Girls Camp

I have been preparing for this day for the last three months. It is finally here and the realization that I have a daughter going to girls camp is boggling my mind.

We started with packing her bag to make sure she had enough clothes and washed what she needed and wanted to take. We discovered that she only owns one pair of long pants. So we went to DI and got three more pairs of pants. All for the great price of $22.00. I like getting deals and on things she will wear!

Then we headed over to Wal-Mart to get good bug spray and the last of the bathroom stuff she needed. We ended up with that plus a new backpack and a 2 liter water bladder that goes in it. I think she will be glad to have so much water. She was worried because she heard on the news about a girl that died last week at Girls Camp of heat stroke. So water was an issue for my dear 1st year daughter.

We also got a new camera that will fit in my pocket when we go do fun family things. The one I had before was big and bulky and the compartment door for the batteries was broken. I am letting Allynn take it with her. She is very excited. She wanted to know if she needed to bring an extra SD Card. Her dad reassured her that the card she had would hold 1000 pictures. I think she will be covered. And thank goodness for digital photos so we don't have to develop EVERY THING she takes a picture of.

We had a chat about keeping track of her stuff and practiced rolling up the sleeping bag so it would fit back into the stuff bag. She thought I was crazy, but I feel better now that I saw her do it.

Everything has her name on it. (She wouldn't let me write it in her underwear.)

I am sure she will do just fine. It is the mom that may have a hard, long week.

Summer fun

I feel more busy now that school is out than I did before. Four kids home at once has been kind of crazy.

Austin is in Reading Camp ( a fun way to say summer school). He is loving it. He goes to school from 9 to noon and then has the rest of the day to do whatever he wants, after his room is clean, clothes are put away, and anything else I can think of that he should do to help out.

Allynn is in Summer band. She is learning how to play the trombone. She decided she wanted to be part of the marching band and realized it is too hard to march with the cello. He seems to be having a good time. She goes to band every morning from 10 to 11. Then she comes home to make sure she has her jobs done and then got to hang out with her friends. This hanging out does not always mean she leaves the house. I find a lot of this hanging out time is done on facebook where the small group can chat with each other without leaving the house.

Sydney is not in any extra activities this summer. She is happy to watch TV while the others are out. But once they get home she is ready to be out doing something else. She just had her 10th birthday and got a nice new bike. She feels like she has new freedom. She rides her bike over to her friends houses to see if they can play instead of calling them on the phone. Then if they can't she just rides back home. She is having a good time.

Kelsey does not seem to have changed her routine much at all except for refusing any kind of nap at all in the early afternoon. Now she goes and goes until she crashes somewhere. And most days manages to keep moving until she is forced to go to bed at 10 when the other kids are going to bed. (Even then only because I am going to bed and I dread what they were all conspire to do while I am sleeping.)

As for family fun, we have been...

Baptized Austin
Visited with family
picnicked at Vivian Park
swimming at the rec. pool
cleaning out drawers
moving boxes
getting ready for Peter and Whitney
watching Cake Boss, West Wing, and Gilmore Girls
Camping at Maple Dell
and Camping at Utah Lake

We have more camping planned. I also found some free bowling passes at fatcats. And I am sure there will be more swimming.

I feel much more busy!!

IHOP

Allynn: "Oh...now I know why they call it IHOP. It is all the first letters from International House of Pancakes."


I love those moments when things click and make more sense. :oP

Coming Attractions

I have so many things to blog about, I just don't know where to start. Maybe once school is out, I won't be so busy.

Girls Basketball
Allynn and the Cello
Soccer
Swimming
Spring Break
Zion Concert
Mother's Day
Bathroom floor
Job anxiety
School coming to an end

Stay tuned.

Spring Storms

The other day we had our first spring storm with thunder and lightning. I love this kind of weather, especially when it is warm outside. I like to sit out on the patio and smell the rain and watch the storm.

Kelsey on the other hand does not seem to enjoy the storms too much. She happened to be upstairs when a huge clap of thunder rang out. She came running down the stairs to seek comfort.

Mom: "Kelsey, what's wrong?"

Kelsey: "I am scared and shaking like a little leaf."

Mom: "Why?"

Kelsey: "Because if I get struck by lightning, I will get sent back to the future."

Sleeping anytime

My sister posted a lovely picture of my daughter sleeping. I just thought I would add some more.

OH WAIT!!! I would have to be blind!

Yesterday I had a total moment of dumbness take over.

We had just finished dinner and we were talking about my parents trip to California for the weekend. My mom had gone to the library to get a stack of books on CD for the drive. Then we were talking about what libraries have better selections.

