'Lache Walk

Corey and I went on a hike tonight, yay! It was a "Lache Hike/walk!" "Lache" is a fun word coined by the Holderness Family recently. I love it

"She is real happy to be with you in this place cause you are on a trail and you're talkin' bout your lache..." I told him about what a moraine is. "So we are standing on the Little Cottonwood Canyon left lateral moraine..."

Second time recently (in our whole marriage?) that we've done a hike together, not counting hikes with kids, cause those don't count. I like doing a lache walks. Corey and I went on a few hikes in high school and college (Mt Olypus and Granger Peak) and hiking or walking really gives you time to talk, which I quite enjoy seeing that I'm a "quality time" love language person. Biking is fun, but we don't have much chance to talk. We need to use the headphones that Christian gave us for Christmas.

I was glad to go on a walk with him cause he spent every spare moment this past week and today working on his Mother's Day Lesson for Relief Society tomorrow. It was nice of him to take an hour plus break to visit with me on this hike. I think he likes teaching, so I don't think he minds that I volunteered him for that, other than this is higher stakes cause he's teaching a room full of women, so it's foreign territory and he doesn't want to mess it up. It could also be considered high stakes cause it's "mother's day" and many women have high opinions and feelings about mother's day. I didn't mean to give him more to do cause he's already got a full plate, but from what I can see, he's really put a lot of thought and effort into it. I know it will be a wonderful lesson. I went over with Sophi and we set up chairs for a big crowd cause we'll have all the primary lady teachers in here as well as all the young women girls and all their teachers. We were able to squeeze in an extra row across the back. We're hoping 110 chairs covers it. 

So with Corey putting every spare moment into lesson prep, I took care of soccer. Oh, Corey also had to take his car in for new tires this morning at 10, so he was doing that as well. This was the second to last day of games for the boys. Wes went with me to all of them (such a nice big brother). Owen's game was at 9. He scored a goal and had two assists. Daniel was right after at 10:15, then we came home for a short break, back out with Wes Owen Daniel Peter and Katharine for Peter's game at 12:45. Back home at 2, spent the whole morning at soccer. I really like watching Owen's games cuase they all basically get how to play the sport and they pass and stuff. Daniel and Peter's games are just a test of patience and encouragement for everyone. They bunch up like crazy, or they'll go for the ball when their own teammate has it, it's just frustrating to watch if you're focused on the purpose of the sport. But if you just go with the idea that you're cheering for your kids and giving them an opportunity to learn how to deal with sad feelings from getting scored on a lot, while also being outside and getting some fresh air, then it's more tolerable. Daniel's team lost by a lot, as did Peter's. If you see Daniel, ask him about the kid who put his teammate in a headlock. I think that moment was etched in their team folklore forever, and has been magnified each time Daniel tells it (the kid was being a bit aggressive, and it was a foul, but he was also really good). 

One last item of interest - Hyrum is still working at making sourdough. He sent me a pic of his loaf  today and it looked really good! Had a nice shape and rise, he probably could have browned it a little more but it looked really good! I hope his starter is treating him right. 

Making It Happen

Wes made date night happen tonight. Corey and I went for a ride in corner canyon. I didn't feel like Corey and I had date night the past two weeks - last week cause Corey was pulling a long work night, and the week before that because Joseph and Eliza were in town and we got together with all of the kids. So tonight we had to do it. I wanted to leave but and I had not prepped stuff for dinner for the kids, which sadly has been the default lately. But we had to go to beat the sunset. Wes had been working outside. As we pulled out he asked if there was any dinner ready. "No..." (sorry!) "But you have a car and there's a store down the street! We know the girls will pitch in if you take them down!" And that was all the encouragement they needed. They went to the store, bought stuff for pizza, and made it happen for themselves. Corey and I did our part by leaving, and the kids did the pizza and movies by themselves. Good job kids! Let's do this again next week. 

I guess I usually don't get dinner ready... usually it's Abi who makes dinner. Today my excuse is that I was on recovery mode all day. 

