So so behind.....

I am so behind in blogging and Im kind of depressed about it. I really want to print this thing off but it has to be out of order. So how do I catch up for 7 months????

Today was bittersweet. I was released from my stake calling ad Stk Primary Coun. and now Im an Activity Day Leader. That part I am thrilled about because I cant wait to work with Christen before she goes in to YW. I will be honest - I wont miss Day Camp or Rechartering -- But I will terribly miss my presidency and visiting the wards leaders and primary kids. Ive been pretty weepy. We recently had all of the ward primary sacrament meeting programs which were amazing. That is the funnest thing too. We also had a very successful Stk Act Day Conference last Sat.

I have joined the daughters of the Utah Pioneers, which I am enjoying. I was inspired by our family trip to Wyoming to see the Martin and Willie Handcart Sites. I also had finished reading the Fire of the Covenant.

This past summer I drove with the kids to Utah and California for a 3 week trip. It was so fun - but about 1 week too long because we missed Todd being with us!

Christen broke her pinkie about 6 weeks ago while rollerblading and had a cast. She has been doing well with her violin and now volleyball since the cast came off.

Trevor is now an EAGLE SCOUT!!!!! His project was finished in April - and Archery Range for Camp Joseph in Rye Colo. He had to wait 6 months after that and then do the write up. Im so proud and SO GLAD that he is done with that.

Brandon had a fun and exciting Marching Band Season. Next year he wants to try out for Drum Major, so we will see how that goes. Brandon will be 16 in a few short weeks!!! He has his drivers permit and is a very cautious driver.

Todd is not loving work right now but we are blessed to have work right now. He is out of the Scouts in the ward but is still and Eagle Scout Coordinator and High Priest Secretary.

Maybe now I will have some time to catch up....

We got family pictures taken recently so I will post a few and do a collage later.

Playing catch up!

Day Camp 2010

Day Camp. . . . I remember when I thought that I was done years ago. But, alas, someone needs to register the 386 kids - or whatever it was for day camp. And as long as Im in Stk Primary - that is part of the job - well unless we figure out something different next year.

It is always such a crazy, busy time in June to get ready but it went really well. We also had a lot of support and had a great team. The boys loved it too. This year Brandon and his friend Chritian came to be Jr Staff and they each earned 18 hrs for HS volunteer time. Trevor also came one day and helped in the shooting range. He let people in and out . . . Permission to enter exit etc. . .

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I was very spoiled that year! Lots of Facebook bday wishes (loving that!), many calls from dear friends and family and lots of fun and FOOD. Too much food actually - but hey - I indulged. Probably should have been more careful but it was great. Lets see how many "out to eats" ...? 5 FIVE!! Craziness. Fun times though. Also saw two movies - Extraordinary Measures - I would highly recommend - and Leapyear - cute, but not a buyer for me.

Most of my gift receiving I will get during spring break when Brandon and I travel to Washington DC to visit our great friends the Ahlstroms - and DC. We hope to see Roger (Todd's brother) and Andrea as well. CANT WAIT!!!

need to catch up, need to catch up.....

OK - it is 3:45 in the AM. Crazy. I CANT SLEEP. Lots going on with my calling and the kids and ... life. I have been catching up on other peoples blog and a bit depressed that I havent blogged for awhile....

Wed AM we are leaving to go to Illinois for a mini family reunion on my side and then going to Nauvoo and Missouri sites on the way home. LONG drive -- but it will be great to get away. The kids have fall breat and are missing a few extra days. We are excited to go though!!

Then I will HAVE to post.

Christen got her cast off - now in a splint, We have avoided the swine flu however several of us have had colds. I have not been exercising like I should, parent teacher conferences, bookclub at my house Tues (bad timing on my part), 9 Primary programs to attend, Stk Aux training, scout "stuff", Brandon's Eagle board after we get back, having to deal with "Drama" in several different venues, crazy Colorado weather, getting packed up for the trip and my kids bugging me about Halloween costumes ( they have to make their own this year) and asking why I havent bought candy yet. A friend told me she was almost done Christmas shopping. hmmm. Me - not so much at all. Should think ahead at least about Christmas cards.