I was thinking in my head that if they weren't so expensive, I would probably go buy the book I wanted.

Then out loud I said "Maybe if I go get my ears checked and I have to get a hearing aide, I could get a discount on audio books online." Those around me agreed for a moment. Then my brilliant mom said, " If you were blind you could get them for free." We then all looked at each other and started laughing because it dawned on us that if I can't hear, then why would I want to get the audio book.

It is not as funny now that I have written it all down. But my dad had a good laugh at my expense.

My response was "Is that a basketball team?" Which leads me into my next funny story.

Last Friday we were sitting at dinner - everyone was still there at the table. We started talking about the weekend and what was going on. I remembered that the Academy Awards would be on Sunday. I said to everyone at the table "Oh ya, the Oscars will be on and I want to watch that." Without skipping a beat Austin asks, "What is that? It is a basketball team?"

We all laughed and told him what it was. I don't think he got it. But it was funny.

Today is Purple

For the last 6 months Kelsey has been telling everyone that her birthday is on Purple. Well - - TODAY IS THE DAY!!!! (Well - the 22nd was the day) She got an all Purple outfit.

How the time has flown by.

BABY 1 or 2 months old

4 YEARS OLD

We had a fun filled day planned. I subbed in the morning, so Kelsey went to Aunt Julie's house. Then I picked her up for lunch with Grandma and Aunt Jan (the other birthday girl). Kelsey was so excited... When I scooped her out of her bed to get ready for the day at 6:15 am, before her eyes were open she asked, "Is it my party?"

ALL DAY BIG GIRL!!

All ready for the day

On the way home after lunch.

We asked her what she wanted for dinner - - she said, "Cake". so we had cake and taco soup for dessert. It was a very fun and Purple day!

Snowmobiling

The first weekend in Feburary we went with Grandma and Grandpa Alger, the Johnsons, and the Busaths to West Yellowstone for a fun time snowmobiling.

This was the first time for our kids.

KELSEY

AUSTIN

AUSTIN AND SYDNEY

ALLYNN

KELSEY AND THE DAD

THE WHOLE FAMILY
The Dad, The Mom, Allynn, Sydney, Austin, & Kelsey

We all had such a great time, that we are now saving for two days of snowmobiling next year!!

14 years

Today is our 14th year anniversary. Boy... time flies.

During the last 14 years we have...

Gone to San Jose State University in San Jose
Had a daughter
Moved to Hollister, Ca
Made good friends
Moved to Singapore
Traveled around the Pacific Rim
Gone to Disneyland
Moved back to Hollister, CA
Had another daughter
Worked for ISCS/Sun Microsystems
Made good friends
Gone to Disneyland
Worked for McWhorter's
Worked for Dishnetwork
Had a son
Moved to American Fork, Ut
Worked for DirecTV
Moved to Reno, NV
Made more good friends
Gone to Disneyland
Gone back to school
Had another daughter
Gone Snowmobiling in West Yellowstone
Worked for Microsoft
Gone Camping with family
Watched lots of kids
Worked for Integra Telecom
Moved back to American Fork, UT
Gone camping in West Yellowstone, MT
Two graduations from University of Phoenix
Gone to Hoover Dam
Gone to Grand Canyon
Gone Snowmobiling with family
And just yesterday took kids and Husband cross country skiing for the first time.

We are already talking about more adventures we would like to have this year. We love eachother and are having a great time together.

Bravestar

After posting the Bravestar clips, even my family was wondering what I was thinking.

This is the cartoon that Peter used to watch over and over and over. I remember a couple of episodes were recored on VHS so he could watch them whenever he wanted. After going to see Sherlock Homes during Christmas, we were reminded of this cartoon. One of the episodes had Bravestar battling Moriarty who had built a time machine which brought him to the future. Anyway, different things over the years have reminded us of this episode and the chant of "Moriarty is king, we much do as he com ands. Na na na na na na, Na na na na na na." I tried to find that episode on YouTube but did not. So I just posted one for a memory.

Time flies

We have been so busy and I have been so lazy.

January flew by. The girls have been playing basketball and loving it. Allynn is on a 6th grade team so they get one night a week to practice and then play a game of two 20 minute halves on Saturdays. Sydney is on a 4th grade team so they practice for ab out 20 minutes and then play a 20 minute game on Saturdays. It has been fun to watch them. Watching Allynn play has brought back all my memories of playing basketball in West Yellowstone for the Lady Wolverines. I played 6th and 7th grade and then we moved in 8th grade. Then thinking of West Yellowstone reminds me of all the other stuff we did when we lived there. I will have to share more of those memories.

