Sunday, July 3, 2011
June 2011: by Becky
Auriana got her braces off! Ellie lost her first tooth! Miriam got her hair cut short again!
June was a whirlwind of activities…
Brenda was kind enough to sleep over while Auriana, Bjorn and I went on a pioneer trek for three days. It was a great experience – I only wished the rest of my family could’ve been there. I did come away with a greater respect for the pioneers, but I even more dramatically came away with a greater sense of duty and testimony of what I should be doing to honor the legacy they left us. Every activity on the trek was fun and meaningful. We “trekked” for the first day, with a few stops to hear about the pioneers and how we can learn from their experiences. The 2nd day we stayed put and spent time at 12 different stations. We played pioneer games, had competitions, listened to spiritually motivating speakers, shot bow & arrows & sling shots, and tried to stay cool. It turned out to be in the 90’s those three days, but I was grateful, because then the nights weren’t too unbearable freezing. We “trekked” again on the third day and went up a steep hill for probably a mile or more. It was great how everyone worked together to get the handcart up the hill. Bjorn and I were in a family of kids from throughout our stake – they were all very kind and helpful. Auriana was in a different family, she didn’t know anyone at first, but I think she made some friends!
For the few weeks before and while we were gone Enoch, Ellie, & Miriam were able to take some art classes and swimming lessons. Enoch also took a Lego art class. Natalie took arts and crafts and show choir and had a really great time. My favorite project of hers was a paper mache ice cream cone. She helped so much while we were gone, making sure the younger kids were getting safely to & from their classes. I was sad to miss their final showcase, but Brenda was there to support the kids and stay over each night. They always have a great time with Brenda!
Enoch went to his first Cub Scout day camp and had fun shooting things and building things. Isaac & Bjorn went to Scout camp for a week and had fun climbing, rafting, and making moccasins. Isaac has been helping a neighbor mow some lawns to earn money. He’s resisting the temptation to spend it ALL on fireworks. He has some great friends that he spends a lot of his time with. Auriana and Natalie are still doing their play group three times a week and are enjoying the extra money. They were able to go with some friends to Brenda’s to stay the night and swim in her pool.
We’ve enjoyed some time swimming at the reservoir and riding bikes. We make an almost daily trip to the library where Auriana has been volunteering a little bit.
June was a whirlwind of activities…
Brenda was kind enough to sleep over while Auriana, Bjorn and I went on a pioneer trek for three days. It was a great experience – I only wished the rest of my family could’ve been there. I did come away with a greater respect for the pioneers, but I even more dramatically came away with a greater sense of duty and testimony of what I should be doing to honor the legacy they left us. Every activity on the trek was fun and meaningful. We “trekked” for the first day, with a few stops to hear about the pioneers and how we can learn from their experiences. The 2nd day we stayed put and spent time at 12 different stations. We played pioneer games, had competitions, listened to spiritually motivating speakers, shot bow & arrows & sling shots, and tried to stay cool. It turned out to be in the 90’s those three days, but I was grateful, because then the nights weren’t too unbearable freezing. We “trekked” again on the third day and went up a steep hill for probably a mile or more. It was great how everyone worked together to get the handcart up the hill. Bjorn and I were in a family of kids from throughout our stake – they were all very kind and helpful. Auriana was in a different family, she didn’t know anyone at first, but I think she made some friends!
For the few weeks before and while we were gone Enoch, Ellie, & Miriam were able to take some art classes and swimming lessons. Enoch also took a Lego art class. Natalie took arts and crafts and show choir and had a really great time. My favorite project of hers was a paper mache ice cream cone. She helped so much while we were gone, making sure the younger kids were getting safely to & from their classes. I was sad to miss their final showcase, but Brenda was there to support the kids and stay over each night. They always have a great time with Brenda!
Enoch went to his first Cub Scout day camp and had fun shooting things and building things. Isaac & Bjorn went to Scout camp for a week and had fun climbing, rafting, and making moccasins. Isaac has been helping a neighbor mow some lawns to earn money. He’s resisting the temptation to spend it ALL on fireworks. He has some great friends that he spends a lot of his time with. Auriana and Natalie are still doing their play group three times a week and are enjoying the extra money. They were able to go with some friends to Brenda’s to stay the night and swim in her pool.
