Catching up...some...

Park City Fun!

 So the month has flown by and I thought I'd get caught up but between Taran leaving and Father's Day (and this stupid computer that keeps turning itself off--ya, gotta get THAT fixed!) I have not had a lot of time.  Ya, it's discouraging but hey it's NORMAL for me so I do what I can.  Since I honestly feel no one reads this but a couple of kind relatives I still blog for my personal history, our family history.  Proof I did do something even though my home and craft room would prove otherwise!

The Monday after school got out, the 4th of June we went up to Park City to have a mini-vacation with Taran.  As much I would have liked a more elaborate trip like Bryce Canyon or Moab...this what worked out best time and money wise.  It was actually super fun we did the alpine slide and coaster.  Then headed to the outlet boys looked at athletic gear and girls looked at clothes.  Then Tim took them all back to the hotel to swim while I got to look around and things no one else cared about!  It was very relaxing then I walked back to the hotel.  We went to dinner at...Wendy's!  Taran made up a list of things he wanted to do before he left and eating a Baconator was on it.  The kids were thrilled to eat out!  Tim and Emily chose Subway instead--wish I had because my salad at Wendy's wasn't that great.  After that we went back to the hotel and the guys watched the NBA play-offs (we don't normally get that channel so it was a treat) and the little kids, Emily and I watched Diary of a Wimpey Kid and Harry Potter 7--only part of both which were showing on random channels we don't get.  It was great to just relax as a family.
In the morning we had a great breakfast at the hotel!  It was a hot breakfast buffet.  Then Tim took them swimming and also played Ping Pong with Timo.  I ironed clothes for

Enjoying Salt Lake City

 Timo and Taran for the temple.  We went to Salt Lake and met up with my mom who did a live session with Taran and then Emily and Timo did baptisms.  Tim and I took the little kids around Temple Square, top of the church office building and Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  We had great views from those buildings.  Timo and Emily weren't long so they went back to the van to change.  They met up with us at the South Visitors Center.  Very cool model of the temple there with a cut out section to show what the rooms look like.  We had lunch at City Creek.  Then we milled around the mall but it was breezy so not super comfortable.  Taran met up with us at Blue Lemon and my mom headed to Idaho for a reunion meeting the next day.  We got Taran some food then headed to the Planetarium.  Unfortunately not many options for shows were left that we were interested in so we checked out all the free exhibit stuff and then headed home.  We ate out at a new place called Culver's a hamburger type place with frozen custard.  The kids were happy with that and we catch the end a of another NBA play off game!    Wednesday I needed to watch my dad during the day while my mom was in Idaho so we picked up June and headed out there.  Micah and Gwen came with and were a great help.  Tim took them and June home when he was going home and I stayed with my dad until my mom was close to getting back.  I had YW Camp Clinic that night so I had to be home by 6:30 PM to help set up.  I made it.  Actually they didn't really need me in the end but I was there.

Thursday Izak had his scout camp physical.  He has a slight heart murmur the doctor wants checked.   That night Tim and I visited his sister who had lost her baby.  We were very sorry to hear of her loss for her and her family.

Trafalga, last Saturday with Taran

 Friday Taran went with some friends to Salt Lake once he got packed.  They had a lot of fun.  My mom had my kids for most of the day.  I went to the temple and then ran errands.  I am not remembering a lot of what we did besides get ready for his farewell/open house that day and Saturday and get Izak and Timo packed.  Taran went out breakfast with the YSA leaders in our ward and some of his friends who are still around.  Timo had the ACT that morning.  Later we went to Trafalga in Orem to mini-golf with Taran as a family we ended up doing both courses outside and the one inside!  It was fun and we even did the motion ride!   Timo had a surprise party he went to after we got back.  Taran went to play soccer with some friends that night.

Farewell/Open House

Week Taran went into MTC: Saying good bye, setting apart...

Sunday was Taran's 'farewell'. He did great.  (You can read it on his blog) Seriously, I am in awe of my own children.  Many people commented on how well he did.  But I was glad for him he did his best.  We had a bunch of family over from both sides and we had some of his high school and college friends that are still  around.  After church lots of our friends came over then.  Someone said it was like a big party.  It was fun but not light minded.  Taran was wishing he was leaving the next morning!  Why don't they do that?  So we don't have to drag out the good-byes?