Im going to bed now. I guess on the couch so I dont bug Todd - although his snoring was keeping me up partly too. SIGH. One day at a time.

Sunflowers

I love sunflowers. They make me happy. I just bought a small grouping at Safeway today and then added some from around our neighborhood.

The Rock Climb

This is pre- Christen drama described below. Todd and the boys and scouts went caving a few weekends ago so Christen and I had fun together taking the dogs up Castle Rock and having lunch at Sonic. Then we painted toenails. Great Day!

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day! I had breakfast made, homemade cards, sibling sitting services, flowers and a trip to see my own mom a week ago. I was also able to catch up on blogging, attend my own ward (its been awhile with my calling and the trip), foot rub and taking a nap!!! We also had a wonderful dinner prepared by Todd and his dad with his folks over.

BYU Women's Conference

Tera Michelle and Teresa

Suzy, Bro T - (Teresa's Dad), me

Lisa and Karen

Sis. T - (Teresa's mom and my Laurel advisor ions ago), Mom, Tiana and Ralph - Visiting in the evening. We stayed at my brother Ralph's home in SLC
Tiana, Teresa, Mom, Michelle Lisa and Karen Suzy and Tera had to leave early.

Mom and Karen

Teresa and Tiana

Tiana and Michelle

L Tom Perry speaking. Julie Beck and Barbara Thompson also spoke.

Good to see my mom for an early Mother's day. Love You!!

My niece Michelle and I.
Michelle and I again. I loved walking around campus!!




This was a great experience to attend with family. We all loved the classes and loved just being together, visiting, catching up and walking around campus and the bookstore. Im not sure I would go every year, but it was definately worth the trip. Thanks again Teresa and Ralph for hosting - -and the use of your car! Gwen - Im sorry that I missed you on this trip!

My ladies weekend

Last weekend I had a rare treat of flying to Utah for the weekend. The purpose was to go to BYU Women's Conference with my mom, sister, sister in laws and a few nieces. It was great fun. A side bonus was seeing a few wonderful friends!! As soon as I got off the plane and found the car that Teresa had left for me - THANK YOU! - I met my friend Julie and Rachel for a late lunch. It was so awesome to see them! Sorry I missed you Jackie. It was nice to catch up. Then I had some time before I was to meet up with the family so I saw the Draper temple in the distance and decided to drive up to it. From there I saw 3 temples in the area. On my whole trip I think I counted that I saw 7 temples. Crazy!

After that I decided to stop by Temple Square. The tulips were beautiful. I love seeing the Christus in the visitors center. I also stopped in the JSB, looked around and went to the distribution center downstairs. Also checked out the Conference Center.

After the BYU conference I also got to see one of my best and oldest friends and college roommates. Amy and I knew eachother in Texas in High School too. She is on bedrest now - expecting her 3rd girl. She has a 4 yr old and then had recently adopted a beautiful baby about 5 months ago so she will have her hands FULL!! I hadnt met Audrianna yet so that was so fun.

I was REALLY grateful for my little GPS to get me around!!

Random Thoughts

Today is my dad's birthday. He would have been 85. I am missing him today.

I have been very frustrated about our computer situation. I LOVE the new laptop but i was just sure that we had lost about 6 months worth of pictures. However, our friend did save them on the hard drive - I just had to figure out how to access them and now I figured it out through Picasa. I have so much to learn. Im just glad that they are in here somewhere. Now I just have to put them on disks like I should have in the first place - one of the classroom dads is going to make a slide show - but now maybe I will learn how to do it - but I probably wont for awhile.

I subbed today for Christen's class. It was fun, even though we had a little mom/ daughter moment when she was being stubborn like she would at home. I had to take her out in the hall and remind her that we were in a school setting.

Anyhow, I saw this article in the local paper the other day and I thought that it was hilarious.

OK - it is hard to read. The farthest left is a couple reunited after he was serving in the war in Iraq. About being heroes, the second is congratulationg a young HS graduate or the like, and the last is dog owners celebrating their puppy, Zoe, graduating from puppy kindergarten. It says, "Congrats on passing puppy kindergarten! We're so proud that you finally learned how to "stay" Love, Mom, Dad, Polly and Goober.

