Half Way through September

 It is so tempting to just read other people's blogs and let this week slip into the undocumented, but that is how I slip into bad habits. So, I will start with our weekend and work backwards and see how far we get. Today was our primary program. Tia invited our neighbors to come and they did. Tia worked on her part right before church and she was able to do it all by herself and did a great job. Abby told me after church "I didn't even look at the paper." Kade was a crackup. He did say his favorite story was Nephi building a boat, but then he expounded to say that God asked him to and Nephi said he would sail it across the sea. There was more, but I don't remember what, but it did all make sense and he did a great job. So, it wa sa win for all my kids. I was very proud of them. They were so excited to have friends come and watch them. I felt the spirit in the meeting and sat in awe of those kiddos and what they learned or what their parents helped them learn this year. The words of the bishops at the end were spot on and it was just great. I loved it. I was in charge of a 'game' for after the primary program and I really thought the kids could use a little lesson because this week is Samuel the Lamanite you can't just miss it! Anyway, I started by talking about Samuel and then we played name that tune with some songs that covered topics that Samuel told the people about. I think it went well. Its kind of fun being the music leader. I get how after years you can burn out but as a fill in, it is so fun!

Saturday was a big day too. We started off the day getting the house cleaned up. It was in dire need. The bathrooms got cleaned, and Gaupo vacuumed everywhere. Freshly vacuumed carpet, clean bathrooms, and fresh cookies are like my favorite things. But vacuumed carpet---there is nothing quite like it. Anyway, that took most of our morning though we did squeeze in a play moment at the neighbors house before lunch. Then around 1:30 I took the two older girls and headed to Lyons to get ready for the family festival. I didn't get there until about 2:15 because I had to grab something from someone in the ward, and then I had to run back by the house to grab tape and then get out there. So,  I was so behind and my helpers were a little not being helpful, but then a young man from the YSA ward showed up and said I am here to help. It was like an angel he helped setup canopies, carry chairs and tables, and just got all the things setup and didn't give up until done. I would have been so late if he hadn't helped me. I was so grateful! I ran the crafts and service part of the festival. We made sack puppets and had a station to write letters to missionaries in our stake. I was really surprised at how many kids came and made puppets. There were kids and people there almost the whole time (3pm-7pm). Besides my part there was an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, face painting, bubbles, corn hole, volleyball, a dunk tank, and food. The kids had an absolute blast. Tia came early and stayed late and had a great time the whole time. But all of my kids had fun even Hope. It made for a long day, but for the first time in several events I felt successful. I really feel like the Lord is helping me feel positive about the things I have been putting time into. Very full, but very good day.

The rest of the week was pretty normal with school, work for Gaupo and activities. Tia, Kade, and Abby started swim lessons this week. We almost had a failed first lesson when Kade didn't bring his clothes and was freaking out about it and refusing to go to lessons. But he did get in the pool and he had a great time. Wednesday when we lessons he had his clothes in the swim bag  before school! Kylee is still enjoying dive. Kade got a little sick on Friday and got to stay home. I think it filled his bucket a little to be home with Hope and me. We had to run a couple errands because I had to get stuff for the family festival and we had picnic outside and then relaxed the afternoon. I really miss having Kade and Abby home in the afternoon. I just miss the noise and chatter. I don't miss the mess they make, but I do miss them. Wednesday while the kids were at school I went and visited Kitt. It was fun to just be with her. We had just Hope and Hugh for awhile and it was crazy because they just happily played and no one bugged them. Kitt and I hung her magnet board while I was there and then just talked. The time went by way to fast and I was late getting home, but luckily the kids handled it like champs and were excited to see me. I love having Kitt home. I know they needed that time in Germany, but its good to have her back.

I at this very moment feel very loved and seen by my Heavenly Father. The family festival and the primary program are things I usually don't appreciate and have a hard time enjoying but I felt needed and successful at both and was able to enjoy both. My kids were well enough to enjoy both activities. I just feel like the Lord sent little tender mercies to show His love when I felt a little down. He knows and loves me and wants to serve where I am and so he provides a way just like he did for Nephi and so many others. I am His daughter and He loves me. 

