Birthday and School

We had a great last week of summer vacation!  Thursday we went to the zoo.  The kids had a lot of fun observing the animals.  Like Andrew had fun watching a turtle eat his vegetables.   We all enjoyed watching the fish (maybe because it is in an air conditioned building.)  We enjoyed watching the tiger try to pull a piece of wood out of the water, with his teeth!  I was thankful we were separated by a wall, his teeth sure looked sharp.  It was a good day to be together.  That evening we went to the schools for “Meet the Teacher Night.”  The kids were a bit nervous to see where they would be.  We went to both schools and were able to meet lots of teachers and see friends.  The kids were excited about starting school after that.

Friday was Spencer’s birthday!  We had a busy day of play.  In the morning we went to play group at the spray pad and had fun playing in the water with friends.  We brought cookies to share with our friends too.  For lunch I took the kids to Burger King, Spencer’s choice.  The biggest draw is the play area there.  The kids enjoyed playing for about an hour.  Then we went home to relax.  In the evening we had a family party time with balloons, gifts and pie.  Spencer didn’t want cake, so I made him a peanut butter pie.  He was so happy to be 6!

Monday I took Andrew and Spencer to the doctor for well child visits.  They are well and healthy, that is always good news.  I think they entertained the staff there pretty good too.  The doctor even had fun showing them some little toys out of the treasure chest to give kids after they visits.  She was cute with them.  I am glad that it went well and they aren’t afraid of going to the doctor.

Tuesday was the first day of school!  The kids were so excited they all woke up early.  Ruth was up before 6am.  She helped get lunches fixed and then headed off to the bus stop by herself.  I had offered to walk her over and make sure she was getting on the right bus, but she didn’t want me to.  I guess she is getting old enough to have some independence.  She had a great first day and was full of exciting things to tell after school.  The bus riding is going okay and I think it will be just fine for her to do.   I took Andrew and Spencer to the elementary school.  Andrew didn’t want me to walk him to class, so he went off to 3^rd grade.  Spencer wanted me to go with him to his 1^st grade class.  He was happy to be there though and hardly looked back at me after we walk into the door.  Caleb and I walked out of the school and I realized how quiet it was going to be.  

Summer was fun and full of activity.  The last couple of days have been busy for me, but less activity with only one home most the day.  I am thankful they have good schools to attend.  Last night I enjoyed going to book club.  I am thankful for having a break from routine and be around other great women.  I am thankful to have our school schedule back.  It is nice to have more structure to our day again.  

The boys had fun climbing on the statutes at the zoo

Spencer had fun with his birthday!

First day of school!

Vacation!

21 August 2013

I kept thinking that I would wait to write until I had time to write up our vacation. But maybe a short version is better than nothing!  It was nice to see so many of you.  Being on vacation gives me greater appreciation to my parents and their efforts to take us places.  It is a lot of work and stress to go away from your home environment. The kids did great and loved playing with their cousins.  I did okay, I guess I get a little stressed not having control over our plans and schedule.  So if I offended anyone with things I said or did, I am sorry.  I know at times I felt I needed to defend my ideas and thoughts, and I might not have done it well.  

On our last day in Utah I went outside and sat on the porch in the evening to be alone for a few minutes.  I needed some quiet.  It had been a stressful week end for me.  A neighbor and friend of the family stopped by and talked to me.  He was friendly and asked how things were going for us.  He thought it was great we could drive all the way from Texas to visit family.  I said it was good, but I wished at times we could be closer.  Then he laughed and said “sometimes being away from family can be a good thing.”  Maybe so.  But I wish I could spend more time with you all, then we could know each other better.  It is hard only seeing you for a day or two, or even just a few hours, once a year.  No wonder my family relationship skills suffer.

On the drive, this is a stop in Monticello, UT at a church parking lot next to the temple.  On top of the suburban we carried a crib to give to my sister!

Here are a few of the high lights to our vacation.  On Thursday July 26^th we left our home to drive to Utah.  On the second day we reached Arches National Park.  We spent a day there and had fun hiking and playing in the sand.  It was hard for me to walk in the sand, but I was able to do it and we saw some neat arches.  

We then drove to Orem and spent a week with my parents.  It was so good to see them.  While in Orem we had fun going swimming at the Lindon pool with many of our family members on Monday.  Tuesday we went to the Hogle Zoo.  Many of the family went with us.  My sister, Jeanie, came down from Cache valley.  It was great to see her.  I really enjoyed a visit we had at the end of the day while we watched the kids play with a Lego display.  A stressful thing at the zoo was Spencer got separated from us.  I cried when we finally found him.  I don’t want to ever loose a child again!   

After Spencer was "found" Neal carried him so he wouldn't wander off again.

