Brothers ready for church. September 16, 2007

Kyle is a Cub Scout! September 20, 2007

Kyle went to his first official Pack Night. He has been to many Pack nights with me over the past two years, but this night was was one of the scouts! Garrick even came to his first Pack Night and we hope we can get him to come back to more. Kyle is taking off in scouts! He earned his Bobcat and a Progress Toward Rank Bead (that means he is 1/4 of the way done with his Wolf Requirements). This was our pack's first time having a Space Derby. It is in place of the Pinewood Derby. There is a kit you but from the scout office and then you sand a rectangular piece of wood into a rocket shape. It sounds easier than it is! Then there are bid rubber bands that are supposed to be wound up and make the propeller go and then it is supposed to "fly" down a piece of fishing line tied between the volleyball standards. Well no one was able to get their rocket to fly the full length of the string until it was about 8:30 and time to go. So then they announced that we would try this again next month. Garrick said that he was taking Kyle's home to burn it, so we wouldn't be able to participate! Anyway, it was not one of our funnest pack nights, but I'm sure Garrick will come again next month and help Kyle fly his rocket ( I hid the rocket when we got home).

One other thing--When I was trying to sew on the badges on Kyle's Scout Shirt, I remembered my friend talking about some adhesive she got from the scout office. I called her and she let me borrow it. This is a great invention! Unless you really enjoy sewing, there is no reason to sew a badge on a scout shirt. It says that when you want to remove the badges you can have the shirt dry cleaned and the badges and adhesive will come right off, or you can use some kind of cleaner and get it off. Anyway, I think it is called Miracle badge bond or something like that.

Feeding Souls, Not Just Filling Holes

Does anyone else struggle with getting a nice dinner on the table every night. Has this happened to anyone else? Honestly I thought I was the only one who struggled with this until Cub Scout Pack Meeting last Thursday. It was about 8:30p.m. and I was talking to some of the other scouts' moms. I admitted to them that we had not eaten dinner before we came, and I did not even know what we would eat when we got home. They all said they were in the same boat! One mom said that during soccer season (she has six kids and two of her teenagers are all star soccer players) they usually eat cold cereal for dinner. She had bought "Honey Bunches Of Oats", because that was her husbands favorite and he didn't complain too much. Well, I was feeling pretty good after that, because I don't remember ever feeding Garrick cold cereal for dinner. I made grilled cheese and ham sandwiches for dinner when we got home just before 9:00 Thursday night. We do usually eat before 9:00 at night, but we really don't have a set time for dinner. I hate trying to decide what we are going to have for dinner each day. I used to just feed the kids when dinner was ready, then Garrick would eat whenever he got in the house. Then I read in the July 2007 Ensign an article titled "Three Tools to Build a Sacred Home." One of those three tools was "We need to make family mealtime a daily event." Since that time I have been trying extra hard to plan meals and make it something that the kids and Garrick will like. I have been trying to cook tacos and spaghetti less often. I have been making an effort to coordinate with Garrick when he will be coming home, so we can wait and eat with him. I have found that most of the time when I call and tell him that dinner is about ready and we are having his favorite such and such he can make it in pretty quick. I have found that I can do a pretty good job on the days that things are not too crazy. When I am home most of the day, and I don't have to feed calves, when we are not trying to finish up Kyle's and Jorge's (another one of my scouts) rockets for the Pack Space Derby (that's what happened Thursday). So now I am trying to make that step to having a great dinner with the whole family gathered around even on a crazy day. First of all, is that possible? and if so, how do you do it?

I did get some ideas from The Freezer Cooking Manual 30 Day Gourmet. This book has great recipes with direction for making several of the same meal at once then freezing them for later. You can use this to make a month's worth of meals in one day and stick them in the freezer. I know I'm not ready for that (I would at least have to get a freezer first) but I learned from my mom that it is always nice to brown a bunch of hamburger at once and freeze for later. CeCille always freezes cookies and desserts, so she has something for the grand kids or for someone that needs a visit and a treat. Anyway, I would love to hear your ideas!

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands

OK I am recommending a book to all wives. Kimbur and Minnie Hall spoke at our ward enrichment about "not just surviving, but thriving in your marriage." Minnie mentioned this book. The next day my neighbor Joyce brought me her copy of "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. I was wondering if she was feeling sorry for Garrick and thought she would help him out by letting me read it, but when I read the book I understood that there are things we can all do better to make our marriages stronger. One thing I noticed throughout the book was her emphasis on the different role of men and women. Several times she uses the words preside, provide, protect to describe the role of a husband and father. She also explains that it is in a woman's nature to nurture and care for their husbands and children. Has she read the family proclamation?! She uses real-life examples of callers and people who e-mailed her when she asked for suggestions for this book. It is interesting to get the men's perspective. I do not agree with everything in this book, but I agree with the emphasis she puts on doing whatever it takes to take care of our men and appreciate what they do for us. If we are too tired or too busy, then we really ought to re-prioritize. I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it to all wives.

Hannah Starts Preschool September 5, 2007

Hannah loves preschool. She has been waiting and waiting since the other kids started school about 2 weeks before her. SHe gets bored with just Trevor and I. THe second day the kids were in school, Hannah said, "Mom, I think those kids should be getting home anytime now." Well, it was only 10:30 it was hard to tell her it would be about 5 hours.

