More Fun With the Grandkids

When I suggested to Heather that maybe I should take the younger children back to Salt Lake with us for the weekend (especially since every time that Heather's bedroom door was open, Elsie ran in and demanded all of her attention) a new plan evolved. We ended up bringing the 5 older kids to Utah with us. We had a lot of fun and no one seemed homesick. Of course they really loved it because we only went to Sacrament Mtg in our new ward for the first time and they bonded with Papa over a Hallmark movie. They loved dressing up in the costumes and dancing and running around outside between rain showers.

Anna loves the undersized chicken costume and wore it all afternoon and evening. I figure having kids running all over the neighborhood in strange get ups will help my cause for putting up a fence around our yard. We let the word out that we wanted to put up a privacy fence but we were told by one of the BOARD MEMBERS that we had to get all of the neighbors on our side to agree to put up the same fence. We haven't met those neighbors yet, but we have seen oxygen tanks delivered to their homes so we doubt they will have much interest in purchasing and installing a fence. At this point I will keep hosting noisy events and having grandkids run amok and maybe they will ASK me to put up a fence. Here's trying...

We invited Dustin, Larah, Cassidy, Parker, Brent & Kathy over for Sloppy Joe's on Saturday evening. Brent and Kathy were in town and we wanted to have the cousins play together plus I think that there was some curiosity to see our new digs. It worked out well to get together and they brought salad and a very decadent new dessert. We really enjoyed their visit. The kids ran around the neighborhood and were quite noisy. We were pleased!

Aren't DVD players in the car with personal headphones wonderful? How did we survive all those drives to Grandma's house? The downside is that if you don't turn them off when you arrive, they will run down the car's battery. Now we have personal experience with that.

Steve and I both look droopy eyed so just focus on the cute baby. Isn't he adorable?

Here's Quinn...

Quinn Spori Marcum to be extact and his siblings who are usually willing to pose for blog pictures. This picture was taken on Friday, April 24, 2009 in the afternoon. He's almost 2 days old. At this point he is loaded with Marcum looking traits. He looks like a mix of Tanner & Brinley as a baby.

The conflict of the day is whose turn it is to hold him. All of the children clamour to hold him when Mom needs a 15 minute break. He will survive the attention, I'm sure.

The kids took turns performing their musical interpretations and quite a few gymnastic feats. It was great to see how talented they all are. We love their performances. Jantzen's waiting patiently for his turn to play the piano.

Elsie is anxious to be part of the show and loves any attention you give her.

She is trying to understand the concept of "gentle, soft and touch with one finger."

#15 HAS ARRIVED!

We received our phone call last night after I had finished blogging and was taking my "It's time to relax bath". #15th grandbaby, son of Heather and Aaron, breathed his first breath of fresh Idaho air at 9:04 p.m. on April 22nd. He weighed in at 7 lb. 6 oz. and measured 22" long. According to the father, mother and son are doing well. I'm sure that Heather is uncomfortable but I haven't spoken with her yet so I'll assume Aaron is correct. The name is still being discussed.

Steve and I will drive up tonight so I can give a better report sometime tomorrow.

We're finished!!!

Steve moved that last "ton of junk" out of the garage today! He also got the TV dish reception hooked up at the new house this afternoon. We met with the tenants tonight and gave them the keys and got the rent for May. We gave them a credit for the last week of April for staining the deck and fixing the sprinklers. Great trade don't you think? Now we don't even have to go back for that!
Unfortunately now we have even more stuff to deal with here but for tonight we are happy to be MOVED and we're tired. We'll tackle some of those boxes tomorrow--unless a baby decides to make an appearance. That would give me a good excuse to postpone the organizing.

I was home for about 1 hour this afternoon in between appointments. The Welcome Lady from the homeowners association came by and said "hello". She also gave me a folder of rules and regulations and had me sign that I had received them. I guess they don't want anyone complaining when their car gets towed away. There is this tow truck that circles the complex quite often looking for victims. She assured me that the HOA did not hire the tow truck. The city is just making sure that the fire trucks can get through so no parking on the street is allowed. Oh, well, now we have been officially welcomed and warned. Where's the cookies?

Just to be fair, the neighbors across the street brought us cookies the day we moved the furniture in. They were hot out of the oven too! The cookies I mean, not the neighbors.

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A SWEET GOODBYE?

Hugs from Abigail are so sweet and they preceded my trip to the airport to drop of Tiffany and Abigail. On Wednesday, "Tax Day" we had about 4 " of snow, 38 degree temperatures and sent our sweet girls back to the sunshine of Texas. Tiffany worked so hard at packing, hauling and unpacking. We really appreciated her willingness, hard work and "this isn't so bad" attitude. She is an angel!!! We are still working at putting the house together. Here Steve hangs one of our favorite pictures-a painting of the Washington DC Temple. He is determined to get settled and works very hard at it.

Saturday afternoon we loaded up the pickup and a trailer and hauled carpet and furniture to Hilary and Adam's to store in their basement. They willingly cooperate and help us unload everything. Thanks for letting us stay overnight, enjoy the grandkids, have a great breakfast and attend church with your family. We love our visits to your home.

Korinne is all bathed and cleaned up after playing outside most of the day in 60+ degree weather. Her pink face matched her pajamas since no one thought to bring out the sunscreen. Ouch! The beautiful weather caught us all off guard. Note the cute shoes forever on the wrong feet.

It was a gorgeous day especially the Cache Valley sunset.

Yesterday as I was serving in the temple, I recognized my music teacher from my Ricks College days. Marilyn Humphries taught me voice lessons when I was a student there over 40 years ago. I wasn't a star pupil but I tried hard. My voice wasn't outstanding, but she did have a very positive influence on my life and she helped to prepare me for music callings I would hold in the church. My music callings have brought me so much joy. I was flooded with emotion and gratitude that I had the opportunity to thank her for the gifts she gave me. We reminisced a bit and then she told me about the three years she and her husband spent teaching English in China sponsored by our church. Since our son Taylor and his wife Jen, live in China currently, her experiences were very meaningful to me. I'm looking forward to going there someday soon to visit them. Isn't it great how Heavenly Father blesses with these sweet experiences and sometimes they come just when we are feeling a bit discouraged or overwhelmed by current circumstances? This was a tender moment for me and I'm thankful for it. I love the temple!

Easter Day Was Beautiful!

I talked with the grandkids about how eggs and rabbits represent the new life of spring. The real new life or resurrection was a gift from Jesus Christ to all of us. While these symbols of Easter are fun, Christ's gift of atonement and resurrection are the real reason we celebrate! I'm so grateful for the true gifts of Easter. Spring is the perfect time to reflect on these blessings. Anna hunting for treats and eggs near the entrance to Saddle Creek Estates.

Abigail needed her sun glasses on the trip back to Utah.

More egg dying creativity.

Easter surprises for Tanner, Jantzen, Anna and Brinley. Elsie and Abigail were napping at the time.

Tiffany and Abigail searching next to the little stream.

Easter Fun!

Elsie liked taking out the egss but didn't quite get the part about putting them in the basket. Tiffany helps Jantzen, Brinley, Abigail and Anna with the egg dying project.

Abigail loved being with her cousins, Anna and Brinley.

The kids were so cute in their new dresses. Mother, daughters and Jantzen join in the photo op.

All the girls wanted to be with Tiffany-Anna, Elsie and Abigail.