The Little Mouse

There is a little rhyme my mom used to tell us. Sometimes I use it to wake up my girls. Sometimes they pretend to be asleep so I will do it again and again... today was one of those days.

"There was a little mouse, who didn't have a house...

SO, he went... right... down...

in there!"
Then the tickling fingers find a neck or arm and the girls giggle!

Trekkers

Fisher and I had the amazing and unique experience this week of being part of a Pioneer Trek in our Stake. Back in October, we were asked to go as a ma and pa on the trek. But because were are expecting (have I mentioned we are having a baby) the Stake Presidency decided it would be better for us to go as camp cooks. At first I was disappointed, but now, after seeing how difficult the trail was, I can admit that I was wrong and it would have been very hard for me to keep up the energy required to be a pioneer ma.
As I said the experience was wonderful. We worked hard, but we rubbed shoulders with amazing people. We weren't on vacation, but the people we worked with made it feel like we were. Everyone was happy, ready to help, and quick to laugh. We met people that we probably would never meet - like the head cooks (pictured below) who planned all the food (we were their helpers).
To give you an idea of the group - there were 280 "trekkers" divided into 20 families. There was also a back up camp crew of about 30 people (4 woman and lots of men). The dedication of this crew is what continually amazed me. They spent hours and hours planning and preparing for the trek months in advance. Then, they happily took a week of their time to prepare, run, and clean up the trek. On top of that, most of them volunteered their resources and supplies - semi trucks, forklifts, rhinos, pickups, trailers, water trucks, camp kitchens, camp gear, materials to build handcarts, a small temple replica, crates, pioneer games, a stage... I could go on and on. It was incredible to me to see the sacrifice of so many people to create this 4 day experience for 200 youth.

But, it was worth it! I saw the changes that happened in the youth and heard them share the testimony strengthening experiences that they had. I know it is an experience that they will never forget, and neither will we.

Curly the Star!

Curly had her first Ballet recital this week. She has been taking lessons from a 14 year old ballerina in our ward. They held the recital at a Long Term Care facility so that the residents could enjoy it. I thought that was very cool. I love watching little girls dance - not coordinated enough yet to really demonstrate the moves accurately, but trying so hard. And pink tutus are so cute.

Curly is second from the right.

Curly with her teacher, Miss Ally.

Curly also graduated from preschool this week. Her teacher held a fun ceremony with a barbecue and swimming party afterward. We were lucky to find a great preschool teacher when we moved here after the school year started. Miss Ronda gave each child an award with her diploma. Curly was awarded "Most Artistic." We will miss her preschool friends and Miss Ronda.

Curly and her pal. Lou sporting the shiner she got earlier this week.

Curly and Miss Ronda

Out of State - Part Two

The second week of our visit to Idaho and Utah was the baby themed week. Fisher's family had three new babies born in a one month period and they were all girls! We were able to see all three nieces/cousins during our visit.

Here is the youngest Halee, only ten days old and look at that smile :) (weird picture of me, but she looks cute). Curly and Lou were obsessed with all the babies and were always wanting to hold them and "help" take care of them. It was cute. Curly is holding Ellie (named for our German grandmother). She is the second oldest niece (by a few days) and Fisher's youngest sister's first baby - which is always so fun! (By the look on her face, I am not sure how much she appreciated Curly's kindness) The oldest niece, Zemira, had to come all the way from Washington to see us - but she made the trip. I know I took a picture of Curly holding her but I must have grabbed a camera that wasn't ours... but here she is with her dad.

I also got to have lunch with two of my best friends from High school, Margie and Ashleigh. My brother commented that he thinks it's cool that I am still close to my friends - I think it's cool too!
Seeing Grandparents and cousins is definitely the highlight of our visits (and the reason we go). Oma patiently let the grand kids help her make these graduation cap treats. I think only a few were gobbled up in the process.

Lou and cousin McKay are only two days apart. They are quite the pair.We were able to spend a special morning with Grandpa and Grandma Woodbury, my Uncle and Aunt, cousin, and my sister and sister-in-law. We met at Grandma's house for a delicious Mother's Day brunch (we all contributed) for Grandma and then helped with a few house and garden chores. Somehow I didn't get a picture, but it was a great morning.

The culminating events of our visit were the Graduation of my brother in law, Ryan, and two baby blessing. He received his Masters in Civil Engineering and then held the blessing of their first daughter on the same day. The following day, Zemira was blessed at a family meeting. Fisher was able to come for these special events and we are so glad we could be there.

No Money

I will get the pictures up from our second week up North soon, but meanwhile, I need to record a funny Lou-ism for all posterity before I forget.

While in Salt Lake we visited our old stomping grounds at University of Utah. My SIL and her daughters were with us and as we were walking home we passed the University Bookstore which is also home of a bank we used to frequent. Curly and Lou love going to the bank (for the suckers) and Lou asked, "Can we go to the bank?"
I said, "No" and she responded "Why?"
I explained, "I don't have any checks to take to the bank."
As we continued walking her two year old cousin began mimicking Lou and asking to go to the bank.
Lou shouted in response, "No! We are not going to the bank!"
When her cousin asked again, she increased her volume to full lung capacity and proclaimed,
"MY MOM DON'T HAVE NO MONEY!!!