Ready for Pictures

Corey was offered a new job last Friday. It is close enough that he can bike to it, so he bought a bike yesterday! I'm a bit jealous and might get a bike myself... then we can do date night bike rides up in the lovely mountains. Or maybe I'll just borrow Wesley's bike. Today Wesley went with Corey on a trial run of riding to the new office space see how long it will take Corey.

They didn't get very far, cause Wesley had a problem with his bike. So they called me after just a few minutes to come pick them up. They left Wesley's bike at the bottom of the hill near the bike shop where Corey bought his bike. They will try to do their practice run tomorrow.

Almost all of my attention today was focused on getting ready for pictures - baths, clothes, hair, curling, a little make up, etc. Corey and Wes did have to do a last minute run to Walmart for tan pants for Wes. He had some that fit, but let Joseph wear them, so there was some last minute trading around. I checked the weather this morning, it said showers and sunshine and lighting at 4. But it only shows weather for every 4 hours, so bad at 4, ok at 8, but I needed to know the details of the middle of that window. Around 5 my friend called me to ask what I thought. It was raining where she lived in Utah Valley. "You've probably already spent half the day getting ready!" "Yeah..." So I said let's just do it, and hopefully it won't be bad, and if it is, I guess we'll try to take pictures under the pine trees for some rain cover. She arrived at 6:30. It was just a little raining, a little windy, and a bit cloudy. We did individual shots in the front yard.

And then some group shots, and by the time we were doing group pictures it was really nice and good for photos. Our last shot was a laying down one, but it was hard to make a small enough circle with 14 heads!

The pictures were taken close to home and in the lot next door, and then we wandered into a neighbor's yard who I was sure would be fine with it (they were).

The sun was shining. Selfie with Abi -

So where did that storm blow off to? The sky was all blue now!

The kids played on their playground while we visited. My friend Rochelle was our photographer an two years ago they went to the Dominican Republic for a vacation, so we were talking about that for about 30 minutes after we were all done with photos. We talked as the teenagers did funny jump poses on the trampoline - I will upload them after Ethan sends me their superman shots. Daniel picked flowers for us -

One of our neighbor's dogs came up and said hello. Peter was intrigued and didn't freak out. The dog even licked Peter's face and he didn't scream. He was startled, but didn't cry! I was impressed! He is a different child than Owen and Hyrum were. Each kid is so different.

I'm excited to see the pictures! I hope they turn out nice!

Family Pictures Prep

We are getting family pictures taken tomorrow. Yesterday was step 1 of deciding a color scheme and then gathering what we have on hand. After a google search, the kids and I thought this looked good:

I went through closets and wardrobes yesterday gathering what we currently had on hand, and then I set an alarm to remind myself to go to Kid to Kid today before it closes, since it is open right now but with shorter hours, just 11- 3. So today my priority was getting clothes ready. I went to Kid to Kid and got some things and accessories and now I think we have everything gathered. Next step is to make final decisions about what to wear. Some of us have a lot of options, some have one choice, so I have to see it all before me to weigh and balance what we need more of and what we need less of. Right now we have several groups: there are kids and adults have tried their clothes on and know for sure what they want to wear (MES), a few are having the decision be made for them (CODP) few still want/need another option (HWA), and L is good with whatever. I am in the group that hasn't started seriously looking for themselves yet (TJ)

I'm hoping we have something for Joseph. We'll be switching things around last minute when we all make our final choices of apparel. I've had clothes all over the floor of our bedroom for the past two days and I'm sure it will remain there through most all of tomorrow. We are scheduled to start at 6pm. Owen says he found the shoes he wants to wear.

No Owen, you are not allowed to wear those ski boots, nor are you allowed to have the final say in your attire tomorrow.

A few other pictures from today - lovely spring blossoms from my morning walk.

I spent a little time outside watering the lawn. We are waiting for the sprinkler irrigation water to be hooked up, but the grass is looking dry, so I did hand watering and it looks happier now. Peter joined me outside. He loves playing with balls. 

And I think he is the cutest thing ever. 

His siblings make a little tent for him inside.

Things are going good, we're busy and enjoying quarantine. Joseph will be leaving on Monday to go to Lancaster California to sell pest control. Ethan might be able to go with him, which we think would be great mission prep for him. Mel finished her mission papers today and so they're in and she should be receiving her assignment within the next two weeks! Exciting times

Quarantine Birthday

I'm the birthday girl today, and it really was a great day. I loved having a quarantine birthday! Usually I don't do much, but it was great because my kids aren't doing much - like they didn't have school or excuses like they have in all the years past, so I was able to get a mother's dream come true with them doing lots of cleaning! Yee-haw! The first thing I saw was a note on my flip-flops -

at the bottom of the stairs: "Here are your flip flops to start off your morning. Happy Birthday!"

..then I went to make oatmeal in a clean kitchen! With a few homemade gifts waiting for me (which I opened later)

The little girls stayed up last night cleaning. We told them to go to bed at 11pm last night, but I could hear them moving chairs and stools around down there and making noise so I knew they were up to something.

Such good kids. And just in case I was wondering "Lily and Abi helped the most" with cleaning.

Then I went on my morning walk. The pink flowers down the street are starting to bloom!

Then we had our family devotional. Last night I said for my birthday I wanted everyone to come, so Joseph helped Ethan get out of bed and join us today! Wow!