On our date night drive, Corey's mind seemed full/done at the end of a long day and work week, but I was peppering him with lots of questions wanting him to explore options with me - "Where do you want to go ride? LCC or Corner Canyon? Maybe Corner Canyon, but where should we park, which trail should we take?? I wanted to do the Corner Canyon loop but there probably isn't time, hmm - last time we left at 6:52 and the sun set was at 8:17 and we were coming down in the dark. It's already 6:50 right now, but sunset is later today at 8:28... Maybe if we don't go down rush to start at the bottom? We can test if it counts if we start the loop right at the Coyote Hollow trailhead..." That was all that was going on in my brain, I held back and only did 20 percent capacity (he's living on easy mode! haha see this reel by davi87 on instagram -it's totally true I'm not as annoying as I could be and he should be grateful! I'm capable of way worse) oh that also made me think of another reel of his which I shared with Corey later, haha. "Everyday is a new episode of 'why is this my problem...'" and "the emotional weight of having to make one more decision..." I'm sorry Corey! I'll try to go easy on you when you're at the end of a work week. That is why we need weekly date nights though - so I can break it up. Right now I've got a backlog of 3 weeks of my mind running at full speed that I need some companion release on.

We both had a slow morning cause of cleaning the temple last night - Corey, Wes and I were there at 10 and we got home at 12:30 am. I still got up and got the kids out the door, took a very short nap today, but yeah I was a bit lethargic all day. Last night when we got back, Lily was still up doing her Utah online classes. She's gotta finish her class this weekend. 

When Katharine woke up this morning and was ready for breakfast, I tried to sound tempting and offered her some fruit: "Would you like some WaTeRMeLoN???" "No." Pause "can I have a pickle? Actually THREE pickles." Well I guess so... I served up three pickles. She wanted them cut small.

After two bites: "Mom, I don't want my pickles" haha figures. I've been trying to eat more vegetables so the pickles were out cause I had a tuna salad for breakfast with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onion and mustard. I threw her in my salad. I did really good this week having tuna salad two times, sardines once, and one day I enjoyed eggs with bell peppers, onions, tomatoe, lime, and avocado. I have a memory of preparing that and eating that in Brazil 2007 and thinking it was the best thing ever. Avocados in Brazil were amazing (2nd pic).

So today I moved around stuff on the wall. I moved the LOVE thing over to the bay window in our bedroom and put the Little Cottonwood Creek painting in our room. 

Corey took a pic of Mount Olympus from his dad's front porch for me. I'll be doing that sometime. Ran an errand to Deseret Book to buy some bookmarks for the graduating senior girls that will be entering Relief Society. Looked at art there. Artists to look up: J Kirk Richards, Kate Lee, and Paige Payne. (I already know Greg Olsen). Watched a few reels about Michael Jackson today and listened to Human Nature and Stranger in Moscow on my drive. MJ is currently all over my youtube algorithm. I need to run another errand soon to get more bowls with lids for the sourdough. The girls and I are always looking for bowls and lids. 

A few things from yesterday... Natalie has been out of a phone since fall. Today we finally got it fixed. She earned money to help pay for it. A nice guy out in Draper fixed it for $99 bucks. It was interesting to watch! It took him 20 minutes. I was impressed. 

His workspace was a big disheveled, but hey, so it mine. I still recommend. He knew what he was doing and he was fast. Dustin at Tech MD in Draper. Natalie, are you glad to have a phone again? 

I think a tongue sticking out means yes. AND, since both of my violists have phones, I have an easy consequence for not practicing violin. As soon as we got home, I took both of their phones and told them to practice 45 minutes, which they dutifully did. 

They have not had violin lessons since fall, and thus have been equally slacking in the violin department, as have I as violin practicing enforcer. We're gonna try and change that now.

Daniel and Owen both had soccer practice last night. Corey rode his bike to his dad's so I could have his car cause Wes needed the van. I took Owen to his trumpet lesson, then met Wes at Wayne's house, picked up Wes, left Corey with his car, and then straight to soccer practice to drop off Owen and pick up Daniel. I let him use his free ice cream coupon and Wes got some sushi for himself.

