Long weekend

The kids had Thursday and Friday off of school and it was just what everyone needed.  Park and Tanner had a lot of football both of those days but it was still just so much more relaxing without practice and homework.  I LOVED that Parker, Tanner and Aubrey had friends over on Friday and Saturday.  I loved the energy and chaos and noise.  All my chickies were home at the same time (except that one who who flew off to college) and I just felt peace.

I was cracking up at Parker's group all smooshed together on his bed.  These guys have these huge man bodies and when I peaked in, the room radiated heat.  I turned down the A/C and gave Parker some extra pillows to use.  

They had football on Friday morning and just had a few hours to hang out until their Friday night game.  (They dominated!  Woot woot!)  I was seriously so glad Park invited everyone over here. It's fun getting to know his friends more and hearing them interact.  (He also had a few guys and girls over the night before...so fun.  Our house is usually not the hangout house for him and his friends.)  

Starting at the back: Reese, Kayden, Cole, Parker and Harper. 
On the Floof: Brayden and Austin

They mainly just hung out in the play room and Parker's room.  I think they were supposed to take it easy before their game.  Harper, who is the QB, threw four touchdown passes and ran two more in...so exciting!

Harp and Parker celebrating after a touchdown.

Tanner and friends were a lot more active and diverse.  They played football, Xbox, sting pong, and darts.  A couple stayed for dinner and Mason decided to go the the Permian game with us.

Tanner, Julian, Mason and Tate

Aub had Breena over.  They avoided the boys and hung out mostly in Aub's room.  It was fun to hear them chatting away.  Breena stayed for dinner and came to the Permian game with us.  Grateful for a four day weekend and good friends.

Aubrey's "Thing"

Aubrey had a very relaxing Thursday off of school.  She didn't ask to have a friend over or go anywhere.  I think she enjoyed just being home in her own quiet environment.  She read a lot (which is not typical.)  She did her chores.  She hung out in her room.  She practiced volleyball throughout the day.

About an hour before lunch she proposed we do our "thing."  I used to rotate having one on one time with the kids each week, and we called it our "thing."  We would go to the duck pond or on a bike ride etc.  We would usually get a treat.  As the kiddos have gotten older we do our "things" just occasionally now and it mostly consists of just going out to eat.  We had a great time hanging out at McCalister's.  We both ordered yummy sandwiches and while we were waiting we played the question game.  

Here are a few of the questions we asked each other.

-What is your dream vacation?
We both said Hawaii...and we are going there next summer!

-If you were a Disney character, who would you be?
I said Princess Leia (Which is kind of pushing it...but Disney does own Star Wars now.)  Aub's answer: Flynn Ryder.

-What is something spectacular you have done.
Aub-making the volleyball team  Me-having four amazing children

-Dream car?
Me-Driving it babeeeee.  (White minivan.  I got a big eye roll from that answer but I do love my car.)  Aub-a white jeep for a teen car, a GMC Denali for her mom car.  (That is what her Aunt Becky drives and she is a fan.)

-Favorite ice cream flavor?
Aubrey-chocolate brownie or WaffleCone (vanilla ice cream with carmel swirls, chocolate chips and pieces of fudge covered waffle.)  Me-mint chocolate chip

I loved spending time with my growing up girl.

Food Bank

Relief Society was in charge of this month's ward activity.  We had a Chili Cook Off scheduled back in January.  However, since we have a break the fast potluck dinner every month, we decided to do a service project instead.  I was very excited to have the opportunity to serve as individual families and as a ward family at the Food Bank.  The RS secretary made this cute handout.  We announced it well and even texted all of the families in the ward the day of the activity.  

Sadly, only two families came.  Five people total.  I think it was just at a tricky time during the middle of the week.  Tanner and I were the only two from our family able to come and then, the Whites, a couple in the ward came and brought their grandson.  Luckily there were about 30 other people from the community who came to help as well or we would have been putting together food bags for half the night.

Tanner was a good worker and had a pretty good attitude about going.  Once he realized this didn't count for Young Men's and they were doing a service project the very next night, he wasn't too happy though.  I thanked him for coming to help and offered a small peace offering: 30 minutes extra Xbox time but no complaining on his end.  Deal.

