The school year winding down...

WOW!  I am in awe, as usual, at how fast this school year has gone.  Believe me, I have had days and nights that seemed longer than I could almost bear!  Yet, I turn around and we are finishing up the year.  I will have a senior, a freshman, a 7th grader, 5th grader, 3rd grader and a kindergartner next year!  Taran will be a full-time missionary in Mexico when school starts.  Weird to think ahead to all of that.

Monday was not as busy as it has been since we didn't have soccer or swimming lessons.  Gwen had her last dance class.  I mostly videoed but she did want a picture with Ms. Tina her teacher.  She will do it again in the fall since she has been amazing!  She and her friend Zoe have really picked it up. I did have to drive Timo this week to work since Kaleb whom he gets a ride from is a senior and was busy with senior stuff so he went in at different times than Timo.  We had a family night lesson on why work is important and Tim gave the kids an area to take of in the yard for the summer.  They were pretty good about it.  He also used the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and that helped too.

Tuesday I had Luke and Gwen, Tricia had to trade.  I also had YW Presidency meeting so they came with.  We are doing a lot right now to get ready for camp.  I am in charge of decorations and devotionals and I have 3 youth leaders helping me as well the camp directors.  I am excited about some of the possibilities.  The kids had piano that day.  It was Pack Meeting that night and Zane won an on time treat--he was so proud!  Micah got his Religious Square Knot award.  He shared a poem he wrote for the award requirements.  I videoed that it was pretty funny--esp. for a religious poem.  Tim took Izak to do his scout swim test and he passed, yeah! He felt so good when he had accomplished it.  Then Tim and I left right away to see the Avengers.  We loved it.  We have been wanting to see it for awhile but we have been so busy.  I was really tired but I knew Tim really didn't want to wait because it would have been another week or so!

Wednesday Tricia had Gwen and Luke (no preschool Thursday) so I ran errands.  The temple is closed so I was going to go to another one.  I thought I might go Friday to the temple but it didn't work out then either--funny or not really how I don't go if I don't go right away!  Honestly I have been on the edge these past 3 weeks with just barely getting stuff done so I needed take sometime to get things done for some things I had coming up instead of waiting last minute!  I actually got a lot done.  Izak's temple group went to Draper temple.  I am so grateful to so many awesome moms who are willing to do that!  That night was Timo's choir concert but just Taran, Tim and I went.  Emily babysat.  My mom came too.  It was really good. They are an amazing A Capella Choir.  We had a choir tour meeting after because it is probable that they will go on a plane so they need to earn a lot of money and so they are going to do some stuff over summer to bring the cost down for all the students.  We got home late because of that.

Thursday I helped at Field Day.  It was fun.  Gwen went to a free dance class with her friends Sophie and Zoe.  Our new rec center is open and so to get people interested they are holding free classes in May.  She enjoyed that and then watched a movie when she got back to the school.  (The lower grades were outside in the morning and the upper grades were inside watching Lion King, then they switched in the afternoon.)  Anna was great to bring June after that I knew it would be more fun for June if Gwen was there so I had her come Thursday instead of Wednesday.  We had a lot of fun with her!  She just gets more fun by the day!  That night was Gwen's preschool graduation--that's why no school.  It was long and we barely survived, Tim and I.  The other kids wanted to come but we made them stay and we are so glad--it was crowded.  There were about 36 students and their parents, some siblings and some even had extended family!  We sat by Luke's family so we kept each other entertained, they are a cute family!   We got home later than we had thought we would.

