A Firepit, An Anniversary, and a Bit More

This past week the girls finished their driving class with a written final, and passed (yeah!). They still have two more drives with an instructor though. Saturday was their drive on the freeway. I took them out Thursday evening for a test run. Rhaevyn decided if she was going to drive on the freeway then we must go to the mall. They both did well, and when Saturday rolled around they were prepared. They both got really good scores. One thing I have noticed, driving with them, is how rude and impatient other drivers are. I keep telling the girls not to mind the honking. Their life is the one on the line, so when they pull out into traffic to make sure "they" feel it's safe and clear.

The girls also took their final in Seminary and did amazingly. I love how seriously they take seminary and how much they love learning and studying the scriptures. While I loved seminary, reading and learning scripture mastery was not my strong point. I am so thankful that they have chosen the better path. Four more days left, and seminary will be over until the fall. I do think they are looking forward to sleeping in.


Aeva has been patiently waiting for new church shoes. She's been squishing into her old ones for quite a while. These arrived. They are a smidge big. We are hoping that going down a size will not end up being too small because she really loves the style.

 

We have discovered that Elsa loves to help Chris out in the garage. She is constantly saying how much she loves being out in the garage with him and it is "way more fun that being inside and working in the house." That makes me giggle. Recently she helped Chris run the fuel line on his bug.

Saturday was our 22nd anniversary. We kind of stretched the celebration out. Saturday was going to be busy, so we decided to got to the Temple Friday morning and then went out to lunch. Saturday we exchanged cards, and Sunday Chris made me breakfast in bed. It's hard to believe it's been 22 years already. I'm so thankful that this wonderful man chose me, and I think he's a keeper for sure. Looking forward to the rest of eternity.

Myles and I have been reading Where The Red Fern Grows. At the beginning I warned him that I would cry at the end, and he assured me he'd take over that part and read. So, we got to the second to the last chapter, and I couldn't stop bawling. Myles made sure I had a big enough paper towel and finished reading for me. Gosh, I love my little guy....................who really isn't so little anymore. At one point Meg got this worried look on her face and kept wiping away my tears. About five minutes later she was hysterically crying because I was crying, but that made me start laughing while I was crying. It was quite a scene.

Chris collects scrap metal, which helps to support his project car. Recently he was given a washing machine. He and Myles decided to take the drum out and make a DIY fire pit. Myles made some fire starters, and our friends gave us some wood. The kids enjoyed roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. This was Meg's first time eating s'mores. I think she liked the taste, but she didn't like being sticky.
  

I've got part of the goods: marshmallows and chocolate:)

Meg is ready to roast marshmallows!

First bite of her s'more.

Aeva was being silly with the smoke.

Meg decided she'd had enough and wanted to swing. Myles was kind enough to push her.

That's all folks :)

Strawberries, a Hike, an Icelandic Sweater, and a Date

Strawberries

 

My berry monsters were in heaven on Friday. Myles, Elsa, and Meg love their blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Berries don't last long around here. The strawberries I got were ginormous, and I thought it would make a cute picture to have the kids hold up the huge strawberries.

 

 

Icelandic Sweater

 

We have been watching this creation come together over the last month. A sweet lady from our previous ward had taught the girls to crochet, and Aeva to knit, about 2-3 years ago. Rheavyn decided she wanted to make Aeva an Icelandic sweater, but needed to know how to knit. So, she went over for one hour to this sweet sister's house, and this is what she ended up creating. We have been amazed by how she has really taught herself to do this sweater.
The girls had a birthday party to go to, which was Cosplay themed, so they both dressed up for it.

 

Myles and Chris went on a 1.5 mile hike yesterday, in the rain, with the cub scouts at the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge. They got to see a lot of wildlife; rive otter, nutria, owl, beaver, turtle, osprey, ducks, and geese.
That white speck in the water is an albino nutria. Myles said they watched it come out of the water with all of its little brown babies on its back. I loved hearing about what he learned yesterday while on the hike.

Elsa and Meg took turns snuggling with Aeva the other day. I thought it was so sweet.

It was Elsa's date month, so she and Chris went out last night. Here she is all ready. We got home from grocery shopping, and as she dashed into the house to get ready she said to Chris "Dad, get ready for our date, it's time to go!" I love how the kids look forward to, and plan, their dates with Chris when it is their month.