What We Are Up To

 I really don't feel like I have much to report, but I have some time this Sunday afternoon so I thought I would try. School has been in for about 3 weeks. For the most part it seems to be going well for everyone. Kylee had her first week of dive club this week. Its 20 minutes away from us, but she really likes it so I think its a good sport change for her. Kade, Abby, and Tia will start swim lessons this week. That will be the last back to school thing we add. Kade and Abby are loving school and their teacher. Abby always talks about friends, and Kade always seems really excited about whatever happened at school. So far, I have learned they can't talk about guns, bombs, or poison. Apparently the little boys are playing some interesting games. Tia seems to be doing okay in school. She still doesn't have any friends her age, but she still loves going and started Student Council and loves feeling part of the school.

Hope, Tia, and Abby on the pool deck watching

Kylee jumping off

Gaupo is still working at the library. Its been over 10 years since we started there and most days he still really likes it. He likes what he does, and has pretty good people to work with. I love that he gets to be home for lunch, can still ride his bike to work, and that his schedule is flexible enough to help me with our five kids. I feel so blessed at how involved he can be with the day to day things of our lives. As for me, I spend a great amount of time planning and implementing the plan for how to get everyone everywhere, feed everyone, try to teach the gospel to our children, and be around for anything else. I also have been planning part of our Stake Family Festival event and so some of my time has gone there too. Honestly, between therapies, doctors appointments, activities, feeding everyone, and helping with homework and practicing I am pretty busy, but I feel so blessed that I get to be here for all of it. I get to be home with Hope playing, cleaning, preping dinner, and making her laugh. I can be home right when my kids get home from school. Lately, I have had the chance to pick up Kylee and our friend Emmett from middle school and its been so great to have a little time together. 

Labor day weekend we did do a couple unusual things. Saturday we had no plans, and I decided we didn't need to do chores, so we asked the kids what they wanted to do and honestly they couldn't think of much. The big girls wanted to do a 3 movie marathon, but I said I need to prep for that kind of thing. Anyway, we ended up finished the kids tree house. We like how it turned out, and the kids (especially Kade, Abby and our neighbor Ella) have had a great time playing in it. Sunday, Kitt finally got home from Germany, so we took them dinner and then stayed for dinner. It was really fun to see them again, know they were home, see their souvenirs, and enjoy them. They were a little sleep deprived but I thought they handled all of us really well. Monday we went to Lavern M Johnson with both the Bryce's and the Blaylocks. There was river play, rock jumping, splash padding, playground playing, and picnicking. It was a pretty fun day. We finished off the day with a movie. It was a fun family filled weekend.

Abby and Hope at the splash pad

Hope

Kade

This weekend has been busy too. Friday was Gaupo's Friday/Saturday switch. We took the opportunity to go to a local coffee shop. Gaupo got a gift card and we wanted to use it. So, we got Italian soda's and a frozen campfire cocoa. The sodas were okay but the campfire cocoa was awesome! We decided that next time we will just get a big frozen campfire cocoa. We also got some shopping done. Gaupo cleaned up our entertainment area and garage while Hope and I went to pickleball. It was a nice surprise to come home to more space in the garage and so much of the TV area organized. That night we went to our ward's adult only ice cream social. Saturday was a busy day too. Gaupo had to work, so it was just me and the kids. We went to new parade that the school district did that kind of showed off all the education things. The new parade route was right outside the library so that made it super easy to do. After the parade we went to the library and got some new books. Then we went home and had lunch. After lunch I started canning peaches. I roped the kids in but the older two tapped out after about 12 peaches. Kade and Abby stuck around for quite awhile and Abby I got to come back later and help again. All in all it took me about 4.5 hours to can 13 bottles of peaches, and get the kitchen cleaned up. I will say that Kylee was a big help with cleanup of both the house and the kitchen, and Tia was a good help with getting things for me when I needed them. When it was done and cleaned up we headed to our neighborhood block party. It was fun to meet people and gather together. Today we went to a Luthern church. It was my first time ever attending a different church. We went because our neighbor Wyatt was being baptized. It was interesting to see how other worship. We left a little early so that we could get to our meetings, but I am glad we could go support them, but also allow for our family to have some great talks about why we do what we do, what we believe, and how there is good everywhere and that we support people we love in the good things they do. I will admit it felt very nice to our church where everything was familiar, but I am still glad we went. My favorite parts of the Luthern service were when they got up and hugged each other and wished each other peace, and did a smattering of visiting. I also liked how the congregation joined in the baptism by agreeing to help Wyatt in his spiritual journey. I think its so important to have people help you along the way. I also loved watching my neighbors love their congregation and pastors. It was very nice.  

