Working Out

I have resisted the "necessity" of a gym. I don't want to feel like I have to have a gym. I have succumbed, though. At least for now. I used the free gym and child care when we lived on base for a month and really enjoyed it. A friend told me about a gym that she just joined here in town called Reflexions. It is an all-women's gym. It isn't very big. I doesn't have a huge list of classes. But it is nice and low-key. It wasn't too expensive and the child care is affordable and seems nice. I have done well at going since I bit the bullet. Tomorrow I am going to check out the step-aerobics class. We'll see how it goes . . .

Full Tank

Tonight Ryan and I took a rare opportunity to attend the adult session of Stake Conference together WITHOUT children. I think the last time I remember us going together without kids was before Kim was born. It was a really nice meeting. We had some visiting authorities since we are getting a new Stake Presidency tomorrow.

I often have a hard time feeling like I get anything out of church since I spend so much time trying to keep kids happy and quiet. And since we moved into this new ward I have been subbing as the Primary pianist every week. Hmmm, wonder what my new calling might be??? :) We'll have to wait and see I guess.

Elder Mervyn B. Arnold of the Seventy was the presiding authority. He started out by talking about the interviews he had held with men that day (trying to fill the Stake Presidency). He said they asked each man to say something about their spouse and he read some of the comments, while saying that each man should tell their spouse these things and not just their priesthood leaders. Here are some of them: "She's Brilliant! Wonderful! I don't have any other words to describe her." "She's the backbone of our home." "Passionate about the gospel." And many others. I came away from this with the feeling of wanting to be like these women. I can do more and should.

It wasa good meeting and I thorougly enjoyed the time with my sweetheart.

Tagged

Sorry it's taken me so long Jessie. Life has just been busy. Plus I am so perfect I have to think hard to get 6 quirky, weird, or funy things about me! Just kidding. There are so many it is hard to choose.

1. Sometimes when I am very tired, I dream things that are close to reality. If I am still tired the next day, sometimes it takes me a few minutes to try to figure out if my dream really happened or not.

2. I am a cheapskate. I don't like to pay much money for things if I can help it. I am trying to overcome this one, although sometimes it is good to keep me from spending money I shouldn't. You get what you pay for in some cases though. It is nice to finally be out of school so we can better afford nicer things.

3. I have birthday twin. My youngest sister, Tara, was born on my 7th birthday. I got home from school on my birthday with all of my friends for a party and my Grandma Payne was there instead of my mom. I got to pick out her first name.

4. I have a hard time just sitting. I like my hands to be busy. If I am watching a movie, I need some crocheting or cross-stitching or something to keep me busy.

5. I am a worry-wart and a planner. I usually have it planned out in my head how things are going to happen long before whatever it is arrives. I also worry about things too much. I am trying to work on this too.

6. I have a hard time throwing things away. I have definitely gotten better at this though. I always think I might need something again. There are always those times when you do miss something that has been thrown away and then you KNOW you shouldn't throw things away! :)

There are probably many more to choose from, but these are the ones I can think of tonight. I probably ought to get to bed.

Let's see . . . . I tag Amanda L., Katie A. (haven't seen anything from you in a while), and Katie S. Only do it if you want to and have fun!

Enjoying the Northwest

There is a berry stand here in Yelm that we drive by every day. I decided to stop there the other day and check it out. I ended up with three full flats of berries, one blueberries, one raspberries, one marionberries. I froze most of them and it has been so warm we have been making smoothies. Don't they look delicious? This is even after I froze an entire flat. It turns out this is their last week, so I'm glad I caught them. This is a good way to take advantage of living in the Northwest.

Cold and Sandy

We decided to go to the beach last Saturday since the summer is almost over. It turned out to be a little chilly, but we still enjoyed it. We stopped in the town of Long Beach. They claim on this peninsula that it is the longest beach in the world. We haven't looked it up, but we are a little skeptical.

Glade enjoying the sand. He didn't like the water much though.


Ryan building a "sand castle" (it was actually a shelter for the kids from the wind. We ended up with a moat from the water in the sand. Kim and Glade started helping with little shovels also. It was pretty windy. We lost our big purple ball. Hopefully someone down the beach grabbed it and has been enjoying it.


After it started raining we changed into warm, dry clothes and grilled hot dogs at a covered shelter. Then we went to check out the World Kite Museun. They had some really cool kites there. This is a phoenix kite.


The dragon kite is about to eat Kim!


We got to make our own kites too. Here's Glade helping mom make a kite. Kim is to the side making her own pink (of course) kite.


Kim flying her kite that she made. It didn't last long, but it was fun.

Trip Home

Given than my parents live 4 hours from the airport, travelling to visit them is an all-day event. It went pretty well, considering, with two kids, a short layover, and a long drive. We were super-excited to see Ryan waiting for us. It is wonderful to be home with him again. He brought me these beautiful flowers. There were two lily buds that opened later. They still look beautiful a week later. Thanks, Honey!

Baptism

My oldest niece Emily was the third reason for a trip to AZ. She was getting baptized and it was wonderful to be there for this special occasion. We are so proud of you Em! It was a neat time for their family.

Kimberly with Lauren at her house before the baptism. She LOVED the tiny beagle puppies they had.


Lauren, Maren, Brailynn, Kimberly, and a friend from Tucson on the church lawn after the baptism.


Emily with her parents Armand and Cheryl. She is just glowing. What a neat day!

High School Memories

Another reason I went back to AZ was for my class 10 year reunion. (Really 11, but in a small town you only get high school reunion organized every 5 years.) Our class was small in numbers, but a few others showed up for the get-together in the high school gym. A lot of you may not believe this, but my graduating class was less than 50 people. When you grow up in a town like that, you get really close to the people around you. Not to mention that most everyone goes to the Community College 50 miles away so you get to continue the association.

I guess I probably better not use last names. Cody with her kids and Bonnie. I can't remember a time that I haven't known Bonnie. She has been my best friend for a lot of years, especially through high school.


Bonnie and Brett, a cousin of mine.


Sam, another cousin of mine, me (yes I got a haircut finally), and Amanda.



It was really fun to see everyone, along with Crystal and Linda in the gym, and hear what they have been up to. Hopefully next time more will come.

Family Camping

The kids and I flew to AZ to spend some time with my family. Ryan sadly had to stay and work. We went camping with all of my siblings except Byron. The location was Brentwood, church-owned in the mountains. I spent all of my girls camp years there and it was great to go back. Here are some of the highlights.


Kim and the cousins enjoying each other and taking in a game of horseshoes.


Glade and Gabriel doing quality control on the sweet corn before it is cooked.


Camryn, Kim, Maren, & Emily on the horse trailer.


Kimberly and Lauren taking it easy.


Grandpa and Grandma


Uncle Scott and Aunt Mindy with the girls doing some wading in the creek.


Kim and Glade with Uncle Scott and Aunt Mindy getting ready to go look for elk. (We found some too!)


Glade and Mom on the windy drive scouting for elk.

Home Sweet Home

Here's our new house, as per request. As you can see, we will never be able to say we have never lived in a pink house. It has been nice to get into a place of our own after living in a hotel for a month. The backyard is not big, but big enough. It even has a litle cherry tree and some berry bushes. I won't show you the inside since we haven't gotten all unpacked or organized yet.

Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?

This last month it came to us. We were lucky to have a free USO show of Sesame Street on the Air Force Base next to Ft. Lewis. There were a LOT of people there, but we really enjoyed the break from moving in.

Ryan and Glade in self-portrait



Elmo and the gang