Issue 162

Liberty Girls Retreat

Last week the girls had the chance to attend the Liberty Girls Retreat. This year they read the Josephina Series and studied the South West in the 1800's. Girls from all over Utah came together for the day to learn dances, games, crafts, skills and cooking from that time period and region. They learned to card and spin wool, weave, do the Mexican Hat Dance and make tortillas and salsa.

Ellie loved putting on her big skirt and learning to dance. Afterwards she said, "This is so much fun! Didn't we look beautiful?" Yes Ellie, you did!

Karate on Parade

Daniel and I had the opportunity to walk in a parade with his karate group two weekends ago. It was fun to walk with many of the students from the dojo and his instructor. It was most fun to spend some time together and talk as we waited in the staging area. It was also fun to get to know the other groups of people in the area, each with their own cause they we trying to promote. We marched for about a mile and a half and then returned to our cars. Anyway, fun time out and good time spent wit Daniel. -Dad

Burraston's Pond

Friday night I took he girls of the family, except Mom, camping. Janey and Ellie have been wanting to go camping with me since they frequently see me going out the door with the scouts on numerous camping adventures. I also looked forward to this as a chance to slow things down and sound some time with my daughters.

Anyway, we scheduled it and talked about it for a number of days previous to the event and spirits were high as we set off Friday night. We asked Grandpa G if he wanted to join us on the camp and he accepted our invitation to Burrastons Ponds in Mona, Utah.

The evening started off with a dinner of chili and chips and s'mores for dessert. Of course we had to have s'mores. After we set up camp and a had our dinner we did a little fishing. It turned out that we would only have one fish on the line the entire trip, and it broke our line. Anyway, we decided to go crayfish fishing at night and had fun catching a few and eating them for a bedtime snack. They look exactly like small lobster and taste like sweet shrimp. The portions are very small, but tasty.

A good time was had by all and we look forward to doing it again.

Chalk Art Festival and Fireworks!

Last weekend we attended a chalk art festival as a family at the Gateway. This charity event brings out professional and amateur artists alike for a good cause. These are just a few of our favorites.


Saturday night the kids tried some chalk art of their own at Grandma's house. We gathered for their city's fireworks display and some yummy food. While we waited for it to get dark the kids got creative. I especially love Ellie's Rapunzel with hair flowing all the way down the sidewalk!

Issue 161

Bitter Sweet Father's Day

We started out the day with our traditional father's day breakfast in bed for dad, handmade cards and backrubs, and a few nice gifts. The day took a sudden turn with a phone call you never want to get. My brother and his wife lost their second sweet baby at 21 weeks along today. She was a beautiful little girl, all the way down to her fingernails and she looked just like her mother. She lived for 12 minutes on this earth, but just came too early to stay any longer. We spent the afternoon and evening at the hospital, hugging family. It's surpising how fresh the pain is from losing our own sweet baby almost 2 years ago. It put father's day in a new perspective and our love, support and prayers our with our loved ones in their loss.

Issue 160

An Amazing Week You'll Have to Hear About Next Week!

Due to technical difficulties with the camera, the late hour and an exhausted author, I will have to tell you about our amazing 2011 Simulations Week and fun filled Lagoon Day, next time. It's one of those love/hate relationships with technology for me today. Have a great week!

Issue 159

Kung Fu Ride

The cool weather on Monday, Memorial Day, did not stop us! Determined to go on a family bike ride, we donned jackets, gloves and stocking caps and jumped on our bikes. First we rode a few miles to In-and-Out burger and replaced all the burned calories with a yummy lunch. Then we rode to the movie theaters to watch the new Kung Fu Panda 2 movie. I wasn't quite sure where we would chain up our bikes, but there was a bike rack right at the entrance. We had the best parking of anyone there!

It had been threatening rain all day, but it graciously waited until we rode home and parked the last bike in the garage before it started to sprinkle! Our total trip was about 10 1/2 miles. I think a new holiday tradition has been born.

Issue 158

Okapi

Ellie gave her animal report this week in kindergarten. Her big sister Whitney helped her research and prepare her report on Okapis. Ellie will tell you that they look like a cross between a zebra and giraffe, and are found in Central Africa. She did an wonderful job presenting her report!

Piano Recital

Janey had her first Piano recital this week. She only started playing 3 months ago, taking over Steve L.'s spot when he got to busy with Shakespeare. She's really enjoyed playing and picked it up quickly with her violin background. When she returned to the audience after playing her 2 pieces very well, she said in a surprised voice, "I didn't make any mistakes!"

Issue 157