Week of August 4th, 2013

Sunday - Happy Birthday David!

Sunday morning and we have Marion & boys, John and part of his family, and Rob's family that stayed over night.  Yes, it was a very late night for all of them, I'm sure.  I put a pile of blankets and sheets by the banister at midnight and said those still awake could sleep wherever they wanted. Marri actually slept in the library because she snored and no one wanted to sleep in the same room with her.  It was a wonderful day of visiting and the three family left around 4:00 and Joe and Tesha headed to Provo. We took Mike to Wellsville where a group were going to play games.

It was nice and quiet when we got home.

We called David to sing to him. 

Little Zach is trying to wake up Mike 

I'm combing Kirsten's hair. Doesn't seem that long ago it was Ellen.

Monday

Last week we posted a picture of Mike after the 'party weekend' and here is 'Ellen'

We divided up the work and we were all working to get the house back in order. We found Ellen asleep in the top hut.

I now have straight towel and sheet cupboards all the time. I empty them while everyone is here and when everyone goes home I wash everything and fold them neatly back. Until the next party!

For Family Home Evening we went to see 'Oklahoma' for the last time with Chris' family who were doing the concessions. It was a good play and Mike has had a ball.

Caleb and Mike

Mallory and Mike

Cierra and Mike

Cowboy Mike!

Mike and Ellen hamming it up!

Uncle Marc - always ready with his candy when someone shakes his hand.

Mike, Josh, and Ellen with Dad in the back

Tuesday

Tuesday is irrigating day. It was good to have Mike here to also help.  It still takes us a couple of hours. Thanks to Joe & Tesha and boys. 

Ben - How big will the tree be when he moves back?

We went to the temple with Mike and Ellen. The new film was amazing. 

It was a wonderful session.

Ben in his 'spot.' We will miss him.

Josh stopped in after the court of honor. Here he is with his merit badges. 

Good job Josh!

Wednesday - Happy Birthday Ellen

Little Zach helping with the chores

 Ben showing me where the eggs are.

We went to the temple to do sealings with John and Stacey. He had done some research on both of our lines, so we all wanted to go together. He had found Jens Nissen's parents, so we did that sealing (Dad's line). And then he found the information about my Grandfather Edgington and we had him sealed to his mother, Isabella Cox and to his real father, Charles Sexton.

We then came home while they did a session.

Stacey and John celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary soon.

 The three of us

We had called Noelle and Mallory to come over to help Ellen babysit. After all, it was her birthday, but she willingly babysat.  It was good to spend some time with the kids.

Play dough time

Maren really took to Noelle. We just couldn't have done it without her.

They almost look like sisters!

Snack time. It's amazing how fast toast and fruit can disappear 

Time for birthday celebrating. Dad made Zucchini Brownies for the cake. As always, we are out of candles.  We had a number '2' so Ellen held up 4 fingers to make 24. Luckily, we didn't light her fingers.

A candy bar card that was like no other. But Dad forgot to get a 'Big Hunk'. She'll have to get that one on her own.

Elder Calvert gave Ellen an official Sherlock Holmes Hat right from England!

It was her favorite gift.

Sam eating cake and ice cream

 Noelle

 That night we all went to the Martin Harris Pageant. Unfortunately, the wind was terrible and they ended up canceling it after the first 10 minutes. 

 Aunt Margaret before the play

Thursday

We went to the Dad's doctor's appointment. His knee is doing really well. We then went to therapy and home to work on Dad's father's history.  John and kids came over and then Stacey came over later so they would be here to see Tom's family.

They got here at 10:00. They are moving from Colorado Springs to San Jose, California. At the time of this typing, they are there safely, so we are all thankful for that.

Taylor and Max eating cinnamon toast.

 Cambrian and Kirsten. We sewed Kirsten's purse in the afternoon. All these purses have turned out so cute. Thanks again Tesha for the pattern.

 Tom and John's families finally see each other after a very long time. 

They are now the 'California Cousins' and only live 6 hours away from each other.

Friday

Taylor has missed China Doll

Tom's moving van. It has been quite a trip, but they have sure been blessed. I'm so glad they are home safe in their California home.

After they left, Dad and I went to the Family History library to do our shift from 9-1.

When we got home we did a quick straighten of the house to get ready for my friends party

I almost forgot to take a picture. Alan and Linda James had already left, but here are the rest of us:

Mike & Annette Ashby Bair, Ryan and Trudy, Dad, Garth and Vickie Anderson, and me. We wore our Hawaiian shirts to celebrate Trudy being here.

After my friends left, we went to the Roring's to say good-bye to John and his family.

I have sure had a lot of emotions this whole month. I'm not sure I'm up to it.

Maren is just learning how to walk and did a wonderful performance for both sets of grandparents.

Saturday

We had an early morning visit from Rob and Emily who slept overnight at Chris's last night.

They came to tell us all about the home they bought in Farmington. It sounds so nice and I can't wait to see it. I'm so thankful that everyone is beginning to get settled. Joe and Tesha fly out Wed.

We went to a wedding luncheon for Sherry Miller. She worked with me in YW and I really grew to love her.  I'm so happy for her.

Worked on Dad's book this afternoon, babysat so Joe & Tesha could see Oklahoma, and went for a walk tonight.

1828 Dictionary Word for the Week:

Heart-“The inner part of any thing; the chief part; the vital part; the seat of the affections and passions; the seat of the understanding; the seat of the will; person, character; courage; spirit; disposition of the mind; real intention; conscience, or sense of good or ill; strength; power of producing” (3^rd Nephi 10:6 “return unto me with full purpose of heart.”)

I found that to be a very interesting definition of 'heart.' We live in such a distracting world and we all get so caught up in things we think are important, yet they are not. I do want you all to know that I love my Savior with all of my heart. I'm so thankful to Father in Heaven for the Plan of Salvation and His great love for each of us individually. 

It really is the Plan of Happiness and brings me so much peace. I love you all.