School Is Here

 School started last week. We did on last summer hurrah, at Cater Lake. We met the cousins there and luckily for us it wasn't really that busy. The weather was good, the sand perfect, the water frigid, and the company very fun. It was a really good end to summer.

Abby in the tube.

Roxy and Tia in the water.

Kylee and Allen

Kade, Abby, and Betty in the sand.

Hope feeling pretty tired.

Tia was the first to go back to school. So far so good. She loves her teacher Mrs. Legg. She also had lunch this week with the school counselor and a few girls from class.  She is hoping to get some skills for how to make friends. She also found out this week that she was accepted into student council for the year, so she is super excited about that too. Its been a little bit rough getting back into the groove of homework, reading, piano practicing, and chores but she (and I are getting there).

Tia's first day of 5th.

Everyone sending Tia to school.

Kylee started the next day. She was ready after having spent all day at home without Tia the day before. So far school has been good for her too. Kylee and Betty have FCS (home ec) and math together. Kylee also has a couple of classes with her friend Parker Merritt. For the most part she likes her teachers, so I think the year will be okay. She has started volleyball, but this weekend I found out that they are going to have a middle school dive club, so she is going to try that. So, if we can get a refund for volleyball, she will just do dive otherwise she will try to do it all. Kylee caught a bug plus had some pretty bad anxiety and her lungs were hurting terribly and her headaches were back, but luckily it seems to be getting better. Its kind of tricky to navigate and sometimes we don't do the best job, but we are working on it. She seems to love school and youth activities.

First day of 7th for Kylee.

While Kylee was at school the twins convinced me that they should sell cookies for 'real dollars.' These two had been setting up a shop the day earlier with dirty water the wanted to sell, but I didn't let them. So, then they wanted to do something for real and we decided on cookies. They measured everything but the grease for the cookies. I helped with mixing and with the oven but they did most everything else. Then they sold the cookies. They went to neighbors doors and told them we were selling cookies and then ran off. Most neighbors came and got some. Gaupo sold some to some co-workers who thought the pic he sent was so cute. Then when they had three left Abby insisted she wanted to sell them all, so I put her cookies on the tray and taped her sign to it and took them to a couple other neighbors so they could finish selling every last one of them. The neighbors were so generous buying cookies, and some even paying a little extra. These two made 17.50 each. They loved it and want to do it again. 

Cookies for sale. It was threatening to rain so they had to setup back by the garage.

Kade and Abby started Kindergarten the next day. They are both in the same class. They seem to be doing great. They come home happy and tired every day. Between the two of them I have heard more about kindergarten then I have ever heard before and its pretty fun. They had blue and red day this week and it was fun to watch them get dressed up and then hear the songs they learned and hear the excitement of the day. They both seem to have their own friends and seem to be doing good. I love that they love it. It makes it so much easier to send them.

Kade first day of Kinder.

Abby frist day of Kindergarten.

Carpool crew. Tia, Kade, Abby, Logan and Ellie Bailey.

These four cuties.

Together.

Hope is with me. We have managed to stay pretty busy despite the fact that its just us. We get everyone where they need to go. Sometimes we hangout and play, sometimes we do chores. Fridays we go play pickleball. This week our neighbor Laura came and played with us too. We managed to not get bored and do plenty of things. The trick is I got to make sure we aren't in car after about 11:00/11:30 or she falls asleep and just like that nap time is ruined or at least harder. Potty training is still a work in progress. She can do it all, but waking up and getting to the bathroom from naps or in the morning is still a little dicey. Oh well, believe it or not I am still glad we don't have diapers anymore.

Crazy post lake hair.

Hope squeezed half a tube of toothpaste on her and on the bed and floor. Plus she pooped her pants and walked in it and then around the upstairs.