 

Meg decided she needed a picture with dad too.

I can't believe we are heading into our last full week of May with our anniversary and an end to driving classes :)

Goings-on

We had a string of days with really hot temperatures. Now we are back to cooler weather and rain, which is a nice respite from the high 80's-low 90's.
We were able to get our little garden planted, the front flower bed weeded, and worked on half of our side-front planter. Pictures of that will come when it is completed.
We swept the back patio first. Elsa and Myles decided it was time for a break, after that, and wanted to roller-blade.  Although not wearing roller-blades, Meg wanted to be filmed running from one end to the other.

We weeded our garden boxes, pulled out all but two green onions, spread out our strawberry plants, and found a garlic growing that we planted last year.

 

After we finished weeding the front flower bed, and sweeping the front porch, we decided to sit back and enjoy our work. Elsa made Myles, Meg, and herself lunch. She was so happy about that. While the three of them sat and ate lunch I read a book to them. Myles and I have been reading the Lemony Snicket series “All the Wrong Questions.” It was nice to just sit and relax and read in the shade. I might add, it is a really cute book series; we highly recommend it.

 

 

 

 Then the kids decided to enjoy the warm weather and play with the water table.

 

 

 
 One night Myles and I went out to sit on the front porch and read by candlelight.

 

 Rhaevyn and I thought it would be funny to take this picture of Aeva. The girls have been busy, besides their normal school and seminary. They are now on their last weeks of driving class. It's been fun taking them out driving, as well as a bit stressful at times. I jokingly told them yesterday that I've taught them to pump gas and how to go through a drive through, so my work is accomplished! They are actually doing really well. They also took the entrance exam at the local college and are going to start classes in the Fall. We are going to see if this is a good fit for them. I'm a little nervous, but mother hen knows I need to, little by little, start letting go. They went in and signed up for the testing and registration all by themselves at the college. Orchestra is over until the fall for Rheavyn. Her performance was on my birthday. It was a great end to my day and as always, I was thrilled to see Rhaevyn perform.
 


Myles finished his Pinewood Derby car. He did it all by himself on a lathe. It didn't turn out, in the end, how he had envisioned. He had wanted to do a 1920's race car. But he had fun making it.
He didn't win first place, but here are two of the races where his car did won.
 

 

 

Myles made me a box and a paper ring for my birthday with a sweet note. Elsa wrote me a birthday note. Doesn't get much better than that!

 

 

 

 

  Here are just some random pictures.
 

 

 

 

 Our little rose tree got its first rose.

I made another quilt; this one for my mama. I call it the Downton Abbey quilt, as it was made with Downton Abbey fabric. I love the pattern of the flannel fabric on the back, and I was able to get the stitching done on my friend's machine just in time.

 

 

 

This little character was made my Aeva. The girls got play-dough in their seminary class for an object lesson, and she brought it home. The kids had a fun time playing with the dough.

 

I usually have a picture taken on Mother's Day of my little chicks and me, but Meg was pretty sick. Today, before church, we took pictures. I had to laugh because in every single picture Myles has his eyes closed. I jokingly told him I should Photoshop eyeballs in for him:)

 

 And speaking of Mother's Day, I had a really nice one. Chris got me this handmade seem ripper. I lost mine, so this was a perfect gift!

 

And now I think I've got the blog up to date!
Ooops, nope, I forgot.......
Chris and Myles went on a camp out for our ward's Priesthood Commemoration. They had a great time eating pizza and S'mores, doing skits, and listening to stories around the campfire. Myles got to be the fire master, making sure the fire didn't go out. They did get some rain, but were able to stay dry. It was pretty windy as well.

 And last, but not least, I have a new calling. Yesterday was the last Sunday teaching the 14/15 year olds. I got a bit teary at the end of class. I did my usual shaking hands with the boys and hugging the girls. I had a few boys who gave me hugs instead of a shake. I guess that means I was a good teacher. I will sure miss teaching them. My new calling is first counselor in the Primary Presidency. This is something totally new to me. I'm a bit nervous, but I guess that just means I'll be growing outside my comfort zone which is always a good thing. Not only will I be helping with the Primary children on Sundays, but I'm over the 8-11 year old Activity Day Leaders.
Onward and upward, right???