Waterford Game

We went to Waterford tonight for a family soccer game. It was fun. I had the kids pose for a silhouette photo before we left, in honor of our memories here last year when we came to play outside and escape the quarantine feeling of being home all day. 

Left to right is SOWPADNLH. We sent this photo to JME via our facebook messenger group, we were missing them tonight!

Last year, it really was such a huge blessing to have everyone home for a whole month together. We've only got a few more days with Hyrum before he leaves us too. He and Joseph are leaving on April 26 to go out to Pennsylvania to sell pest control with Moxie. We're going to try and have a few more nights like this before he flies the nest. Tonight we had a good family soccer game. Our first match was kids vs Parents. Corey and I won. The two of us against 9 kids! Just kidding... it was more like the two of us vs. HWAS. Natalie didn't want to play, and Owen defected to our team.

Lily didn't play much, she volunteered for sweet Peter duty. Peter is the cutest.

Then we had a game of THS vs. CWAO and I think Corey's team won that match. It was fun. My knee got hit a few times, but it was no unbearable pain, so I was thankful. We look forward to many family nights of fun this year and many years into the future.

Other than that, our morning was full of soccer - Sophi at 9, Lily at 10:30. Lily went to Sophi's game cause I had written on the calendar that her game was at noon, but luckily Corey caught my mistake, so I went to get her and got her there on time. Then I came home, Corey did too, and he took me to Burt Bros to pick up the van, which I dropped off last night when my "check engine" light came on, on my way back from my vaccine shot. So that was done early, and he dropped me off to pick that up, then he dropped off stuff at the DI for me that H and I had loaded into his car. We're doing a good job getting the basement cleared out yet again, a never ending project. 

Music practice and chores from 12-3:30, and then at 3:30 Corey took ALSN to Hale Center Theater for the play Daddy Long Legs. I'm sure he took pictures, I'll try to get them. To keep ODP from noticing that they might be missing out on something, I put their bikes in the van and took them over to the school. We went on Owen's kindergarten playground today.

Spider man Daniel crawling up the spider web!

Owen doing laps through a puddle.

Peter admiring their work.

And then he joins in. 

He's not tall enough yet to feel comfortable sitting on the seat, so he straddles the bar and toddles with the bike between his legs. He is starting to stride a little, it's cute.

They were having a great time until Owen fell - his wet tires slipped on the blue playground floor. Then we went over to the big park for a bit. It was super cute watching Owen help Peter by catching him as he went down the slide, or putting him on the teeter totter, it was precious. And then Owen noticed that he had scraped his knee and was bleeding. So he cried to go home, D and P didn't want to but eventually came. I gave them baths and got dinner ready. Also, I mentioned Wednesday that I was preg, but it looked like I might not be cause I had been spotting a lot. Well today it was more than spotting, so I'm definitely not, so I might have miscarried again. So I think I've had 3 miscarriages now: 1 in Costa Rica at 10 weeks, #2 this past December at 8 weeks, and the one today at 6.5 weeks. Of course there's also the chance that the preg test was inaccurate. Anyway, I'm handling it fine. After my December miscarriage (and the $600 in bills to pay for the 3 ultrasounds they had me do) I've decided that if we do get pregnant again, I'm not going to tell anyone at all (except Corey and Nicole) and we'll wait to make sure it's viable at a 16 week ultrasound before we say anything. That's my current plan. I'm still ok with 12 kids. I still feel like God told me that he'd like us to have 14, so we'll just let that all play out however the good Lord wants it to play out. So there's my tmi about that. Corey and the girls were home at 6:30 from the theater, we ate, then went to Waterford for the rest of the night. 

Brief history of our family fun at Waterford: our first time having a family activity at the field there was a year ago when we were trying to find a good place to see the full moon. Then we went again the next day cause it was so fun. It has been a favorite family place since. Last spring, with the quarantine, it was always free. I've been checking on it the past few weeks as it's been warming up, and there have been games and stuff going on, but it looked free tonight, so we were happy to go put it to good use. 

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.

Hooray Monday

Peter had his usual "I'm grumpy" wake up this morning, and then he was cute and playing with Owen.

Playing with blocks and clapping for himself.

Owen made a temple with the blocks, hooray! Good job Owen!

I was happy to actually have a little bit if time to sit at the computer today - I spent most of my morning blogging, up until lunch time, then practiced violin with the girls before we had our lessons at 4, we had to wear masks to our lesson, cause Covid is on the rise, yay.

Corey worked late today. I texted and offered to pick him up since it was really hot outside. On our drive home, Father David called Corey to ask for help - He and Iveth and Diego are having a hard time applying to rent a house together. I got home and found a few rentals on the KSL classifieds and we called a few to see if there would be a problem renting to them. Corey talked with one lady and explained their situation - A nice latino family and a Catholic priest are hoping to find a house they can rent together and hold daily mass in.... Corey was being the middle man translating between Spanish and English, and took a picture of them to send to the property manager at one of the rental homes we were able to reach.

