Last Full Day of School

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

What did we do today?

Our Elementary School held their annual 3k,

and we walked the whole thing, even Jacob! After

the first block, he was already asking when were we going

to be done. A few piggy back rides and meeting

up with his friend, Ashlyn, helped him make it to the end.

Kaylee and Emma had field day the rest of the school day.

A great way to kick off summer with lots of outside play!

Jacob, Emma, and Kaylee are ready to go!

 

After our 3k, Jacob and I rode bike and trailor to BYU.

 Jacob has been asking when we were going to make this trip. We finally pulled it off the last day that we could with just the two of us. I'm not sure we're ready to go this far as a family yet. Maybe we could...

Jacob thinks of BYU as a giant playground with chocolate milk.

Water, "tunnels", stairs, ramps, and lots of space to run around.

Heaven on earth for Jacob!

Picked up the Girls and headed straight to the dentist for check ups. No cavities! Yahoo!
We love our dentist! It's so nice that all my kids actually get excited to go. His office is fun, he takes good care of them and treats them nice, and his staff gives them cool balloons when they're done. 

After the dentist, we stopped at Hobby Lobby to get paper for Primary and a gift for a b-day party Emma was invited to and already late for. Dropped Emma off at that party, dropped the other two off at home, ran to the rental that I manage to change the filters, picked up Tyler from band, came home with just enough time to pull things together for our visits tonight, visited some amazing families in the ward, watched a little AFV with the family before the children went to bed, read a story with Jacob, and plopped myself down in front of the computer. Thanks to Brian for warming up dinner tonight and for taking care of things around here! 

I really am grateful for all that he does. He works hard every day to support our family, and when he gets home, he jumps right in to help wherever he can. Not only that, he's happy to do it.

Wow! Words can't say how grateful I am for him!

Cameron Graduated!

May 29, 2012

My oldest nephew graduated from high school! Wow!

He's shown his "Superman" powers once again as he's jumped hurdles and conquered battles to achieve this one!

We think the world of you, Cameron! Go! Fight! Win!

Deborah and me

Can you believe she's the mother of a high school graduate?!

Weren't we just there?!

We have our children, our smile lines (so Emma calls them) and maybe a few grey hairs, plus whatever other aches and pains, yeah already, to remind us that we are not just out of high school. Still young in mind and attitude, though!

It's so great to see our children growing and accomplishing great things!

They are amazing! 

"Stay Soft" Caramel Popcorn

From Wendy Mitchell

1/2 C. butter

1 C. Karo Syrup

2 C. brown sugar

1 C. sweetened condensed milk

1 t. vanilla

20-25 C. popped popcorn

Sift popcorn in a very large bowl and get all the un-popped kernels out.

Melt all ingredients in a heavy pan. Cook on medium heat until bubbly and well blended...make sure to STIR CONSTANTLY!!

Remove from heat, and pour all over popcorn. Then stir and stir and stir until all the popcorn is dripping in caramel goodness. Spread it on a big piece of parchment paper to cool.

Thanks Wendy for that great recipe!! We devoured it!

Monday Afternoon,

May 28, 2012

Brian finished putting the truckload of sod in the back yard after it decorated our driveway for several days, maybe weeks. He's so great. We have had good intentions to take care of that, but the weather and our being elsewhere at the times we could've gotten it done put off the job.

While he was working outside, me in, Emma was playing a game of her own on the swingset. We could both hear her yelling,

"I'm the king of the world!

Top of the Sea!

King of the universe!

You see!"

She kept at this game for quite a while, yelling other orders and talking out loud her story as it unfolded. I went out to see how it was going at one point in the game. She said that she was the king and the swings were her servants. I left her to it.

Neighborhood BBQ

Earlier on Monday, we were leaving to go up the canyon at the same time that our neighbors were taking their boat out to the lake. Jacob asked if they were leaving forever. I told him "no, they will come back later today." Then he said, "I wish I went with them!" Then he went on to say that he loved fast boats, unlike our slow rowboat trips that we like to take down the Snake River. So he got to play on the boat all evening. He stayed on it for probably an hour, and he would have stayed on it longer if it hadn't been time to go in.

