We just finished watching the Sunday morning session of conference. One more session of conference to go. It always goes by too quickly. We have Teresa and Sarah and Brenda here now and Matt and Rachel should be joining us shortly. It has been fun to become the hang out place for the college-age cousins. We sure appreciate the fact that our children have such great cousins to look up to and interact with. Enoch got a build-your-own-truck kit for his birthday and he was excited to have Matt come so Matt could help him put it together.
Congrats to Rachel on her mission call! Atlanta, Georgia – wow! We know she will be a fantastic missionary. I’m sure Chad and Jenny can give her the low-down on how things are down there. We’ll continue to enjoy her great sense of humor live and in person while we can.
Enoch had a fun birthday. He invited 18 friends to a “BYU” party where they enjoyed a yummy “Y” cake made by Becky and lots of fun soccer contests and games and tons of presents. He finished his party and then an hour later went to another party for a friend that had come to his party. Since we knew he was going to be gone, Auriana, Isaac, Natalie, and I didn’t feel too bad about going to the BYU/Utah State football game thanks to 4 tickets from Steve. We had a fun time sitting by Steve on the front row and getting to see Mikayla cheer. I was impressed with what a great job she does and how her face just beams with happiness and enthusiasm and she actually does bring cheer to others. The game, of course, was fantastic and it was fun to experience that excitement with three of my children.
Enoch and I got to go to the driving range after the afternoon session yesterday. He picked things up pretty quickly and we had a fun time. He hit to the 100 yard marker several times. Hopefully we’ll get in 9 holes before the weather turns. Isaac was nice enough to give Enoch his set of clubs that he got when he was Enoch’s age. Between sessions yesterday we went to Natalie’s soccer game. They played a very physical team and ended up losing but as always Natalie did a fantastic job despite being bumped and shoved and stepped on. I really admire her toughness and tenacity. She is a leader on the team and her teammates really look up to her.
Auriana and I will probably go out again this afternoon to a church parking lot and do some driving. She’s working towards getting her permit and learned to handle the car well in our previous session. Isaac is improving his basketball skills daily and playing every chance he can get. He continues to work at his lawn mowing business and is making some pretty good money.
Miriam and Ellie had their first official violin lesson and both are making good progress in their daily practicing. One of my favorite things to do with them is use silly voices when I read stories to them before bedtime. For some reason they have decided they can slap their dad’s face when he starts reading the story in a voice other than his normal voice. After each slap I start in with a different voice. They start giggling like crazy and I recently discovered that I can slap them back (softly of course) and that makes the fun even crazier and sillier. I can get through about 6 or 7 different voices before my cheeks tell me its time to read with a regular voice. As Becky and I have talked recently we discussed how its important to take the long view of things and think more about what the kids will remember from their childhood than what seems to be most pressing at the moment. I want my children to remember that I was there – whether that’s for soccer or football or basketball or dance or concerts or silly stories at bedtime. When they look back as older children or adults on their childhood I want to make sure I am part of those memories, that those visual images in their minds include me laughing or smiling or being silly or being a good listener or sharing my testimony or cheering for them from the sidelines.
I’m grateful for the good examples I have all around me of amazing fathers and mothers who are involved in their children’s lives and who set wonderful examples for them.
Becky was released from MiaMaids and put in as Beehive Advisor. So she got to spend some time with Auriana and now will get to be with Natalie once she turns 12 on October 19. Happy birthday to all the other October birthdays. And Happy Anniversary to Mike and Alison and Mom and Dad!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 2011: by the kids
Auriana- I switched schools, so now I’m at Spanish Fork High School instead of at ALA, where I was going before. So far, tenth grade is fun, and I like all of my classes, which are U.S. history, choir, English, algebra two, creative writing, biology, seminary, and Spanish. My favorite classes are English and creative writing, even though I get homework every single day in English. We already had a project due in creative writing, where we had to write a bunch of things to let the teacher get to know us a little bit better. It’s been fun.
Isaac- Like everybody else says California was really cool. Right after that I went up and visited my cousins on the Pendleton side. I got back the day before the first day of school. It was my last blast of summer. Eighth grade has been really fun so far and I’ve done some pretty cool stuff!
Natalie- I love sixth grade so far, it is really fun! Soccer has been really fun too. I had my first game on the 30th, we didn’t win, but it was still really fun! I am learning two new dances in Irish dance right now and they are both really fun! California was really fun, I loved both beaches, the exploring beach that we went to was really cool, and Hermosa Beach was awesome!!
Becky is writing for Enoch and Miriam who already went to bed.
Enoch is excited for the fun run at school this week and has been practicing up. He just started reading Harry Potter and is really enjoying it. He loves his new class and teacher Mrs. Reed (a perfect name for a 3rd grade teacher). He’s enjoying learning the times tables and he is looking forward to playing laser tag and going on the Alpine slide for his birthday.
A dance teacher wanted to trade with Bjorn for a web design, so Miriam is benefitting and dancing three days a week, which she loves. She loved the beach and the wedding and the whole California trip – she actually loves most everything and everybody. And we all love her enthusiasm!
Ellie- I really liked going to the exploring beach, because I liked the buildings and castles. I used a cup and a spoon to make a castle, but we had to go so I didn’t get to finish it. I started Kindergarten! I like playing on the playground at school. I like playing with Savannah. I’ve been riding my bike to school with the other kids.
Isaac- Like everybody else says California was really cool. Right after that I went up and visited my cousins on the Pendleton side. I got back the day before the first day of school. It was my last blast of summer. Eighth grade has been really fun so far and I’ve done some pretty cool stuff!
Natalie- I love sixth grade so far, it is really fun! Soccer has been really fun too. I had my first game on the 30th, we didn’t win, but it was still really fun! I am learning two new dances in Irish dance right now and they are both really fun! California was really fun, I loved both beaches, the exploring beach that we went to was really cool, and Hermosa Beach was awesome!!
Becky is writing for Enoch and Miriam who already went to bed.
Enoch is excited for the fun run at school this week and has been practicing up. He just started reading Harry Potter and is really enjoying it. He loves his new class and teacher Mrs. Reed (a perfect name for a 3rd grade teacher). He’s enjoying learning the times tables and he is looking forward to playing laser tag and going on the Alpine slide for his birthday.
A dance teacher wanted to trade with Bjorn for a web design, so Miriam is benefitting and dancing three days a week, which she loves. She loved the beach and the wedding and the whole California trip – she actually loves most everything and everybody. And we all love her enthusiasm!
Ellie- I really liked going to the exploring beach, because I liked the buildings and castles. I used a cup and a spoon to make a castle, but we had to go so I didn’t get to finish it. I started Kindergarten! I like playing on the playground at school. I like playing with Savannah. I’ve been riding my bike to school with the other kids.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Photo of the week!
We had a wonderful trip to California for Camille's Wedding and to see Grandma and Grandpa!
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!!!!!!!
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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...