She got my mascara. But that was after she squirted my facewash out and rubbed it on her legs, then after I washed that off, got a hold of the lotion and started applying that to herself. Then once I had rinsed the shower with her she applied aquafor to herself. Then finally the last thing was the mascara. All this while I was distracted cleaning the bathroom and talking to Klaire.

Sometimes she talks me into doing things like getting in the cabinet to play with her. Yes, we both fit, but it is a tight squeeze.

We have done a couple of activities besides school. Monday we went and picked corn at the church farm in Greeley. We didn't really need corn this year, but we love going and so we took Jason's co-worker Donne and picked corn and then they took theirs home and we shared with neighbors. I processed about 10 cups for the freezer and about 5 more that I made into salads this week. Its so good.

Kade and Abby in the corn patch.

Hope picking corn.

I spy Kylee.

Tia went in once and then stayed on the outside.

Another thing we did this week was on Friday we went to Unity in the Community. Its a fun event where the kids walk around collecting all the free swag they can from different vednors. It sounds lame, but my kids love it. They rode a 'train', made derby cars, and collected tons of free swag. It was a fun night. It was made even more fun by the fact that Gaupo was there 'working' but could still spend most of the evening with us. I have no pictures. I was too busy keeping track of kids.

Yesterday I threw my first baby shower. I did it for Averee Pulley. She said she didn't really need one, so I said that fine how about we have a party then. So, we had a few people come and we had food and play get to know you games and visited it was fun. I was feeling pretty insucure about the lack of 'cute' in my home, but you know it didn't matter and it was super fun to host the party and watch my home be used for a gathering other than family. My kids favorite part was making Ma-mosas (juice, 7-up, and berries, in any proportions that you want) and decorating their rooms with all the baby shower decor. I don't have very good pictures because I didn't get pictures until it was over. We had naps that afternoon, and then finished off the day watching Kung Fu Panda 4 as a family. 

The almost undone food table.

This sign said "oh baby" but we like this one better.

Calm Before School

 This week seems like it was so calm, but maybe that is because we were simply home. We started of the week by meeting the cousins and some friends at Dacono Splash pad. It was kind of the first time we have had friends and cousins, so the hangout vibe was a little different, but it was still fun. That night the kids were playing on the stairs. They took our little two step slide up to the top and Abby decided to try and go down, but Hope pushed her before she was ready. According to her she went down and then the pillow or something got stuck and she flew threw they air and then crashed and rolled. Needless to say there was quite a loud thudding and crying. Her arm her pretty bad, but I was like ahh it's probably find. However, in the morning it was still hurting so I booked an appointment with the doctor. Before we went to the doctor though we went to the river. The big girls went down the rushes and jumped of the rocks. Abby, Kade, and Hope mainly stayed in the shallows, but they did jump off a rock once and enjoyed climbing the rocks when I took them over to them. It was really fun. The day was so very warm, and the river felt really good. After the river we rushed home and quickly took showers, and then I left the kids with Kylee to take Abby to the doctor. During, the appointment the doctor touched and squeezed her arm and he said that she was easily distractable, so he doubt that it was fractured or broken but we would get an x-ray just in case. However, once we got the x-ray we saw that it was indeed fractured. I was kind of bummed because I had some water things I wanted to do, but oh well. So, after 3 hours in the doctors office it was finally splinted and we were on the way home. 

So, Wednesday we pretty much just stayed around the house playing, doing laundry and hanging out. I played the game of LIFE with the kids for the first time and that was pretty fun. Thursday we had Betty, Allen, and Roxy over while their mom went to work. The kids had a great time playing together. They mostly played house in the tent downstairs, but part of that was watching 'Betty TV.' I watched it for a little bit too and it was pretty funny and good. It was fun to watch Betty channel her inner child and play pretend and play. After lunch they watched a show and then they wanted a tea party. We pulled out Grandma-Great's party dishes and had a tea party. They gobbled up all the snacks and enjoyed their conversations together. I love that we have cousins so close and that they enjoy being together. It warms my heart to watch them all play together. 