She said they looked nice. And they are nice. Hopefully they'll be able to find something that will work for them, although we are sad that they are moving away and that they I and D don't want to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ or the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. We haven't asked Father David any direct questions yet, but have shared some things. If they move I guess we might not be able to, darn we missed our chance! So Corey went over there with Abi around 9:30 and talked for an hour, I was outside with Peter and he started to walk up the street in the direction he had seen Corey and Abi go. But didn't see where they went, so he just kept walking and I followed him to see where his curiosity took him. The pitter patter of his feet in the street was totes adorbs.

Today the church announced that some temples will be opening to Phase 2 next week, which will include the live endowment ordinance, which is what Eth and Mel need. So yay, we might be able to go with Ethan to the temple! Maybe we can drive up there during our Park City vacay next week? I suggested to Corey that maybe we could drive out to Billings Montana for them to receive their endowment, since that is one that is opening. Oh wait, Star Valley would be closer, just under 4 hours! But then Corey said it's only for members residing within the temple district. Darn. Hopefully some of them here in Utah open up before Eth leaves next month. He and Mel are missionaries

A few notes from yesterday - Ethan came home to visit for his first Sunday of online MTC. We did the regular Sunday stuff: sacrament, scriptures, and a nice meal. In the evening we all went to Waterford to play soccer together.

Then back home for a few games of Spikeball until Corey took Ethan back to his grandparents. Corey, Mel, Eth, and Wes playing...

Peter, Daniel, and Owen back on the slide and trampoline.

A pretty summer rose I took a pic of before we headed out to Waterford. I love these roses.

Last Sunday

On the typical Sunday morning around here, Corey wakes up and makes crepes for breakfast. The kids all like it and I appreciate it. 

Today I made a contribution to the meal with some hashbrowns and eggs. We wanted to have a nice feast since this is Ethan's "last" Sunday with us (even though he wasn't here for breakfast). We had a nice lunch of hummus wraps and salad. Corey and Joseph went down to Ethan's cave.

Corey and Joseph read while Ethan finished packing up.

Ethan almost ready for his second transfer (last pic here was his first transfer)

We had lunch at 12, then hung out while Ethan wrapped things up. We took over the hand art to give to Wayne and JeNeal. It was made at the 20th year at Park City, so it's our anniversary family reunion art gift to them. For the final touch - everyone signed their name by their hand.

I signed for Owen, Daniel, and Peter.

We did the sacrament with everyone at 2, and had a little testimony meeting and let everyone offer Ethan any advice they had. 

We left around 4:30 so we could be home for dinner as a family. I took a few pictures of Ethan at his desk where he's lived for the past 6 weeks. 

Posing for the camera, to show how he looked when he was deep in spiritual thoughts. 

Joseph's been looking into buying a scooter for himself down at school. Jeremy gave him some advice and showed J his scooter, and then all the little kids wanted a ride. Daniel, our little thrill seeker, loved it.

Natalie's turn

When we got home, there was a little back-to-school gift on the front step from the lovely family in our ward who minister to us. 

They are seriously so thoughtful. We texted a picture to say thanks

Some people are just great examples of service. They make me want to do better and be better. The kids opening and sharing new notebooks and pencils. School starts tomorrow!

It's a big day, our last Sunday with Ethan, also the last Sunday before school starts. 

Everyone look at the camera! When it was time to serve ourselves up, Peter went to grab the lid of the potatoes, but it was hot cause Corey had been keeping it in the oven to stay warm. It startled him and burnt him a little bit, not badly it mostly scared him. 

He shriveled up into a little ball and whimpered and we were all "Oohhhhh!!! Peeeeeterrrrr!!!"

His little lower lip was so sad! We gave him lots of love to help him heal.

This was our first and last time with everyone at the dinner table together, cause Joseph and Ethan were in California when we bought this in May. 

After Eth came back, we were still missing Joseph, but now J is done! "We're all together again!"

We had steak and potatoes and salad and broccoli and it was a feast for dinner as a final tribute to Elder Wride. 

"A toast! To family!" (That part in the video was something Lily said at Thanksgiving last year that made us all laugh so it's become a family quote. Not many sayings become memorailaized, so good job Lil!) We spent a nice evening at home and just enjoyed being together. Wesley made a keva cage for Owen.

I see you, Owen!

We let Peter break it.

I built it around Daniel after Owen was done. It was a nice evening at home. Tomorrow I'm going to take Ethan to run a few last minute errands and then he wants to play Ultimate Frisbee at Waterford one last time, so that will be a fun FHE activity. Then he's on his way early Tuesday morning (like we have to leave home at 3:30 cause his flight is at 6). This is happening, It's been great to have this extra time with him, thanks Covid! But whenever you want to be done pandemic-ing us, that would be great, cause we would like Ethan to be able to go to the Dominican Republic!