Veterans Day program

Peter's class has been working on a few special patriotic songs to sing on Veterans day. They have been working so hard on them. Today was the special day. I really loved watching Peter sing. Next time I will get the front row. I was there early enough to get a seat there, but I felt a little too awkward doing it. Next time, I'll just do it.

Sledding Fun

We are really getting tired of being indoors for days on end. Our Thanksgiving holiday is almost over and we decided to get out of the house and go sledding. We had a wonderful time even if there were a good amount of people there. Funny enough - there were three other families from our neighborhood there too. I'm really glad we were able to get out and enjoy the snow.

Peter is done with scouts!

This past Tuesday we had our very last pack meeting. It was an amazing meeting and Peter earned both his Arrow of Light and his Webelos. There were some last minute commitments and sickness that prevented both Blake and Kimball from being there. Those two plus Peter and Asher worked so very hard these past few months to finish all together.

I was especially proud to be their scout leader. It was so much fun to spend time with the boys working on projects and going on field trips. They are a hilarious bunch that really like to tease each other. Thankfully they are always up for an adventure because these past few months there have seen many.

Peter, Asher, Blake 

Peter & Asher writing their names to signify they completed webelos

Peter & Asher

Peter and Asher

After Bran and I were "pinned"

Here are most of the scout ladies. Jenny Colvin is my parter with the Webelo group. Next is Shareen Allred. She lives directly across the street to the East from me. She is our Cub Master. She has done a phenomenal job the past three years. I thought for sure she wouldn't make it to the end. This past year has been hard and crazy because we all knew it was almost over - but she made it!!!

Then comes Lori Glenn. She and I have been ministering companions for the entire time we've lived here. I love her so much. She is the Assistant cub master. She just got called to be in YW's. She has never served there so it will be a good/big change for her.

Then comes Jolene Benson. I can't remember her official scout title. She is in charge of both the boy scout stuff and cub scout stuff. She has been super involved and very helpful in all things cub scouts.

Then Lisa Hogelin. She is also a nearby neighbor whom I love so, so much. Lori Glenn and I are her ministering sisters. She is the Bear Leader. She has been doing this calling for a very long time too. In fact, she was the bear leader for all the boys that finished up. I know she has really enjoyed being in scouts even though she doesn't have any boys herself. Her partner - Glenda Goldman - was just asked to serve for these last two months. So, she didn't feel it was fair for her to be in the picture

We are missing the Bear leaders in this picture. They are Mike and Janae Carpenter. They would have been Luke's leaders if he had chosen to participate. They also don't have any sons so it's been fun to see them interacting with the youngest scouts. They were a little quick leaving that night so we weren't able to include them in this picture.

It has been a wonderful year and I'm sad to see it end. I told the Primary president I am happy to get a new calling in Primary. I guess only time will tell. We have one last scout den meeting. We are combining all the groups together and going caroling on Dec. 6th. It will be a blast. Hopefully not too much snow, but if there is we will just bundle up really well.

Actually, I just found a picture of Mike and Janae. It's not the most flattering picture. It is from our Veteran Day Cookie Activity. Our group was in charge of it so they are just there to offer moral support for the boys in their group that attended.

Primary Program

Yesterday was the annual Primary Program at church. It was such an amazing presentation. All of the kids did a marvelous job and the songs they sang were so amazing. In typical fashion, Luke talked about his friend Seth. I think he does that every year.

Peter was very, very nervous about presenting his part his year. It is his LAST PRIMARY PROGRAM. I was shedding tears just watching him, and all his friends, with that thought in mind. I hope he is prepared with whatever curveballs he will face as he becomes a pre-teen. He has really loved Primary yet he is thrilled to be going into Young Men's soon. We talk about this big new step almost every day.

Red Balloon Fun

At the beginning of the year we received a special email from our favorite local toy store. They decided to have a monthly STEM activities. I immediately signed the boys up for the first day it was available to do. 

We have been going back every month since. Some of the months we had to travel to other stores up in Salt Lake because Brandon and Peter would be camping. But, I'm so proud that we got all 10 stickers. The boys earned a $5 gift card after the first STEAM and then a $10 gift card when we went on Saturday for completing them all.

I must admit we've spent a lot more money in this store since we go every month. But, we've purchased some really fun games that the boys enjoy.

With Luke's money he decided he wanted to purchase this voice changer. Oh my, it's been horrible!!! It's the first thing we hear in the morning - and the last thing we hear at night. I am really regretting the purchase. But, he loves it.

Peter decided to get this fun game. Last night, we sat down and played it. I really liked it and Peter is excited to share it with John on Wednesday. Yep, every Wednesday is game night over here. It's always epic.

Happy Birthday Peter

This amazing dude is now 11 years old! My mind automatically returns to the night/morning of his birth. What a treasure he has been. This year he wanted us to create a scavenger hunt for his presents. It was hilarious seeing him run all over the house to find them.

Present hidden in the dryer

Present hidden in the grill

He got a little annoyed because Luke was decoding the hints faster than he was. Eventually, all of them were found though and he happily opened them.

Peter wanted to eat breakfast at Denny's, lunch at Pizza Pie Cafe, and then have his favorite homecooked meal here at home (creamy chicken alfredo). Plus chocolate cake and icecream.