Friday I only had lunch with the Pew ladies in the valley.  That was nice to not have a crazy schedule.  My mom offered to watch Gwen.  I was going to have her go to a friends but she was cranky from being up late for her graduation (good thing I bathed her before so she just changed her clothes and went to bed!).  I didn't feel good leaving her with them in case she was actually getting sick.   She laid on my mom's bed and watched the Disney channel!  I met the ladies at Le Paesan, it's a yummy Italian place in Orem.  It was a really fun gathering! I ordered the special half past/half salad and I am not really sure what the pasta was!  That night was the Daddy Daughter camp out.  The weather was so weird that Tim (who dislikes camping) and Emily (who feels the same) decided to go out to dinner instead.  Emily chose even though Gwen went as well--she wanted Mc Donald's and Emily was not having it!  They went to this new place Culver's in Lehi, a hamburger joint with frozen custard.  They had fun.  Gwen was happy even though she loves camping!  Maybe next year.  Tim then took Emily, Taran, Timo and my sister to Avengers in 3D.  Timo had been fighting a sinus infection all week so he was worn out and slept through some of it.  Owell.  I was home with the 3 little boys and they played night games with other boys in the neighborhood  so much for bonding with mom!  I let Gwen watch some SpongeBob episodes we have on DVD--a movie would have been too late for her.  Zane joined in after getting frustrated with the games.

Saturday I woke up early, my curse:)  I haven't slept well this whole month.  I won't go into the details but it's not insomnia.  I went with my sister to see the family pictures taken by Photogenix.  They are some of the worse photos I have ever seen.  The photos of just us siblings--4 people are so bad we didn't order any but we laughed until we cried!  I am not sure the saleswoman appreciated our open criticism of the photos.  We didn't criticize the photographer but later some of the reasons they were bad were because of her lack of knowing how to pose very well.  My brother's family photos turned out pretty good so I am glad for him.  It's just unfortunate that this will be the family photo for at least 4 years!  I ran errands with my sister then came home and helped with chores and yardwork.  It was raining off and on but finally was clear and not too cold so I just worked outside until 4 PM.  I got a ton done.  I also worked with Taran on packing up stuff, throwing stuff away etc.  It's 2 weeks from today he has his farewell!  Tim ran to get REAL Salt Lake MLS soccer tickets, return some things to IKEA and buy a trimmer with his gift card money--our trimmer died.  He came out and worked in the yard for awhile as well.  Taran took some of the kids to play soccer with friends.  After dinner Tim, Taran, Izak, Micah and Zane went to the game.  Timo had a gathering with his friends for another friend's birthday.  Emily didn't want to be in the weather which wasn't too bad.  She hung out with her buddy Bailey.  They hooked up with some other girlfriends.  I rented Gwen HOP.  She has wanted to see it for awhile and was super excited about it.  I snuggled and watched it with her a little.  Then I finished some vacuuming and laundry stuff.  It's amazing how seeing your oldest get ready to leave for awhile--longer than college makes you cherish time with your younger kids as you see them growing up so fast.

Taran went to the temple twice this week.  Provo and then he went with friends to Draper and they are not endowed so he helped with baptisms.  He was able to work all week.  This coming week will be his last since we have a mini-vacation planned the next week and just finish up getting things ready. 

Today was a great day at church.  The talks in Sacrament Meeting were great.  I enjoyed Sunday School and Young Women's as well.  We went out to the cemetery after dinner and put flags on veterns esp ones without anything on them and flowers on family members who are also buried there.  We put flowers on graves with nothing which is tricky on Sunday some people may come tomorrow and put flowers down.  It was nice anyway, the kids enjoy it.  We ran into some old friends the Warrens who have a daughter buried there.  It was fun to visit.  My mom also showed up and I helped her find some of our relatives.  We were going to visit her after but it was late and we know she wants to get my dad on his night routine on time!  We'll see them tomorrow.

Happy Birthday today to my brother Keith!  He is an amazing brother and I am so glad to know him and be related to him.

Timo had finals last week.  They got their Yearbooks Wednesday!  He has nothing this week but we still have school through Thursday!  He is singing in graduation with the choir on Tuesday morning.  Signing Yearbooks Wednesday.  Emily is in the school Talent Show Tuesday.  Izak had 6th grade Promotion this week too.  Not a lot going on but still have to go!  Gwen is done Wednesday.

Happy Memorial Day and have a great week! 