Friday, Abby went to her friend Cora's house to play and the rest of went to the library and shopping. While shopping we found Kylee a shirt for school and I got a cute sweater shirt for fall. The whole time we were out I kept feeling like I was missing a kid and the I would remember that Abby was at a friends house. It was kind of unnerving. That afternoon, I rested a little and then got up to make dinner and sort school supplies. That evening was my favorite though. Gaupo and I went out for a 'date.' We went and bought new headphones for the kids to have at school. Then we went to Wal-Mart to look for a headphone adapter, but to also get our treat. I got a Reese's Outrageous and a Big Hunk. Gaupo opted for Hot Tamales and a Wal-Mart brand Snickers. I know most people wouldn't call it a date, but I really enjoyed being with just him and being able to make decisions with him without having interruptions or can we got yets. 

Hope is officially out her crib and wearing no diapers, and we are still in summer vacations mode, so while these are great things it make evening time for Guapo and I not as relaxing or not even together. So, I really appreciated going out together, because if nothing else there is all the drive time to just talk and listen to each other. I really enjoyed it. Saturday, was kind of lazy, but we did get stuff done. Gaupo worked on his bike, we had griddle breakfast, took a bike ride, Kylee went to the temple, I took Kylee shopping, had grill food for dinner, went and picked up a bunk bed for Kitt, and then finished the night with video games. 

Listing everything out makes it seem really busy but it really didn't feel that way. It has been so good to be home. I have loved being at my home this summer. I really wish I had about a month more before I had to send the kids back. This summer flew by so fast and I am just not ready to conform with the rigid schedule of school. I love these days.

Kylee in the River

Kade in the sand

Abby in the sand

Abby with her splint

Gaupo and Hope at Free Float Day

Kade and I.

Table one for the Tea party

Table two.

An epic flour mess that happened after the tea party.

Summer In a Quick Blurb

 Holy Cow! Summer has flown by. It isn't over yet (thank goodness), but its wrapping up fast. When I planned the summer it seemed like we would be home quite a lot and at the beginning we sort of were, but now that its wrapping up I don't feel like I have been home at all! However, here is some of what we did this summer.

Arizona--We went to Arizona Father's Day weekend. Jason came all the way with us and stayed until Tuesday. It was so great to have him around and it only made our time apart like 10 days which was kind of nice. We had a great time in AZ. I played pickleball most mornings. It was fun to play with Oma's friends and to have people think I was good. I really enjoyed playing. We went swimming every day at least once a day. All of my kids became or remember they were little fishes. The twins loved jumping in, Kylee worked on perfecting her dives, Hope kicked and floated around pretty content, and Tia just loved playing whatever. We also got visits from Kara and Klaire and their kids, so that was fun. I love the time I get with my sisters and kids. When we all get to my mom's house we are all technically 'on vacation' so we can just take care of kids and hang with each other. Kylee and I managed to squeeze a few trips to the temple. Kylee went once with Oma, once with Papa, and once with Me. I went and did an endowment session and sealing with my parents. We loved Arizona!

Proof we made it to AZ.

Hope was quiet. This is lotion all over her.

Kylee and Tia trying on our old prom dresses.

Kids working on scavenger hunt Aunt Kara invented.

Playing in the puddle from the micro burst.

Abby built me this cool hat.

Hope knows Papa is the best to sleep on.

At the temple

Swimming

Bubble bath after swimming.

Utah-Papa drove us from Arizona to Utah in one day. He is a trooper especially since he didn't feel good. I went to my cousin Lisa's house. She provided us with delicious homemade pizza and 9:00 at night. 15 hours after we left that morning. Then the kids slept in the basement all together and her and I visited until 1:00AM. My mom wasn't there to tell us to go to bed, so we kind of forgot (wink, wink). The next day we just let the kids play inside and out. They had fun and we had a great time hanging out. It had been a long time since we got to just enjoy each other. SO GOOD!

The kids in the splash pad

Lisa and I, cute as ever!

Hope and Elssie

Kade, Hugh, and Abby on the tramp

Bryce Reunion-After staying over night with Lisa we went up to Idaho where we dropped-off my dad and met up with Jason again. We went and stayed in Swanlake for the weekend. Then we made the trek to Bear Lake. This year I was 'in charge,' and decided to take over the food. Klaire helped me know how much to buy, but we bought it all and took it to the lake. Our car was packed!! There was really only lap space left and we had a bag on top too. Our best food find/pickup was when we went to Casper's Ice cream. We bought cookies and cream with caramel sandwiches. They were so good. We actually had really good food all of reunion. Some events of the reunion were two days at Bear Lake. We were there between 9 and 10 and stay until 3 or 4. The kids had a great time in the water despite it was FREEZING!, we also built castles and hot tubs. My mom, Klaire, and Kara watch firework on the 4th of July from the road in front of the cabin. The best ones were the illegal ones the neighbor lit off right by us. The whole thing was great though. Full of family and fun. 

