Learn to ride!

Here are pics of some of my new Beehives. Our last activity we took them horseback riding at Sarah Davis' (other advisor) parent's home. It was a fun time! I really didn't want to get on a horse tonight and the girls called me a chicken!

Wheeler Farm

Brandon in the tree with his buddies! Mason is in the striped shirt, Matthew is in the blue sweatshirt and Spencer (also in blue sweatshirt) is hiding behind the boy with the red sleeves.

B's preschool class had a field trip to Wheeler Farm this past week! It has changed so much from the farm of my youth! They even had a tour guide that was really cute with the preschoolers. She even knew that Moms would want pictures and so she posed them at a few spots along the way.

It was fun to be in the warm sun (finally) and enjoying good company! Brandon was a little apprehensive about getting close to the animals. No doubt a sub-conscious reaction to his former pet and the 'incident' So, we just took it easy, and soon he warmed up.

We even got to take a hay ride on a wagon pulled by a tractor. It so great that Wheeler Farm still has so much land. You can see how the land around it has been built right up to the property line, but still there is this farm oasis in the middle of a bustling city.

Here's Brandon on the hayride. Emily, Spence's Mom and his little bro, Cooper. I didn't get them to pose because I was trying to take the picture before the wagon took off. Knowing how graceful I am, I would have been on the ground!

After the formal tour, we sat at some picnic tables and had lunch with our friends. It was great fun! Brandon and I decided to shop for his birthday while in SL and I could have stayed in town a little longer, but B was anxious to get home. He fell asleep on the way (YEA) and since he wakes up when I try to get him in the house, I helped deliver some flyers for the neighborhood party coming up. He got a good hour of sleep and that made for a happy afternoon!

Amanda's 4th grade Utah program

You know, sometimes I get a little insomnia...like tonight as it's 12:30am...so I just wanted to get my blog updated before bed....
Amanda is on the top row, to the right, on the end

Thursday was Amanda's 4th grade program about what they learned this year about Utah history. She was so cute! She dressed as a pioneer. The kids really knew their songs well and it was fun to listen to. Amanda was in the slideshow twice...one was a picture of her in St. George and another was her drawing of Snowbasin Ski Resort.

You can tell we have a new school because we got there 15 minutes early and every seat was full! They don't have enough chairs at all. We ended up standing for an hour to watch the show. Very annoying...and also hard for the siblings. Especially Sydney. She threw a fit and ended up laying on the dirty gym floor for the whole show.

To keep Brandon busy, Mike held him and told him to make faces or wave at Amanda. That was pretty funny as she tried to keep singing while laughing.

Afterward, I tried to get a family picture and notice Sydney's face and Mike wanting to bop her on the head. She really throws the best fits......ugh.....

Mom, I'm so glad you made that dress for me 30+ years ago!

We have enjoyed borrowing it many times!

And Amanda you looked so cute!

Feeling Wicked!

We FINALLY got to see Wicked this past weekend! It seems everyone we knew had their tickets for April....and here we were waiting until May! It was Wonderful again! The girls loved it! Sydney couldn't wait for her favorite song....As Long As You're Mine and was so cute as she sat up and clasped her hands when it started! I just wished it would have been here longer! We would have loved to see it again!

We took the girls to Market Street afterward for a little dinner. It was fun to hang out with them, although we missed Brandon. Thanks to Mom & Dad for watching him so we could go have a fun day!

Funny little side story...both the girls were wearing their Popular shirts from when we saw Wicked in Denver (see Amanda). I had bought the girls some M&M's when we stopped for gas and Sydney somehow dropped one on her seat. She couldn't find it and ended up sitting on it! When we got out of the car on our way to see the show, I was walking behind her and she had chocolate ALL over her pants! It was quite the sight. So, we purchased new shirts before the show and changed Sydney into her new LONGER shirt that would cover her bum! Gotta love kids!

A kid's dream!

He almost blends into the carpet!

The kids are really loving Max! He is a good puppy....and loves the kids!

Mike & I have noticed similiar mannerisms between Max and our beloved dog, Tucker!

The only puppy thing that he is doing that isn't good is digging and eating the plants. He has eaten some of our pine tree in the backyard! He also does not like sleeping in the kennel (that Angie Butler gave us) at night. We ended up moving him to the garage in the kennel. Hopefully he'll outgrow that soon!

Random thoughts....

Since this is my journal/scrapbook, anyone choosing to read is subject to some of my random thoughts.....there...that was your warning:

I have had a few extremely stressful days in the past week. It got me thinking of how one week can be fun, carefree, I have everything under control, and the very next week, there is enough stress to make me want to cry! I have lived this scenario this month.

