Summer Days Part 1

 We have been living the best of life lately--family and fun. We took off to go visit Idaho back in May and though I did come home for about 6 days I don't feel like I have been home all summer. However, when my mom asked if I was ready to be home, I said "I am ready to put my clothes in the dresser and have Gaupo around, but other than that I could stay on vacation." This summer has been what I call a pay-off summer. We have done long drives, much child supervising, and 'playing' with cousins before, but this year we did all those same things, but the cousin playing was real and the kids loved every moment of it. It was a time when all the hard culminated to worth it to watch my kids play and associate with their cousins like they were long time friends. That is what I have wanted and why we do the long drives and the long stays even when the kids were little, so that at least for this year they could love being with cousins. 

Anyway, our first trip was to Logan and then to Idaho. Gaupo's cousin Josh got married in the Logan temple. So, we pulled our kids at half day on the last day of school and drove to Logan. It was a long, dark, wet drive but we made it. We stay with Rachael (one of Gaupo's cousins) and her two kids. It was the perfect spot for us. It was close enough to the temple and really close to the reception and luncheon. This was so handy for the the naps and chill out places we needed between events. Rachael's kids are close to the twins age, so the twins were in heaven with friends and with toys perfectly geared to their age. It was so fun to go to the wedding and all the party stuff. Kylee and Tia went home with Grandma and Grandpa early, so they could play with cousins sooner. Then Kade, Abby, Hope, Gaupo and I stayed until the reception and then after visiting a bit headed to Swanlake. Then we hungout in Swanlake. It was pretty chilly still but we still enjoyed four-wheeler rides, fishing, and some time on the pond. We came back to Colorado on Tuesday. We aren't very fast travelers these days (possibly any days), but we made it.

With Grandma and Grandpa at Logan temple

Waiting for the Bride and Groom to come out.

At the cemetery on Memorial Day. They do a gun salute every year and we try to go for it. 

Re-opening of Thomas Merc.

Blaine, Grandpa, and Tia

Tia on the kayak

Abby learned she could kayak too.

Jackson, Abby, Hope, Kade in the Jeep.

Me, Hope, adn Abby on the paddleboard.

Kade was the lucky who caught a fish.

After we got home, I had the kids help me clean the house. We need to clean and vacuum, so we would be ready to play with Aunt Kara and her boys the rest of the week. Kara and her boys arrived on Thursday. We went out to Kitt's house to play with them. I actually ended up doing a doctors appointment their too, but we mainly went to get us some cousin time. The kids had a blast playing in the basement and getting reacquainted with Ross, Levi, Hank, and Jett. After too short of time, we headed home to have dinner, finish laundry and be with Gaupo. Friday, Kitt and her kids, Kara and her kids, plus the Bryce kids came to my house to play. We did a bike ride/ walk to the park. We had lunch, naps, talking, the kids played in the basement and overall just enjoyed the day. Before dinner, everyone left to go to their homes, or in Kara's case to Jack's house. 

Our bike gang: Tia, Allen, Kade, Levi, Ross, Kylee, Betty, Roxy, Abby (not able to be seen), Me with Jett and Hope, Kitt with Hugh and Jay, Kara

Saturday, we were up an at it. Kylee and Tia had a parade and Kylee wanted her friend Ainsley to come play. So, Ainsley came over and she and her mom ended up coming to the Berthoud Days parade with us. It was rainy and wet, but we still enjoyed a really good small town parade. Then we went to Jack's house to have lunch and play until dinner. Oma and Papa arrived at Jack's house a little before we left, so we got to see them for a bit before we headed home to get ready for Sunday. Sunday Kitt and Matthew blessed Hugh. It was their stake conference, so we went to church in our own ward and then drove out to their home. We had lunch their and the put some kiddo's down for naps while some of the other's played. Hugh was blessed around 3:00 and then we had a yummy lunch of Hot Dogs. We visited and the kids all played. We had to be the first to leave, so that I could pack and be ready to head to Arizona in the Morning.