Pancakes at Denny's

Pizza!

Chocolate cake at home

We were so full the entire day. After lunch we went up to Draper to Boondocks and played mini golf, lazertag (a first for all 4 of us - we loved it), and arcade games. Both boys had a blast. Naturally, I didn't make Peter go to school so we could do all these things.

The night ended with a visit from Gpa/Gma Thomas and John coming over for dinner and staying to.play games. Peter told me it was the perfect birthday....and that he already has his next birthday all planned out. LOL.

Joining DUP

The other week I was at the Provo Temple doing a session. Right in the middle of it I got this overwhelming feeling that I should look into joining DUP (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers). I always knew that I would join once the kids were out of the house and I had time. But, the kids are now out of the house......and I have time.


After the session was over I was walking down the first flight of stairs and was drawn to this picture. It was an instant confirmation to me that my idea was a good one. This picture reminds me of Jane Manning - who was the earliest black member of the church and a dear friend of Joseph and Emma Smith.

I went home and texted a friend who had moved from the area, but I knew she had attended meeting in our city. She gave me the name of a lady who ended up not being the captain anymore. So, she gave me the name of another lady who ended up being the right lady. I was finally able to get all the paperwork filled out correctly and submitted. When I went to turn it in the captain of the group was so sweet and adorable. Her name is Susan. She was so thrilled to meet me and before I left she asked if I would give a narration of my ancestor at their next meeting (2nd Thursdays at 1pm). So, I've joined and I've already been given an assignment. I'm thrilled.

Later on that day I was working in my garden and found this perfectly shaped heart. A sign from heaven - I think so.

I am also lucky enough to have one of my pioneer ancestors buried in the Provo cemetery. So, after my temple trip this past Wednesday I went and found her. It was super fun and I look forward to having my heart turn to my pioneer ancestors more. I know they will give me more strength and courage.

Going on's.....

I tried an experiment with my plum tree this year. I decided to only do a light pruning job on it so I could see if it would produce more plums. I typically get enough to keep me busy, but I wanted to see if I could get even more this year. Yes, yes, Yes - I got SO many plums this year. I've been eating them off the tree before they were even ripe. For the past week, I've been drying plums non-stop. Thank goodness for a food dehydrator that is a powerful machine. I only turn it off when I'm sleeping. 

I have now prepped all the plums and I've gotten 10 gallon size bags that will shrink down once they are dried. It was a fun experiment and I'm glad it worked like I was hoping. One evening Peter helped me pick some, and then the next night a friend came and got a big bag full too and helped me get the last few off the tree. This year's harvest reminded me of all the years I spent harvesting nectarines at my Grandma Burr's house. 

Last week Aunt Amy sent a text saying that she and her hubby heard about a steam train that was making a stop in Provo. She said it was a rare event and that she and Morgan had gone to it. She thought I would like to go with the boys too. The train was only supposed to be available for viewing until 4pm. So, I picked up the boys from school (we took Talmadge with us) and we zoomed to east Provo to see the big train. It was HUGE. I was completely dwarfed by the train. It was impressive and so inspiring. The boys, as is typical, just stood around chatting with each other. Someday they will appreciate awesome things like this. It was also so awesome to be with Aunt Amy. We don't see her very often. She came home with us and spent a couple of hours playing Legos with the boys. It was heaven.

Cold weather has hit Utah and I've pulled all the garden up except for a few carrots. Luke wanted to plant watermelon this year. I didn't think it would ripen, and the first one didn't. But, this one that I pulled off the vine last week did. It was SO yummy! Sadly, the boys wouldn't eat it (they all hate seeds) so I enjoyed the entire thing by myself. Luke was still very excited about it even if he didn't eat it. 

On Tuesday for scouts we did a service project for our "Building a better world" adventure. The boys decided to rake leaves. It was the best day ever. The temperature was in the 70's and the leaves have only just begun to fall. The boys had a marvelous time together. The last house had enough leaves to jump in. Which the boys loved. They we bagged them up and headed back for popcorn (made by Jenny) and brownies (made by Peter).  The entire hour went by so quickly and I found myself wishing time would have slowed down. We only have a few more times we meet and then scouts will be finished. I'm feeling a little sad about it. We've had so many grand/crazy adventures.

Hiking with the scouts

Yesterday we went hiking as a Webelo group. We had a requirement to hike with the 11 year old scouts too and we had to go for 3 miles. Since I was in charge I picked my favorite place to go - the hike up Whiting Campground. It was amazing and delightful.

I'm glad that Brandon came and helped with Peter. He kept him motivated to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It took us 2 hours to complete - and these boys were troopers the whole way. Thank goodness for good friends who made hiking more enjoyable for Peter. The fall leaves are incredible up in the mountains right now.  I just want to pull the kids out of school and go hiking every day this next week.

Fun props

Both of the companies I teach English with highly encourage the use of props. I've found a gold mine of props at the Dollar Store. These headbands are new purchases I made this week. I'm loving them. The kids think I'm hilarious when they first see me on the screen. My goal is to get them laughing because then they will be comfortable with all the talking we will do in class.