Memorial Weekend

May 28, was our final day of school.  The kids had field day and yearbook signing, and we yanked em out early to head on over to Boise for the State Cup Finals.  Brig's team played an awesome game Friday night- it was a hard fight and they came out victorious.  Saturdays game was hard fought as well, but there was a force field surrounding the goal and we ended on a tie.  We had probably 20 shots in the last half- but nothing crossed the line.  They lost their game on Sunday- thats what they get for playing on Sunday. :(  It was disappointing as we had hoped to play again on Monday. 

Before the Saturday game, we headed over to the Old State Penitentiary.  It was a really interesting tour.   These are the newest prison cells.

They shared a lot of interesting tales of how people got in and how they tried to escape.

We got a tour of the gallows and death row and solitary confinement.   One guy was in there for 7 months without leaving- because he refused to return a spoon after his meal.  7 months later- he returned the spoon and they let him out.  Yikes- thats stubborn.

The prison was closed down in 1976- but a couple years ago- a group of men came through for the tour.  They were former inmates and were pointing out to the group which cells they had inhabited. 

This little guy is not really a prisoner- but he has captured my heart!

We drove home Sunday night after having a nice lunch at the Karchners. 

We spent Memorial Day hauling mulch (this was a ginormous pile- before and after pictures soon to follow),

and working in the garden.

We have had to replant our tomatoes, cucumbers and watermelon twice now.  Darn frost.  We even put a tarp over them at night- but it was just too much.

It was nice to work hard all day

and of course we sprinkled in plenty of leisure time. 

We finished the night up relaxing with a movie and tasty treats. 

A big thanks to all of the soldiers who have made it possible for us to own and work our own land.  We love and appreciate our soldiers who are serving us right now- particularly our Uncle Sperry and our Uncle Staven.  Thank you!  And a great BIG thank you to our very own HERO- Brigham aka Dad- he is our hero for many, many reasons!

The Cougars

Brigham coached Katry and Seth's indoor soccer team all winter long and then kept the team together for a round of spring soccer on the pitch.  I just learned this year that you call the soccer field "the pitch".  Ahh, there is so much to learn.

The Cougars were amazing.  There are several outstanding players on the team and even the ones who aren't so hot- were still pretty decent.  They had a great season dominating.  And they were all super nice kids.  And the coach was OUTSTANDING!  Seth was the lead scorer and he was playing up a year.  Katry was the star defender.  She used to have a fan club during indoor soccer.  One of our parents were sitting next to some people and they said- who are you here to watch?  They answered that they were there to watch Katry, and they went on to say that they weren't related or anything they just enjoyed watching her play cause she plays with her heart and is the best they have ever seen.  Isn't that awesome!  Until this year she has never cared for playing defense, but she is just so darn good at it.  Now she wants to play defense until she can gauge how good the other team is.  If they aren't so hot then she feels comfortable leaving it in other feet, so she can go off and score.  She sure knew how to work the coach.  He gave her whatever she wanted.   The coaches response to this was- If she is happy, I'm happy.  What a lucky girl!

They have loved playing together and are never happier than when they are on the same team.  I love how they push each other.  What a dynamic duo!

The Duke of Yolk and the Throne Makers

6th Grade Egg Drop.  Wow, we finally had another nice sunny day.  Katry and her Dad prepared a luxurious throne for a lucky little egg that was fondly named "The Duke of Yolk".  Don't let the ugly exterior fool you.  Its whats inside that counts!

Behind Katry, you can see the crane that takes their packages up and drops them 70ft!!!!  Thats a long way to fall.

Did he survive?

Yes He Did!!!

The winning combination????

An egg, inside an orange, inside a bowl of bread, inside a helmet, nestled in toilet paper rolls and blankets inside  a cardboard box.

"In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."
-Gordon B. Hinckley

Six is Awesome

Kaleb has turned the mighty SIX!  I LOVE his SMILE! 

