The heat is on and our brains have turned to mush. Here is a quick update.
Monday- Underfoot was so tired he fell asleep at the dinner table.
Tuesday- Mama cleaned the Maud Room and the boys painted.
Wednesday- Scouts was canceled but no one told L4. L4 had a long board meeting. Mama finished cleaning the Maud Room. She started reading a book that night and didn’t go to bed until 4 a.m.
Thursday- Mama invited some friends for an indoor picnic because it was too hot to be outside.
Friday- L4 went in to work to make up some hours. Mama finished the book. L4 worked on Fred while Mama did Bountiful Baskets paperwork in the evening.
Saturday- We cleaned the front yard of dead plant and tree remnants. We did Baskets in the morning. L4 finished replacing the water pump and timing belt on Fred. L4 made some adjustments to the irrigation system. Everyone but L4 took naps. We did a lot of shopping and errands after the naps.
Sunday- In church today a number of people commented on Hurricane’s new found personality and language. He seems to have lost his shyness. He is a chatter box and tells everyone that he fixed Fred Ignatowski (the car.) We had some friends over for supper and Mama made some delicious salmon.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
July 10
After almost 19 days away from home, we have returned. In that time we failed to write a letter for last week and will make it up this week as I have finally downloaded the 925 pictures from our trip. I will tell stories with them hopefully over the next few weeks about what we have learned and are growing to become.
The 4th of July was a great day spent with my maternal side. We came together to honor my Grandpa H. for his birthday which he refers to as “Groundhog Day.” The best part was to be together and how well the planning and food came. We did a tribute book for my Grandpa. Each was very excited to see it and read their part. We played (swam at a Cottonwood Heights, had a campfire at Millcreek Canyon, participated in the last 30 miles of the Mormon Trail, went to Temple Square, lit fireworks, and flew a kite), worked (did a clean up at one of the chapel’s in the SLC area), and attended church with my Grandpa. We had to leave before the kite was up. It was a huge American flag kite. We drove into Page, AZ for the last 10 minutes of their fireworks show before bedding down for the night.
We arrived home on Tuesday and cleaned up suitcases and the car before collapsing into bed. The one miracle of the day was that we were not taken out by a tow truck on the freeway in a monsoon downpour. The driver nearly clipped the front passenger side of our car as we were literally 15 minutes from home. L4 worked the rest of the week. I cleaned up the loose ends of keeping house. The boys played. Our neighbor who is 13 gave Underfoot 4 light sabers. Earlier that day, he had asked me if for Christmas he could be given a real light saber. He said he would even buy one for him and Hurricane so they could play together. We have all enjoyed a few light saber wars.
Saturday was our traditional work-like-mad. We volunteered at our HOA community service day by painting. Underfoot is still sporting orange colored paint in his hair. L4 started to take Fred apart to repair him. Remember Fred is a car. I started to dejunk a closet. Each boy helped us respectively. In the evening we harvested grapes at a friend’s home and shared them with neighbors.
The 4th of July was a great day spent with my maternal side. We came together to honor my Grandpa H. for his birthday which he refers to as “Groundhog Day.” The best part was to be together and how well the planning and food came. We did a tribute book for my Grandpa. Each was very excited to see it and read their part. We played (swam at a Cottonwood Heights, had a campfire at Millcreek Canyon, participated in the last 30 miles of the Mormon Trail, went to Temple Square, lit fireworks, and flew a kite), worked (did a clean up at one of the chapel’s in the SLC area), and attended church with my Grandpa. We had to leave before the kite was up. It was a huge American flag kite. We drove into Page, AZ for the last 10 minutes of their fireworks show before bedding down for the night.
We arrived home on Tuesday and cleaned up suitcases and the car before collapsing into bed. The one miracle of the day was that we were not taken out by a tow truck on the freeway in a monsoon downpour. The driver nearly clipped the front passenger side of our car as we were literally 15 minutes from home. L4 worked the rest of the week. I cleaned up the loose ends of keeping house. The boys played. Our neighbor who is 13 gave Underfoot 4 light sabers. Earlier that day, he had asked me if for Christmas he could be given a real light saber. He said he would even buy one for him and Hurricane so they could play together. We have all enjoyed a few light saber wars.