It was fun to get together with neighbors for a delicious BBQ! We stayed out laughing and talking until after the kids bedtime. I had said before we started tonight, that we had to come in at a certain time because it was a school night. I'm still working on sticking to my word. I tend to get caught up in the moment... 

The kids enjoyed playing, and all but Tyler got an injury as a souveneir to remember the night. First, Kaylee wiped out on her scooter, scraping skin on her elbow and hip. Both swelled up and bled a bit - Brian bandaged her up good. Then Emma was showing off her rollerblading and biking abilities at the same time. It was an accident waiting to happen, especially when she stood up while pedaling in her rollerblades. When she sat back down, she wiped out. But she came up smiling to show that she was o.k. Only a few scrapes from that. On our way in, Jacob somehow rubbed his big toe along the cement and scraped off quite a bit of skin. I bandaged him up while he told me that he almost got dead. I asked him how, and he said that you can only lose so much skin before you die. I'm very grateful he didn't lose enough for that to happen!!



Memorial Day Monday!

May 28, 2012

I woke up this morning without an alarm, children yelling, doors banging, or any other usual sounds that get me out of bed at about 8am! That's sleeping in, and it felt great! Emma offered to make breakfast for me and anybody else who would let her. She made eggs for Kaylee, who got it in bed, and for Jacob, and toast and applesauce for me and her.

The day has just unfolded from there. Made pretzel jello salad for our neighborhood BBQ tonight, cookies and sandwiches for a picnic up the canyon with the Jardine family. That was a fun addition to our day! Thanks for calling and coming down Deanna and Joe!

We took a drive up to Sundance to check out the lift and see if we might want to do that for the Ricks Family Reunion that we get to organize this year. While we were there, we saw some of a bike race where bikers were flying down the hill. It was pretty cool to watch! I'm grateful we have no interest in that or anything like it in our family. Hopefully, we can keep it calm and simple around here, and watch everyone else be crazy. (o:

Jacob climbed up on this hill, and said, "Holy Cow! I can see the whole America up here!"

We all had to climb up and see. It is very beautiful!

I can't wait to take him on more hikes this summer, so that he can see even more of "America"!

Ricks and Jardine cousins at South Fork.

Lots of fun!

Happy Memorial Day!

Today we are going to visit our Grandparents graves.

Grandmother and Grandad both passed away in June of 2010. It seems like just yesterday that we they were coming to family events and having us over for dinner and ice cream cones. 90-year-old Grandad painted our ceiling, less than a year before he passed away. He came over with his ladder and painting tools and told us to put him to work.

Grandmother was still doing crossword puzzles, and writing down everyone's names so that she could make people connections just before she passed away. She could find connections/relations to anyone she ran into.

I picture Grandad working outdoors working in the his yard or someone elses, making furniture and toys for the grandkids, putting together giant jigsaw puzzles, and Grandmother cooking something up in the kitchen, sewing, preparing lessons, or riding on the bike while reading the Ensign.

They passed away within a few weeks of each other.

Grandma and Grandpa Patten

 

Mom and Grandpa Patten

 

Grandpa Patten passed away in December of 2010. What an amazing man! We asked the children what they remembered about their Great Grandparents as we were driving to the cemeteries. When we brought up Grandpa Patten, Tyler remembered his apricot tree in the back, Kaylee remembered he always had those round pink mints and nuts to share, Emma remembered that he was always happy, and Jacob couldn't wait for his turn to tell us "I Love him!".

I remember always feeling welcome in his home and his big garden that provided several of his own home-cooked meals for us and anyone else who would come to visit.  He taught me how to can and bake bread, and he baked loaves of bread for all his neighbors and friends. One day he invited us over for onion sandwiches for lunch. I didn't even like onion at the time, but those sandwiches weren't too bad, and I'll never forget the fact that I ate one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting the grave sites of Grandmother and Grandad and Grandma and Grandpa Patten.

05/27/12

 

 

 

 

Friday Night End of School Celebration!

Last night, the girls invited a couple school friends over for a pj party before school lets out. They polished nails, made flower clips and watched a movie. Sounds pretty girlie and fun to me!

