Grannie Comes To Town

We were lucky enough this past week to have Grannie and Carter come stay with us.  The days were quiet and the afternoons and evenings were wild with kid's activities. 

During the day, Debbie and I worked tirelessly at updating all the kid's school books.  For the past thirteen years I have had a file cabinet that we have thrown all the kid's school pictures, schoolwork, awards, etc...  I tried once years ago to update all the books but it was too overwhelming for me and I didn't last long.  With Debbie by my side, we cut and glued and finally finished all the books.  I think I have learned my lesson and will now be able to keep them up.

Cousin Carter loved the afternoons and evenings when all the kids would come home and entertain and play with him.  Chloe was in HEAVEN!!!

Chloe and Carter are two peas in a pod.

While the kids were all gone during the day we did try to do a few fun things together.  I dug out our playdough, lincoln logs (not a hit), magitiles, picnics on the porch, a trip to Walmart to pick out a new shirt, a hair trim, and a fun little photoshoot to surprise his momma!

We had lots of sunshine this week so playing on the trampoline was a perfect activity.

Chloe LOVED learning how to make macaroons alongside Grannie.  The two worked for hours on Saturday perfecting their recipe and ended up with these masterpieces - Coconut Mango Macaroons.

Sunday we threw an early birthday party for Grannie.  We celebrated with sharing things we love about Grannie, giving her a new pair of adventure sanuk sandals, having homemade Cafe Rio Pork Salad, and a Chocolate Delicatessen Waffle Sunday.

Grannie is such a special light in all our lives!

Alysee is fabulous at her hand lettering - check out the amazing lettering on Grannie's package and letter.

These two didn't get to spend a ton of time together this week but each minute they did they loved it up!  

 Come back again Grannie!!!!  We LOVE having you here!!!

Alysee-bird sings

Alysee had the honor of singing at a music festival at Columbia Basin College in Pasco on Saturday.   Her choir was chosen to sing at the closing ceremonies.  They had four different numbers they sang but they were chosen to perform their version of "Witness."

Run for your life...

Another track meet in the books!!  It wasn't rainy this week but man was it windy and cold!  Grannie and I huddled together and tried to think warm thoughts.  Nate competed again in the 1600m, 800m, and javelin.

Nate tried so hard to beat those two boys in front of him.  He was really giving it his all!

Trying to recover before his next event.

After Nathan threw the javelin a coach from a different team approached him and complemented him on his form.  She shared that it's not your stature that makes a good competitor but your skill - and she raved about his skill for several minutes!

Lots of boys running the 800m

A strong finish!  Birch made it just in time to see Nate run this last event.  Birch prayed in the morning that he would be able to make it for part of Nate's meet and the Lord really pulled through!

Chop, Chop

Spring is here and the girls and I have all been itchin' for a new du.  Honestly, I have been feeling like a dog lately but the kids all seem to like it when I grow my hair out.  I couldn't stand it anymore so I indulged myself a bit this week.  New mascara, ordered some new blush and eye shadow, waxed my eye brows, and chopped my hair.

Feel like a new woman!

Chloe was a little more hesitant to get her hair cut but decided that as long as it grows by the summertime she was okay with a change.

Alysee needed no convincing...she had been wanting to get her haircut for several weeks and was delighted when she was finally able to get it done.  It's healthy and thick now!

First Climb of the Year

Birch and the boys were guests at the scout campout this weekend at The Feathers in Vantage.  Sounds like it was crazy busy with the weather warming up but they all had a good time.  Nate just advanced from the Deacons and Coop is just shy from being a Deacon - Tyler and Birch came along in order to have the skills and equipment. 

Coop isn't much of a camper but after we finally kicked him out of the door and he got into the great outdoors -- he ended up having a great time.

There were about fourteen scouts and leaders that camped together.  They had a fun time playing catch.

Nate is just finishing up his Camping merit badge and so he was in charge of breakfast and lunch.  Birch says he did an excellent job leading and working along side all the boys.

Breakfast burritos and Costco muffins for breakfast

Birch is so good with all the boys!  He gave years of his life to the scouts and when he was released as scoutmaster our kids were all sad.  I'm thankful that he has still made it a priority to often accompany them on their campouts so they have those good memories with their dad.

Coop scaling The Feathers

Nice job!

Birch cleaning up a route.

And kudos to Tyler who took all these pictures.  He really is quite the camera man!  Tyler was a great help in setting up climbs and belaying for hours.

Run Forrest, Run

Nate just had his first track meet of the season.  He was super stressed about it but did awesome!!!  He competed in three events - 1600 m, 800 m, and javelin.

Starting line at the 1600 m.  This picture doesn't do the weather justice -- it was super cold and RAINY!!!

Nate knew he needed to pace himself better than he had at track camp so he could finish strong.  He really seemed to know just when to kick-it.

Just when Nate needed a voice of encouragement - Tyler ran to the other side of the track and cheered loud for him.  I think it is just what Nate needed.

Almost done!!!

He did it!!!

Mom wimped out and I went to the car for the reminder of the wet, windy, cold meet so I missed pictures of him doing the 800m and javelin.  Really proud of Nathan!  It doesn't matter what he is doing -- Nate gives it his all!

Nate the Great...gets even GREATER

Today was a special day for Nathan.  He was ordained a Teacher today!  Birch performed the ordination and Tyler was even able to join in the circle with Bishop Murdock.  Pretty neat! 

And when did Tyler get to be a foot taller than Birch?  Tyler must have been standing on his toes 😉

Nathan was also able to teach the Elders Quorum/High Priest lesson today with his friend, Hailey Murdock about using the Family History website to do family history work.  Both of them are the ward's youth family history specialists but they have not have too many opportunities to do anything with the calling.  They got together earlier in the week and practiced what they were going to say/do.   Nathan taught the men how to log onto family history, navigate the website, and how to find a name to take to the temple and then how to print the name to take to the temple.  Birch was able to attend and said that they both did a fantastic job!  Nathan was able to bear testimony of the wonderful feelings he has as he has found many family names and then has taken those names to the temple to baptize.   Pretty neat opportunity!