What a day...

If only I could accomplish this much every day.
First day of Christmas break:
-renewed driver's license
-researched and purchased new dishwasher
-researched and ordered new carpet and tile
-purchased tools at Home Depot for upcoming home improvement projects
-listened to bid proposal on solar power
-called to have water leak in fireplace fixed, guy came to check it out

Summer Projects

I always have high hopes for all that I can accomplish in the summer. I usually get a little discouraged that I didn't get everything done that I wanted to. So to help me feel better, I make a list of what I DID get done:

• picked cherries and made lots of yummy stuff with them
• sold a car
• sold a house
• porch and siding remodeled
• Lots of play dates with friends
• Lots of fun stuff
• Went to: Huck Finn Day, Movie in Park, Lagoon,
• Visited: Vernal, Dinosaur National Monument, Steamboat Springs, Wolf Creek
• Spent time with family
• did service

our cherry tree

The first year we lived in this house, there were a ton of birds that swooped in and ate all the cherries. Last year, we didn't get very many cherries, and the birds got all but about 10. This year, we have loads and loads of cherries. We have to give credit to one of our neighbors who is a tree expert that came down and helped Dave trim our fruit trees. The birds have gotten some, but not too many. The kids have had a lot of fun, especially Audrey, climbing in the tree picking the cherries. I keep wondering why the birds haven't eaten more. I finally came to the conclusion that maybe since they don't have worms in them, the birds don't like them as much. Not enough protein.
One day last week Audrey said she REALLY wanted to open a cherry stand to sell the cherries. She begged and begged. Just before I was about to get really mad at her for pestering me so much, I thought, what would it hurt? She can sit out there at her table and I can work in the yard. So I said yes. She got it all set up, we put up some signs and the umbrella for shade. She sold quart sized bags for $2 and gallon bags for $5. She ended up selling $30 that day and $30 the next. She was so happy! Maddi and Audrey sat at the table calling out "Cherries, $2, Fresh Picked!" It was soooo cute! Kimee got up in the tree and picked more cherries while they were at the stand. The next day, we put up the ladder another notch so we could reach more cherries.
This week, we could see the cherries we didn't pick last week had turned dark. And because it rained so much, they got really big and juicy. This time, we picked and picked and brought them in for us to use. Kimee pitted a TON. Here hands were stained red for a while:) We put some bags in the freezer and then I made: cherry limeade, cherry shortbread cookies, cherry pie filling (and the cheesecake to put it on), chocolate chip cherry ice cream.

Easter Weekend

We had such a wonderful Easter weekend. On Saturday, Dave got to go golfing with some work friends and the girls and I headed out for an adventure. We went to the "brown park" that Maddi loves so much for an Easter egg hunt. We got there early so we could play for a little while first.
At the end, we saw some friends from our ward who told us about another Easter egg hunt not far away that started at 11am. So we went up to that park and played for a while before it started. We got coupons for free ice creams cones and drinks at both of them. Afterwards, we headed to Macey's to get some groceries. They had a vendor out front selling bbq ribs, so we got a full rack, stopped at Sonic for our free Cherry Limeades and headed home. Dad got home just after us and we chowed down on our delicious ribs.

After lunch, the girls and Dad did Easter egg coloring and decorating. Afterwards, we went for a swim. Then the girls spent a lot time playing with their egg characters. It was so cute!

We had on our list for the day to go for a bike ride, but Kimee and Dad were too tired. So Maddi, Audrey, and I rode our bikes up to the "green park". Some of the terrain was a little scary for Maddi, so she had to walk her bike for part of the time. But we did it and had fun. I called my friend MaryJane and talked the whole time we were there. So I didn't even have to tell the kids it was time to go- they came and got me! We got home in time for dinner and a movie (and eating Easter candy we got that day.) What a full and fun Saturday.

On Sunday, we had a living room full of eggs left from the Easter bunny. The girls got matching dresses and we headed off to church (early I might add). The primary children, with me conducting, sang He Sent His Son. My singing time went wonderful and then I snuck into RS for the last 15 min. It was wonderful! At home, we had lunch on a blanket in the backyard and told what we learned at church. Then Kimee did an Easter lesson for us that she got at activity days. It was the one with the eggs. We each took turns reading the scriptures that went with each egg. It was really special.
The kids played for a while and then we got our fancy dinner ready. We ate in the dining room using Grandma P's china. Audrey asked that we go around the table saying things that we were thankful for about Easter. Then we did about Spring. It was really neat. I love my family!

Christmas Break To Do

I always make a huge To-Do list for Christmas break. I get really excited the weeks and days before it starts, but then when it actually starts I get this huge feeling of stress and worry because I know I won't be able to accomplish everything on my list. This year my list did start pretty big, but I feel good about the things I was able to accomplish.

• Dave worked most of the break, but it turned out OK. He wasn't as stressed about work and hopefully this means he will get to take off Christmas break for the next several years:)
• We babysat a little dog for a week. It was so much fun!
• We got to go up to my brothers cabin for a few days, snowmobile, hang out, play with cousins and play lots of games.
• Each person in our family got a movie for Christmas, and we watched each one.
• Each person in our family got a game for Christmas and we played each one numerous times.
• Did I mention we played lots of games?
• We had one whole day with friends at our house.
• We had a birthday/BYU bowl game party with good friends.
• We cleaned up some piles that have been there since we moved into this house.
• We cleaned up some piles that have been there since before we moved.
• I completely cleaned and reorganized my home office.
• I hung up a few things on the walls that have just been sitting there waiting to be hung.
• The girls and I put lots of special papers into page protectors and made their own binders.
• We had a movie night in my classroom where Dave and I rearranged my desk area to make it more functional to use the document camera with the mounted projector.
• The kids and Dave went hot-tubbing several times.
• Audrey and I made a list of dinners to make- and we had all of them over the break.

A few regrets

• I started reading a book but didn't finish it:(
• I wish I could have gotten some more done in my classroom.
• I didn't work on my blog at all- and that was supposed to be my number one thing to do:(

Cabin

We were invited to go up to Pete's cabin for New Year's. It was SOO fun!
Playing games, putting together a puzzle, going snowmobiling and tubing in the snow. One of our favorite parts was going downto see the huge bonfire on New Year's Eve! It was such a fun adventure! Thank you so much for having us come!