Wednesday morning Neal and I went to the temple and did sealing with my dad.  That was neat.  That afternoon we visited BYU and went bowling there. 

My dad and I outside of the Mt. Timp. temple.

At the BYU Museum of Paleontology 

The sun was too bright, but the flowers and mountains were so beautiful! 

Ruth with my sister. 

Me with my mom. 

Thursday we visited the museum at Thanksgiving Point where we met up with Neal’s parents.  We also visited with Neal’s grandma that afternoon.  In the evening we had a picnic with college friends.  Friday Neal took the boys on a hike close to my parents home.  That evening we did a marshmallow roast up Provo canyon.  On Saturday we had a big family gathering for everyone.  We just hung out at the house and visited.  I enjoyed having some time with my four sisters and many of their children.  Saturday evening Neal and I had a date to go to Thanksgiving Point and attend a concert by Jon Schmidt.  It was fun to hear him preform.  I even got his signature afterwards.  I really enjoy his music.  

At Thanksgiving Point they had a fun interactive display on "physics" 

Grandpa helping Andrew figure out the circuits. 

The water table is the high light for the kids.  I think we were in that room for over an hour!

With Grandma Johnson

Hiking in the Orem foot hills. 

At Nunn's park, Provo Canyon.  My cute niece who was excited to be starting college this week. 

My sister and her husband.

We had a birthday cake for the August birthday's in the family.  

My parents and sisters.

Cousins!

Our family, it is hard to get the boys to hold still. 

Three generations!

Me with my parents. 

After church on Sunday (August 3^rd) we drove up to West Jordan.  On the way we had another nice visit with Neal’s grandma.  It is always nice to see her.  Then we spent a week with the Hubbards!  It was a busy week too.  Monday was Andrew’s birthday and Neal’s mom had a fun birthday party for him for all the cousins.  On Tuesday we were able to go to the temple with Neal’s siblings and their spouses.  That was a special treat.  In the afternoon we went swimming in Kernes.  

Andrew being silly at his birthday party. 

It was great to be in the temple with Neal's family.  His parents were brave and had all 11 grandchildren at the house with them. 

Having fun playing with cousins at Grandma's house. 

Wednesday Neal let me take a day to myself.  I drove back to my parents home and spent the day with them.  It was really special to take that time to visit with them, without the interruptions of children.  I needed that.  We went out to lunch and made cookies in the afternoon.  It was peaceful and I was able to spend quality time with them.  It was special because a month ago I didn’t think I would even get to see them this year. This trip came up so fast and wasn’t completely planned. I am thankful we were able to take it. 

Thursday morning we took off camping with the Hubbard clan.  We went to Mantua camp ground.  It was a secluded place and it was nice to let the kids experience camping in Utah mountains.  We stayed for two nights.  

Ruth enjoyed a hammock at our camp out, she also read a lot, like usual. 

The kids thought it was amazing to see white bark on trees. 

Saturday August 10^th was special, Andrew was baptized.  We were able to have many of the family with us.  It was the only way our parents could be with him on that special day.  I am thankful we could do it in Utah.  It was special to me to watch the confirmation and see Andrew surrounded by his dad, grandpa’s and uncles.  He has many wonderful examples to follow.  Sunday was another special day for the Hubbard’s in that we attended the baby blessing for the newest grandbaby.  

Andrew's special day. 

Ruth enjoyed holding the baby.  She had lots of fun playing with her little cousins and did a great job helping out, since she was the oldest cousin that week. 

Monday the 12^th we started home.  We spent the night in Albuquerque NM.  We drove by the temple there.  It was so pretty, we were there at sun set.  I am glad we made time for that.  I was so thankful to arrive back home and find our house still standing.  It always gives me a greater sense of appreciation for my home and the fact that we have no stairs!  All the stairs in houses in Utah were killing my knees.  

The pretty temple at sun set. 

This week has gone by quickly.  The kids were so happy to be home, it was like Christmas morning discovering all their toys again. We have been doing some back to school shopping, sleeping in to recover from our trip and playing. On Monday afternoon Ruth had her friend Lexi for over a few hours.  That was a fun time for the girls to catch up on the summer happenings.   

This morning we went to the museum and had fun playing there.  I can’t believe our summer time is almost over.  We are planning a trip to the zoo tomorrow.  At the beginning of the summer I did really good with the kids doing “school time” with them.  We did learning activities, work book pages, flash cards and had great discussions.  This last week we haven’t done any of that.  I guess you can call it “end of summer burn out.”

School starts on Tuesday.  The kids are excited and nervous about it all.  Ruth will be attending a new school this year.  They are all doing so well with life.  I am thankful to be a mother.  I may not do everything right or perfect, but at least I do it with love.