Daniel looks like a chipmunk. 

Second Painting Study

I finished another painting today! 

I found this frame and canvas at the DI for $2 bucks. My apologies to Alice Ives, I have erased her 1982 painting of the Pacific. I flipped it upside down so a little bit of her ocean lives on as part of my sky. I think painting over another painting is a great way to up-cycle. Even better if it already comes with a frame. I thought the dark brown frame around this one would work well with the nature of the ruins. My progress as of last night -

I worked on it for an hour or two yesterday. This is from a photo I took March 18 (second pic) when I biked to the ruins. I did not get proportions right in my painting (they don't look this large from our vantage point across the stream) but that's ok, cause I want them to be a focal point anyway. I need to print larger pics for my reference, rather than trying to paint from my phone screen! 

So yeah, spent time painting yesterday and today. Today Wes did some major work in the front yard. 

He's been helping Corey for a few days making a demo video, and they finished the audio for that yesterday. So today he was free to do stuff at home for me. Aww we're gonna miss him so much! 

Tonight I almost went to the gym, but instead I went up the canyon for a little walk followed by a sketch of the creek and prayer or two. I found a nice secret spot by the ruins that I hope to go back to soon. 

I liked these scriptures verses on "benefit"... praying for the Lord to help us and let us be of benefit to others. We will wait patiently upon the Lord. 

Monday Morning

Cute Katharine crawled into bed with us last night. She's been sleeping with Abi lately, so this was a  tender start to the week to have her come snuggle with me. 

She's been doing a good job of changing into clean pajamas every night before she goes to bed. Abi's helped her develop that habit cause Abi doesn't want a dirty kid that smells like outside to come in her bed. I could/should do a better job of keeping her and her brothers clean, but I'm trying. They just keep getting dirty every day! 

Cute Katharine has also started drawing little stick figures. Here's one she did today - of her, Becca, and Scarlett, all wearing crowns.

Cute smiling people

This pic from April 13 again, aww she's so proud of herself!

I went on a quick bike ride tonight - had to be quick to make it to the ruins before the sun set on me. I like this picture of the creek as I crossed the third bridge. 

We didn't have FHE tonight - Corey worked late and I was getting back from my ride. I thought it would be ok cause I thought we could take the kids to see the Michael movie tomorrow for $5 buck Tuesday, but that might not happen (we're waiting for a check...) We could atleast go over to the rec center, we're not getting our money's worth with the kids memberships there. We'll shoot for that next week. Yesterday we had some neighbors invite our whole family over for dinner. Telling the girls to turn and smile for me - 

The kids all enjoyed the meal after fasting today. They had some pulled pork, potatoes, and broccoli. We brought 4 loaves of sourdough to contribute to the meal, and then sheet cake of brownies for dessert. We really enjoyed the visit and learning more about their family. They had a few beautiful paintings in their home, one of Mount Timpanogos cause Maryann grew up in Utah County, so that was a view with meaning to her. It was such a pretty painting. I think I'd like to do one soon of Mt Olympus or of the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. On our way home, the kids asked if they could hold onto the bike rack. There were seven kids on there - WLSNODP

Probably not the safest thing, but we'll just pretend we live in the 80s. 

Abi drove the van with me and Katharine, we let K stick her head out through the sunroof.

Climbing OUTSIDE!

Today Corey and I went climbing outside for the first time ever. 