We’ve enjoyed some time swimming at the reservoir and riding bikes. We make an almost daily trip to the library where Auriana has been volunteering a little bit.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Happy Father's Day!
The kids cooked cream cheese French Toast for Bjorn this morning, and then he thoroughly entertained them all while they gave him candy and a nice camping chair. They all told him why they were glad he is their dad!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
MAY 2011: by Bjorn
I dare say summer might finally be here! The best indication of that is that we finally needed to turn on the air conditioner today after church. With all the snow still in the mountains and the status of our garden it still seems like spring, but I think we’ve turned the corner on the perpetual rain and cold weather. I still haven’t had to water the lawn at all.
That task will fall to Becky and Enoch as Isaac and I will be gone on scout camp all this week. We’re headed down to Moab for a couple days rafting the Colorado river and then camping in the area while we make trips into Arches. They’re planning an evening hike to Delicate Arch that should be pretty cool. We’re also hoping to get into the Fiery Furnace, but they only give out a certain number of permits and so we may be out of luck there. Of course there are plenty of other fun hikes and cool spots in Arches so it will be a blast either way. The scoutmaster asked me to teach the Leatherworks merit badge and so I had to research and learn about a bunch of stuff related to the tanning process, types of leather, tools, etc., and then figure out how to teach the boys to make moccasins. I got a kit from a craft store and then created a pattern from it, then sized it down so that they can choose between sizes 6-11. So each scout gets to cut out, punch holes, and lace together their own pair of moccasins. I hope it goes well.
Congratulations to the high school graduates and to Melanie on her baptism. Becky and two-thirds of the kids went up to Rexburg for the weekend and had a blast with their cousins. I stayed to get some last minute work done before being gone for a week, Isaac stayed to pack for camp, and Auriana stayed and nursed a cough, sniffly nose and fever.
Becky is planning a cousin party with the Pendleton cousins while Isaac and I are at camp. So we should all have fun tales to relate at the end of the week. Enoch always does a great job of being “man of the house” whenever Isaac and I are away on a campout. In spite of the cold weather the kids have enjoyed being out of school. Our credit union gives students a dollar for every “A” grade and so Becky took the kids this past week and made a pretty good haul. I’m impressed that Isaac and Auriana are maintaining a 4.0. We’re looking forward to a fun summer with lots of great things planned. Becky and I will be “aunt” and “uncle” for our stake Pioneer Trek, and after a meeting on Thursday we have a better understanding of what our role will be and we’re excited for the experience. Auriana is excited to go as well. We wish Isaac was old enough to go.
Auriana got to sing in the Tabernacle on Temple Square with the Utah Valley Children’s Choir. It was a neat experience and they sounded wonderful. Isaac did well in his district track meet – taking 2nd in the medley relay. Natalie’s soccer team won the season tournament and got a pretty cool trophy. It was a blast and also quite impressive since they were 11 year olds playing against 12 year olds (they played up an age for the entire year). Natalie made the team again this year and is excited for another fun season. Enoch is determined to get onto an accelerated soccer team, so he is having Natalie give him some pointers and teach him some skills. He is also looking at ways he can start earning money to help pay for it.
Auriana and Natalie started a neighborhood playgroup where they charge $1 per child per day and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday they have them come for and hour and a half and do fun stuff with them. They had six kids the first day and word is spreading so it looks like this will be a good source of income for them. Everyone tells them they should be charging more.