Kylee

Tia

Chatting and hanging at Jack's house

The cousins

Me, Jack, Kitt, Kara and Hugh

Time Together

President Nelson has said, "The Lord loves effort." I think he truly does love effort because when we put forth effort it shows how much we want something. Some things are really hard to put effort into. Somethings we put effort in and it never seems to pay off. Sometimes things just require effort. This past weekend Gaupo and I spent some time with just the two of us. It surprised me how much effort it took for us to get this time together.

Gaupo and I went out for a date on Friday night. We had a dinner of pizza with the kids. Then I fed Hope and then we left. We went to Sams Club first where I picked out a big pot that I want to put flowers in on the deck this year. Then we went to a place called Scrumptious to get some ice cream which shared and enjoyed just the two of us. It was nice to take our time in the store, talk about what we wanted to, and just enjoy being together. The crazy thing to me was how hard it was to not break the date. I kept wanting to do one thing or another that night and had to keep remembering--NO, I have a date. I wanted to go look at a gardening spot that I am hoping to help with. I wanted to do a couple other things and kept having to shove things out of that slot. I can't remember what Gaupo had to say no to, but there was something he was thinking of doing but then remembered we had a date. We are apparently very out of practice for setting apart time for us, but you know it was a great evening and I really enjoyed being with him. A great plus was Kylee was the babysitter. She did a great job. We got home and she said it went good and she was kind of getting ready to tell me about how hard things were, and then I paid her. She got this huge smile on her face and she said "It was great." Translation is probably "Worth it." She did a good job and we got a night out. So grateful she is willing to help us out.

Saturday we went to the temple. It took so much effort to keep a date to the temple. It has been years since it took that much effort to get to the temple. We were orginally going to go do sealings at 4:30, but then the girls had a kidzing  thing that it wouldn't work with, so we changed to 3:30 and got a friend to help us get the girls to the event. Then more details came out about the event and 3:30 wasn't going to work either, so I texted my friend Siri Jacobson to say we just weren't going to go we couldn't make it work. Then she called and offered to watch the kids if we wanted to go earlier. So, we thought about it and thought of a time that would work. Scheduled it. Thought about Hope's eating schedule decided it was time to wean one of those feedings. Started doing that. Then on Saturday we hustled trying to get things cleaned up and didn't quite make it but were close to finishing chores, but instead of finishing got ready. Didn't have time to have lunch but left for the temple. Writing it out doesn't sound like much to get there, but usually we pick a time and go or go separate or whatever, but this time it seemed just like when we had it worked out something would come up, but we made it. I am so glad we did. Our sealing session was great. Gaupo and I were able to enjoy the temple and hearing the sealing ordinance over, and over was so great. I had honestly forgotten how much it had changed. It was a great use of Saturday afternoon. 

I so enjoyed the one on one time I had with Gaupo. It was great for us to be together and enjoy the quiet uninterrupted time together. 

Birthdays And a Busy Weekend

 This week has been quite the week for me. After I blogged last week, I thought this week would be able to be the blogpost about Gaupo and I's birthdays but so many great different things happened that our birthdays' seem so long ago. But, Gaupo and I both got a year older and hopefully a little wiser. Gaupo had the weekend birthday and it was a double bonus because the kids had off school and he took off work. We spent the day just being with him. We had some delicious fish tacos and cherry chocolate cake to celebrate. My birthday was on Tuesday which is a pretty lame day to have a birthday, but it went better than expected. Gaupo arranged his schedule to have the night off, so he made dinner for me. We had mexican hotdogs and then I made some mint brownies for dessert. Although, we didn't end up having my cake until Wednesday because I offered to be the second adult at Activities Days at the last minute and in all the hustle to get there and feed the baby and stuff it didn't happen. It was still good Wednesday night when I made my family sing to me and we enjoyed the cake. One of my favortie 'gifts' was my friend Siri came by with her brownies (just a box mix, but her's are really good and she knows I love them) and we got to visit. Having twins and then the pandemic started me believing that I didn't really need to connect with others. However, I am learning I love connecting with others. I love have a good solid conversation face to face with people. I was so grateful she took time to come and visit with me on my birthday.