Our Green River camping friend Craig texted asking if we wanted to go this afternoon. We said yes. Corey also wanted to get in a ride. I didn't feel up to a ride, but then I went anyway. We arranged it for him to meet us up at the Lisa Falls trailhead after we biked up the trail. We figured it would take us about an hour so to meet at 2. We were mostly right on time, except that it took us a few extra minutes to get out of the house. So we were there at 2:10. Craig was ready and we hiked up the short trail to the bottom of the slab we were gonna climb. It was like 60 minutes of instruction and learning, 5 min of actual climbing, and 25 min of figuring out what to do and who goes where. Craig climbed up first and set the anchors with "nuts" and "cams" (see all these new words we learned!) Craig anchored himself at the first pitch, then Corey went and removed the anchors, and then I went up. This climb had a "mantle" move, another new word. The climb is called Lisa Buttress I think? He showed us something on "Mountain Project" about it, and that also said that this was a 5.7 route. I could believe that. Corey's shoes were no good, if we do this again we'll want climbing shoes. It's probably time to bite that bullet anyway. After climbing for over 90 minutes and a bit of visiting, we said bye and finished our ride up the trail to the Ruins. Came down techy. We were gone for quite a bit - left at 1:15 and were back home at 5:15. We met Craig at 2:10, started our climbing at 2:30, and did a whole 16 feet. The mountain looked so cool from up higher! 

We started the second half of our ride at 4:45, and were home in 33 minutes. All was well at home - kids coloring on the sidewalk with chalk.

Wes was a champ and took Peter to his 2:00 soccer game so we could go recreate. Natalie, Owen, and Daniel all went to Peter's game to cheer him on.

Owen had a 9am game and requested that both Wesley and I attend and cheer him on, which we gladly did. Corey took Daniel to his game. And then we left Wes to do Peter. When we left home, Wesley was rallying the troops to work. "All right soldier!..." (He had Hyrum's pellet gun)

It's been really great having Wesley home to help out. We're gonna miss him when he starts working as an FSY counselor soon. Tonight the kids watched Holes. That is a really fun show (except for the nice school teacher turned outlaw murder part...) We've all seen it before, but I guess the kids only caught some of the fun connections back then - today they understood more the back and forth and past and future connections with Stanley's grandfather and Madam Zeroni and they were kinda mind blown - like when Stanley carries Zero up the mountain, that is how the curse gets broken!! WHAATT?!? And then I was really liking what Stanley said about feeling really good, feeling lucky. I want to feel that too - maybe our luck is changing too! Cause we have a clean basement, I make bread now, I've been really coming across a lot of art inspiration with people I'm meeting and stuff, so I'm inspired about that, and today we felt inspired to climb outside, yeah... maybe we're gonna have money soon! Corey said he wanted to get me a new bike for my birthday (aww, so sweet) and maybe that will happen this year. That would be fun. I'll try to keep expectations low, but I'm also going to try out "feeling lucky" and we'll see what happens! I got lucky today with a present from Mel - she amazon'd me a new bread knife! Wow! 

It cuts SOOOO amazingly well. Maybe our lucky is changing. And now it's 12:45, I should head to bed and blog more tomorrow. 'Night!

2 Hour Painting

This morning Katharine asked Corey to take her to Uptown Jungle, and he said ok. Yay, I have some personal time to get something done! I thought I'd try to catch up on the blog... I'm done though this month, and it might be cool to finish April before April is over... but instead I thought I'd try out my new art area. I got an old canvas that the kids had drawn on previously (since I'm just going to be warming up my art muscles for a while) and then I whipped out this!

Done with acrylic paints at my little art desk.

I used this photo from last week (April 21) as my subject.

It would be super fun to go out on the trial and paint on the trail! I'm going to do that this summer. Yay for my first painting in a few years. I sent it to the kids, Corey said it must be AI cause he hasn't been gone long enough with Katharine for me to do that, haha. I was going fast though - for a quick "Impressionist" style piece. I am pleased, that was fun. This art area b-day gift will be a gift that keeps on giving. Now I'll blog. :) It's 2:10 right now. I haven't exercised yet. Oh wait yes I did, I went on a walk this morning. My left hip hurts from sitting though while I painted that (sat half of the time, stood for half) so maybe I'll go walk around for a bit to help it out. 

Hibberts are coming over tonight cause Camilla is in town with her family. They came to attend her son's graduation from the UofU today. I'll update with pics of that later. 

Happy Birthday to Mary!