Classic!

My unexpected trip

So--- about 10 days ago I totally biffed it - face plant as I was getting the kids to the car after school. Big bruises on my knees and my hands were full so fell on my face - hit the edge of my glasses and voila!! Ive been wearing big sunglasses and trying to hide it with make up when I have to. Bummer. After a week and a half it is still totally obvious but starting to heal. This picture was three days after. Todd really had nothing to do with it. The girl we carpool with was directly in front of me and then suddenly stopped in the middle of the street! I tripped over her and her big ole backpack. I was holding Christen's hand and then my other hand was full off waterbottles and kids stuff. Luckily, we were out of the way of the cars. I was so embarrassed I just got up and headed straight to the car. I had to get my glasses adjusted and then go to a Blue and Gold dinner for one of the wards I am over.

Actually, another interesting thing about that day was that earlier before all of that happened I decided to wash the van because it was like 55 degrees not a cloud in the sky. I was so proud of myself. Then after the blue and Gold iwas at I drove home in a total snowstorm and then the next day it was back in the 50's. Crazy weather we have here!!

Containerizing

Last night we had an enrichment meeting about organization. I kind of wanted to stay home especially when the snow started but Todd was signed up to help with security and the nursery. it was good. Im glad I went. I have certain things in my life that are organized and certain things I am picky about - but not so much what Amy was talking about last night. Got some good ideas.

I came home to look in my pantry to find about 5 bags of pwd sugar some open, some not and about the same for brown sugar. Pathetic. I guess I could say it was food storage - although I didnt realize what I had. Apparently, I should be containerizing all of that stuff so I can see it - and stack it. Hmm, maybe I will do that today. Also, lots of jello and pudding boxes that probably should be containerized. They always fall everywhere. My bad.

Someone told me the other day that I really dont have an excuse not to organize because I am home all day with my kids at school. I tried not to be offended. I hate when people say that because I still am busy - busy calling, helping and subbing in the school, exercising, normal house stuff, etc etc. Im not sitting around eating bon bons all day. Ok maybe a weight watchers chocolate muffin (3pts) every once in awhile. By the way, Sarah you never came around with the Girl Scout cookie sign up. I will have to get a box outside Walmart I guess. I will try to eat them slowly.

Sorry - I seem to be in a bad mood today. Maybe I will go find a ww choc muffin and organize my sugars!! I will go exercize too.

Same stuff, different day

Not much interesting going on here. We are still busy - but it is the same old same old.

I have decided to go out to SLC Provo for BYU Womens Conference Ap 30th - May 1. I am meeting up with my mom and sister, sister in laws and nieces. Im excitied. I havent been anywhere for awhile. I would like to see some of my Utah friends!! I will keep you posted.


I had a little stupid me moment because when I booked the flight I was thinking that the conference was Fri/ Sat like they do Time Out for Women here. But no - after I already booked the flight getting there Thurs 1 pm I realized last night that it was Thurs/ Fri. Crap. I tried to change it but it cost more to change that I paid for the ticket. Oh well, that gives me a bit more time to visit before I catch up with my family. I cant believe I did that. Well, yes I can.

Originally I really wanted to go to the Time Out for Women here locally, but it just so happens to be the same day as our Stk Womens Conference which I enjoy- but could miss- but it also the same day as Christen's scheduled baptism that afternoon, which they really dont like you to change. Thus - trip to Utah, break for me!

Yesterday my new presidency went out to lunch to Pegasus-one of my favorites. Three of us had birthdays in January. We also had to celebrate getting throught the month successfully. It has been SO BUSY with ward conferences, scout trainings, visits with ward presidencies and other things. It has been all good. We have a busy Feb and April with more conferences. I also found out that I have been assigned to be the Cub Day Camp Registrar. Funny because last year I really thought it would be my last with day camp. Luckily, I will have alot of help.

Anyhow we had a fun time together trying to visit about other stuff besides Primary. They are great ladies and we have a lot of fun together too.