That task will fall to Becky and Enoch as Isaac and I will be gone on scout camp all this week. We’re headed down to Moab for a couple days rafting the Colorado river and then camping in the area while we make trips into Arches. They’re planning an evening hike to Delicate Arch that should be pretty cool. We’re also hoping to get into the Fiery Furnace, but they only give out a certain number of permits and so we may be out of luck there. Of course there are plenty of other fun hikes and cool spots in Arches so it will be a blast either way. The scoutmaster asked me to teach the Leatherworks merit badge and so I had to research and learn about a bunch of stuff related to the tanning process, types of leather, tools, etc., and then figure out how to teach the boys to make moccasins. I got a kit from a craft store and then created a pattern from it, then sized it down so that they can choose between sizes 6-11. So each scout gets to cut out, punch holes, and lace together their own pair of moccasins. I hope it goes well.
Congratulations to the high school graduates and to Melanie on her baptism. Becky and two-thirds of the kids went up to Rexburg for the weekend and had a blast with their cousins. I stayed to get some last minute work done before being gone for a week, Isaac stayed to pack for camp, and Auriana stayed and nursed a cough, sniffly nose and fever.
Becky is planning a cousin party with the Pendleton cousins while Isaac and I are at camp. So we should all have fun tales to relate at the end of the week. Enoch always does a great job of being “man of the house” whenever Isaac and I are away on a campout. In spite of the cold weather the kids have enjoyed being out of school. Our credit union gives students a dollar for every “A” grade and so Becky took the kids this past week and made a pretty good haul. I’m impressed that Isaac and Auriana are maintaining a 4.0. We’re looking forward to a fun summer with lots of great things planned. Becky and I will be “aunt” and “uncle” for our stake Pioneer Trek, and after a meeting on Thursday we have a better understanding of what our role will be and we’re excited for the experience. Auriana is excited to go as well. We wish Isaac was old enough to go.
Auriana got to sing in the Tabernacle on Temple Square with the Utah Valley Children’s Choir. It was a neat experience and they sounded wonderful. Isaac did well in his district track meet – taking 2nd in the medley relay. Natalie’s soccer team won the season tournament and got a pretty cool trophy. It was a blast and also quite impressive since they were 11 year olds playing against 12 year olds (they played up an age for the entire year). Natalie made the team again this year and is excited for another fun season. Enoch is determined to get onto an accelerated soccer team, so he is having Natalie give him some pointers and teach him some skills. He is also looking at ways he can start earning money to help pay for it.
Auriana and Natalie started a neighborhood playgroup where they charge $1 per child per day and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday they have them come for and hour and a half and do fun stuff with them. They had six kids the first day and word is spreading so it looks like this will be a good source of income for them. Everyone tells them they should be charging more.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
April 2011: by the Kids
Auriana- I just got finished doing my annual “Blast” concert at school, and it was super fun. This year it was the “New York Blast”, so we did songs with themes of New York. I’m also having fun doing the Utah Valley Children’s Choir, and soon we get to perform in a festival in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. I’m really excited for summer, when I can do the Pioneer Trek and Girls Camp.
Isaac- Right now I’m doing track and it is pretty fun. At my last meet I ran the100-meter in 12.9 seconds. I’m not really doing anything else cool.
Natalie-In soccer we have won most of the games and when we played the team UC Rage we beat them three to zero and they had the top scorer in the league on their team. (The girl that was the top scorer had scored 12 goals in the season.) In dance there is a feis coming up and I am really excited!
Enoch- My soccer season is almost over and we’ve only lost one game. We are trying to win the last couple games. I got a new piano teacher and she teaches me a lot.
Miriam-Yesterday I learned the rest of the slip jig. The first step is really long. I love Irish dance! I am going to dance it in the feis. I know two single jigs, the reel, the light jig, and the slip jig. For Easter I got a headband, some jellybeans, and a chocolate bunny.
Ellie-Uh, I like that I have a dog. And I know how to ride Enoch’s old bike. And I got a lot of jellybeans for Easter, and I got a chocolate bunny for Easter, and I got a new dress, a new headband, a new scripture bag, and new sandals. And I can run really, really, really, really, really, really, really fast! I got a new shirt and new shorts! And that’s all I want to say!!!!!!!
Isaac- Right now I’m doing track and it is pretty fun. At my last meet I ran the100-meter in 12.9 seconds. I’m not really doing anything else cool.
