Trunk or Treat and P6 Farms 10/21 - 10/27

It was Red Ribbon Week this week.  Whoever picked the dress-up themes this year made it a bit hard and we ended up not doing all of them.  We wore red on Monday, didn't have any camouflage for Tuesday, Wednesday was wear a sport team shirt and we don't have any for the younger kids so they wore some school spirit shirts. Thursday was crazy hair/sock/hat day so we did crazy hair.  Friday was dress like your favorite decade.  We could've tried harder on that day, but life was busy enough without adding another costume to it.  

I stole this great idea of braiding hair with pipe cleaners - it turned out super cute.  

Friday was busy with getting ready for the trunk or treat.  I made the cookie dough in the morning.  Then we had a dress rehearsal for our dance.  Then I went home and made the cookies.  I ran out of time and didn't get them frosted before I had to go to the school.  The girls helped me frost them after school and then I helped get the kids get their costumes on and then I did my make-up.  I don't really like zombies much, but we tried to go for a nice zombie look.  :) 

 I bought these stencils last year and bought some black food coloring spray.  It worked pretty well, and they were easy to do, win - win! I had to help judge the food at the trunk or treat.  It was not well organized and they were having to hold the kids back to let us taste everything.  It was a bit of a disaster and who knows if we really judged fairly.  I did not enjoy eating so many sweets - I prefer the chili cook-off myself.  Who needs treats right before all of the candy. 

 Tyler is a hobbit, Damon is a Fortnite person, Chris is a spider, and the girls are witches. 

 We measured the girls recently, Jenna is 2 inches taller than Kaylee!  Crazy!

 So we wanted our dance to be like a flash mob thing at the trunk or treat.  It may have been a surprise to some, but by the time they saw all of us mom wearing the same outfit most everyone figured something was going on.  We performed out in the parking lot.  It was hard with so many people around.  I messed up a bit - I was kind of nervous.  It's been awhile since I performed.  We did a encore with us facing the other direction so that the street light could shine on our faces better.  We were all glad we could do a redo and improve our performance.  It was so much fun though and everyone loved it! Thriller! OW!

 Saturday we finally had dry beautiful weather!  After Tyler's soccer game we took the family to P6 farms.  We stopped at Chick-fil-a on the way which is always a treat for the whole family.  We had a great time.  I kept thinking of how grateful that my kids are older and don't need a nap and how they are independent and we can really enjoy these types of outings. 

Some of us were getting tired mid way and we only walked through the shorter corn maze.  Doug, Damon and Tyler went through the longer side on their own.  There were too many people, so really you could just follow everyone.  We tried to hold back and be on our own. Chris was our guide with a map and he did a great job of navigating.  

 

 We lasted about 3 hours - it was a fun day at the farm.  I didn't take any pictures but they had some pig races too that were fun to watch.  They would run up a ramp and jump into a water trough.  They raced for their oreos and chocolate milk. 

Random picture of Jenna, she was cold. :)

Doug's Birthday and Tyler's choir concert 10/14 - 10-20

Sunday somehow everyone ended up all snuggled with me in the bed.  Love my kiddos most of the time. :)

 I didn't take too many pictures this week - too busy I guess.

Monday normal dance class and then I quickly got ready and went to a teacher conference with Chris's teachers.  I was relieved to hear that Chris was behaving well at school.  I think he keeps it together for school and then lets it all out here at home - which is the way I would prefer it.  They said that he was a very good student and always willing to help others.  He is being pushed in his writing this year, but I think it will get better as the year goes on.  He has a harder time understanding directions sometimes, so that affects things.

Tuesday: institute and piano lessons for the younger three.  Soccer for Tyler in the evening.  His practice is from 8:15-9:15 and the field is 30 minutes away.  Then when he gets home he eats and showers.  It makes for a late night for him which he doesn't do very well with. He gets grumpy/moody and usually I have to talk to him to help him understand his feelings.  Sleep is so important!

Wednesday: Piano for Tyler and scouts for the boys.  I'm sure there was other stuff going on, but I can't remember. - oh yeah I made a carrot cake for our recipe group on Thursday.

Thursday was Doug's birthday.  He opened his presents in the morning.  I really only gave him one main present: tickets to see Brian Reagan (a comedian) in December.  So to make it more exciting I wrapped it in about 6 boxes.  The girls loved the idea.  The kids were cute and each bought Doug something from the dollar store.  Mostly it was candy, but hey it's the thought that counts.

