David's Eagle Project

David finally got around to doing his Eagle project. He had a hard time deciding what he wanted to do. We gave lots of suggestions, but none of them were really exciting for him.  Finally, he decided to go down to the Care Center and see if they had any projects he could do.  They were very glad he was willing to help them get their garden areas ready for the residents to plant.  Brother Akin, Brother Opps, Dexter and Calvin Opps, Elijah and Timothy Clark, Neil, Dallin and I were all there to help David. There were some dangerous thorns on some of the bushes that drew blood from more than one of us even though we had good gloves on. David did a good job being in charge and getting things done. I baked brownies and everyone enjoyed them after the work was done. We worked until dark and got everything done that David wanted us to do. I think we took about 9 large bags of leaves and trash out to the dumpsters.  Good job, David.  We are proud of you finishing your Eagle project and doing good service.

The family that bikes together, stays together

There is a hill that Neil likes to let the kids bike down.  We decided to do the hill bike ride last week. We drove to the top with the kids and their bikes.  I dropped them off and then drove back down the hill to where I had left my bike. I was just getting started up the hill when I saw Dallin and David coming down.  They were a lot faster coming down than I was going up.  Dallin decided to wait with the van. David turned around and came back up the hill.  We met up with Neil, Joshua, and Lydia as they were coming down the hill. Aaron rode in the bike cart that Neil pulled. It was the first time Joshua and Lydia rode their bikes down the hill. At first, they weren't too sure about going that fast, but they decided it was fun by the end. It was a fun family adventure.  As we were driving home we passed Bethany and Julia heading to the Billings temple.  David and Dallin decided to ride their bikes the rest of the way home while the rest of us drove.  David and Dallin barely beat us home.

28 years and counting on to forever

28 years ago, April 26, 1991,  we were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. It looks like a beautiful spring day in these pictures, but in reality, it snowed that day. Snow or not, it was a beautiful start to our marriage. 28 years and 11 children later we have learned a lot together. 

We celebrated our anniversary at the Billings temple on Friday, April 26th. It was a wonderful get away together.  We loved our time in the temple.  I love to do sealings together and remember our sealing in the temple.

Thanks for working together with me to build a strong marriage. Thanks for walking through life holding my hand.  I love the life we have built together.  Looking forward to forever with you. Neil, I love you!!

General Conference April 2019

I love General Conference weekends!  I love having everyone together doing the same thing. I love hearing the words of the Lord from living Apostles and the Prophet.  This conference Sister Varey came and listened with us.  We enjoyed her company, but I think we wore her out.  We had lots of good snacks and lots of good time together.  I bought a little tent that we set up so the younger kids can sit in it and listen to Conference. I hope they are learning to pitch their tent with the door facing the temple or the prophet.  We also have 15 snacks one each for the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles.  The kids think it is fun. They watch close to see which treat to get out. 

I really loved Sister Craven's talk about be Careful or Casual. I am so grateful to have a living Prophet.  I was excited to hear about a Temple being built in Tooele Valley.

Here are some pictures of all of us doing Conference activities:

Bethany worked on her hexagon quilt. She has nearly finished it.  It will be beautiful when it is done.

Neil worked on a puzzle. He likes to do puzzles during conference.

Emma worked on making pajama pants for Aaron

What is the weather?

The other day Lydia and Aaron went out to play.  It was a pretty warm day. Aaron absolutely refused to go out without his coat and monster hat.  Lydia wanted a sunhat and sunglasses. If anyone saw them I am sure they wondered what the weather was.  They looked pretty cute out there playing together.  I am going to have to hide Aaron's hat and coat now that it is warming up or he will want to wear it in July.

Warfare

It is outright warfare at our house this spring.  We have an adorable little red-breasted nuthatch, actually a nice couple of nuthatches, that have decided our house is a good place to hang out. I really wouldn't mind, but they are pecking holes in the front of our house.  They have been hanging around a couple of weeks.  We first saw one of them perched on the front of our house and I thought it was kind of a cute little bird.  Little did I know what they were up to.  I heard a tap, tap, tapping one day and went out to look. There was that little bird pecking at the house.  I scared it away, but it came right back.  I sent Joshua out to scare it away, but it came back.  I sent David out, and it came right back.  I went out and took pictures and it didn't even think about flying away.  I have even heard it on the side of the house, but it is too high and I can't see where it is pecking.  I went out today and hung a pie pan and cd over the holes. I hope it will scare the birds off. I haven't heard them out there since I hung them.  Maybe I should just build them a birdhouse so they will leave my house alone. 

Here are the pictures of our little nuthatch:

A bucket filler

Joshua's class voted him a bucket filler for the month of March.  They said he was a friend to everyone and willing to help anyone that needed help.  Being a bucket filler really is being a superhero in everyday life.  I was very proud of him.  The school has capes for the kids to wear and have their picture taken as a superhero.

Good job, Joshua!! We are proud of you.

The final pinewood derby

On April 3rd we had the final pinewood derby.  Since it was the last one the ward opened it up to anyone that wanted to make a car.  David, Dallin, and Joshua each made cars.  David's was just a sliver of a car when he was done cutting it out. Elijah, Timothy and Jonathan Clark were working on their cars with David.  Elijah said he wasn't sure that David would be able to get wheels on his car. David called his car the Black Battery.  Dallin's car was the Blue Machine.  Joshua wanted his car to be like a pokemon, but ended up calling it Crazy Car.

First, the cub scouts raced their cars.  Joshua's car did really well.  He only got beat by the car that Ethan Frame built.  Ethan's car went undefeated all night.  Joshua's car took 2nd in the Cub Scout division.

Next, the open races began.  Joshua's car took 3rd overall. He only lost to Ethan Frame and Timothy Clark.  David's car beat Elijah's and Dallin's car, but got beat by Timothy and Joshua.  Joshua took 3rd in the overall competition.  He was pretty happy with his trophy and bucket full of candy.

Overall, each of the cars our boys built did pretty well. It was a good way to end our pinewood derbies.  I don't think Neil will really miss making cars. He has been a good sport about helping the boys, letting the boys help and trying to help them create what they imagined.