My Mexican Hotdogs

Me and the kids with my brownies.

Gaupo and the kids with his cake

Gaupo playing on the Nintendo mini he got trying to tide him over while he saves for the Switch.

This weekend was fun and very, very full. Friday was the school districts annual 5th grade field day. They run it more like a track meet and its just for 5th graders. Gaupo was home because it was his Friday Saturday switch, so after I fed Hope I went to field day with the twins. Kylee ran the 50M, the shuttle Relay, the 800 relay, and then participated in the tug of war. I got to watch all her running events, but the tug of war was after lunch and I needed to get home to Hope, so we missed that one. It was fun to watch her be with her friends. She looked pleased when she was running and said she was so tired after. When I picked her up from school, she said on the way to field day the bus was so loud and on the way home it was so quiet. I guess everyone was pooped from a day in the sun. I told Gaupo later that night "I hope that when I get to do this for Hope I love it just as much as I did today. I don't want to get bored of being a mom ever." I am not sure how that will play out but like everything I have been able to watch this year, I loved watching her try something new.

running the shuttle relay

handing off to her friend Kiera

That night we went as a family to the rec center. It was so empty. It was awesome. Gaupo really does not like the water and so it took him a little to warm up to being there, but eventually he started racing the girls down the slides, and taking Abby a few times down them and even Kade once. I got to go down slide and off the diving board. I love when I can play in the pool. Usually I just have to be responsible, so its nice to share the load. I loved that evening as a family. It was one of those perfect nights where we got along and connected as a family.

Saturday Gaupo had to work and we had our first ever dance recital day, but first we had swim lessons. I took the twins to lessons. While they did that I grabbed some pictures of the girls in their dance costumes. Then as soon as they were done it was into the car and up to Thompson Valley High School for rehearsals. We got Kylee there in time to get setup and Tia was there really early, but she was starting to play a game and was fine being left, so we did. Kade, Abby, Hope and I went home. We cleaned up breakfast, had lunch, fed Hope, and waited for the babysitter. When Joy Wheeler arrived to watch Hope the twins and I left to go to the 2:00 dance show. It was fun to watch not just Kylee and Tia, but also our cousins Betty, Allen, and Roxy. Added bonus we got to sit by Jack and Lindsay at the show. It is really uncommon (pretty much never) to have dance recitals on Saturday. However, this season it was and we were so excited to go. Kylee said "You act as if we are going to nationals." To which I replied, "This might be as close as we get and its still great." After the 2:00 show I brought everyone plus Betty home where we attempted to mend some stockings and failed. So, we switched tights around and got everyone a workable pair (both Kylee and Betty got holes in theirs some how). I fed Hope, quickly made some cheese floppies for snacks and then got the oven all set to cook dinner while we were gone. Then we were off again to get them back up to the high school by 5:30 for the 6:00 show. Gaupo was able to meet us for the 6:00 show and it was once again fun to watch but kind of long this time and the kids were hungry. Plus, I had to wrestle Hope this time. Alright, so it wasn't as fun and I was so done when the show was over, but still glad to have the experience. We left and got home and I went to the oven to pull out dinner and it wasn't in there. I FORGOT TO PUT IT IN. The oven cooked air while we were gone and we had nothing to eat. So, Gaupo ran out to grab some Hot and Ready pizza while everyone got bathed and showered. Well, those quicky cheap pizza are now expensive and they were out, so Gaupo had to wait. So, it was like 9:00 by the time people ate. Kade was so exhausted he threw-up. Luckily he got it all in the toilet. By 10:30 I crawled into bed and slept until morning. It was a very long day, which if given the chance I will do a little different like probably bring dinner up to the recital and just hit a park or something, but I don't konw, but it was exhausting. All the kids slept in today. Kylee didn't get up until 8:30. Luckily, it was fast Sunday so breakfast was super fast and could be done without those still sleeping.