January also brought lots of opportunities for Jason to interview for different positions within the company he is currently working for. He did not get the new positions, but he is becoming known by the managers and his work is being noticed. So far for three positions he is the number 2 choice. We are hoping with a little more time and experience he will become the number 1 choice. He likes the company and would really like to experience new opportunities with them. He keeps plugging along for now. The kids and I like the job he has now because he leaves at the same time every day and comes home at the same time every day. We like having him around.

January also gave Jason an opportunity to interview with a company in Sacramento. A friend of his from Reno (actually an old boss) called him to say they might have an opening for a project manager in Sacramento. So we went out for a long weekend for that interview. Over the phone the job sounded great, but once we learned a few more details, we are not sure it is the right fit for our family right now. There has not been any offer yet, and the company wants to interview a few more candidates. We are kind of hoping we don't get an offer so the decision of whether to take it or not is an easy one. They told us it would be a while before they made any final decisions. We figured it wouldn't be until March before they made any headway. I guess they were still defining the job. We shall see.

Now we are into Feburary. Bring it on.

Just because

Today I subbed for 1st grade

If you can't say anything nice...then don't say anything at all.

I guess that is all I can say about my day. Oh yeah, and I am going back for more on Tuesday. Maybe it will be like having a baby and by Tuesday morning I will have forgotten the pain until it it too late and I am in the middle of the day. :)

Busy days trying not to fullfill the deductable

I have not done too good about posting something everyday. I am sure I have had things happen blog worthy, I am just busy.

I did a half day sub job on Monday - I like those. I have not quite graduated from 1st grade (except for the one half day 4th grade - and one half day kindergarten). I am really liking 1st grade. There are three teachers from the same school that call me at least once a week. It is nice to have that one day out. I am still always nervous driving to the school, but once I am there I fall into the routine and all goes well. This week I will also be in on Friday and then Tuesday and Friday next week. I really like having the days planned in advance.

So... girls are in basketball. They love it. Allynn says there is much more running involved than she expected. (6th grade girls are playing the full court). Sydney has only had a practice so far. Not as much running yet. They are both having fun! Both girls were asked to play nice and not get hurt.

While taking Allynn to basketball practice today Kelsey informed me that she needed a ballet class where I could "drop her off... Not basketball...ballet". I guess I will be looking into 3 year old (almost 4) classes in ballet.

I posted previously about a sledding trip we took. Austin crashed into the post of a backstop. Anyway... He got a bruise and then seemed to be fine on Monday when it was time to go to school. He does not complain about any pain so we thought he was fine. Well, now he does not walk right. The Dad decided it was time to go to the doctor to make sure there is not any damage to his body we cannot see. The Dad goes to an Osteopath (for lack of a better description chiropractor/MD). This doctor did a great job of asking Austin questions about what hurts and what doesn't.

A problem we have with Austin is that he seems to remember everything we talk about - but not always in a good way. The dad and I have been talking about Austin's gait for a few days. We can see there is a slight crookedness to the way Austin is walking. We tried not to talk about it when his ears are listening because then a limp is added to the walk. The doctor had Austin do a few things which helped to determine if there was anything wrong. I am not sure if Austin walking back and forth in the small exam room gave the doctor all the information he needed, but I felt like it was a thorough exam. Then we were sent to get X-rays of his pelvis, left hip, and left knee. We should know more tomorrow.

All this brings me to the mail we got two days ago. In the envelope was the Year End EOB (Explanation of Benefits). Between The Dad and Allynn we hit the family deductible. Why couldn't Austin have had all this done before the 31st of December. I am really hoping we do not fulfill anymore maximum deductibles this year! (But if we have to... lets hit the mark by April so the rest of the year is paid for).

Let's Give'em Something to Blog about...

I am searching through pictures to find one of me that I know exists. I looked through my curtain bag. Tomorrow I will look through Julie's curtain bag. I looked through the left over pictures my mom has. I did not find the picture I was looking for, Buuuuut, I did find some lovely pictures of family and friends that would be fun to post.

Aunt Kathy posted one of me and my two sisters. I found some fun ones of her wedding. Some cute ones of Noelle and Andrea. I am starting to get overwhelmed I don't know where to start. None of them really have stories, they were just cute fun pictures. And I like to look at pictures.

Food

I actually went to Costco today - got everything on my list - and only spent $36.00.

I got...
4 gallons of milk
1 bag of 5 stalks of Romain Lettuce
1 bag of colorful bell peppers
1 large bag of broccoli
2 25lb bags of flour

I was so shocked at the register. I am resolved to make a menu and keep my food costs down.