The end of swimming lessons, soccer season, birthdays and such

Here again I find myself with 7 minutes to get in bed!  YIKES, I need to be quicker about this blogging stuff!  We had our final week of swimming lessons and soccer games. Other highlights: Monday was Micah's team party for the players and their families.  It was fun and yummy and better weather than last year.  (We cleaned the church before the party).  Emily had her choir concert--see red dress upper corner.  Emily and I went with the YW to plant over 2,000 plants in the temple garden beds on Wednesday.  It was a great experience we hope to repeat it!  Tuesday Taran took off work because he was having allergy testing Wednesday and couldn't take any anti-histamines.  We had Anna meet us at the temple and she took his "Missionary" photos there!  I put 2 on the collage,  Then we did some initiatories then went home.  He had a quick bite to eat and he went back with his friend Scott who was going into the MTC Wednesday.  They got there just in time for the 1 PM session!  Then he went back that night with Tim for the Elders Quorum temple night but they missed the 6:30 PM session and so missed the ice cream social after but had some at our house.  The kids still had piano this week as well.  It was Teacher Appreciation so I arranged to have lunches brought to Izak's teacher who I am the room mom this year.  She loved it.  Hopefully the kids remember to bring her a note of thanks to her--I sent home a note the week before about it. We had June and she loved Gwen blowing bubbles.  She would laugh hysterically.  Thursday our friends John and Lynda from California were here after dropping off their son at the MTC the day before so we met them for dinner.  It was a quick visit but very pleasant and tasty!  We love spending time with them even if it's short!  Tim had Zane's soccer practice to run so we had to get back.  Taran found out he has major grass allergies and the doctor thinks Mexico has the same grasses as us so he will need to take his allergy meds year round.  We have heard that his mission is Hawaii like in climate.  It took him 2 days to get back to 'normal' .  He actually needed a steroid shot to calm the histamines in his body down.  He is doing fine on the meds now!  He was okay enough Thursday to take Izak to the temple after school since I made him stay home a babysit on Wednesday.  Friday we had the choir banquet and I helped set up and clean up,  See Timo and Chappy in the photo, they were the best dressed by far!  Timo won the prize for the guys!  I had found a cool 70's Hawaiian dress at DI that I wore and Tim some cool board shorts!  Next time I'll take a photo!  We were in a hurry.  People liked the dress!  Saturday was a fun run for our friends the Kings daughter, Kirsten who was in a terrible car accident in March.  She is doing miraculously better.  Not talking yet but obeying commands and doing so much better.  She has an amazing spirit and her family has seen God's hand in her life.  They have great people helping them raise money to pay for what insurance won't pay--$15,000 for the life flight helicopter ride!  We were running late so we missed the walk part we were going to do.  We did see Emma and Cathy but then we left because we had kids refereeing and then soccer games after that.  Timo had a Spanish Retreat Friday after the banquet.  He had a lot of fun.  That evening we had family pictures with my family.  My mom wanted to do it last fall but it didn't pan out.  Now since Taran is leaving she had us do it.  After we had a family May birthday party at her house.  My brother Keith got a puppy see Gwen and Holly petting her and her asleep on my dad.  She and my dad are buddies, she calms him.  She loves him.  He never touched our pets growing up--not a real animal type person.  But I have heard the pet therapy for the elderly is amazing even my dad with Alzheimer's!  So there you go and I am only a half hour late getting to bed!  I am beat since my dumb left leg that has nerve damage from my ruptured disc kept me up all night cramping!  So good night and have a great week!  Rise and shout school's almost out!

SOCCER, TEMPLE, MOTHER"S DAY...