Tia

Kylee

Sisters

So many, new things for our family to try this week. It was fun and exhausting. I love my family. I feel so blessed to be a mom, and though there are time when it just makes me cry and be so frustrated other times I love it and it brings me much joy and satisfaction. I love watching my kids grow. I love experiencing life with them. I love that I get to teach and love and grow through them. They really are an amazing and crazy group.

5th Grade Marketing

This past week I got to go teach a little bit about marketing to Kylee's 5th grade class and it was so much fun. The 5th graders are in the process of doing making items to sell during their market day. I have been trying to help Kylee without taking over, yet my mind was just racing and racing with all these thoughts about marketing and what the 5th graders could and should do. A couple weeks ago, I was talk to Kara on the phone and said "Man, I just wish I could go talk to these kids about marketing because there is so much they could do with it right now." She said something like "if I were a teacher and I would say sure let me see your stuff and come on in." I just laughed and said "that is just the thing I don't have anything to show. I just love it." So, I didn't do anything and the ideas kept tumbling in my head and the desire to share kept sneaking up on me. So, last Saturday I was helping Kylee with her project and I had the thought to teach again. So, I asked Kylee if it would be weird and she said No. So, I emailed her teacher that day asking if she would like me to come in and talk to the kids a little about marketing and their displays. She said, "I would love my kids to have a chance to hear from a real world professional." Well, I am a far cry from professional but I do love it and she had an available time that worked perfectly and so I decided to do it on Tuesday.

Well, it was Saturday when I heard back from her teacher and the plan was a go. So, Saturday night I had thoughts just swirling in my mind and I was trying to pray but these thoughts were blocking everything else, so I decided the Lord knew my needs and I was going to pray about this marketing presentation and get some ideas down. I opened my notebook, prayed, and wrote until my mind felt empty. Then I ended the prayer and went to bed. Then it was Sunday. So, I tried really hard not to think on it and just do Sunday. Then Monday came and the pressure was on because the next day I was going to talk to kids about marketing for about an hour and all I had were some notes. Well, I was getting ready for the day and talking to Kitt and I was telling her what I was going to get working on and I don't remember exactly what I said but I remember telling her "I am talking to 5th graders who are putting this stuff into action in 2 days. It needs to be simple, relevant, and budget friendly." Just saying that out loud provided some more direction for where my thoughts should go. So, I jotted down some more notes and ideas on paper that morning, and pulled the laptop downstairs and during nap time got to work.

I built a slide presentation on google slides. I haven't made a presentation in YEARS and so it was a little daunting and at first I struggled to find images and thing that I wanted for it, but I was guided to find things that were relevant, simple, and fun. I got the slide presentation put together and had about 30 minutes until the kids got home and I was going to waste it, but felt to gather my materials for the activity part of the lesson. Once again I intended to only get the things that were already written down, but as I walked more ideas came and I was able to find good, and fun things to gather. When I was done, for the first time since market day had hit my radar my mind was totally still. It was peaceful. I didn't need to return to the presentation, or gather more I was ready. When I was telling Michelle this story she reminded me of that scripture "When you are prepared ye shall not fear." I often still worry when I am prepared, but this time I didn't mainly because I was guided and knew it was right. 

Tuesday came and I had all my supplies loaded in my wagon and went to the school. I was a little nervous but then I was up in front and doing something that I loved--teaching kids and marketing. It was so great. I had pictures of a deodorant for men and one for women that were the pretty much the same thing, but we talked about how the designed them different and what they did to appeal to men for women. Then we talked about band-aids and how one was for everyone and relied heavily on brand name and the other was for kids and how that design was different. Then I made it relevant talking about key for a good display and different things to think about to make their items easier for customers to see and get to. Then the part with all the supplies. I put the kids in teams of 4 and had them give it a try with the items I found around my house. It was fun to watch them try things and see what worked or didn't work. Then we wrapped it up talking about some things to watch on market day, and questions to ask themselves so on the next market day maybe they could do a little better. It was really fun and an awesome experience that I feel so blessed to have had.