Tomorrow night for dinner we are having Sloppy Joe's on homemade buns with salad and broccoli. It sounds good to me. I know Kelsey will eat the broccoli, Austin will eat the meat and bun, Sydney might eat the bun with or without meat, Allynn will eat all of it. The dad eats what I fix. Grandma and Grandpa... I hope they like it.

Basketball

This last fall Austin played 2nd grade basketball through the American Fork Rec. Center. He loved it. It was so nice to see him be active and make new friends. The biggest bummer of the season was that we missed the phone call about what time team pictures were, so we don't have a team picture. But we do have a picture of him in is uniform. He was number 4.

We had so much fun with Austin playing BBall that the girls wanted in on the fun. They both start this week. Allynn will have practices on Tuesdays with games on Saturday. Sydney will have a practice/game on Saturdays. I hope we have not over scheduled ourselves. Especially Allynn. Her Tuesdays will be busy - school all day till 3:30pm, then Strings from 4:00 to 4:40, then Basketball practice from 5:00 - 6:00, then Young Women's from 7:00 to 8:30.

I guess we are in the beginnings of very busy teens. But we may have found the family sport.

The New Sunbeam

I can hardly believe it but little miss Kelsey went to Sunbeams today. Last week she said goodbye to the nursery. She talked all week about going to Sunbeams. She knew the name of her teacher - Sister Schmidt. She new that Grandma Alger was going to be the substitute for this first Sunday. She woke up this morning talking about going to Sunbeams.

In the middle of Sacrament meeting, she told me she wanted to go the Nursery - not Primary. Then when it came time to go to Primary she still did not want to go. I should have taken her down the other hallway, but I didn't think walking past the Nursery would cause any trouble.

She was devastated. Huge tears as she walked by the Nursery door. And one of the teachers was in the hall greeting the other children. Kelsey and I kept walking. We got the to Primary room door and she would not go in. None of the other kidlets had a hard time going from Nursery to Primary. This was a new experience for me. I also needed to go in to sit with my class.

Sister Brown saw that she was in distress and lovingly helped her to her class. This is why we have a Primary Presidency to love and care for our children.

Once we started singing the opening song, she was fine. She even raised her hand to participate in Sharing Time, only her comment had nothing to do with the lesson. She just needed to make sure everyone knew her birthday was on purple.

Now that's the Kelsey I know. :)

Cleaning, shopping, crashing

Today we put away all the Christmas stuff. Kelsey was pretty upset when she came upstairs to find the tree put away. She got over it pretty quickly when we told her we were going to go sledding when we were done working. In fact, that got all the kidlets moving to get their jobs done. They worked quickly and efficiently to get their rooms picked up so we could go play in the snow.

Once everyone was done, we piled into the van to take all the Christmas boxes back to the storage unit and then to Costco to get a sled. Tuesday when Austin and I went to Costco they had lots of sleds. We talked about getting one at that time, but I wasn't sure if I had enough money. So we decided to come back another day. Well, today was the "another day" and all the sleds were GONE! We totally missed out. Next we went to Wal-mart since we had seen tons of sleds there, too. NOPE! All gone. Grandma Alger had already called a tire place to see if they had inner tubes, but they didn't. So our last chance was Cal-Ranch. I would consider Cal-
Ranch to be a country feed store with sections for automotive and hardware. We like the store. We find fun things there sometimes. We thought for sure they would have sleds. NOPE. The sleds were gone there too. So we looked around to see if we could find something else we could sled with.

Sure enough we found something. They were made for sledding, but they were just a flat piece of blue plastic with a hole in one end for a handle. The kidlets didn't care. They thought it would be fun.

We left the store and headed out to find some hills. We went to a park our cousins had told us about. And it was fun. Until Austin crashed. They all went down a few times. The blue plastic was harder to use than they thought it would be, but it was sure fast once they got the hang of it.

They started on the small hill and kept moving over until they were with the other kids going down a pretty long hill. Allynn, Sydney and Austin were having a great time. Kelsey didn't like the blue plastic so she found some little people around her age and bummed one of their disk sleds. That hill was much more of a gentle slop which was her right speed.

I didn't see what happened, but all of a sudden Sydney was coming over to us to say that Austin was hurt. I didn't want to have to trek over to where he was just for him to get up and want to go down again. Then we saw another parent looking down at him and felt the need to go check it out. Austin had gone down the hill and crashed into the poll of the fence at the bottom of the hill. He has a nice bruise on his left hip, and is limping around the house. I think he will be alright.

It was fun while it lasted. And we are glad we didn't end up at the ER with broken bones.