He has been counting down the days for this birthday.  He has even planned several elaborate cake schemes.  He even offered to make a demo out of play dough- so I would know exactly what he wanted.  The above picture is a tree on an island in the water.  That of course was just the base.  He had even bigger plans for it.

In the end he wanted to make the cake himself and chose to make a bug display.  He has dirt and grass and worms and balloon candles that he picked out himself.  I love that he wanted to do it himself.  He looks very satisfied!

For his birthday he got the K BOX.   He got his new sandbox filled with sand and lots of trucks and sand toys.  The kids and lots of neighbors have a great time out there.  Clearly, hauling the sand was a blast as well.  Dad got a new John Deer riding mower- that was his birthday present.  Actually, its for everyone cause it saves hours of mowing. :)  But I do have fond memories of the 3 HOURS it took me to mow the lawn in Kentucky.  It was good for my character and good for the kids when they did their section.  I have a great memory of Katry and Seth mowing their parts together because the lawn mower was too heavy for them to push alone.  The old adage is certainly true- If it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger.  Its good to know we can do hard things.  And its also good to know that we don't have to do certain hard things anymore!  But, back to Kaleb!

Things we LOVE about Kaleb!

*His smile lights up the room*

*His gentleness and innocence*

*He likes to snuggle*

*His tender heart*

*He is curious, asks questions, and loves to learn*

*He loves to help with everything- hauling mulch with Dad, or making dinner with Mom*

*He loves to read books with you*

*He loves to do puzzles*

*He plays great by himself and has a great imagination*

*He plays great with Kai*

We LOVE you Kaleb!

Kiddo Update

                             Wow!  There are so many things going on this time of the year.  I love it!!!

Seth's 4th grade class has this cool "Wax Museum" that they put on.  Each student picks a person from history and writes a report on them.  Then they memorize it and perform. 

They stand in the room frozen- until someone pushes their button- Seth's is located on his hat.  When the button is pushed they come to life and deliver their presentation and then go back to being frozen.  Seth chose General Patton- because we already had a uniform and you have to be dressed in character.  I know we have a lot of military in both families- so please no comments on his authenticity. :)  He did a great job and through out the process his teacher chose him as the example to follow.  Way to go Seth!

 Brig went through an inaguration process at Hillcrest High school- since he is the 9th grade class president.  It is hard to tell in the picture- but there is a sword in the stone in front of him.  They are the Hillcrest Knights.  He is pretty excited and has loved all the extra activites he gets to be involved in.

Katry and Seth went to a piano recital.  Brig got to skip it- due to soccer responsibilities.  The piano teacher did however, tell us that she wants to set up Brig and her daughter when they get older.  I think thats a pretty good endorsement of a child- when someone is impressed enough to trust your daughter with them. :)  

They did a great job at the recital.  I just wished they loved to play.

 

These two little monkeys are just a blast.  We love playing bingo, memory games, dressing up, learning to read and math games.  I love these ages.

 

Laini Cakes at two weeks old.  She is still just as scrumptuous!

 

           "The principles of living greatly include the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and trial with humility."    Thomas S. Monson

The Welcoming Committee Has Been Fired

       Dear Robin Red Breast,   I realize if I saw a  pretty, springy flower arrangement like this I would want to make a nest here too.

And it is a lovely place.  However, we can't have you flapping away in fright every time the door is opened- and it is opened-a.lot!  Furthermore, when you do finally lay eggs- I think your little chicks that hatch would be frightened as well.  And it isn't pleasant to have mud splatters (for the nest building) and bird pooh on our front door.   Therefore, you have been fired and it was needful  to remove your beautiful much laboured on  nest.  It has been relocated in a beautiful, nearby tree.  I hope you enjoy your new home and your fulltime employment as a mother, as your services will no longer be needed on our welcoming committee.   Sincerely,  Redd Haven

One must have sunshine, fresh air and a little flower!