Couple of weeks ago I had life under control! Dinners were planned and served in a timely manner. Dishes were done every night. Kids were bathed regularly, homework was done and everyone got to bed on time. There were enough groceries in the fridge, laundry was good! I had time to play with the kids, go on walks, talk with my friends, talk with my hubby, exercise! Pretty good week!

Cut to this week (remember it's only Tuesday). I taught my first lesson in YW. Although it wasn't super stressful, it did take time to prepare and finding time in my schedule already to ponder and pray about this specific lesson. Both our cars started leaking something fierce, so we took them into the shop and are now having to pay $2500+. I was so stressed yesterday. I woke up and had to help Mike take his car into the shop. Left the kids at home to get ready for school by themselves. Got home in time to feed Sydney and send her on her way. Took Amanda to the dentist. I was having a piano recital that night and needed to print programs. Our printer was out of ink, so I had to stop by Costco on my way home from the dentist with Amanda & Brandon in tow. I don't like shopping with kids....enough said.

Finally get Amanda back into school, ran home and made treats to hand out to piano students, took a bunch of phone calls, fixed lunch, and was getting ready to teach my first lesson of they day when it hit me. I started to cry! Not a big cry, just an overwhelmed cry. I talked with my cute friend and neighbor, Emily, about this time and she offered to help me put together the treats. She is so sweet and I would have had her help me, but I didn't even have everything together and printed so that she could help! Taught a bunch of lessons, dealt with our kids who all of a sudden were having meltdowns (they felt Mom's stress I think), finished teaching, got dinner together, finished up treats just in time to get to the library for the recital. Still on the verge of tears....

I thought back to my working days. I was managing 6 full-time employees and a temporary staff of 5. I was dealing with employees, customers, sales reps and my boss. I don't ever remember feeling so stressed I could cry! And I felt there was a lot of stress at my job. I don't know what the difference is.....I'll have to ponder this....

But, a light at the end of the tunnel....my students did SO GREAT at the recital! I had about 3 back out at the last minute (sickness, etc) and 2 students that didn't get there until after the recital was over....but those that performed were stellar! Everyone was really prepared and played perfectly! It was a good end to the day! Even Sydney got to play in the recital. We hadn't prepared anything so she wasn't going to play. When a song that she knew became available after someone backed out, she was thrilled to play!

We stopped by Dairy Keen on the way home...saw a couple of other students and their families and enjoyed our time together as a family! We were so proud of our girls! And Brandon is just cute.

So, I guess it's not all bad. I'm trying to figure out if I am a control-freak and stress when I'm not in control of a situation, or if it's just life. I'm just doing the best I can.....

Snow White Sydney

Sydney's first grade class did a reader's theatre of Snow White. They invited the parents to see their performance. Sydney was Snow White and very excited for us to come see her. She even had Dad come home from work early! We all enjoyed having him home in the afternoon! Sydney did a GREAT job and we are so proud of her! We told her she was one of the few kids that spoke loud enough for all the parents to hear! I guess we are good at being loud in our house!

Great performance, Syd!

Love this boy!

Brandon and I went to the park this week (it was 80 degrees-Yea!), with some friends: Matthew & Angie Butler, Laurie & Tanner Checketts and Jennie & Camden Graham. The boys played so hard and we stayed a long time! Well, I guess it was enough to wear Brandon out! This is what I saw when I came into the family room! Can you see the Wii controllers in his hands?

Brandon's favorite thing to do right now is play Lego Star Wars on the Wii. I'm sure he hung on as long as he could! He slept that way for an hour and a half!

Arv Easter Hunt

Since we were at Amanda's soccer game, we were a little late for the Arvy party. I felt bad when I realized they made everyone wait until we got there to eat! It was a fun evening, good weather and the kids had a blast!

Max found his egg!

They all loved the new puppy, Max! Kellie & Scott's kids already want a Max puppy "When Gizmo dies" so funny! The kids love this traditional party. Thanks Grandma & Papa! They also get so excited about the 'big' eggs which hold some $$$. Amanda was so excited to get it this year so she could buy a CD, and Brandon bought more Star Wars guys, and Sydney saved hers! Sydney loves to see how much money she can save! Wow!

Little ones go first! I'm pretty sure Brandon's Batman attire helped him gather his eggs!

The girls don't mess around! Gather those eggs asap!

Log this one in the books! We got them all! Thanks Grandma & Papa!

Soccer has started!

Amanda scored a goal, but she was off-sides, so they didn't count it. I don't like rule! Sydney was having fun with the camera!

Cute puppy!

Syd's self-portrait...I don't know what's up with her eyes!

Sydney with her bff, Abby ready to go! Sydney scored a goal this game! Way to go, girl! I love how they run in a big bunch still!
This is how we'll be spending our Saturdays for the next couple of months!