 I read some stories in Chris's class on Thursday morning and then went to our recipe group.  It was a Halloween/fall theme and of course we all brought desserts.  There was one soup and so many goodies.  I was hungry too - so it was a bummer there wasn't more real food, but I can't say anything because I brought a dessert too.  :)

Thursday evening Tyler had his first choir concert.  It was combined with the Jr High and High School choirs too - so his grade only sang 2 songs.  I ended up going by myself because it started pretty late.  I was glad too, because the atmosphere didn't lend itself to jumpy kids.  I thoroughly enjoyed just listening to all of the choirs, it is so much fun to watch your kids develop their talents. 

 Friday Doug worked from home because he was going to go on a campout with the boys, but the weather looked to be stormy so they postponed it.  But since he was home he got to witness the Walk of Fame at the school.  Each teacher chooses a few students who have been showing the character traits that they have been working on for the quarter.  Jenna and Kaylee were chosen.  They were super excited to see dad!

 Friday evening I was so excited to see two of my friends put on a Wicked concert.  It was pretty low key at our church with another mom from the ward accompanying on the piano.  All three were absolutely amazing.  They could all be on Broadway.  It was so fun to see them show off their talents and see what they put aside to be moms (the two singers actually did live in New York for awhile and performed a bit).  It was so much fun and I was surprised that my kids were entertained so well.  The girls started to get a bit restless - but I think it was because they were getting tired.  They sang about 6 songs and did some of the dialog leading up to the songs.

More wet soccer for Tyler.  At least is wasn't canceled, just cooler and wet fields.  Doug went by himself and I stayed home with the kids to clean the house.  

Conference / Columbus Day 10/7 - 10/13/2018

Sunday Morning was nice and relaxing.  It is nice twice a year to not have to do our normal Sunday morning routine.  We all enjoyed listening to conference.  The kids do a great job. They enjoy conference bingo and our snack/lunch activity while listening.  The afternoon session is a bit harder but overall they do a great job. 

 After conference we went to the park.  It is finally starting to cool off a bit and the park was more bearable.  Doug and Tyler joined a pick up game of basketball. 

 Monday was Columbus day and the kids had the day off of school.  We filled the day right up.  I made cinnamon roll pancakes and took Tyler and girls to Pump it Up.  they had some new inflatables so that made it fun.

 We had a quick lunch and then went to the church to play poison ball.  I worked on some choreography for the play while I was there.  We got home around 3:00 and had time for a snack while I prepped dinner.  I went over early to play practice and got home at 6:30.  Busy busy! 

I didn't take any pictures during the week.  It wasn't as crazy as some weeks. I went to institute on Tuesday and I had my dance fitness class on Monday and Wednesday.  We are learning the choreography for Thriller, so that is fun.  Thursday I got a leak in one of our tires fixed and met Doug for lunch.  Friday I went to the temple and did initiatories.  Thursday evening was GNO - we did a creative writing activity that was fun but a bit hard too.  It was a little embarrassing to write and read in front of others.

Friday night we went to our game night that we have with our friends.  There were 7 couples this time.  We really enjoy each other's company and we laughed a lot.  It had been a while since we had met so it was good to get together.  We all brought treats too, which was funny since the last few times we hadn't.  I made a pumpkin cinnamon pull apart bread - it turned out ok. 

Saturday I took the girls to the Woodland's Children Museum.  They had been begging for months to go, so we just made it happen.  Doug took Tyler to soccer.  Chris got a ride to a friend's baptism and I met him there with the girls.  After the baptism I took Chris to a birthday party and the girls rode home with a friend and went swimming at their pool. 

 Nerf Gun Birthday Party, so much fun!

Doug was amazing and let me read a book and take a bath in the evening.  I am getting a cold and just felt tired and achy.  I finished my book, it was a nice ending to the week. 

Primary Program, Character Parade Aug 30 - Oct 6, 2018

Sunday was the Primary Program.  They did it really early this year so that the leaders could focus on other activities as it got closer to the holiday.  The kids did pretty well.  Jenna was crying for the first half and had to sit on her teacher's lap, but by the end she was singing.  Kaylee did great and was smiling the whole time.  Chris is funny and didn't move his mouth much, sometimes I wonder what is going on inside his head.  Tyler was a great example being one of the older kids.  This is his last program.  They all said their parts well and over all the program was great.  I really liked the new song they learned this year: Jesus is a God of Miracles.  

This week I had a teacher conference with Kaylee's teacher.  She said that Kaylee was doing great and is so sweet in class.  She was having a harder time adjusting to school this year, crying and saying that she missed me.  But I made her a locket with my picture and a picture of her stuffed animal and that has helped a bit.  She also takes her stuffed animals to school sometimes and that helps too.  She has just a very tender heart and it just makes me so sad to see her cry.  

Book club was on Thursday.  We discussed the Tale of Two Cities, I must confess I didn't have time to read it.  It was harder to read and I just really didn't have the time needed to get through it.  I would like to finish it though sometime.  

