Pie Party

 We prepared for the Pie Party this last week.

On Friday, Hurricane said he didn't feel very well. I thought he wanted to stay home and help make pies. He went to school and after school we took him temperature - 101.6. He went to bed and wasn't allowed out or around any of us. His fever broke the morning of the Pie Party and hasn't returned. He reported that he only ate 4 pieces of pie and loved running around the backyard with friends.

Hurricane enjoyed being at the Pie Party and "set up" the table and pies at 10 am. When told he couldn't bring the pies out until 4:45, he asked how many hours until the event. We worked on telling time. He didn't report on how many pies he ate but made sure he had the first piece of Grasshopper Pie.

Previous to the Pie Party we made a list of pies we would make. The goal was to make 12 pies. Normally I make 36 pies. I made 15 different kinds of pie. We had 6 whole pies for left overs which Lance shared with people today after church.

On Veterans Day, I asked for the youth to come and help me clean our house and yard. Eight youth came and cleaned the inside and the outside of our home which took a huge burden off me to have a clean space ready for Saturday.

My college roommate traveled from Phoenix to come to the Pie Party. She has usually lived in Japan, Washington State, or Oklahoma. We are so thankful for all the people who came and shared their yummy food and friendship.

Garden of the Gods

We got a nice picture of us at Garden of the Gods.

Hurricane is showing off his new missing tooth.

The boys loved hiking and climbing around the park.

We came to Colorado to see my graduate school friend, Lisa.

She lives close and took us and her children for an adventure.

We haven't seen each other in about 7 years.

Reconnecting with friends is always fun.

We stayed up way too late talking.

Here is a series of shots to get one picture that was darling.

Hurricane was having a moment that he didn't want his picture taken.

Happens to all of us. Underfoot tried to solve it by "helping him smile.

I spun us all around. Not a whole lot helped.

Below are the boys in the park.

The series shots tell a story all of its own. 

Matching shirts are a must so I can identify them in public.

Uncle Jared and Aunt McKenzie

We pulled into Wichita, Kansas later after seeing the temple.

Sweetheart's roommate and wife hosted us for the evening.

We stayed up talking late. Boys fell asleep while listen to us.

The conversation resumed in the morning.

We are thankful for reconnecting and hoping to see them again soon.

****

April 2014

December 2012

First Time Rollerskating

Our friend turned 8. 

She wanted a birthday party and invited our children.

 

The boys both struggled with skating without an assistance.

There were tears and many falls.

The rink has made these walkers.

I think they are really called "Skating Carts."

We rented one for them.

Daddy rented skates for himself to help them.

They got their feet under them and practiced.

Underfoot felt confident to be in the main rink.

He tried and tried and tried.

 

They had fun for their first time.

Maybe they'll want a second time.

Coach Jacob

This is Coach Jacob.

He has asked the boys 

about their towels for the last 2 years.

We asked him his favorite color

and made him his own monster.

He was very gracious in receiving it.

Friends Revisited

Before we left Las Vegas, 

we revisited our friends.

The children played and played and played and played......

They didn't really want to stop for the picture but did.

Sweetness and Underfoot read books, debated, resolved, and created more fun.

K-man and Hurricane disappeared except when the above children found them.

They did their boy activities of trains, planning, and playing.

Doodle didn't want to take a nap while we were there.

He did everything in his power to stay awake.

And this girl joined the adult group and the children's group.

She came to the rescue during debates and listened as the adult talked.

What a thrill to be with friends!

We are grateful for the love we feel from them!

Friends

We showed up in Las Vegas.

We found our friends at the park.

They were celebrating the end of gymnastics season.

This guy saw our car pull into the parking lot.

He ran to the car and jumped up and down.

Hurricane and K-Man were inseparatable for the time we were together.

So were Sweetness and Underfoot.

We all slept in the backyard because it wasn't too hot.

Granted the Mommy and Daddy at the house slept inside.