So it's late but here's the run down:  Izak and Micah had 2 games Monday night.  Then 2 on Wednesday night and Micah's team won their age championship.  Izak won both those games and played on Friday for the championship and won!  So it was fun, some games were too close for my liking but we prevailed!  Micah's team is mostly staying together not sure about Izak's team--we'll see.   Tuesday I went to the temple that afternoon I took Taran to get his missionary suits, etc.  All done as far as clothes go. YEAH! Wednesday  Izak was able to go to the temple again.  I was glad he went even though it meant less homework getting done. Thursday night was the Elementary school Walk-A Thon and so I was there with the four youngest doing that.  Friday was Muffins for Mom's for second grade so Zane was involved and it was very cute and made me cry.  Tim took Friday off so he could do some yard stuff since I needed him to take Gwen to swimming while I was at Muffins for Moms.  Saturday only Gwen had a soccer game!  Izak and Emily refereed 2 games.  Taran went through the temple at 4 PM that afternoon--the highlight.  It was a rough day, lots of opposition.  It was so great all Taran's aunts and uncles (except Juan who had to work).  and cousins who live here and are endowed came! Tim's parents and my mom also were there so it was really neat.   That to me was a huge miracle that that many people could get their schedule to work for that!  Thank you sooooo much everyone!  I am so grateful to have family here that is so supportive!  I also had 2 long YW meetings this week--one was for camp.  I also had June she came to the camp meeting--fun!  We so enjoy her!  I also had stuff to make for the Walk-A-Thon bake sale, a poster for Teacher Appreciation and the thank you for Micah's soccer coaches besides scouts, piano and swimming lessons.  I also planted some strawberries and some daisies since some died over winter!  Tim got a 'yard' of dirt for our garden boxes and different parts of the yard.  It was one of those weeks I felt stretched but I was blessed to do all I needed to and more!  I am so grateful to a loving Father in Heaven who is mindful of each of us.  Today was nice, Tim was  amazing at breakfast and dinner!  His mom and dad came for dinner.  It was yummy!  His sister dropped by to see her mom.  Tim had made lots of dessert so it was perfect!  I am grateful for my amazing children.  They aren't perfect but they are good people--usually.  I love them and am grateful they are mine.  They are much better people than I was at their ages.  I hope they know I love them!  People say that I do so much, it is all for them.  I really am hoping my efforts will help them to become the amazing people they are meant to be!  Happy Mother's Day loving and nurturing women everywhere!  2-1/2 weeks of school left!  YEAH!

Taran moving home, Willie Wonka and Prom all rolled up into one post!

Wow! 3 weeks behind! I really don't want to write about everything that has happened but it is our 'family history'. April 16-22nd Normal activities: Gwen preschool, dance and swimming, Izak and Zane swimming decided to add Micah to the class because there was room, their teacher is a BYU swimmer and is going to the Olympic trials this summer! Soccer practices and games for Izak, Micah, Zane and Gwen—Izak is back to running around again. Kids had piano and the boys had scouts too. I went visiting teaching and went to the temple each week as well. Emily started intense practicing for Willie Wonka practically every night/day except Sunday until her performances. We have 2 girls in our ward who we carpooled with which made it easier in the schedule! Taran's buddy Andrew got his mission call: Cleveland, Ohio. Rock-n-Roll Hall a fame in his mission is perfect since he is a musician like Taran!

We moved Taran from BYU that took more time than I thought it would! I spent 2 -1/2 hours loading our van—the plan was that he would be done packing when I got there...owell. Later we went to an Open House for a newly returned missionary from our ward—the first of many this year! Saturday Gwen scored her first goal after I left to pick up Izak from his merit badge class so he could get to his soccer game! Bummer for me! At least Taran and Zane were there watching! Tim was in Provo at Micah's game. We also had our niece Erin's graduation (her masters!) open house that weekend, her parents were here and provided a delicious spread of food! We also celebrated family birthdays for April and May.

Saturday and Sunday nights I stayed at my parents' because my mom's cousin is dying and she needed to go to Idaho and be with her and her sister and their other cousins. April 23rd-30th Normal activities: Gwen preschool, dance and swimming, Izak, Micah and Zane swimming Soccer practices and games for Izak, Micah, Zane and Gwen. Kids had piano and the boys had scouts too. I planted over 30 plants over the last few weeks!

I took my nieces Erin and Anna (her husband Buck and June their daughter) to the airport. They went to Hawaii! Taran went camping with his roommates since his roommate Nic was going on a family trip before his entrance into the MTC in May. They had a lot of fun. Taran posted photos on Facebook. He spends his free time working grounds at BYU and going to missionary farewells and playing music with his buddies. Timo went on choir tour to Disneyland.