Saturday, May 26

Happy Saturday! It's a beautiful morning outside! I started early and went on a 15 mile run.I woke up at 5am and the first and only thing I could hear were the birds singing. Love that! I got home just after everyone else had woken up, so we all got ready for the day. Only Emma threw a fit about taking a shower. She said she didn't have time for it. I asked her what her schedule consisted of, and she said she had to play outside, polish her toe nails, play with friends, and she listed off a few other things that she would play. Needless to say, she did take a shower, and now she is playing one of those things that she listed off. Brian went on his Saturday bike ride, which I hope to change my running schedule around, so that I can join him. The kids have been out polishing toe nails on the drive way, riding bikes in the circle (cul-de-sac), and playing with the neighbors dog until we all got invited over for waffles that Krystal just happened to throw together for the whole neighborhood. Our kids thought they were great! Emma came in for seconds and told me that Krystal's and my waffles were her favorites now. Brian and I talked with the neighbors about their dog that they recently got. Apparently, there are more puppies to come. I have enjoyed not having a dog, but our children (especially Kaylee) have wanted and begged for one for years now, and, believe it or not, I do have a soft spot for dogs. I always wanted one when I was growing up, and promised myself I would get one when I had my own family. It all changes when you're the parent, raising a family, and trying to figure out what your tolerance level is without going over it. I don't know...
A cold front is now blowing in. Brian and I attempted to take the rest of the soil that's piled up on our driveway back to the back yard, but two wheelbarrel loads later with the wind and rain coming at full force, we decided to wait to finish the job.
Brian and I are going on a date tonight - to dinner, and hopefully, on a good long walk. I've been looking forward to this date for a while now, and I'm hoping that the weather won't scare us away from the walk...
Until then, I'll work on the laundry, go grocery shopping, and get ready for Primary tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow, we have our mums, and we're looking forward to visiting our grandparents graves tomorrow evening. It's nice to reminisce times we shared with our loved ones. I really miss Grandmother and Grandad and Grandpa Patten! It's seems like they were just with us! They were great examples to all of us!

Finishing up School

This has been a busy week full of tests and performances. But the homework has calmed down, and we are very near our summer break! I think I'm as excited as the children for it to come!

Tuesday night, Tyler performed Man orMuppet  at his voice recital. Here's a recording of it:

http://youtu.be/93KifTBD46Y

Tyler has done so well in school this year! I can't believe how fast he is growing up! He's loving school, and he's had some fun opportunities to perform and share his musical talents. We are so proud of him and his positive attitude, even when his schedule has been hectic and his work load has been very big. He's taken it one step at a time, and pulled through successfully.

Last night, Emma performed in her third grade program. They danced, sang, and performed piano pieces. It was pretty impressive! Her music teacher, Mrs. Poynter, is one of Emma's all time favorites! Emma had a speaking part, and she said it with lots of animation - she's quite the performer!

Jacob got lunch at Daddy's work yesterday. We even drove our car there - see the picture he drew on Friday, May 18, 2012. He was so excited, and had planned what he was going to eat days in advance: a cheese sandwich, fries (not french fries, apparently just fries are tater tots), and some ice cream with m&ms.

After lunch with Daddy, we went to a meeting about health programs for elementary schools in S.L.C., and then ran to the store to buy milk, bread, and gatorade. Jacob slept most of the way home after all that excitement. Dinner was already made, I threw it together before we left, crockpot chicken taco soup and corn bread. We had enough for leftovers today, which means I get to do other fun stuff besides cook.

I'm in the kitchen, sandwiched between couches and kitchen table and chairs because we got our carpets cleaned. Our living quarters until bedtime are the kitchen, basement, and outside. Thank goodness it's a nice day outside!



Happy Sunday!

A family game of Bocci outside during the Annular Eclipse. We all had our pin hole papers to see the shape of the sun shrink and then grow again. Too bad the clouds covered the sun right during the ring of fire moment. It was all still exciting and fun. A perfect evening out.

We have had a great weekend!

Friday night, the outdoor school movie was a success! It was a little nippy, but fun!