Monday Izak left for Scout Camp, there were tears when Taran said goodbye to him.  He was really emotional.  Izak ended up having a great time so it was fine in the end.  Taran ran errands that afternoon and got his haircut.  We played kick ball and a lesson by Zane, he had made at scouts about Joseph Smith.  Some of Taran's friends came over to say good bye, he went to a family's home who couldn't come to the open house and said good bye.  They gave him a very generous donation to his mission.

Tuesday Taran had his last dental check up.  After I had a YW meeting. Meanwhile Taran watched the newest Sherlock Homes which we love and Tim bought when he got milk early that morning!  Taran went to the temple with his friend Andrew later.  They jammed on their guitars for the last time for 2 years!  That night Taran had his setting apart to become missionary.  The grandparents joined us for that.  It was really nice.  After he was set apart they had him bare his testimony.  That was touching.  Even Timo was emotional about that.  We had pizza for dinner and then we went to Orange Leaf with Taran's friend Andrew (he leaves next month).

Wednesday was the BIG day!  Taran said good bye to Timo who was leaving for scout camp at 9 AM.  It was emotional but not too much.  Taran took Andrew out for  breakfast (it was his birthday).  I should have taken their picture because they looked like 2 missionaries!  He wore his suit even though Andrew isn't set apart yet.  Micah had scouts that morning.  Taran spent his last hour and half watching these videos about being a missionary that he was suppose to watch before he came to the MTC!  The kids enjoyed watching them with him as you can see in the collage!  We left later than we thought we would so Erika our niece met us at the Creamery and we had a last ice cream with Taran.  We like to console ourselves with food:)  Then we went up to a park near the MTC and below the Provo Temple.  We took the photos in the collage and said our final good byes.  We all cried but Gwen.  She was sad but not as sad as she was when we dropped him off at BYU.  Zane cried the most and even cried that night. He ran to the car and cried there for awhile, alone.  Then we drove to the MTC.  We drove up and they didn't quick whisk him away as we had heard they do--may depend on your escort.  Tim and I got out.  I hugged him one last time and then took a photo of him with his escort and that was it.  We dropped my niece  Erika off at her car and then I dropped Tim and the 3 littlest off at Seven Peaks (they changed in the car).  Emily and I went to my moms to pick up some stuff for YW that night.  Then we went to Jo Anne's for some other supplies.  By then we needed to pick them up.  That night at YW we made Virtue banners (see collage Emily's hung above her window).  We had material donated or you could bring your own if you cared about what it was.  We are hanging these all over our campsite then the girls will bring them home after camp to keep.  The girls really were into it, we weren't sure how they would like it.  Some people were surprised I was there, I was fine overall.  I did get emotional talking about my kids saying goodbye.

Thursday my Visiting Teachers took me out to Orange Leaf, to console me.  We had nice visit.  Then I had a PTA meeting after that.  I am not sure when that ended but it was mid-afternoon.  I had friends drop by with treats and notes telling me they were thinking of me!  So sweet!  I have the best friends/neighbors!  Emily played night games with friends that night.  I was hoping for a date with Tim but he went to scout camp to check out Izak and accompanied the Bishopric.  Izak was doing well.  He wasn't up to sharing his testimony because of his emotions.  I packed up most of Taran's stuff--I thought.  Still finding things!

Friday, I took Micah, Zane and Gwen to see the Lorax at the dollar movies.  It was actually better than I thought it would be.  We checked on my mom for awhile on our way back because she had had vein surgery that morning.   Tim helped me put Timo and Izak's beds back together.  I had washed their bedding and moved Izak's stuff back down to their room (Taran took over when he moved back).  I wanted it all ready when they got home from scout camp--I knew they would be tired.

Saturday, I was just leaving to take a box of stuff Taran had forgotten (his reading glasses, his consecrated oil...)  before 10 AM when they take it to the MTC for $2, when Izak walks in!  He was happy and healthy.  Yeah!  Tim took Micah to his first Lacrosse (LAX) game--he scored 5 goals?  Izak showered and then he, and Emily took Zane and Gwen to the Cedar Hills Parade. We did chores once I was home.  Tim gave us the great news that Taran had sent his first email!  YEAH!  It was fun.  He is having a great experience!  Tim took the kids to the Family Festival and I ran some errands and cleaned house.  Timo got home late afternoon.  He had a great experience at scout camp it was a mission prep camp with whitewater rafting and repelling in Wyoming.  Pretty cool!  He showered and put his stuff away then went to the Family Festival with friends.  We had a quiet dinner BBQ then ice ream and watched the fireworks.  Taran's friend Stephanie came by with Thor the movie she had borrowed.  We had a nice chat then sent the kiddos to bed.  No big gathering this year we just had the big shindig the week before this was all we could handle this year!