Anyway on this first morning of preschool, she was so excited and nervous that she was worried about getting the sparkles that were on her jeans on her backpack. She was crying, because she didn't want to wear her backpack and have those sparkles rub off on it. Needless to say, once we got to preschool, she didn't even give those dumb sparkles a second thought. She has even made a new friend. Her name is Morgan White, and Hannah went to her birthday party on Friday!

Kyle's Baptism September 1, 2007

Kyle was baptized Saturday, September 1st. We had a lovely day. The program was perfect with Brandon Andersen giving a talk on baptism and Brandon Muir giving a talk on the Holy Ghost. Robbie played the piano and Caroline lead the music. We sang "I am a Child of God,: and "Teach e to walk in the Light." For the musical number Rachel, Joelle, and Abbey sang, "When I am Baptized." Kyle's Grandpa's gave the prayers. Kyle was very happy for this day, and I hope he felt the spirit there as he was baptized and confirmed by his dad. I know I felt it. Thanks to all who came to share this special day with us. Kyle was confident that we needed refreshments after his baptism. I told him that we would be coming right home to eat a big lunch, but he said there would be people there who would not be coming back to the house to eat, and they deserved a treat for coming. So I bought some cookies and Recess Peanut Butter Cups from Sam's Club and put Kyle's book and some pictures of Kyle on a table with the refreshments. They were a hit, so I guess it was a good idea after all.

Kyle and Brandon just before we left to go to the baptism.

Dad and Kyle dressed in white and waiting.
Trevor fell asleep on the way to the Stake Center, so Grandma held him until he woke up during the confirmation.
Kyle with his mom and dad on his special day.

Kyle's Baptism

I was sure to get pictures of the people I knew were not coming back to the house after the baptism. The sad thing is, once we got back to the house I was getting dinner ready and eating and visiting and forgot to get pictures of everyone that did come back to eat lunch. But, here are the pictures we did get.


Gary and Joyce Allen-the best neighbors ever.

Denise Allen The best primary teacher ever.

Elizabeth, Rob, Kelsie, and Emilia. The cutest twins ever.

Rachel, Abbey, Joelle, Kyle, Kaitlyn, Gracie, Hilary, and Carter

Trevor and Carter September 1, 2007

Carter and Trevor had some good times on the day of Kyle's baptism.

Carter liked to push Trevor on the push toy. It was fun until Trevor would stand up and try to balance on the seat while Carter pushed.

There were a lot of "hugs" given by Carter to any little boy who would scream. When Wyatt left Trevor got twice as many.

Carter and Trevor both enjoyed climbing on Garrick. Trevor climbs on top of anyone that ever sits or lays down on the floor. We used to be safe on the couch, but now he can climb up on the couch and our bed.

The Flour Game August 27, 2007

Garrick and I were telling our kids the story of how we met again. They loveto hear those stories. Anyway, we told them about the games we played that night at the Baldwins. We played the flour game and Twister and probably something else, but that is what we remember. Our kids all thought the flour game sounded like fun, so we played it for FHE that night. It really is a stupid game, but we had a lot of fun playing it. FOr those of you who don't know how to play the flour game. You put a penninthe bottom of a cup, then fill it wih flour. Turn the cup over onto a plate and remove the cup. Now take turns cutting the flour without making the penny fall. If you make the penny fall, then you have to get the penny with your mouth!

Kyle in his baptism clothes August 19, 2007

Kyle's Birthday Party August 26, 20007

Cosmic Bowling with Kyle's friends McKay Anderson and Jake Dygert.

We ate Pizza at Pizza Plus in Smithfield.

Pictures of my beautiful Rachel Mae August 20, 2007

Our Children's Place order came and Rachel loved her $9.99 pair of jeans and $6.99 prairie skirt so much that she wanted to get some pictures. She is really growing up way to fast, and she is so pretty if I do say so myself.

This is the one picture of our sunflowers that grew taller than our house. It was so fun to watch them grow day by day!

Kyle goes to his first concert August 18, 2007

Kyle has been wanting to go to a concert, so when GArrick and I were talking about maybe going to the "Triple Threat (Blackhawk, Little Texas, ?) " concert in Preston, Kyle begged to go. I told him he could go if he paid his own way. THe tickets were $35. He told me not to pay him untill the day we bought the tickets, because he knows he has a hard time saving his money. He barely earned enough.

Just before the concert was supposed to start the wind and the rain started. We had to wait about an hour for the rain and wind to stop, but they went on with the concert. Kyle is not the mosst patient boy, so the wait was frustrating. GArrick and I knew all the songs, but Kyle only recognized one (God Blessed Texas). He did like walking around outside the concert and looking at the booths, and he was the best looking boy there.

Kyle rides Lazy AUgust 15, 2007

Kyle loves to ride his bull Lazy. He keeps a ppiece of twine tied around her belly, so he can ride her each day. He does have to keep loosenind the twine because Lazy is growing so fast.

Farm Bureau Picnic and Swimming August 14, 2007

Rachel and Trevor

Trevor, Hannah, Kyle, Kaitlyn, Sierra Allen, and Rachel.

Trevor loved the pool. He fell down so many times that we decided to try a life jacket. THe lifejacket just made it so that he couldn't get himself back up when he fell down.

Kyle and Lazy August 13, 2007

Kyle likes to hook Lazy up to the wagon. Lazy does not seem to especially enjoy this. ALthough, he is good to play along...

except when he turns around

Or lays down on the job.

OR runs away!