This whole experience reminded me that the Lord cares very much about our lives--MY life. This is one of those times that I was extremely blessed to learn about revelation, have a connection with others, feel peace and joy, and to just solidify that my degree wasn't a waste. It was truly something I love even if I don't do it for my job. I was so blessed because I followed the prompting to ask to come in. I wouldn't have probably had an tragic loss if I didn't act on it, but because I did I was able to have a great experience and I am just so, so grateful that I got to do it. 

Here I am with my Wagon of display building treasures.

A Baby, A Concert and A Visit To Kitt

My sister Klaire decided to kick the week of with having her baby. So, baby Piper entered our family on Monday morning about 30ish minutes after her mom and dad got to the hospital. She gave her mom a little run for her money with a false alarm on Friday night, but then Monday she was ready and was here. Both Klaire and Piper are doing great and I can't wait to meet her. I haven't had a niece in 6.5 years, plus Klaire has most of my baby clothes so it is fun to see her in all the outfits. It was harder than I thought to part with them, but seeing them I am so glad I did because I still think they are so cute and am glad someone can use them just a little more.

Kylee and Tia had their Spring Kidzing concert. This is the before school choir that they have both done this year. The show was good and Kylee had a speaking part and did great with that. It was fun to watch them sing the words and perform with their group. Their last performance will be during a music festival at one of the high schools. They have enjoyed the group, but are also ready to be done going to school early on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I am very proud of both girls for trying it and sticking it out for the whole year.

Friday was somewhat of a me day. I got the big girls off to school and then came home to tidy up a bit and feed Hope and then we went to Costco. I was out of quite a few things and really needed a restock on some fresh veggies. I tried to do it quickly though because I wanted to get to Kitt's house. We have joked that it is great we live close to each other but probably best that we don't live any closer otherwise we wouldn't make friends outside of us. I feel so blessed to have the bond with my sisters that I do. Nothing fills my bucket more than a great time with my sisters. I arrived at Kitt's house in enough time to play for a little before lunch. Oh man, Jay's smile is just one of pure joy. I LOVE it and have super hard time telling him no. He is just so happy and loves to move and I love it. I love that I am not too much for him. Some of my nieces and nephews find me a bit intense so its so fun to have one that loves that about me. Anyway, we played in the basement and had a great time. Then we had lunch and got the kids down for a nap. Then I fed Hope and got her down. Then Kitt fed Hugh. Then we super speedy went and play a quick game of pickleball in which I got totally annihilated in, but it was still fun to play and maybe I will get better. Who knows, Kitt plays a lot so if I do get better she probably will too, so I guess I better just love playing and not be focused on winning. Way, way, way too soon I had to head home. When I was leaving Matthew came to the window and said "Your done playing already." "No, but I have to go home," I replied. It really was too soon, but at least we got a quicky in.

I sure am grateful for all the family I have. I love mine and Gaupo's little crew. I love my parents, my siblings, their spouses and kids. Plus, Guapo's parents, siblings, their spouses and kids. I am part of such a great group. I feel so so blessed.

Blah, Movies, Babysitting, and Nails

 This week has been a bit off, and I have no idea why. Last week, was off too, but I was going to make this week better and while it was it was still pretty off. Most mornings I had a terrible time getting myself out of bed on time which then kind of made things late or rushy or out of the ideal order. I don't know, sometimes you just slump and then I guess we have to unslump which is a lot harder than it is to slump. However, over the last two weeks I have have tried Nourish Move Love's HITT Strong 35 program and though I still have quite a few days to complete, it has been fun to move athletically again. I am continually amazed at the human body and all it is capable of. Also, on the positive side I spent some great time out in the warm sun, hung out with out neighbors, and probably on HUGE bonus this week was no homework! I still had my kids read for 20 minutes and practice the piano.