So I will quit here and try to get last week up-to-date soon.  I am sure no one is holding their breath about it!:)

Memorial Day and the Last Day of School Stuff...

Phew! I thought having May over with would lighten my load. Owell, I guess until Taran leaves we are still going strong!

Monday was Memorial Day. We went to the cemetery Sunday to lessen the running around on Monday. We saw our friends the Warrens whose daughter Emily is buried there. Their oldest is just older than Taran and is serving in Florida, Spanish speaking. It was fun to catch up with them even though it was at the cemetery. We also saw my mom, Gwen and Emily went with her for a little bit. I showed her where some of my dad's relatives are buried. So we spent the morning of Monday working on our yard. We tried to put up the new trampoline mat I had ordered. But I made the mistake of guessing since the product description didn't tell how many rings. I should have asked! So I had to pay to exchange it plus the difference and then to ship it back. We MIGHT get it this week! I hope the kids have sorely missed it! Let's hope it lasts more than a year too! That afternoon we had both sides (most everyone came) over for a BBQ. Tim and Nate made homemade ice cream for dessert—both made Peach! They were a little different but still both very good. It was fun. Charl took Katie to a Vocal Point concert at the SCERA which also featured the A Capella group that won the Sing Off Pentatonics and Delilah which was an all girl group in it with a couple of local girls. It sounded fun. So we had the kids Anders, Holly & Tate until it was over. Tate fell asleep. We watched Captain America which Anders did not like. I felt bad. The bad guy was too creepy for him.

Tuesday Emily was in the Jr High Talent Show. Tim went and videoed the practice before school. I was going to go but by the time she figured out when it was going to be I wasn't sure I could make it. I have had to let some important things go until this week because I have just been too busy for other stuff. I was in charge of our Personal Progress Night the next day which I knew I was busy until the afternoon so I couldn't wait to do stuff for that the next day. She said that she did her best that practice run so I am glad Tim recorded it! Timo had to be early to catch the bus to go to the graduation ceremony at UVU. He was singing in the choir, he said that they rocked the house and a lot of seniors were crying after their songs! I don't remember what he did after that...wrote in yearbooks I think. Gwen got to go to Pizza Pie Cafe for her last field trip for preschool. She made her own pizza, she thought that was pretty cool! Micah had the egg drop at school and his never broke so he won a prize. He was proud of himself, with reason! I finally got all my stuff done for Personal Progress Night that night.

Wednesday was Izak's 6^th grade Promotion. I know, they have done it forever and I still wonder about the relevance for them. It wasn't too long and I took June with me—she was perfect. Gwen went to her friend Sophie's—it was her last day of preschool so Luke's mom dropped her off there. I got some photos of Izak and some of his buddies but it was crazy busy and hard to find the kids and then they were wanting to change for the 6^th grade party afterward. He didn't care so we just got who we got! I wanted to get all the neighborhood boys together, owell. Sophie's mom took Gwen and Sophie to a free dance class and dropped Gwen off on her way home. She and Sophie played with June. It was fun. After June left I put some food in the crockpot for Tim to feed the kids while I was at P2 Night. Emily got her yearbook so it was fun to read some of the stuff kids wrote. Timo went to Trafalga with some of his friends. Later I had to run Timo to work and then I ran to Walmart for things I couldn't get the day before—balloons and milk. We had our pancake/IHOP night again. The girls really enjoy it. The Laurels came early to help me set up and cook the pancakes. This made it so we could start on time 6 PM. The President gave out the awards, ribbons the girls had earned since our last P2 night. After we got it all cleaned up I had a mini camp meeting with one of the camp directors for our ward. She wanted to bounce some ideas off me and show me some things she had found. I have been so busy I haven't really focused on my camp assignments yet. This got me thinking and helped me have a better plan for the meeting this week with out YCLs (youth camp leaders).