Happy birthday to little Mary Joyce! She is one year old today! So fun fact, Corey and I became grandparents on April 25, but our first grandchild was born on April 26, haha so that's a fun riddle for ya. Answer at the bottom of this post. Last night Natalie stayed up preparing treats and she made a huge ikea bowl full of homemade ice cream for Mary, which we served up before church - 

We wanted to make time for this party before we went to church, because Joseph and Eliza were going to leave after sacrament meeting, thus we couldn't do it after church. Church was at 10. There were two missionaries speaking today, so I knew it would be crowded (Tess came home from her mission, Abby S leaving) but I just accepted that we would be sitting in the back, and we were. I woke people up and told them to get read quickly so we'd have time to sing to Mary. Abi came down still in her pjs and tried to spend a few more moments with Mary, because this will be Abi's last time seeing her until she comes home from her mission in Dec 2027/Jan 2028. That is crazy to think about!

These next few months are gonna fly by - Abi, you're basically gone! Crazy crazy. So kids finished getting ready and I dished up the ice cream. We put a candle in Mary's dish and sang to her. 

Eliza giving Mary a little taste of this highly sugar concentrated concoction. 

Natlaie ALSO made AMAZING macaroons last night. She made these for Sophi to take to church as a treat after her lesson in Young Womens. Don't they look legit?? Taste and texture were also spot on. Good job Natalie. 

After church I took a nap, came in to blog a bit, Wayne came over for dinner, and I left at 5:15 to go to my parents house for a father's blessing before my birthday week. Part of my birthday ritual (see Simple Abundance Dec 18th entry) is to visit my dad for a blessing, and read my patriarchal blessing. That's all I've got so far. Then I stayed and visited with them a little bit. Mom gave me a massive Michelangelo "complete works" book. She gave me a similar Davinci one in 2020. She said "the brothers need to be together". They are books that dad gave to her years ago, so I'm going to put those with all the other art books and stuff I have together in one place. 

(Answer to the riddle: Mary was born at 1am in Ohio, but it was 11pm here in Utah when we got the news.)

Painting the Basement

Corey worked a lot today, kinda all day. He was a little frustrated/sad yesterday cause he wasn't able to do the tests he wanted (lab open available 10 - 1 on Friday, I think it's also open on Tuesdays). He had gotten too many interruptions on Thursday and wasn't able to finish the stuff to have it ready in time. So we didn't go out last night - he had been trying to hurry and get stuff ready to go test, and then when his window of opportunity was past, he kept working away and put in a late night. I had a good evening with Wes though. We continued our work in the basement that we started yesterday. Today I followed through on our morning plan and I went to Home depot for a few items. Item #1: paint. We are going painting the cement basement walls white. I got two cans of a semi gloss and we went to work. Wes  did a great job protecting the windows and stuff (he found a old poster of Hyrum's). Oh we also used item #2 for that: paint tape. 

Item #3 was brushes. I got two, so I was able to help for a little bit in between errands of taking Owen to a birthday party and soccer games. Also, before I went to Home Depot, I looked up some videos about how to fix the dishwasher. One guy said to get a dishwasher installation kit and showed how to secure the dishwasher that way. When I got there, I asked a Home Depot employee where I could find one. He looked at me confused and said they don't sell those. "Is there anything I can buy to secure a dishwasher? Ours tips forward every time we open the door." He said I just need to screw up the legs until it's being held flat against the counter top. "What about the black thing in front of the legs?" "Take it off." Ok, fair enough. While Wes was painting, I tried that AND IT WORKED! ...for the most part! Well, definitely improved. I've been letting that bother me and make me sad for 11 months, and in a manner of minutes, it is fixed.