This weekend we finally paid up Kylee's birthday gift and took the kids to the movies. We actually left Kade and Hope with the Bryce's because Kade hates scary anything, and loud stuff and Hope is a baby. Anyway, we had some gift cards from Gaupo's work and so we went to the AMC theater in Brighton. We didn't pre-buy and even though we got there about 20 minutes early all they had left were front row seats. Luckily, the guy at the ticket counter only charged us kid prices for all the tickets which left us some money to get the kids special drinks. Kylee said, "Great movie, huge special drink, babysitting, and delivery pizza--Best Day Ever!" The kids loved the movie and didn't mind the front row seats at all. Kade enjoyed the cousins and Hope did fine at the cousins. Every now and again its fun to do something we never do and it is fun to take people that have never had the experience before.

Last night Gaupo, Hope, and I went to stake conference and let Kylee babysit. You know I can't really complain because I have definitely come back to way worse. Plus, what I came home to was great. She was reading everyone one of our favorite graphic novels--HILO. Everyone was happy, ready for bed including teeth brushed and prayers said. The house was mostly clean, just a little dinner still on the table, and everyone went to sleep pretty quickly. I would definitely call it successful. Kylee has been working pretty hard on developing her babysitting skills and she really enjoys when she gets to be responsible. 

Other than that life is pretty normal. I do have one other story I want to share just so I don't forget because I feel like its a great lesson and I need to remember it because it is so hard to do it. So, Kylee has been trying really hard to stop biting her nails. The reward for two weeks without biting nails is we will go get her nails done somewhere. For her birthday she got some nail stickers and when she wears those she doesn't bite them, but last Saturday they had all come off and she just had paint on them and for whatever reason she decided to bite ALL of her nails off. She was so disappointed in herself. It was so tempting to just tell her its okay we go do your nails anyways because she was so, so close to having 2 weeks. However, I said "I am so sorry that happened and I can tell your really upset but I can't give you the reward even though I want to." You can imagine that went over like a ton of bricks. Luckily Aunt Kitt had some new polish and once she had calmed down and was just sulking Kitt offered to paint her nails and we started over. Well, you know what. I saw her fingers inch up to her mouth a couple of times and reminded her to take them out and she did without any eye rolling. Then one time had to remind her and had her sit on her hands and she actually did it. Usually, she just says no and tries to stop. This week I didn't have to remind her at all. She was ultimately successful because it meant something to her. When she messed up and I didn't bail her out it helped her become more committed to breaking the habit. I so often don't want my kids to have so suffer for the mistakes they make. I want to soften the fall, but you know I needed this reminder that sometimes we have to let it be hard and not give in because that's when they can grow. When it gets personal is when THEY decide it matters.

3rd Grade Concert and Easter

 Last week, Tia had her third grade music concert. Once again, I was so impressed by Mrs. Vega. All the kids were into what they were doing. They watch her. She figured out ways to include everyone and turned out a great 1/2 hour concert. I am still amazed by the feeling of love and pride that wash over me when I see my kids doing something like this. I don't quite understand what I am feeling or why, but man I love watching my kids. I love not having to teach or critique them and instead just get to love everything they do and forget the rest. I don't know but I love to watch and cheer for them and then honestly and whole heartedly tell them that I loved watching them. Tia did a great job with her songs. I saw her struggle a bit with her xylophone but she kept trying and when I asked her what her part was at home she showed me how to play it and then said it was tricky because it was so fast. I love that she still does things even when she isn't perfect. I hope she never stops doing things because I love that she is always up for anything. Anyway, I loved the concert and she had one and did great and sang and enjoyed so WIN! Another great thing was that Gaupo didn't think he could make it, but he ended up being able to sneak in as the turned off the lights to start and then sneak out as they turned them back on when it was done. I was so grateful he could come make it and that I could tell Tia he was there, because she did ask. We should never underestimate how much our kids care that we are there because they do even if it doesn't seem like it.

Tia is in the back to the right of the gap.

Tia in the back again.

