware more? Is everyone panicking for no reason? Or is there a real tp threat about to seize the nation? I guess we'll find out this next month if the panic increases or if all this calms down. But it was interesting.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! My kids are grateful for Corey! Corey and I are grateful for Wayne and Kim and the blessing they have been to us. My siblings and I got on a phone zoom call with my parents and had a Kahoot game with trivia about my dad. I didn't make the podium, but always good to see their smiling faces. Corey's family came over for an outside bbq and visit.

We did a zoom with Joseph and Ethan. Ethan had a flight to come home this Saturday, but he changed it to Wednesday so that he can see his bff Truman before T leaves for a family trip. Both Truman and Ethan will be starting home MTC on July 14th. So they wanted a few days to hang out and bowl before they start the mission experience.

Corey grilled up some Beyond Meat vegan patties for our kids. We all like them. I shared mine with Peter. I'm glad no cows died for our dinner, but I don't know that development in a lab makes it a health food. But it's plant based, so two thumbs up for effort, I'm glad the food industry is trying. Mark's kids made an amazing chocolate cake for dessert, plus plenty of ice cream

Daniel enjoying his slice of dessert. 

We listened to Corey and his brother talk a little bit of politics and Trump. Yesterday Corey bought a Spikeball Game after he saw it at Canyon Rim on our date Friday night.

It was a little tricky top get used to but it was still a hit, mostly for all the opportunity it gave the big kids to roast and tease each other. The little kids played duck duck goose on the trampoline.

Peter can blow bubbles!!

Wow Peter! He's learning to do so much and is a baby of many talents.

After we started to clean and before everyone left, we set up for and participated in the sacrament together as an extended family. It was a special experience to renew our covenant with Heavenly Father as a family. It was nice when we were able to do that with the Hibberts at our reunion last summer. Covid19 has given us an opportunity to do it now with the Wrides. Then the party was over, and then they all took a quick clown car drive up and down the street in Marks' jeep.

It's always good to be with family, especially on Father's day.

Baby Headphones

Daniel was a very good baby on the plane home yesterday. I think most people were nervous to sit by us, but Daniel got lots of praise from strangers when the flight was over. "What a good baby!" and "He didn't make a peep!" He did actually peep a few times on the flight to San Diego and on the two flights home, but overall he really did great. The few times when he did start to get restless, Corey hurried and put his big head phones on him.

The Phantom of the Opera was Daniel's first album put on for his listening pleasure, but Corey confessed "I put it on shuffle... Hope it doesn't mess up the story line for him."

(which made me laugh)

When Daniel made a kinda pained expression in his sleep, Corey commented "The pursed lips are because the 2nd clarinet is a little flat..."

The headphones didn't quite fit him. But luckily Daniel doesn't have a neck, so his shoulders helped keep them over his ears.

Every so often his look reminded me of this part (1:58) on the "Not the Future" song... "Cyborg with no big boy words to say..." But from this video you can see that he actually does have quite a bit to say...

That is one of three videos I took on my phone as I captured a small bit of his 20 minutes of squawking in our hotel room on Saturday evening. I think he was trying to tell me that he wanted us to turn off the Alaskan Bush People that was on in the other room. Corey kinda got sucked into that one this trip. Then came to find out the whole thing is fake, who knew? Sadly, probably the only reality show on tv right now that isn't fake is the news reports on President Trump!