Not perfect, but much better. Part of the counter is loose as well as the side wood on the left. We'll try not to break it. This whole house needs to be redone. Someday. I also got Item #4 - Tiny Halogen lightbulb for the master bathroom. That's been out for atleast a month. I just brought in a lamp instead of going to the store for the lightbulb, but since I was here, I got it. I had to call Wes to take a picture of the kind I need. But, I shall now put it here, so I can look it up on the blog next time (if I remember). We used previously, and are using again this time, a FEIT electric Halogen 75 watt 120V mini candelabra bright white light bulb E11 base. Brighteness 1050, and since I'm just typing up everything on this packaging, I'll include the estimated energy costs  of $9.03 per year. They say not to touch the lightbulb with bare hands during installation cause "skin oils can reduce bulb life". I tried to not touch it with my skin, but it was too slippery through my shirt, so after 2 minutes I was frustrated and touched it. I hope it doesn't burn out too quickly. but I bought an extra in case it does.

For soccer games today, they were all in the afternoon. I took Daniel for his game at 12:45. Owen's was right after at 2. Wes took Peter to his 2pm game. I watched Daniel for a little bit, then went to pick up Owen after a birthday party and bring him back for his game. K saw me at home and she got in the car with us. Daniel stayed for Owen's game. We had a sweet surprise today. Owen's game was at a different location, so I wasn't parked close to it cause I was close to the regular field. He was over by the pavilion, so before the game started I decided to move the car. As I walked through the pavilion to the game, a lady stopped me and invited me to have some cake. "Cakes for kids" was sharing free cake and cookies and brownies in celebration of selling their 100-thousand'th cake. 

Wow thanks! I walked past and another lady told me I couldn't leave without cake. Oh don't worry, we'll take some! I'm just going to get my kids. I bought Katharine and Scarlett to get some cake. 

And we let everyone else know too. The brownies were delicious as was the peach cake, oh and the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. It was all very sugary tasty (so much for my resolve to be done eating for the day...) 

We got a bit more on our way out and took it home to share. K blowing weeds all over the lawn. 

Owen won his game, I was a bit distracted with cake and watching K so I didn't catch most of it. A few passes on the monkey bars and then we headed home. I put in a white chili for dinner, the house smelled amazing when I got home. The kids all loved it. This was a recipe my sister Patrice sent me, AND she sent me all the ingredients via a Sam's Instacart drop off. The kids used most of the cream cheese she sent with sourdough, but thankfully I had enough to still make this and double it. I haven't posted a recipe in forever, so here's this keeper - WHITE CHICKEN CHILI:

Ingredients:

• 2 BONELESS CHICKEN /SKINLESS BREASTS (can be frozen)
• 1 (11 OR 15 oz) CAN CORNED, DRAINED
• 1 (15oz) CAN BLACK BEANS, DRAINED AND RINSED
• 1 (10oz) CAN DICED TOMATOES AND GREEN CHILI, UNDRAINED
• (I USE ROTEL BUT YOU CAN USE WHAT YOU LIKE)
• 2 CUPS CHICKEN BROTH
• 1/2 - 1 CUP COOKED, CHOPPED BACON
• 1 (1oz) PACKET OF HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH ORIGINAL SEASONING MIX
• 1 tsp CUMIN
• 1 TBSP CHILI POWDER
• 1 tsp ONION POWDER
• 1 (8oz) PACKAGE OF CREAM CHEESE
• 1 CUP OF SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE

Instructions:

1. PLACE CHICKEN AT BOTTOM OF SLOW COOKER
2. ADD CORN, BLACK BEANS, DICED TOMATOES W/ GREEN CHILIS, CHICKEN BROTH, CUMIN,
3. CHILI POWDER, ONION POWDER, RANCH PACKET, BACON.
4. STIR TOGETHER, THEN PLACE CREAM CHEESE ON TOP.
5. COVER WITH LID AND COOK ON LOW FOR 6- 8 HRS, OR HIGH FOR ABOUT 4HRS
6. REMOVE CHICKEN AND SHRED WITH FORK. RETURN TO COOKER. STIR CHEESE INTO CHILI.
7. SERVE WITH YOUR FAVORITE CHILI TOPPINGS.

Corey and I didn't go out last night and neither of us had exercised yet today, so we left at 6:30 for Corner Canyon, started a long ride to do the loop and we were racing the sunset. Still on the other side of the mountain when the sun went down on Timp...