Our car

Aunt Klaire and Hope

before we hit the lake

Brady Reunion--Right from the Bryce reunion we went to Grandpa Great's for the Brady Reunion. Lisa was in charge and did a great job. We had a fun family feud game, service project, talent show, fun games, and good food. Once again a great time visiting and having fun with family. For the talent show this year, Kylee play the piano, Kade and Abby wrote and colored a book together, and Tia was going to show off her coloring pages, but we lost them. After reunion was over we went back to Swanlake for showers, bed and to hangout for the rest of the weekend.

Home--We came home for about two weeks which the first few days we played with the Bryce cousins before they went to AZ and the last few days we spent with ourselves and the neighbors. Highlights from this point in time were swimming at sunset pool, the aquarium (my first time ever going to one), a packed dinner at the lake, splash pad with friends, making 'fairy dust' with chalk, and kind of just doing things. Also during this time, we started anxiety meds with Kylee. It has been a game changer for us. She is so much less angry, way more helpful, and just more relaxed. Its not figured out perfectly, but it is so much better. One reason I say it isn't perfect is because when we tried to go to the full dose she went back to being super crabby and also kind of out of it, so we had to back off again. I don't know if that's okay or not, but its what we are doing for now.

Tia with chalk dust glvoes

Abby and Tia with their fairy house

The the aquarium

Hope turned 2

Rode the little train

Went to Loveland Lake

Swanlake--After that two weeks at home we went back to Swanlake. We were there for about 10 days. We haven't stayed that long in a long time, but it gave us time to do lots of things. We went on 2 long four-wheeler rides. My favorite was the one where we went up past the Ranger Riders cabin up towards Shingle Creek. It was so pretty back in there. We might figure out how to go camping there next year, but we will see. The kids played on the haystack, until Uncle Aaron built them a hay fort instead. Jeff and Heidi came down one day to play. Another note worthy event is that Kylee went and did baptisms with Arlen, Grandma, and Grandpa. Then we went to a park in Pocatello for lunch. After that Grandma and Grandpa went to work at the temple and we went to Heidi and Jeff's house. The kids had fun just playing and being crazy together. We had rabbit and sour cream potatoes for dinner. I had never had rabbit before but it wasn't bad. After dinner we headed back to Swanlake and spent our first night in our tent. Friday was the start of the Merrill family reunion. In the afternoon, we went up to the pond. The kids were out on kayaks though this year their favorite thing has been taking out the paddle board and trying to sink and flip it or just take turns jumping off it. It was so hot up there, so once Jason came up I went swimming and it was still pretty cool, but also refreshing. Eventually, dinner happened, kids got showered, and we played a family feud game that Jason and I helped do. The kids watch a movie on a tv that was on the outside of a motor home. I went and visited for a  bit, but after the movie finished I took our kiddos down to the house and we all went to bed. Saturday we went home. It took us awhile to get out the door since we went and picked up meat from John and then waited for a candy/t-shirt drop from an air plane at the pond. It wasn't exactly what I thought, but the kids loved it. Not all the pics below were from this trip but they are all from Swan Lake.

Family picture

We made boats to float

Kade getting his dog fix

On a four-wheeler ride.

Abby Fishing

Jason fishing

Kade shooting. This kid loves to shoot

Horse rides

Me, Kade, and Hope in Pocatello

Kylee with Grandma and Grandpa at the temple

Now we are home to cram in as much summer as we can. Its been fun and we have grown a lot this summer. Abby lost teeth, Kylee is getting help with anxiety, Tia is loving not having homework, Kade is in his home room, and Hope learned to get out of her pack-n-play. As for me, I am apparently getting old, as I have been ready to be back home when the trips were over. But otherwise I am just trying to enjoy it all.