ApriL ShoWers BRinG May FLowers!

Seriously, I am confident we had April but at this point is a little blurry. Sick isn't it. As an elementary school student/ child I remember counting the days until our next day out of school, the end of the 9 week grading period, the days left until summer break, the days until school started up again, the days until Christmas break. As an adult & most especially as a parent of 4 crazy kids... there is no counting about it. Deadlines SNEAK up on me and FLY past before I can even catch my breath.
Milestones for our FAMILY in April were few, but we maximized each minute of it.

Beginning with the end of March we enrolled all of the kiddies in swimming lessons to add to the chaos our already SUPER NUTS schedule. ChLoee took a MOM/DAD and me class to learn how to blow bubbles and put her face in the water... a waste for a 2 year old. She thought it was stupid and just wanted to jump off the side into the water and "DIBE" Dive for the floaty frog that everyone else was just reaching for. Seriously, course descriptions are imperitive in my opionion. The other kids really enjoyed swimming lessons. Gage was a fish in his former life and thinks that he is ready for the olympics "Like that one guy who looks like our cousin Cameron.." (Michael Phelps) RIGHT. Maybe in the semi-drowning category for the doggie paddle.
Mady of course did well and like gage passed off her level 2 and Brennan passed off level 3 and is working toward his swimming merit badge (how convenient was that?)

We had our pinewood derby the beginning of the month. Our new hi-tech track is soooooo superior. It is connected to a computer and electronic finish line making my job sooooo much easier - and where scouts is concerned, there aren't many things that involved the word easy or easier. We have to do everything the long drawn out hard way.

On the 8th we had an enormous Homemaking super Saturday type activity where we made pictures of the temple. They turned out super. We used the Picture of the Idaho Falls Temple that I took in February when we visited. I thought they were great - and the night was a success.

Just one week later, Derek celebrated his 41st Birthday in a frenzie as he was preparing to go to Phoenix with his parents and secure a winter home for them. (He doesn't care if there are presents... as long as there is great chocolate cake!) He was gone for a week - it felt like 2. Seriously, single parenthood is not for me.
Within the course of that week, we sold our last Parade home (YEAH) and the spec home next door. (The old saying stands true, if you want to sell a home, plan a trip and go on it.) The kids and I packed up and drove to Utah on a trip to take pictures of all of the Utah valley temples and to purchase supplies for crafties. All of this while I was managing Phone calls long distance with regard to the houses. CUCKOO! IT was a CRAZY weekend. The kids enjoyed seeing all of the temples, Mady and Brennan have developed an interest in photography, Mady thinks she needs a $600 camera and Brennan would just be happy if Mady would give her camera to HIM - no strings attached. Now everytime Chloee sees a steeple she says... MOM ! Temple! Although stressful, is was a great time. Funny, there was no craziness or contention in the car while we were in pursuit of the next temple photo. The kids were exceptional, I must say. :)

Brennan is playing Chubbuck Boys Baseball - Does he really enjoy it? We'll see as the season progresses.

Mady is playing her first year of girls Fast pitch softball. Totally DIGS IT! But then what is not to dig about SOftball? GIrls are more fun, relaxed and are just playing for the social aspect and for the fun of it. BOYS and Dads are stressful. It's all about being your best and improving to be your best and winning. Yes, winning is the iceing on the cake, but could we have a little fun while doing it? It is a wonder i don't chew the acrylic nails off at his games. It is tense.

My whole next week was spent helping out at the new Green House in town... Changing Seasons. Decorating, Staging, Building a fireplace, more decorating. Apparently I am going to be selling some of my crafties there in the future. We'll see how much time I have for that! Zippity! --

To wrap it all up, Gage, Chloee and I went to McKees Petting Zoo for his preK fieldtrip. TRuly a hi-light of the month. We decided that we are super happy we are not pot-belly pigs and we don't snort corn up our noses while eating. HA!

S p r i n g Break?

Well, whether it feels like SPRING or not, we had SPRING BREAK this week. Seriously! Is this typical Idaho weather or what? Clearly the weather forecast was dead wrong the beginning of the week. We have had our spring break camping trip planned since January.. and who knew that we would receive record snow fall this month and record high winds, etc. (So much for our calendaring session with the intention of coordinating friends and famiLy schedules) Who cares if we all can make it if the weather is going to be crazy!

Anyway. We have had a great break from school and the everyday humdrum. Beginning with a trip to Hagerman / Glenns Ferry Idaho where it is usually 10 degrees warmer than PokY. We spent 4 days there in our camper. While the rest of Yous were getting 6 inches of snow, we only had wind and rain. We attended church in Glens FeRRy, a short 25 minute drive from our campground. 'A friendly bunch I must say. After that, we drove toward Twin Falls and saw the new TemPle. 'A great new addition to the collection in my opinion. 'Totally love the new subdivision surrounding it.

We made our usual swimming visit to 1000 springs, an indoor pool in Hagerman. 'Totally love that warm water- my kids are exhausted afterwards...;)

Aside from all of the wind, rain, and dust we are grateful that our camper made it home in one piece, the wind nearly blew our door off, but we had some great motorcycle riding, our kids had an absoLute BLast - aLright, I didn't mind it too bad either. Brennan thinks he is big enough to ride my Honda 200 ( and he is... that is the sick thing) Mady did really well on the Yamaha 90 and Gage is shredding the Land on the Honda 50. He is mastering the art of Hill Climbing and I must say that there in NO FEAR in that boy!
Whereas the drive the Hagerman is 3 hours, we listened to lots of music in the car. Brennan got is first dose of the BEEGees and totally Loves THeM! (He is just like his dad :0)

The afternoon we packed up, all of the kids are bawLing because they wanted to stay longer... they "didn't get to have enough FUN!" If we had stayed a month, they would have said the same thing.