That was the south couch above, then HM and J on the east loveseat

And a few more early risers on the north. Doesn't everyone just look so happy to be awake at such an early hour!

But we all got to work and it was a great day. Corey had the kids clean the garage today and Joseph led the charge.

The house was pretty clean today and it was a beehive of activity.

Corey got me flowers. I also got flowers from two of my Relief Society presidency friends, and my ministering sisters, and some from a neighbor, making in total 5 bouquets of flowers!

My main birthday present to myself is getting family pictures taken on Thursday! I also got a card and cash from Corey's parents and my mom. My mom brought over a birthday cake, creamies and some vegan ice cream.

The last "it's my birthday" request I had today was to go on an outing to sleep hollow. In my minds eye, we were going to recreate our family hikes there in July 2017.

It didn't work for several reasons, but the three big ones were 1) there wasn't any water in the little stream, and 2) there were lots of piles of horse poop on the trail (I guess with quarantine, the horse owners are taking their horses out on the trail more - Owen accidentally stepped in a fresh one) and 3) Owen had a bathroom emergency of his own (#2) which we couldn't help him with, so he messed his pants and it got all down his pant legs and into his shoe. That last one cut the outing short, but before that happened, we made it to the dry creek and were enjoying a picnic dinner.

Pb and J sandwhiches, chips, and clementines.

Peter had fallen asleep on the short drive over, and stayed alseep during the hike down. He woke up for the picnic.

O smelled really back, so I said "Ok, that's good enough. I guess we can't make magic moments happen. This was still fun, but let's go home." I put O in a big plastic bag so he wouldn't get #2 all over the car, and we made it home safe. Then I carried him up into the tub and started laundry again. I did several loads today because Daniel peed on the floor twice and Peter also had a #2 explosion. Side note - from the House video, you'll see that Daniel has continued to have lots of accidents. He claims that he can't pull his pants and underwear down. As I cleaned it up today, I vented my frustrations and told my 3 year old, that if he had to pee his pants, if he could do it on the bathroom tile instead of the carpet that would be better... "don't pee on the carpet" He asked to clarify "I can pee on the bathroom floor?" No, pee in the toilet, but if you have an emergency, atleast stand on the tile. So then today Mel ran into the bathroom and stepped right in a puddle of pee and she was grossed out and so were all of us. I cleaned it up and we told Daniel again to NOT pee on the floor - "Just pee in the potty, you're a big boy, you can do it!" So there were lots of messes and laundry today, lots of baths, and other cleaning today, too. Overall it was a great birthday and I loved having everyone quarantined here with me and all the thoughtful and helpful things they did for and with me today. It was a very good  and Happy Birthday!

Sunday Evening at Waterford

Some of the kids and Corey and I went to Waterford last night - It was pretty with the crescent moon - group photo!

We went out there again tonight after enjoying a lovely Sunday at home. My favorite part of our gospel study today was sharing some videos with the kids. We listened to the first 5 minutes of this Book of Mormon Central video. After that they were free to leave but I kept listening as I cleaned in the kitchen and I loved the end - how they explained how Christ is our Father, love it. And then we listened to more with the Teaching with Power video. Good stuff, it fills my cup.

This evening we went to Waterford for some outdoor family time. We left early enough that we could play before the sunset. I brought along Saints to read, but didn't get very much further, I was distracted by the fun.

We had kids rolling down the hill, fighting with sabers, kicking balls, and throwing frisbees. The hill was pretty steep for little Peter, good practice though.

Owen with a laser gun, Joseph reading.

Peter playing peek a boo with Wesley

We see you Peter!

Such a beautiful little boy.

More hill racing games

 Ethan was playing a bit rough and the toddlers came crying a few times...

But Daniel got some accidental light saber revenge.

Go easy on them Eth! They are just little people!

Sun going down...

Corey was attempting to climb a tree. Seems like such a simple thing to do. Joseph climbed up quick like a monkey. Corey said "This is how 40 year olds get hurt...."

He broke his belt when he tried to use it to pull himself up. Sun has set but the sky is still light - it's a good time for more sunset silhouette shots... Trying to gather the kids. Venus looks pretty and the waxing crescent moon!

Got all 12!

Strike a pose -

Oops Daniel got away...

Wes and Ethan in an epic battle.

The kids did some jump shots and cartwheel photos, but my phone camera is just blurry if there is motion. I also told the kids to take one of Corey and I kissing but that one didn't turn out great either...but it did lead into the topic of discussino for the night - we all sat on the hill and Corey told them how much fun it has been to have everyone home. We have one more week with Joseph before he heads out to California to sell pest control. Corey told stories of our courtship and first kiss, and of the blessings of marriage and family. It was great. These two weren't listening -

They were being super cute rolling down the hill.
It was a nice family evening.

Back at home for a few board games before bed...

Mel had made all the murder weapons to Clue since we lost them, and the kids played that.

Doesn't seem like a very appropriate Sunday game - with murder and plotting. I made a candy version of Clue several years ago, with all the Wride grandkids as the suspects, and they were accused of taking various desserts before they ate their dinner and they snuck and ate the treat in a room of the house, and I made a board of Corey's parent's house. I used some gummy erasers for the game pieces and made a few others with sculpy clay. I thought it was fun. Mel did a good job creating the weapons and people for this game. I'm glad the kids were able to play it not since the pieces have been missing for a long time - probably all lost in the lego mess. And I got to blog a little, yay, it was a good day.