Saturday, Tyler and Kaylee sang with their choir at the Children's Museum. They both had solos and did a great job. We stayed and played afterward.

Tyler in the ball area at the Children's Museum

Jacob in the ball area, where he stayed the whole time we were there.

Kaylee and Emma taking a ride. Yee Haw!

After we came home from the museum, we made ramen soup for the kids, got them a redbox movie, and Brian and I went on a date to Los Hermanos for dinner and to the temple. It was a perfect date! 

When we got home, the kids were all in bed, except Tyler, the dishes were done, and the house was clean. Wow! We put them to the test, and they lived up to it.

Emma even left this not on our door:

Dear Mom and Dad,

I love you with all my heart. Thank you for everything. I love you.

Me and Jacob were hungry and everyone was talking about cookies.

So we went downstairs and we took two cookies. We each got one, it was only me and Jacob.

I felt to bad, but I had already aten a bite of my cookie so I threw the rest away.

Jacob ate all of his cookie and we had forgotten, he had not aten all of his dinner.

I am so sorry. I put Jacob to bed like you said. I tried to call dad after it happened but he didn't answer, so I felt really, really, truly, bad. You know that you are the best parents in the whole wide

world. This was written at 8:51pm. I love you so much.

Love, Emma

P.S. Jacob wanted to read a story so he read Away Go the Boats with me.

 

Rainy Friday!

This is the beautiful view outside our back window. The big mountain is hiding up there in the clouds. I love knowing that there's lots up moisture up there and down here today! What a beautiful day!

Usually on Fridays at this time I am at the kids' school heading up the running club, but I get to be home instead, watching the rain fall outside and feeling warm indoors.

I just hung up the phone with my sister... . No, actually the phone battery is dying, and only gives me about 10 minutes max to talk before it quits working on me. Anyway, she asked me if I was planning on going to work once Jacob starts school. That is a question I have asked myself several times and toyed with the answer. Should I get a job to free up our finances a bit, to pursue my field that I graduated in, and for various other reasons that are never-ending? It's funny, long before I was even at this stage of life, I knew I wanted to stay at home, and that if I was blessed enough to be able to, I would be plenty busy helping out in the schools, and getting things done around here. And yet, now that it's really here, I've questioned my resolve. But I'm back where I began, as long as I can be home, I feel like I need to be here. In fact, I feel that I'll be more needed here than ever. Thank goodness I have a wonderful, supportive husband. His mother, whom I think the world of, chose to and was blessed to be able to stay home throughout Brian's growing up and all of his siblings as well. I know a lot of people can't, but while I can, I will take advantage of this time. I'll be here when my kids get sick, need a shoulder to cry on, have exciting news to share, forget something that I can run to them at school. I'll volunteer in their classrooms, chauffeur them to and from their activities, cook, bake, clean house, make our house a home, do running club, teach rad kids, fulfill my church callings, exercise, read good books, be on the school community council, deal with the unexpected, and stay home on a rainy day, if I can. (o:

I get to enjoy 1 1/2 more weeks with my little buddy before school lets out, and I'm going to enjoy these days as much as possible. Here's a few pics from the last couple days:

One of our favorite breakfasts is toast and honey. It's especially good when it's Cox's creamy honey and there's a cup of milk to go with it.

Most every morning, Jacob and I do our own preschool. The picture at the bottom is of a car driving to Daddy's work. We are hoping to go there to have lunch with Daddy next week - it's a fun treat! Maybe we'll park at the furthest south stop and catch the train to ride into downtown.

Sometimes Jacob will surprise me and comb his own hair to get ready for the day. Isn't he so handsome?!

Yesterday, I took Jacob to the park with his friends for a picnic and to play. It was a beautiful sunny day, in contrast to our beautiful rainy day today.

The laundry is calling, and then I get to take my little buddy out for a treat. He earned an ice cream and donut at the store for being very brave last night. I don't usually bribe him with treats, but this time it was well worth it.

I'm looking forward to more rain, and crossing my fingers that it will clear up just long enough for our outdoor school movie tonight. But we'll take what we get, and enjoy a Friday night together as a family no matter what we do.