Friday was the character parade at school.  Instead of letting the kids dress up in their Halloween costumes at the end of the month - they let them dress up as a character in a book.  Sometimes it is the same costume as their Halloween one, but if we can do something simple we can make it match a favorite book.  

We borrowed this Pinkalicious costume from a friend.  

I made this skunk costume for Chris.

 We pieced together this Cherry Jam character from a Strawberry Shortcake book we own.

 They had a fun time parading around the front parking lot of the school. 

In the evening Doug and I went on a group date to an escape room.  This was our second time going to one of these.  It was fun, but some of the others were more experienced and just kind of took over and I felt like I wasn't doing anything.  It might be fun to try another one with just Doug and I, or maybe a foursome. 

 

Conference was great on Saturday.  We were all excited about the new changes.  In between sessions we went to the church to roller skate, scooter, and Chris flew his RC drone helicopter.  It was a fun break. 

 Doug's project was sorting through all of his random hardware in the garage.  All of his screws, nails, and bolts are now organized.  Good job dear!

Family Reunion and Funeral 8/5 -8/11/2018

Doug and I had a hard time decided what to do, but Doug felt good about driving up with the kids by himself and he decided to leave on Sunday.  He made it to Pueblo Colorado and spent the night in a hotel there.

We went to church on Sunday and just stayed for sacrament meeting.  The bishop accounced that dad's condition had worsened and was now on hospice, but said to respect the family's privacy at this time - basically asking people to not come over and visit.  Which is what mom had told him to do.  She wanted people to know, but didn't need all of the craziness of the whole ward coming over.  

We had a lot of music while Richard and Tannie were around.  They like to play and they were practicing for the funeral and an upcoming baby blessing.  We all got involved with some good ole' heart and soul and Marcus even joined in for a bit.  :) 

Dad stayed in his room all day on Sunday and friends and family came over to visit.  Tim Vatalie came over and it was good to see him, he was pretty shaken up with the news.  The Cooley's and the Mechams came over which was fun to visit with them - families from my home ward.  My cousins came over, Jennifer, Heather, Angie, and Trisha.  I hadn't seen some of them for a long time, so that was fun too.

Tannie took the kids to the park in the evening while we were visiting - it made the house a lot quieter. My brothers and I walked down to meet the kids after our company left.  It was so good to get out and enjoy the weather.  I couldn't get over how great it felt outside! 

Through all of the sadness it really was nice to be with family and have the evenings to talk.  We stayed up late visiting and laughing. 

Both Saturday and Sunday morning we gathered just my brothers and my mom and said multiple prayers with my dad.  Expressing our love and appreciation for my dad and his life and for the plan of salvation.  We asked for a blessing to be on my dad during these last days and prayed for his release into the next life.  Both mornings were very touching and spiritual, I am grateful for my brothers for their heart felt prayers and for the knowledge we have of the Gospel.  I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and for his atonement that makes it possible for us to have eternal families.  Dad also had been praying a lot and near the end he couldn't get back into bed on his own.  Sunday evening we were glad some friends were there to help him up and in the middle of the night my brothers had to help him again.

Monday morning Marcus and I had planned to go for a walk.  I went past my parent's room into the kitchen and I could hear dad breathing still.  I went back to a my room a short time later and all was quiet.  I went and told mom that I thought dad might be gone.  She said that she hoped so and that she had been praying for him.  My dad peacefully left this world around 7:00 am Monday morning on August 6th, 2018.  It was a bitter sweet moment.  We were grateful that he didn't have to suffer any more, but we of course were heartbroken to have him gone.  I love my dad and will miss him.  He was an amazing man who gave all he had to his friends and family and to the Lord.

Marcus and I still went on our walk and it was a beautiful morning and I couldn't help but feel that my dad was glad we were out enjoying it.  A little hummingbird hovered right in front of us for awhile and seemed to say hello.  Later that morning we learned of a friend of dad's (Ryan Dunkley) who was out hiking and he said that he heard my dad say "take care" to him.  It was a special story he told us.

Well, it is a busy affair taking care of a funeral.  Mom had already started dad's obituary and the rest of us edited it.  Mom also worked on a slide show.  My brothers and I worked on our talks for the funeral and we made arrangements with the funeral home and hospice.

Doug and the kids arrived  Monday evening.  It was good to see them.  We had been given lots of food from family and neighbors - lots of desserts: brownies, cookies, pie, more cookies.  So it was good we didn't have to cook every meal.  Tannie and I did do a few meals while we were there to help.  Mom of course had just got back from their mission so her pantry wasn't very full.  Marcus and I went to the store at one point to get some necessities for our big clan.