It was dark on the way down, we were doing Rush 20-30 mintues after sunset, but we were barely able to see. Sad thing is that we took the wrong road in the neighborhood so it didn't count as doing the loop, boooo! Next time you turn into the neighborhood, turn left, then don't turn again, just go straight and follow that road around until you get to the Peakview turn off. Next time we'll do that and try to get an emoji cup.

Surprise Party

The adult kids planned a surprise birthday party for me in Pleasant Grove tonight. 

I almost didn't make it down. Sophi and Natalie said they had a ballroom thing and I told Mel I had to take them to that and then stay to pick them up afterwards, but that Wes, Abi and the other kids would come down. Then Mel called Sophi and talked them out of it I guess, but I still had to go out to Skyline to pick up Lily who had to stay after for whatever. So WASNODPK headed to Pleasant Grove and Corey worked and I went and got Lily. It took forever cause there is stupid construction on Wasatch Blvd by the exit. I was on the off ramp for 15 minutes. Coming home was better. We got home, finished cooking sourdough for one of Lily's customers which took an hour, then Corey Lily and I headed down for the sibling gathering. Well, I thought it was just a sibling gathering that Mel pushed to do while Joseph and Eliza were in town. When Corey, Lily and I eventually got there (like over an hour late?) we saw that they had ice cream, a cake, a birthday banner and such as a birthday party for me. 

Christian brought his pizza oven and was serving up hot slices. Mel mad a 5 - 0, 5 out of olives, 0 out of cherry tomatoes.

The kids made a list of 50 things they love about me, awww

The wind was blowing like crazy, so we had to put that away quick. 

It was funny, the kids pointed out all the unfortunate events that had occurred: the cake got dropped, ice cream was melted, napkins and cups were being blown everywhere, we laughed and Bella said "This is kinda like life!" You make some plans, people have other commitments, people are late, there is wind, ice cream melts, cake is a mess, and that is ok cause that is life. But it is good to have the people you love around you. I got a pick with Alvie and Mary - 

I pushed Katharine on the zip line bar swing over and over again. She LOVED it.

Corey, Joseph and Ethan were all talking about their struggles as working men and providers for their wives and children. Eliza and Bella swung their bundles of joy on the swings.

And then I asked Corey Joseph and Ethan to go visit by Katharine so they could push her on the zip line, and then I went over and joined everyone else in an epic game of tag. We had a big group. It is a really fun playground! Eliza's mom Amanda came to pick them up so they could head back to the airbnb before the wedding tomorrow. She took a group pic of us, and then we told all the kids to come for a tag group pic. Here are most of the people from our game of tag. We had like 3 people as "it" - It was fun. 

Then it was getting dark, so we got kids in the car. Alvie was honking the horn in their car, haha.

Ethan said I haven't been representing Alvie much on the blog. They've shared a google album with me, but I don't see all the stuff in there - I'm playing the "old person" card on my ignorance there. But if they sent me pics over whatsapp, then it goes into my camera roll, so I told them to do that with their favorite pics, and I'll try to learn how to view shared albums. We love you Alvie!! 

So that was the highlight of the day - having fun with all the kids together except Hyrum. Ethan wasn't in the group pic cause he was fighting for his life in the bathroom for 20 minutes and we had to take the pic so Joseph and Eliza could head out. It was a good time.

The other good thing today was that Wesley and I cleaned a lot in the basement. Wesley has decided that he is going to make the basement a clean and organized space before he leaves next month. I think he's around until May 19th. Here's part of the before, after he picked up the legos off the floor.

13 bins of legos - that's taller than Wesley!

That's what 24 years of gifts of legos for Christmas and birthdays every year for 13 kids looks like. Today we vacuumed the lego area and moved shelves over there, and made a little play house area for Katahrine.

Wesley and I both worked hard and are proud of the progress we made! 

We're excited to get after it more tomorrow. We are going to paint the cement walls too! I'm going to go pick up paint tomorrow morning. This is Wesley's birthday gift to me. It will be really great to have this space reclaimed! It will be a gift that keeps on giving.