The 4 children, Sweetheart, and I slept outside.

We had a marvelous visit so happy to see our friends.

Date

I needed to run errands.

Underfoot went with me.

He decided to make it into a date

and took me to frozen yogurt.

We had a lot of fun together.

Since Underfoot missed the last day of school, 

his friend, Mr. J., took Underfoot's shirt and had the class sign it.

Underfoot was planning on doing this but couldn't

because of the school's 24 hour symptom free policy.

Mary Poppins

Underfoot, Hurricane, Miss A, Mr. J

The boys attended a children's only cast of Mary Poppins.

The drama teacher invited students to attend.

Her daughter was Jane in the show.

We sat next to our friends. 

Mr. J and Underfoot have been in the same class

since preschool and will be together next year as well.

Roommate Visit

My friend came to visit on her way home from Hawaii.

She and her family came for Sunday dinner.

It is amazing to have them in our home.

It's almost been 20 years since we met.

Man we are getting old....

Christmas Eve

We were invited to the Romney home 

on Christmas Eve 

for Clam Chowder and Green Chili Beef Soup. 

.

The children acted out the Nativity.

These are their family traditions. 

We shared with them the Christmas Pie tradition. 

The children shared a talent on the piano. 

We had a lot of fun.

Time Out for Women

Time Out for Women was fun.

Six women went together, 

stayed in a hotel, and enjoyed the conference.

I drove, 

and they were all impressed 

by my mad rush-hour-traffic skills.

My roommate, Hannah, came with her sisters.

She was to have a baby soon.

That day was also her daughter's baptism.

I returned home to very happy boys.

2,190 miles + 1,018 miles = Hanging Out

How do you see friends?

When they move away,

you have to meet up by driving A LONG way.

We were so happy to see our friends that had moved

and took a pit stop on the way to their final destination.

Car Balls

Grandpa Hoggan has a treasure box.

Every day you stay at his house you may pick one treasure.

Underfoot picked a soft soccer ball. 

While at the Ryan home, 

Miss Cyndy gave us a puzzle ball.

This became a favorite as we drove down the road.

Las Vegas

We started our trip North. 

We left after their last swim team practice for the summer. 

They made it to Las Vegas in record time and stayed at the Ryan home.

The Ryans used to live 3 doors down from us. 

Now they live in Las Vegas.

I'm not sure what all exciting things they did in the few hours they had together, 

but some of their past exploits 

include bombing the chickens with their own eggs, 

throwing just about every imaginable item over the block wall fence, 

and causing mischief and mayhem.

Hurricane was reunited with his best friend and partner in crime, K-man. 

Together they are known as the K-Men!

Underfoot and Sweetness are very good friends.

They were excited to see each other.

The next morning they went to Red Rock Canyon 

and earned their Junior Explorer Badge. 

Miss C. bought some fun road games and presents.

Carpet Gone

Sweetheart has really bad allergies. 

He has said the carpet in our bedroom contributed.

So one night before our friends moved to Las Vegas,

I decided pull out the carpet in the bedroom.

The children helped me carry it out and load it into garbage cans.

Sweetheart was surprised to come home to no carpet.

After sweeping the floor and sleeping there the last few days,

he said he's breathing better.

The real question is:

WHAT TO DO NOW?

Birthday Bowling

Hurricane celebrated his birthday in a grand way. 

Since his birthday party last year, 

he has talked every single day 

about the birthday party this year. 

Sweetheart and I determined 

that birthday parties would be held every 4 years. 

This did not deter Hurricane in the least.

He talked about his cake and the friends 

that would bring presents. 

 There was no birthday party. 

As a surprise to Hurricane, 

Underfoot and I decided to take him 

bowling with our neighbors. 

It was his "party." They all had fun. 

Hurricane brought otter pops to swim team 

 and shared with about 60 children as his birthday treat. 

We bought his birthday present of old appliances 

to take apart and maybe put back together 

we came home to turn around for soccer camp.