Tuesday morning Doug helped with the kids so I could go with my mom and brothers to pick out the coffin and headstone.  That was a unique experience.  Afterwards mom and I went and picked out the flowers for the coffin.  We tried to find the ones that looked the most like wildflowers.  It was a bit tricky, but we felt like we found some good ones.  We stopped at Kitchen Kneads which was just next door and I bought an apron for my mom for her birthday.  

We went to the park on Tuesday evening and loved the Utah summer weather.  Marcus's family had arrived earlier and it was fun to have all of the cousins together. 

Sierra and Tyler were so fun to watch playing together.

Stefan and Damon had a blast playing Fortnite together

Doug was awesome and brought our hair cutting stuff so I could give all the boys hair cuts. 

Wednesday after breakfast we went over to the Petersens to spend some time with them.  We had lunch and visited. The kids loved playing in their back yard.  It was hot, but at least not humid. 

Wednesday evening we had a nice family meal and get together back at my moms to make it like a family reunion.  Richard's family had left for a couple of days to get ready for their own family trip after the funeral.  They came back Wednesday in time for dinner and our special evening.  Mom talked about their mission and gave the kids souvenirs and mementos from Canada.  It was hard to not have dad there, but we still had a good time. 

Thursday morning was a bit crazy having 3 families there, but we managed.  Mom really wanted to do something fun so we all went to the Logan Aquatic center.  It was a bit cold for my Texas crew, but we still had fun.  Grandma treated them all to snow cones which they all loved.  Jenna and Kaylee were the only cousins to go off the high dive.  They went multiple times and loved it - crazy girls!

We went back to the Petersens to get ready for the viewing (Mom, Annie, and I had gone over in the morning to set everything up).  We left the kids there and Doug and I went out to dinner at the Black Bear Diner - I had salmon and Doug had meat loaf.  It was really good.  It was our anniversary - so that is how we celebrated.  

The viewing was nice, the flowers turned out pretty well, but they didn't put in one of the ones we had asked for - oh well.  I guess it's tradition to have a display from the kids - so Richard helped make a stand out of skiis and canoe paddle and Annie and I put some things that represented dad on it.  Dad was teased about being the 'B' boy.  B stood for bikes, books, beats (music), blades (knives), boards (skiis), boats, and boots (hiking).  So this is what we made: I think it turned out perfectly.

We put out other displays. 

Our feet were very tired by the end - I only had brought high heels, what was I thinking? 

It was a long night, but it was great to see so many friends and family.  Lots came from our old Nibley home ward and it was good to say hello.  Doug and I went back to the Petersens and the rest of the family helped take things down and set them up at the church for the funeral on friday. 

We had to get up early to get everyone ready.  We realized that we had left Chris's and Tyler's church clothes at my moms, so Richard brought them and they changed at the church.  We did a quick photo shoot before the viewing on Friday morning. 

Yes my dad was photo-shopped in.  It's what my mom wanted. 

The funeral went very well.  I talked first and made it through pretty well until the end.  My brothers also gave beautiful remarks and shared their love for my dad.  All of the grandkids (and us parents) sang I Am a Child of God, and Families Can be Forever and then a family friend spoke as well.  The Chapel was very full, my dad was well known in his circles and loved and respected by many.  

The graveside service was nice and families visited and mingled.  We went back to the church after for a late lunch. 

 Datwyler cousins, we were only missing two.

Our family went back over to the Petersens for a family get together there.  Most of Doug's family was able to make it and it was good to spend some time with them.  I felt bad that we spent most of our time with my family, but such was the nature of the visit.  

Friends of my dad hosted a celebration of sort at the park by my mom's house.  I felt bad that I couldn't be there, but there was a good turn out of hiking buddies and others who had come to support my mom.  

Saturday we decided we had time to go to the fair before we headed home.  We went with Doug's brother and his family.  The kids had a great time.  We bought cotton candy to share and they each bought a little something as a souvenir. 

One last stop was shoe shopping for Damon and Tyler.  I had been planning on taking them this week back in Texas, and I didn't want to do it when we got home.  So we managed to find some shoes on sale for the both of them and the other three did pretty well while waiting.  Whew, check that off the list. 

We left for home around 3:00 in the afternoon.  We made pretty good time and stopped at the the Little America for ice cream cones.  The kids do fairly well.  We watch movies and have screen time.  They slept ok, and I was in the back for a good portion of the ride which helped the quarreling.  I really don't like this drive and I'm glad that we don't have to make it too often. 

It was a whirlwind of a week.  Lot of emotions and memories.  Grateful for forever families and our Savior. I will miss my dad, but I know that I will see him again.  I think of him often now and try to make better choices because I know he might be watching. :)  

Now back to normal life, hah - yes life goes on.  School in 3 days, ahh!