I am grateful for a warm home that boasts wide open spaces, lots of running water, a dishwasher, a true flusher toilet with lots elbow room and a soaker bathTUB, oh, and a KING size bed. Truly, I would have been a really crappy Pioneer Woman. Especially with no snack-size candy bars or chocoLate in the knapsack. Anyone who knows me , knows that my motto is be prepared... that of course means that I do not pack Lightly making the whole handcart thing a bad option for me as well. :) Any WHO! I Totally love camping... IN JULY!

The remainder of our week was spent playing with cousins, friends, going to Hip Hop and Cheer classes, making serious crafties in the garage, cleaning the camper, doing TONS of Laundry, staying up late and due to the weather,watching lots and lots of movies.

Last night, Derek and I went to Dinner with Tara (derek's sister) and her totally cute boyfriend :) SHa SHwoo! We got to meet him for the first time whiLe having dinner with the SiBs. Later we played Lazer Tag at OuterLimits. Yes, we are nearly 40 and we all love Lazer Tag. It is a sort of anGer ManaGement / Therapy or something. How can shooting your spouse bring so much satisfaction and JOY? I had a blast. We again left our kids home to "Tend themselves" and again they passed the test. We are ecstatic (-2 for spelling?) Our days of date night babysitters are coming to a close :) TruLy, I am seeing light at the end of our tunneL!!
Tonight, Sunday, we had dinner at the LesLie Home in Firth. A dandy place, Firth. (To visit) THat house was hoppin' with 29 people there. (Cameron is on his mission so it would be 30). Now that is posterity!

Tomorrow will be the beginning of a Seriously CRAZY Week. May the Dear Lord be with us as we attempt to get our chiLdren out of bed to make the school Bus!!

February is now just a BLURRRrrrrr!

I know it is March, but I am sticking to my commitment to journal each month as it passes.
February in Review.
The 'ol GroundHog wasn't a kidding.. We for sure have seen a lot of winter this month, except for a bout 14 minutes of sunshine and temperatures above 40 near the end of the month.

I already talked about my adventure to the temple. I am happy to report that I did find the missing 3 relatives and am headed to the gen. library to finish up.

Every Saturday we had basketball games. Stay tuned for some on the scene action shots.

The 12th - the 14th We had an aduLts only getaway to the cabin in Island Park. It was a Blast. Thanks to the Simonsens, Boyles, Crocketts, and the Dyes for Good food, Good Friends, Good Times. Thanks especially to Jennifer for the help redecorating while on top of the fireplace. She is amazing!

Brennan and Mady are taking a HIP Hop class. It is total Comedy. We enjoy watching it as much as they enjoy taking it.

We celeBrated lots of Birthdays this month... Mom (Anna) is 29.. again, Gee, & so is Holli!

We had our annual Ward Night-Skiing Party at PebBle Creek. Lots of Chili & Hot dogs.

Derek and I attended the aduLt session of our stake conference for the first time in a while. We left our kids home of course with the 2 older ones in charge of the 2 little ones. (I am pleased to announce that we are arriving) Get this.. ( I am getting "VaClempt" just thinking about it).. the Family Room was completely spotless. Brennan even vACUumed. We were so very impressed!

Well that's about it... I am totally looking forward to warmer and sunnier times. Yes, I do love to snowmachine, but it is time for warm afternoons, picnics, baseball games and certainly for kids to play outside! Tally HO!

MaDy's CheeR Recital

Mady's Recital

Island Park in January

Its all about FAMILY...

Many people close to us know that we have in a round about way ... ok... since May of 2005 - been doing temple work for My dad's side of the Family. I must admit, if we had not been issued a chaLLenge by our Bishop to have famiLy names for a then up and coming youth baptism trip, these peopLe might still be waiting for us to get it in gear!@_* My Grandfather was relatively easy... but it took some doing to find information on his parents, grand parents, and siblings. Let's hear it for the census of 1910 being destroyed by FIRE - (WHo couLd have had a hand in that?... SATAN?) I am pretty sure that record is the link to everything I am missing. If you were a Geneology buff, you could imagine how great it was for me to stumble upon the document that answered many questions and helped to get this family "Temple Ready". We discovered a few FaMiLy secrets, verified a few others, and were able to do baptisms for 3 women and 6 men. Derek and I did the Baptisms ourselves. It was really a great experience.

Over the course of the next year or so, we received endowments for my great- great grandparents, great grandparents , a great aunt, 3 great uncles and my Grandfather. I admit, after completing this minor task, I have greater appreciation for those who have dedicated their lives to geneology and temple work for their families. These names rode around in my purse for a long time and considering the scheduLe we have kept over the last 3 years, it is a wonder that I remembered anything much less that I needed to still have these people sealed to each other.
Last week, I found the names in my purse. Yes, it is Feb, 2009!!!

In October when my Grandma Primm passed away, My mother received a letter from her "cousin" Retta, who is amazing ( wife of a pastTemple president & geneological Rottweiler)... She had found some names in my Grandpa Primm's Line that needed work. Mom gave the names to us, and they have sat in my kitchen cupboard..... waiting.... waiting...

The temple is open after it's seasonal closing. Derek and I went yesterday to 'Git 'R' Done, if you will. We had a youth group do our baptisms (4 women, 3 men) and then we did a session. After the session, we had everyone who was able from both sides of the family (double greats on the Ratliff line and triple greats on the PRimm Line) , sealed to their faMiLies. It was an incredible experience for me. I'm not really sure WHO was there with us, but I don't remember EVER feeling like I did yesterday in the temPle. IT was an experience I will not soon forGet!

We still have a few names that need date clarification to make them temple ready.... Gee, I think I will get right on that! :)