January 29, 2006

Today Major gave a talk in primary. He did really well. He read a scripture in the middle of his talk and it ended with “amen”. Everyone said “amen”. (They were really paying attention!) It was funny! Major just smiled and kept on going. He still thinks it was funny. I’m glad he can laugh about it.
Wednesday I babysat a baby in our ward. I let Lucy stay home from school and help since it was a half-day. She took care of the baby the whole time. I think she let me hold her for about 15 minutes throughout the day. The baby was really fussy, even for me, so I just let Lucy take care of her. She loved it! I kept asking her if she was tired, because I figured a fussy baby isn’t much fun, but she wouldn’t give up. She just loves babies! Even Juliette enjoyed the baby and asks constantly when she is coming again.
Saturday I went to the Cub Scout Pow Wow all day. It was really informative and fun. It’s too bad no one else from our ward went because there were so many great classes and I couldn’t do them all. It’s a little frustrating to me that people are so apathetic about scouts! I want a good scouting program! I’m trying to “raise the bar”, but it is slow going. I don’t think people understand how important this is – just like primary teachers. Oh well.

January 15, 2006

The whole Christmas break I worked on cub scouts! I am the new Wolf leader since Major is in cub scouts now. What a learning curve! I was very disappointed that I didn’t get to do any of my projects that I wanted to do. This last week was insane! I’m sure glad it is over!
On Monday after piano lessons, we bought two red leather sofas for our family room. They won’t come until April or May. I am so excited! This is the first time that we have ever made a major furniture purchase. It was very scary! But we haven’t had buyer’s remorse! Unfortunately now I want stuff to go with it, but I’m out of money. I have to save for the rest of the payment when they come in.
Tuesday is now my busy day! Carol has orchestra and Activity Days and Major has Cub Scouts and basketball practice. Our first den meeting went pretty well considering it was our first time. There is one boy that is really disruptive so the boys are going to be split into two dens. He will not be in our den, thank goodness! Although, I had prepared myself to try and love him.

Wednesday Carol now has cello lessons. Our neighbor across the street is teaching her. I was all excited to have a lesson I didn’t have to attend, but she told me she teaches the Suzuki method and I have to be at the lessons to learn as well. Bummer! Then we went to the school because Major was chosen as Student of the Month.


Saturday was our big day! Major was baptized. He is such a good boy! I am so proud of him.

Every morning he makes his bed, cleans his room, says his prayers, practices the piano and reads his scriptures without being told. He would be translated if he wouldn’t tease his sisters! :) He is a straight A student and always tries to do what is right. I am thankful to have him for a son!
Then we went to Major’s first basketball game. Then Clint and I went to our ward temple session. It was a busy day!

The Blind Mice

Tonight we made chocolate mice. The body is a cherry, the head a hershey kiss and peanuts for ears. They were delicious! Maybe next time they will look more professional. It was fun! 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! This was a very busy week! Carol wanted to go to Build-A-Bear Workshop for her birthday, on her birthday, December 26th. So that is what we did on Monday. It was really fun! I even had a good time and she made a really cute bear. They had so many cute clothes and all for the same price as Target or Wal-Mart. I’m going there for now on for doll clothes.

That afternoon we drove up to Flagstaff and spent the night. We had a bad night. Everyone was cold and we had to shuffle beds several times during the night because Juliette kept going around waking everyone up. Then she wet the bed. We are not looking forward to taking her on any more trips!
The next morning we left early to get on the Grand Canyon Railroad Train to go to the Grand Canyon with the Nielson family.
It was freezing cold! The train ride was about 2 ½ hours long. We enjoyed talking with everyone. Major said his favorite part was getting to talk to all of his cousins for a long time! The boys were all huddled together and having a great time.

We were quite a large group, about 30 of us.

We ate lunch at the Canyon and walked around and then went back on the train. On the way back a fiddler came through and Carol got to fiddle (he played, she just held it). We had a great time!


Thursday was Major’s birthday party. It turned out pretty good considering it was very last minute. In the summer he told me he wanted an army party. Then he went to a laser-tag party and changed his mind. I had been planning on that and figured I didn’t have to do much. Then a week before, he said he really wanted an army party. Great. But I knew that is what he really wanted, so I threw it together really fast. Clint and Major made marshmallow shooter guns for all the boys (16 of them). Stephen, my brother, and our neighbors Bishop and Kellie Jobe came and helped since Clint had to work. Stephen made an obstacle course that they really enjoyed.

Then Bishop, wearing his army clothes, had them do some calisthenics and then they had a “war” with their guns.

They loved it! It was pretty wild! Whew! I am very thankful I had help! Cub Scouts should be a breeze after this!

Merry Christmas

Christmas is finally over. It's been a long time coming. But it was great! The kids didn't wake up too early and they all liked their presents. I cooked all day because the missionaries and Clint's mom came to dinner. My family room is a disaster, but I guess that is to be expected. Friday night we had the Brown family party at our house. It was fun and loud! I cleaned all week, but didn't get it perfect. Oh well. I don't think anyone noticed that my baseboards were dirty. But I did clean my lights! Saturday was the Nielson Family Christmas Eve Dinner. It was wonderful! Liz made an amazing meal! For the program we performed "Away in a Manger". Major played the piano, Carol played the cello, and I played the flute, my annual performance.The children did a cute "Nativity". We had a few laughs from that. Juliette gave me a great gift! She finally is completely potty-trained! I am so happy! She has had a few accidents at night, but I hardly count that!

The Nerds

My children dressed up like nerds for spirit week at school. I thought they looked hilarious! I was surprised that even Major wanted to do it. He said not many boys dressed up, but he didn't seem to mind that he was in the minority. I'm glad they are confident in themselves! Tee hee!

My Best Gifts

My kids have seen Santa a lot this year. He was at Home Depot, Wal-mart, ward party, Thomas party, and the Southwest party. Santa brings gifts, but the best gifts I have are my family. Here are my best gifts!

Clint is a righteous person – he wants to do what is right. I’m thankful that he is a hard worker. He sacrifices a lot for us to have a beautiful home and lots of great benefits. He always listens to me and never criticizes. (I’m not very good at that!) He makes me laugh.

Carol is such a cheerful girl. She always wants to do what is right. She is friendly to everyone. She always keeps her room clean. She loves to sing and act and is very dramatic! She does really well in school. She plays so good with her little sisters and Major. They love her. She always wants to spend time with me, cooking, making things, whatever. She is very forgiving. She wants to be healthy.

Major is a good boy who always wants to do what is right. He is very sensitive and thinks deeply about things. He is very organized and creative. He is kind to his sisters. He always practices the piano without being asked. He is very obedient. He is good at sports. He is a straight “A” student. He loves to read and learn.

Lucy is so sweet. She is very affectionate. She loves to dance and do cartwheels. She loves babies! She is very kind and friendly. She wants to do what is right.

Juliette is so cute. She always makes us laugh. She loves to sing. She is very smart. She tries to do what is right. I love all my gifts!