Natalie-In soccer we have won most of the games and when we played the team UC Rage we beat them three to zero and they had the top scorer in the league on their team. (The girl that was the top scorer had scored 12 goals in the season.) In dance there is a feis coming up and I am really excited!
Enoch- My soccer season is almost over and we’ve only lost one game. We are trying to win the last couple games. I got a new piano teacher and she teaches me a lot.
Miriam-Yesterday I learned the rest of the slip jig. The first step is really long. I love Irish dance! I am going to dance it in the feis. I know two single jigs, the reel, the light jig, and the slip jig. For Easter I got a headband, some jellybeans, and a chocolate bunny.
Ellie-Uh, I like that I have a dog. And I know how to ride Enoch’s old bike. And I got a lot of jellybeans for Easter, and I got a chocolate bunny for Easter, and I got a new dress, a new headband, a new scripture bag, and new sandals. And I can run really, really, really, really, really, really, really fast! I got a new shirt and new shorts! And that’s all I want to say!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
March 2011: by Becky
We are enjoying a wonderful conference weekend, started off right with a morning-side given by Auriana’s Children’s Choir. A few members of the choir bore testimony between uplifting and inspired songs. I have appreciated the togetherness of conference weekend even more this year. As the weekend approached we were getting pulled in all different directions for Saturday morning. Bjorn and I decided to make staying home for conference our top priority, but we gave each of the kids their own choice whether they stayed home or not. I sat in gratitude as we ALL watched conference together, but I also sat in awe at how easily they chose the better part. I think I would have had a harder time making that choice if I felt like I was letting my team down or missing out on something fun!
After a nice & uncluttered winter, the past few weeks and upcoming month have and will be filled with activities. Sometimes when I look at the calendar it makes my head swim, not because any one of us is over booked, but because when I try to find 20 minutes when everyone will be home and awake, it’s almost impossible! Recently Auriana’s early morning class ended, so right now 7:30-7:45 is our golden time. We start off the day with scripture reading at 6:30, but usually one or two of the little kids sleep through it. We gather again at 7:30 for breakfast before heading off to school!
Auriana is involved in school choir and the Children’s choir and has been spending her spare time with Natalie sewing cute little Easter bags to sell. She continues to be a very responsible student. Her Mia-maid leader was called to the general YW board and gave her and I up-close tickets to the YW broadcast. I couldn’t go, so Brenda went with her and they had a wonderful time.
Isaac is doing track and had his first meet this last week - he was discouraged to find out he had to race against 8th and 9th graders. He was happy to turn 13 and even happier to get a cell phone! The cell phone wasn’t a birthday present. Our family policy (right now) is that electronics are never gifts but self paid for privileges. We told Isaac around Christmas time (after much persuading) that if he learned 5 hymns on the piano, proved he could save $20 a month as well as pay the $20 per month bill, we would allow him to get a cell phone. He did all of those things a couple of years before I thought he would and he’s had a great time with his new toy.
Natalie is playing soccer and doing Irish dance. This last week she won the 5th grade spelling bee at her school by spelling the word “ricochet” correctly. The same day she was also voted in as her class “Canyon Idol” by playing her fiddle. She came home from school with a trophy and a giant candy bar and I told her I hope everyone still likes her even though she wins everything. She said, “Well, they voted for me!” It’s pretty hard not to like Natalie!
Enoch is playing soccer and just started piano lessons. He’s had a fun time learning a song called “Thundering Drums”! This week at school his class asked for donations for a school in Africa. We were to pledge an amount that we would pay for every lap that he ran. Enoch ran 10 laps around the school, which was the furthest of anyone in the 2nd grade. He’s had sore legs ever since!
Miriam is very speedy at saying the note names with her music flashcards and has worked hard to get into the 30-second club in her music class. She’s practicing to play “Russian Dance” on the piano in her 1st grade talent show this week. Miriam is usually found writing a love letter to someone in our family or prancing around the house with Irish dance steps. Miriam, Ellie, and Natalie were excited to dress up as hillbillies for their Irish Dance recital – they looked very cute in their overalls and braids and did a really great job!