The BEST surprise was Susan and Morgan Hill being there.  I LOVE them!  Morgan has been serving there about every other Tuesday.  It was so fun to chat away in line and catch up on their lives.

We sent pictures to Brinley and she was jealous...and happy for all of us.  I was really glad Morgan and Tanner ended up in line together for a bit.  (I think Morgan probably made that happen.)  She was good to visit with him as they worked down the line.  It was a great opportunity to serve together with lots of good people from the community.

Sunday Night at Kerry's

Check out Kerry's beautiful, humongous new table!  Every time we go to his shop there is something new....a new sign, a kitchenette, a loft, an arcade game, a bar....it's kind of crazy.

Lft-rt: Quetta (in green), Nathan (Stevie's friend), Stevie, Tanner, Ella, Char, Adam, Brian, Parker, Grandpa, Braddock, Hudson, Adam, Megan, Lincoln, Britney, me, Gram, Aubrey, Holden and Lauron

Our favorite candy bar cake.  I made two just in case and Kerry supplied the ice cream.  Ella helped me put in the candles.

Holden opening a hat  and Tanner opening a shirt from the Chris Vore fam.

Cute, cute b-day cards from the Birdies plus $20 for the teens.  They were pumped.

It was a beautiful night and we visited outside for quite a bit.  (Adam w/ Christian, Gram and Quetta)

Lincoln with his b-day ball from us.  He and Ella had fun.

Aubrey brought her volleyball and several groups enjoyed playing together.

Ella and Tanner

Megan, Adam and sweet little Christian who is finally seeming just a little bit bigger.

I wish I got a picture of Brian, Parker and Adam Bird visiting at the big ole table.  They were just talking and laughing and smiling together for a good part of the night.  I looked over at these two brother-in-laws and their nephew/son and thought "THIS is why our Sunday night gatherings are amazing.  THIS is family."

Shout Hooray!

It's Tanner's birthday, shout hooray!  He is 15 years old.  We pulled out the journal I kept from when he was a little boy.  Sooooo adorable.  He was funny and strong willed and a good snuggler even as a little kid.

One example, which I had forgotten about, happened on his first day of kindergarten.  Brian came home from work and was asked Tanner what his teacher talked about.  Tanner, with a straight face, replied "Nothing, she didn't talk."  Brian said, "Really?"  "No, she didn't talk all day long.  The students didn't talk either."  Long pause.....   I asked, "What about your bear hunt around the school?"  Tanner started cracking up...he got his Dad!

Ten years later he still keeps us laughing.  When Aubrey asked him what he wanted for his birthday, straight faced and in his best Spanish accent he replied, "Lots of tacos." 

His main gift was service for his phone, and we received a  true Tanner smile in return.

Aub, Brinley and Parker hooked him up with candy.  They know the way to his heart.

Bryn sent Warheads via Amazon.  I thought it was cute that Tanner waited to open the package until Bryn was available to Facetime.

After presents, we had FHE.  Brinley was on lesson so Brian asked Lauron if she would do it.  She obliged and shared a few words and this video.  It was pretty crazy and had a great message.  (Thanks La!)

We then had a ping pong tournament for the activity.  I miraculously made it to the final round.  (Well, I did "make" Bri play left handed...and he was cracking up when I won the final point....)  It wasn't the best timing for me because I was baking b-day cakes, thawing food for dinner and needing to get ready for church...but such is the life of a champion.  The b-day boy won the whole thing.

The spectators...on their phones...

Park whipping up some pancakes for his lunch and then we were off to church.

Our Saturday

Sadly I have not been planning meals/grocery shopping very well lately.  I had to run to the store Saturday morning (ugh.)  I bought stuff for meals for Saturday and Sunday plus birthday cake supplies.  I think I went to Walmart two other times this week already.  Why????  I need to plan meals for two weeks, do a Walmart pickup order, and enjoy my time away from the grocery store.

Park had football Saturday morning and took R. on a date for most of the afternoon.