Thursday was Taran's last day of work and the Jr High and Elementary School last day of school. I had to run Emily to a get a ride to a friend's pool party after she got home. They all had an hour and half of school but Emily went at her normal 7:50 AM time and the little kids didn't go until 8:45 AM. I took a photo of them before they left—yes they wore those crazy hats to school. My kids are fun and confident! I hope it lasts! The School's Out Party wasn't until 11:30 AM. I made a tray of sugar cookie bars. Timo had work in the morning and then I don't remember what he did after but it wasn't going to school. I mowed the lawn before the party started. But the kids wouldn't wait for me to shower and change so I was not really presentable. I kept thinking I would run home and shower and put some sunscreen on but I didn't so I got a big sunburn on my face! Owell, the kids had a lot of fun, as usual. Taran and his work buddies went out to eat at Los Hermanos. Another co-worker is also leaving on his mission the week after Taran so it was his day too. He has thoroughly enjoyed his experience there. It has been a great blessing for him and us! Izak had a party that night. Emily came home for dinner and went back to the pool party after. Taran and his friends have been watching the Avenger Shows since their friend hasn't seen Avengers yet and wants to see the other movies first. So he has been doing that at nights.

Friday Taran took the other kids (Timo, Emily and Izak) to the Provo Temple to do baptisms. It was super busy so a long wait. Meanwhile, Gwen, Zane and Micah and I dropped Tim off at work. We also took flowers and a card to my parents—it was their anniversary 46 years. Since dad doesn't do much I hoped the flowers would help her feel celebrated. My brother Keith took them out to Macaroni Grill that night so they enjoyed it. Dad was feeling just okay enough—he was not feeling well most of the day. I helepd the little kids go through their rooms and get rid of stuff. Trying to do some summer decluttering and get ready for visitors next week for Taran's farewell. Not like it's going to stay as nice as it was Saturday night! I also ran to Orem later to get Taran some stuff at the Missionary Mall, Deseret Book and I also was looking for some nylon covered material. I had painted the outdoor swing Tim's parents gave us last year. It is red! It needs a new pad. I am planning on putting this material over the seat part then buy cushions that can be removed when the weather is nasty. I couldn't find the material ANYWHERE! I picked up Tim on the way home. After dinner we worked on the rooms some more. Timo took Gwen, Zane, Micah and Izak to an outdoor movie at a neighbor's. They had fun. Gwen got tired so Timo brought her home. He went back. Tim and I were so tired after Gwen fell asleep we went to bed. Then we woke up when the boys came home from the movie. Emily spent all day and night on her room so she went to bed.

Saturday was a service project at 7 AM helping neighbors in their yard. Izak, Taran and Timo went to that. Tim had to take Emily and a friend to a breakfast at a friends and then onto Lagoon (a local amusement park). He is the nicest dad ever! He drove her and 10 friends up there. She tried big rides and had fun. He picked her up around 8:30 PM. He just brought her and one other girl home. The rest left at closing at 11 PM. She was tired so she was not sad to leave then. Timo played tennis with his friend. Then he finished his room. His friend got his wisdom teeth out Friday so he went with some of their friends to visit him. He came home later to clean the living room. He did it in less than an hour. Then he went back to his friend's since he was super bored recovering. Tim also fixed 3 holes in the sprinkler line (it took 3 trips—poor guy!), touched up the paint on the swing and put tile on the baseboard in the bathroom. He IS superman! I was able to pack some of Taran's stuff, organize things that needed boxes and we have enough for a van full of DI stuff!

Today was fast Sunday and I think I had a long list I fasted for. Lots of people in need. It was one of the easiest times for me. Church was good but I had a hard time staying awake in Sunday School. I am in the Family History class and I love it but I didn't sleep well, bladder or something. I tried some new Pinterest treats today for dessert: chocolate chip cookie dough, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and brownie batter on top and bake! WOW! Yummy! We also tried it with Oreo in the middle, and only 2 Oreos with peanut butter between them and around them and then brownie batter over it. You put them in cupcake pans. I think I might make it as a bar thing in layers since it isn't easy to get out of the paper. Timo and Taran had meetings/YSA fireside tonight. We are waiting for Taran so we can have our devotional. Timo's was a meeting about Scout Camp. We have to get him and Izak ready this week for scout camp besides Taran going into the MTC. Our last full week together. Hopefully we'll be ready for it all! We are have a mini-vacation tomorrow. The kids are very excited! Me too. Have a great week! Enjoy the weather!