They also went to the beach, Universal Studios and The Medieval dinner show. Their choir won all but one award which Timo agreed the choir that won that award deserved it. They qualified for the festival in Washington DC-Kennedy Center and NYC—Carnegie Hall! So next year he will go on a BIG choir tour! He had a lot of fun but was super tired. Emily's play started the Thursday-thru Monday unfortunately she wouldn't let me get a photo of her in her Phineas Trout costume or Oompa Loompa costume. Both sets of grandparents were able to make it—which she loved! As well as friends and family, we really appreciate them all supporting her. One neighbor got her Willie Wonka candy—that I did get a photo her with that! Emily was great. Apparently she earned the respect of kids who normally aren't nice to her.

Izak had his first camp out as a deacon this week. It was unique because they stayed at a Climbing/Repelling place so after it closed they used the equipment and then slept over! The owner is the uncle of one of the deacons. He had a lot of fun and tried something new! We had dinner with our dinner group from our neighborhood which is always fun! Taran, Timo and I helped the choir teacher at the high school run the State Choir and Ensemble Festival at the high school. Timo went in the morning and we went at the end. We had a 2 hour shift that turned into an almost 4 hour shift!

That Sunday we had my family over to celebrate Taran's birthday with them—somehow I thought we had but they reminded me at Charl's birthday fun at Thanksgiving Point (see this collages from that)

that Tuesday we hadn't so we put it together! I made a new lemon trifle recipe—yummy! Everyone was really generous helping out toward his mission. It was a lot of fun! Monday the 30th I took Taran to lunch at Tucanos (last day to use his free meal) after staying with my dad. We also went to the bank and got his shots that day as well. Tim was feeling a little yucky in the tummy so he worked from home and took the kids to their stuff. May 1st-6th Normal activities: Gwen preschool, dance and swimming, Izak, Micah and Zane swimming Soccer practices and games for Izak, Micah, Zane and Gwen. Kids had piano and the boys had scouts too. This week was nice not having the musical or practice! Zane, Gwen and Izak have been plagued with allergies this past week. Tim ended up taking Izak to the doctor and getting some prescription allergy medicines. I worked on a lot of PTA stuff this week. I won't get into that much but I am going to be the PTA Secretary next year. Taran went to see the Avengers with his buddies at midnight Thursday! I took him to work after he slept in. He called the MTC back and they put him in the intermediate Spanish group for the MTC. That means he should only be in there for 6 weeks instead of 8. Taran watched Captain America Friday night with some friends, Tim and the little boys. It helped him make sense of the Avengers—which he loved and he isn't a big movie guy! Timo had the Prom Friday night.

It was a success! They got a limo, went to Benihanas for dinner and then the dance was at the State Capitol building. The limo was a steal, it's an older guy and he charged them $150 for the whole night! (It's Fantasy Limo if you want to use it:)). They tipped him since they felt it was a huge bargain! We loved not worrying about them driving! They came to our house for light refreshments afterward. Saturday we had a creek clean up service project—Timo was in charge. Then he had to return his tux and work! Tim took him and Taran to the Jazz basketball game play-off game. They had fun despite the loss. We also had a Open House Farewell before Tim and the boys left for one of Taran's friends, Chad who goes into the MTC this Wednesday. He is going to Richmond, Virginia. We had our Cinco De Mayo dinner while Zane was at a birthday party-he hates Mexican food so lucky him! This was the 4th party he has been invited to these past few weeks! (We still had several soccer games and games that our kids refereed during the day, yes a little crazy! Izak scored a goal and of course we missed it--we got tissue for him and made it back late!). Today church was good. I am loving the Family History Class--too bad I forget to do my homework each week! Taran taught Elder's Quorum and Zane gave a talk in Sr. Primary. Tim went to Zane's talk and was in Elders Quorum in time to see Taran teach. He said that Taran raised the bar on Pews teaching Elders! The last crazy week of mega soccer games! Both Micah and Izak play tomorrow night and so that will be our Family Night! Thankfully they don't play at the same time! If Micah's team wins they are in the championship and if Izak wins he is in the Semi-Finals both Wednesday. If Izak wins he plays Friday in the championship! Gwen and Zane will still have games but we are close to being done! Have a great week and enjoy spring!