Ellie was the most excited about the recital. She is the smallest in the class and is so cute as she skips off the stage, giving a little wave. She ended up getting sick and throwing up several times in the night, the night before. She slept all of the next day and ate only a couple of bites of a cracker. I don’t know where she got the energy, but she went to the recital and danced beautifully!
Bjorn has added a new dimension to our morning scripture study. Inspired by an idea presented in Sunday school, he has started having each person summarize what the previous person read. It has helped us all tune in much better and I appreciate his efforts every morning to lead us in that basic family necessity. After preparing and giving a talk in sacrament meeting based on an article in the Ensign by Julie B. Beck, we have been trying harder to be more “Brilliant in the Basics”.
After a nice & uncluttered winter, the past few weeks and upcoming month have and will be filled with activities. Sometimes when I look at the calendar it makes my head swim, not because any one of us is over booked, but because when I try to find 20 minutes when everyone will be home and awake, it’s almost impossible! Recently Auriana’s early morning class ended, so right now 7:30-7:45 is our golden time. We start off the day with scripture reading at 6:30, but usually one or two of the little kids sleep through it. We gather again at 7:30 for breakfast before heading off to school!
Auriana is involved in school choir and the Children’s choir and has been spending her spare time with Natalie sewing cute little Easter bags to sell. She continues to be a very responsible student. Her Mia-maid leader was called to the general YW board and gave her and I up-close tickets to the YW broadcast. I couldn’t go, so Brenda went with her and they had a wonderful time.
Isaac is doing track and had his first meet this last week - he was discouraged to find out he had to race against 8th and 9th graders. He was happy to turn 13 and even happier to get a cell phone! The cell phone wasn’t a birthday present. Our family policy (right now) is that electronics are never gifts but self paid for privileges. We told Isaac around Christmas time (after much persuading) that if he learned 5 hymns on the piano, proved he could save $20 a month as well as pay the $20 per month bill, we would allow him to get a cell phone. He did all of those things a couple of years before I thought he would and he’s had a great time with his new toy.
Natalie is playing soccer and doing Irish dance. This last week she won the 5th grade spelling bee at her school by spelling the word “ricochet” correctly. The same day she was also voted in as her class “Canyon Idol” by playing her fiddle. She came home from school with a trophy and a giant candy bar and I told her I hope everyone still likes her even though she wins everything. She said, “Well, they voted for me!” It’s pretty hard not to like Natalie!
Enoch is playing soccer and just started piano lessons. He’s had a fun time learning a song called “Thundering Drums”! This week at school his class asked for donations for a school in Africa. We were to pledge an amount that we would pay for every lap that he ran. Enoch ran 10 laps around the school, which was the furthest of anyone in the 2nd grade. He’s had sore legs ever since!
Miriam is very speedy at saying the note names with her music flashcards and has worked hard to get into the 30-second club in her music class. She’s practicing to play “Russian Dance” on the piano in her 1st grade talent show this week. Miriam is usually found writing a love letter to someone in our family or prancing around the house with Irish dance steps. Miriam, Ellie, and Natalie were excited to dress up as hillbillies for their Irish Dance recital – they looked very cute in their overalls and braids and did a really great job!
Ellie was the most excited about the recital. She is the smallest in the class and is so cute as she skips off the stage, giving a little wave. She ended up getting sick and throwing up several times in the night, the night before. She slept all of the next day and ate only a couple of bites of a cracker. I don’t know where she got the energy, but she went to the recital and danced beautifully!
Bjorn has added a new dimension to our morning scripture study. Inspired by an idea presented in Sunday school, he has started having each person summarize what the previous person read. It has helped us all tune in much better and I appreciate his efforts every morning to lead us in that basic family necessity. After preparing and giving a talk in sacrament meeting based on an article in the Ensign by Julie B. Beck, we have been trying harder to be more “Brilliant in the Basics”.
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August: by Bjorn
Well, the 3 younger kids are off to their first day of school! Can't believe Miriam's in high school! We did father's blessings...