Tanner, who was on the verge of being sick all week, reffed soccer from 8:30-5:00.  He was pretty tired but glad to be making some money.  He may never recover from his cough because he rarely slows down.

Bri was going to mow in Kermit but it was raining.  He put together Parker's new headboard and ran a few errands.  He also just enjoyed having the day off to relax and watch football.

Coordinating furniture coming!  Also, we need to paint and get bedding.

Bryn went to the BYU game but left at halftime to do homework and get a nap.  We were getting beat pretty badly.  Lauron, Aubrey and I were in the car running errands.  La asked Siri the score of the game.  Siri's reply was epic, "BYU is getting demolished by Washington, 45-19, at the conclusion of the 3rd quarter." There you have it.

La and Aub had the most varied Saturday at our house. (Lauron stayed the weekend with us.)  They were busy girls.  A big part of their day consisted of redecorating Aubrey's room.  We gave $100 to add to her room.  This was to make inheriting Brinley's old furniture more fun and exciting.

I took them to Target where they planned and shopped for a few additional decorations.  I had some opinions (which were dismissed.)  I mostly just bit my lip and payed for the items.    (I would like to buy a new comforter every 3-5 years and call it good.  Aubrey would like to repaint, redecorate and revamp every 6 months- 1.5 years.  It causes some frustration on both ends.)

The girls were busy, worked independently, had fun and did a great job.

Tanner kept them company for a little while.

They took a break from decorating to play a little v-ball in the rain.

They wrapped up their evening with a little self pampering.

Happy Saturday!

Keeping Busy

Keeping busy...

I helped a friend clean her carpets and then since the big green machine was out I used it the next few days.  First, I cleaned a mattress and then I used it to clean the couch.  Lastly, I decided to clean a mysterious spill in the very back of the van.  (Mysterious to me...I am sure one of my kids knows exactly what/when/how the mess happened.)  The carpet cleaner is still out and I need to tuck it safely back in it's closet.  You know the saying "If you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail...."

I helped Bri mow two days in a row this week.  The front and backyards of two rows of town homes.  I was a dirty, dusty, tired girl but glad to help my hard working guy.

Seriously so grimy and tired!

This guy almost ended my mowing career.  (Not that he did anything...just a little terrifying on my end at what he could do.)

I've been shopping for Brinley's and Tanner's upcoming birthdays.  Can I just say I 💜 Amazon.   I was able to browse away and then we actually went a different route with gifts this year.  Tanner's main gift was service for his phone and Brinley's....I can't say just yet.  (Her b-day is Saturday.)  But still....Amazon saved me a ton of time.

I've been to the gym a couple of times this week and counted mowing for the next couple of days.

I'm listening to a good book on Deseret Bookshelf: Fire and Steel, Vol 6: Into the Flames by Gerald Lund.  I also read a book this week that a friend dropped by: Hidden Girl by Shyima Hall.

I've listened to three awesome BYU devotionals this week while working around the house: "The Love and Laws of God" Pres. Nelson, "What Happens When Life Gets One Degree Colder" Dallan R Moody, and "Lay Hold Upon The Word" McKay Christensen.  I would definitely recommend all three.  I especially loved the third one.

Definitely made time for a nap everyday!

We have had three evening games in a row.  Tanner's on Wednesday, Aubrey's on Thursday and Parker's on Friday.

Last, I made a new french bread recipe.  These look kind of wonky together but if you look at each loaf on it's own they are both beautiful, right?  I'll work on my precision in the future but I just had a limited time to whip them out before school pickup. They tasted delicious too.

The Front Coat Closet

Good news for Brinley.  I cleaned out the front coat closet and was able to store Parker's twin mattress and frame in it.  She won't have to sleep on the couch or try to share a full size bed with Aubrey, the crazy "Night Ninja", when she comes home at Christmas.

We had a lot of coats hanging in there.  Three bags are going to Goodwill.  We also had lots of hats and gloves of all sizes.  I kept extras on hand for years so we would have plenty when extra cousins or friends were at the house.  I think I am about four years overdue on purging this stuff though.

Ta-da!