Easter was great. This year we tried to make sure our kids understood Easter a little better. We deviated from or normal scripture study spot and picked out some places in 3rd Nephi that we wanted to read about when Christ visited the America's. Then we were aiming for every night to have a short devotional about Christs life leading to Easter Sunday, but we only managed 3 days, but that is better than in all the years past, so we are going to just keep moving forward.On Saturday we colored eggs. I love coloring eggs and so does Guapo. It is one activity where we make sure there is enough for us to do to and we don't usually share our eggs with the kids. Our whole family enjoys the fun and the kids are getting better and more creative every year. Sunday, the Easter bunny decided we had time for a hunt before church, so he left us a colorcoded hunt. He gave each kid an Easter egg and a big package of M&M's and told them to find their color. He also had a couple of colors that were free for all. The eggs were hid according to difficulty and it spread out the rewards nicely. We did have to quickly get ready for church. Luckily, crescent rolls and boiled eggs made for a speedy breakfast. We went to church and it was a good service. Then when we came home the kiddo's played outside for a while. Abby learned to ride her bike on two wheels so you know we had to do more of that. Then we brought them in and watched some Easter videos and talked about why Easter is so important. Then we had lunch and naps. During naps, I helped Kylee make her treat of crock-pot cake and then did her nails. Tia really wanted to go to the cousins after that but I made her wait a bit until more people woke up and then we all headed out to the Bryce's for dinner together. It was fun to enjoy eating and being with them. The kids of course love playing with their cousins and we have had some super fine weather lately, so they got to play outside. That did end up to a few kids being covered in chalk, but we got it all taken care of and headed home. Family, Food, Church, Christ it just all made for a really good Easter.

Gaupo, Tia, Abby, Kylee, Me, Kade, and Hope coloring eggs.

The eggs

Going to hunt eggs. Kylee, Hope, Tia, Abby, Kade

Hope getting her eggs

Kylee 

Abby

Kade

After the hunt. Abby, Tia, Kade, Kylee

Our Family Easter 2023

Spring Break

I started this post almost two weeks ago and I stopped to read to the twins before their nap and before that was through we were hit with a stomach bug. Kade threw-up first, the Abby about an hour later, then Tia, and though I didn't throw-up I sure felt like I was going to and was out of energy so laid around only getting up to help puking kids. Gaupo got the bug on Tuesday night and Kylee had it by Wednesday night. We have been in the clear since Friday. So, Saturday Kitt and her boys came for General Conference and birthday celebrations. We are both currently in a stage where conference is on for all the sessions and some listening happens but there is also a lot of choas. It gets busy especially when the dads have to work so its just two moms and 7 kids. However, what I got of conference was really good. We got to celebrate Kitt's birthday which is always fun to do. 

One other thing to mention is I played pickleball for my first time ever on Friday with a Relief Society group and loved it. I think its going to be a weekly thing, so that will be a great thing for me to be able to do.

So, the long lost spring break post.....

This past week was spring break break. It went by so fast. I could really use another week off of school. Lindsay asked me what I would do with it and honestly I would just play with my kids and be home more. I don't know why I feel that way because we did play, and where home, but apparently not enough for my liking.

Spring Break started off with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa. They got in on Friday about the same time the girls got home from school. I honestly thought I had another hour and hour and half before they got here, so I wasn't quite ready, but luckily I was able to finish dinner prep and get their bed made before they wanted to get their stuff out of the car. The kids were so excited to have them here that it was a little rough to get reading and piano practicing done, but the girls got it done, and we finished off the night with pizza and watching Luck of the Irish. 

Saturday we went to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. It was really fun. All the exhibits are hands on and my kid favorite part was all the musical instruments that they had around for them to play. They had sound booths with drum pads and guitars. They had a garage that I think at less busy times has more instruments but this time it had a drum set and they all loved that. There was a tornado chamber they could try, space craft building and testing, some insects and reptiles for them to see, and their other favorite place a water table area where they could dam up and let flow the water. It was really fun and a great way to spend the day. We packed a lunch that we ate outside. It was really cold and we should have eaten in the cafe, but we didn't know that was an option so outside in the wind it was. Overall, we had a great time. Hope was her champion self and just loved looking around from the stroller and sleeping.