6th Grade Field Day

Katry recently participated in her district wide 6th grade field day.  They did trial runs at their individual schools to try out for the different events.  Katry took first place in the 50, 75, 100, 200, 400 and 1600meter races.  Yah- she is pretty fast and has a lot of endurance too.  She is pretty competetive  and you can see that she runs with her heart.  She wins because of desire.  Its really fun to watch.

For the district wide field day- you can only compete in a few events.  Katry did the mile run, the 400 relay, the running long jump and the 75 meter sprint.  She ran her heart out on the 75 meter sprint- but she was a full foot shorter than the winner and she just couldn't make up the distance with her short little legs.  It was a very close finish.  She did however, beat the same girl in the mile run- where her endurance won out.  I love to watch Katry compete.  She is awesome!

Motherhood!

       Look at these darling little and big kiddos that have put the motherhood in me!  To say that I adore them would be "putting" it lightly.  They are my LIFE!  Truly- big pieces of my heart walking around outside of my body!  They are Fantastic!

“When you have come to the Lord in meekness and lowliness of heart and, as one mother said, “pounded on the doors of heaven to ask for, to plead for, to demand guidance and wisdom and help for this wondrous task,” that door is thrown open to provide you the influence and the help of all eternity. Claim the promises of the Savior of the world. Ask for the healing balm of the Atonement for whatever may be troubling you or your children. Know that in faith things will be made right in spite of you, or more correctly, because of you.

You can’t possibly do this alone, but you do have help. The Master of Heaven and Earth is there to bless you—He who resolutely goes after the lost sheep, sweeps thoroughly to find the lost coin, waits everlastingly for the return of the prodigal son. Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be.” Jeffrey R. Holland

 

Here they are preparing their Mother's Day songs.  What a sweet picture!

What a great day!

*Breakfast in Bed- eggs benedict, gourmet hash browns, strawberries, pineapple, whipped cream, applesauce, OJ and cute little ones piled around me, helping me devour the huge feast.*

*Home made love notes*

*Sweet art projects made from wood and clay*

*Beautiful flower bouquet from my kiddos*

*Gorgeous roses from my sweetie*

*An amazing back rub*

*A delightful nap*

*Songs*

*Brig's FHE lesson on Mothers*

*Brig having everyone express things that they love about me -so tender*

*Korean fire meat for lunch- making it all together*

*Kaleb's brownies with strawberries aqnd whipped cream for dessert*

*A family soccer game-Kai and Laini sleeping thru it*

*A family walk around the neighborhood*
*A campfire*

What a perfect day!  A big thanks to my awesome kiddos-they make me look good!

A big thanks to my awesome husband- he helps me see the beauty in life- when I have forgotten!

A Pine Wood Derby and a Birthday!

Seth didn't have a whole lot of interest in the Pine Wood Derby this year.  He started on his car the day before it was due.  He nicknamed his car- the Cobra.  He has certainly had faster cars- but he was as always, a great sport at the actual race.

As you can see- he has no uniform.  He hasn't been able to locate it in a month.  Yes, it is a bit embarrassing.  He is incredibly cute though.

These spectators are incredibly cute as well.

Seth turned 10 on May 3rd.  He wanted a coconut, pineapple cake for his birthday.   He also had a "friend" birthday party.  We had a Road Rally where we sent the kids on a treasure hunt on their bikes all around our neighborhood.  The last clue sent them to the pool where we had a water blasters floating for their treasure.  We had pizza and the kids had a water fight for an entire hour.  Crazy!  It was a blast.

Things we LOVE about SETH!

* He is ALWAYS happy*

*He has a great smile*

*He is a good friend*

*He is hilarious*

*He is sincere and sweet and gives great HUGS*

*He is incredibly smart- Straight A's every time*

*He is an amazing athlete*

*He plays great with everyone*

*Everyone likes him and wants to be his friend*

*He is incredibly cute- the girls won't leave him alone at school or church*

*He has a good HEART*

We LOVE you SETH!!!