my cell phone went missing

My cell phone went missing in December along with all my pictures, and intentions to upload them and catch up with my blog before the new year. It being just barely the afternoon of the thirty-first, I'm still hoping to be current by 2014.

  I feel grateful for each day with my children, in all honesty, notwithstanding the fact that I just excused myself to pound the mop on the dining room floor in futility, my effort to quiet an argument in the girls' basement bedroom. So I will gather up what pictures I prudently posted to Facebook, and call it my archives for the past few months, although I know that there are many that I've neglected, and are now lost somewhere in the memory of my very cracked iphone, in a random drawer, under the bathroom sink, tucked into Sophie's glittery dress-up purse. The possibilities are endless with a three-year old in the house. Much better to post pictures quickly, I've learned.

Lovely Olivia turned ten in August.

 The present opening.

 Grant started Kindergarten.
 Sophie's third birthday in September, and the first day that Grant got to ride the school bus.
 Our front yard,
the day of the great flood of September 2013.
 Our favorite event of the year, The Riverwoods ward September Salmon fry.
 Another favorite Fall memory, picnics with Grandma Martha at Paul Ream nature park.  Hunting for leaches.
And feeding the ducks.
 The kids performed on the hay wagon ride at the Spanish Fork Harvest Moon celebration.
 Grant turned six in October.
 We celebrated with a picnic lunch in the canyon, and dinner at Nickle City.
 And just before Halloween, beautiful, spirited Mary turned nine. She hosted a small party with friends, and dangled doughnuts from the ceiling fan--one set of pictures I really hope to find again.

mary's birthday

Mary was lucky this year.  Her birthday was on a beautiful, warm Saturday. We had bacon, sausage, and doughnuts for a birthday brunch, and at noon I took Mary and some friends, and siblings to see Brave at the dollar theatre.

This was the Friday before.  Birthday treats, hat, and Mary's sweet teacher, who is from Hong Kong--like Mary.

Birthday evening we had Panda Express and Mary met her new primate friend. Mary is year-of-the-monkey...or ape in the case. Grandma Martha arrived home from California in time for dinner and Red Velvet cake.

 

Happy Birthday sweet Mary--we love you.

first snow first lights

Friday November 18 Bethany and Olivia went to a sleep over. I intended to take everyone to Riverwoods to see the light celebration, but had to bring back the little ones, due to fighting over who got to wear which hat. Sam, Ben, and Kyle took Caitlin. Anyway, its fun for the kids to have separate outings. Everyone enjoys the new dynamic. 

They returned and we had Pier 49 for pizza night. I ordered Sam's favorites, pesto chicken and spinach Alfredo.  Later we looked outside and saw snow falling.  Grant was so excited, he ran out in his pajamas and bare feet.  Sam helped all the kids get on coats and boots for a late night snow ball fight.  I was nervous about driving Grandma Martha home in the new, slippery snow, and grateful to return home safely.  The biggest thing I don't like about winter is the possibility of limited mobility.  Grant wasn't worried about anything.

Saturday morning the kids went outside as soon as they could. Sam and Kyle took Grant and William sledding. I had to take Olivia shopping, which was agony for her. She couldn't wait to get back to sledding. Mary and Kyle started a snow man at the park, but decided to transplant it to our yard. By afternoon the snow was almost gone, but the kids intended to use up what they could.

Monday, November 21, the little kids went to Grandma Martha's house for the day.  I spent the time getting my Utah driver's license, the kind of thing I dread.  Not sure what hoops I'll have to jump through, what paperwork will be slightly off. As predicted there was one glitch.  I went to the wrong office. Testing was only done across town.  Just as well since I had forgotten my glasses. Tried again after lunch, passed the open book test, failed the eye exam--good thing I had my glasses, and the happiest thing, walked out with a picture I didn't detest.  I felt pretty euphoric about the whole thing.

In the afternoon Sam wanted to accompany Ben and me to downtown Provo for Ben's guitar lesson. He  found out that I sometimes get lured in to the Peruvian restaurant next to the guitar shop for papas fritas and the most delicious spicy green dipping sauce.  On the way we saw this rainbow over the Y.  I was limited by my cell phone camera and the fact that the light turned green right as I decided to go for the picture. Here's the best I could do.

Tuesday was the kids' last day of school for the week. Mary and Caitlin came home dressed in paper bags and construction paper feathers. I can remember so clearly my own oatmeal box Indian drums of childhood. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Caitlin and her new friend from school.

Tuesday evening, I surprised the kids with a trip to Pizza Pie Cafe to start off the weekend.  I loved this pumpkin pizza.  The place was packed. They were having a text special; three dollars off the regular buffet price.  Caitlin had a coupon for two free kids buffets for her October reading reward. 

After dinner Sam and Mary walked over to the mall to enjoy the lights and the gingerbread houses in all the shops.

Thanks for the pictures Sam.

mary's birthday

The last week of October we celebrated Mary's seventh birthday. 

I went in to her class with Zingers. This is Mary and her teacher.

Caitlin had a field trip to the pumpkin patch.

I was grateful that Anne and Eric were visiting from Colorado.  It was wonderful to spend time with them and especially fun to have them here for Mary's birthday.

Mary requested dumplings so I did my best to remember Miss Lu's recipe.

I love you Mary.

last week of school

The last week of May was also the last week of school. There was a lot going on for everyone and school going on for me, so this year I missed out on most of it.  Tuesday Olivia's class presented songs.  I picked up Sam at lunch and dropped him off so he could attend.  Olivia was happy to have Rob there as well.  He took the big kids to the U2 concert in the evening.  They said it was amazing.

The kids had field day Thursday and it was Sam's last day of middle school and his eight grade trip to Lagoon....twice in one month! Lucky. 

I thought Friday morning was beautiful.

This was the last mad dash to the school bus of the year.

Friday was early out for the kids and I didn't have school so we had lunch in the park.

Friday evening we were all back to baseball.  I love that we all go together.

face of six

The face of six, number six is six.

Our birthday sugar cereal buffets have become more rushed lately, but still appreciated.

Little Mary got snow for her birthday.

I took treats in to her class. Chocolate zingers.

In the evening we all went to a new birthday spot, Pirate Island, for pizza and games.

Sophie often looks skeptical,

but everyone else gave their full approval,

especially when the pirates came to serenade,

and brought ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry.

It was fun for Mary to have her dad there.

Back at home there were the gifts.

Meanwhile, someone was up to something. 

And of course, it was William.

Mary reluctantly forgave me for leaving her cake unguarded.

I love you Mary.