Kylee playing the painted piano.

Kylee, Tia, Gaupo, Kade, and Abby in the tornado tube

Kade drumming

Kylee

Gaupo

Tia

Grandma helping Kylee and Kade make tissue paper flowers

Eating lunch: Grandpa, Tia, Grandma, Abby, Kylee

Sunday we did church. Monday we went and got free ice cream cones at Dairy Queen and then went to Carr Park where they have a cool zipline swing thing that the kids like. The Bryce cousins joined us for a little while at the park and so that made it a little extra fun. Then we came home, but when we home I couldn't find my phone anywhere. I was pretty sure I left it at the park. My mom tried to track it on her phone and we thought it was at the park, but Lindsay couldn't find it. So, Gaupo, Grandma, Grandpa, and Tia went to look. At some point, my mom checked it again and it was in a parking lot a few places over. Gaupo took the crew their and it was a dentist office. So, Gaupo walks in and says we lost a phone and it says its here, do you have it? The receptionist is like, "uh, no." A lady overheard this conversation and said that her daughter had picked up the phone at the park and they took it with them so that someone else would pick it up and were waiting for someone to call it. Now, we had called it--several times, but they had left it in their car while in the dentist so hadn't answer. The lady was somewhat horrified that we could track my phone and which if you think about it is a little scary because if you pick up a phone hoping to return it and then someone can search out where you are. It is a little creepy. Anyway, it was a total miracle and an answer to many of the prayers I sent up because I really didn't want to have to buy a new phone.

At Dairy Queen for Free Cone Day

Grandpa took us to Wendy's for dinner

Tuesday, the highlight was Grandma and Grandpa watched all the kids so we could go to the temple. Gaupo and I got to do a session. It was so great to go be able to and do the endowment and see the changes and not have to worry about the kiddos because they were in good hands. It was really nice to go and be in the temple. I loved it. We got home and the kids were mattress sliding and loving mom and dad not being home. Hope was definitely hungry, but was patiently waiting for me. I am so grateful we got to go. I was pretty sure I wouldn't get to the temple for a session until June, so I feel so blessed.

Gaupo and Me at the temple

Wednesday Grandma and Grandpa had to leave, but that afternoon our friends Tori and Trent came over to play. The kids played good. Siri and I had a good chat. It was really, really good. 

Thursday was a cousin day. I had wanted to take the kids to the rec center, and they wanted to, but when they learned their cousins couldn't come they were pretty bummed. So, I said I can go get them and bring them here, but then we can't go swimming. That is what they wanted so I went and got the cousins (their car was in the shop) and then they played here until it was time to go to dance. Lindsay borrowed my car and took them all to dance and then Kylee and Tia went to their house after dance for dinner and a sleepover. While they were gone Kade, Abby, Gaupo and I had Jefe's which delicious Mexican takeout, and watch some Paw Patrol.

Outdoor lunch: Kylee, Betty, Tia, Abby, Roxy, Allen

Friday was our Aunt Kitt day. I picked up the big girls from the cousins and we went right to Kitt's house were we promptly went to the park. We played at a couple parks and then went to Kitt's for lunch and naps. During naps, Kitt and I got to chat and we made some gluten-free Levian Bakery cookies (thick, big, flavorful cookies). It was really fun and we did'nt get it quite right, so we will probably have to make them again with a couple modifications to the original recipe. Once that was done, we got dinner ready cared for the kiddos. Had dinner and then watch Motorcrossed. Its an old-ish one but I still like it and my kids did to. Kade liked the motorcycles and my girls loved the girl coming out on top. After the movie, we drove home to sleep in our own beds.

Tia feeding Hugh.

Just like that our break was over and it was really good and we still have places to go and things to see and do on another break.