Saturday was our traditional work-like-mad. We volunteered at our HOA community service day by painting. Underfoot is still sporting orange colored paint in his hair. L4 started to take Fred apart to repair him. Remember Fred is a car. I started to dejunk a closet. Each boy helped us respectively. In the evening we harvested grapes at a friend’s home and shared them with neighbors.
Monday, June 27, 2011
June 26
Greetings from Pocatello, Idaho. This week we spent in Garden City, Utah attending
the annual Locey Family Reunion.
Before heading to the reunion, we spent time with Mama's Grandpa in Salt Lake. We went to stake conference with him and celebrated Father's Day with Mama's Dad and Grandpa. Later that evening we had a dinner with the Locey family to celebrate Father's Day there. It was a great way to begin the reunion and get a few housekeeping items taken care of before beginning the reunion.
On Monday we decided to go to This Is The Place Heritage Park. The boys enjoyed riding horses, eating lunhch, and going on a train ride. They also made a bunny craft. After the park we drove to Bear Lake.
We played games, rode quads, built a swing set play area, and rode water toys on a boat. It was great to spend time with my family. We are grateful that we were able to have such a great time. We attended a play on the last night of “Who Shot Juanito Bandito?” We laughed and had a great time together. The food and
company were great!
On Friday we headed north to Pocatello to see A, Mama’s brother, get off the plane from his mission in Washington, D.C Spanish speaking. It was great to see him. He left on his Mission shortly after Hurricane was born. He reported on this Sunday. The point he made was that we are all winners in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each has their degree in which they are involved. The bright news is that the Father and the Son will love us regardless and rejoice when we choose to follow, and they will help with our success.
On Saturday we went to Island Park, Idaho to see Cedar Badge graduation for Mama's nephew was graduating from the week long leadership training program. Cedar Badge is a Boy Scout National Leadership training program that teaches Boys Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing Scouting. Mama’s family has been involve for the past 18 years.
After the graduation we went to Mesa Falls for a picnic lunch. We all enjoyed the cool mist of the falls and spending time together. We also stopped to see some property that Mama’s parents own in Blackfoot, Idaho.
the annual Locey Family Reunion.
Before heading to the reunion, we spent time with Mama's Grandpa in Salt Lake. We went to stake conference with him and celebrated Father's Day with Mama's Dad and Grandpa. Later that evening we had a dinner with the Locey family to celebrate Father's Day there. It was a great way to begin the reunion and get a few housekeeping items taken care of before beginning the reunion.
On Monday we decided to go to This Is The Place Heritage Park. The boys enjoyed riding horses, eating lunhch, and going on a train ride. They also made a bunny craft. After the park we drove to Bear Lake.
We played games, rode quads, built a swing set play area, and rode water toys on a boat. It was great to spend time with my family. We are grateful that we were able to have such a great time. We attended a play on the last night of “Who Shot Juanito Bandito?” We laughed and had a great time together. The food and
company were great!
On Friday we headed north to Pocatello to see A, Mama’s brother, get off the plane from his mission in Washington, D.C Spanish speaking. It was great to see him. He left on his Mission shortly after Hurricane was born. He reported on this Sunday. The point he made was that we are all winners in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each has their degree in which they are involved. The bright news is that the Father and the Son will love us regardless and rejoice when we choose to follow, and they will help with our success.
On Saturday we went to Island Park, Idaho to see Cedar Badge graduation for Mama's nephew was graduating from the week long leadership training program. Cedar Badge is a Boy Scout National Leadership training program that teaches Boys Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing Scouting. Mama’s family has been involve for the past 18 years.
After the graduation we went to Mesa Falls for a picnic lunch. We all enjoyed the cool mist of the falls and spending time together. We also stopped to see some property that Mama’s parents own in Blackfoot, Idaho.
June 19
We have begun our “winter” vacation. I mean summer vacation. We’re in Salt Lake and the rain is pouring steadily. It is beautiful especially for us who don’t see a lot of rain. There is a 50 degree difference between SLC and Tucson so we are a little cold but refuse to pull out our winter coats.
For our family home evening activity, we planted our garden. By the time web were done, it was dark. The boys helped build up the mounds for the melons and squashes. They were very tired from the day but were good sports. Underfoot named each of the mounds as a different mountain.
We got ready to come during the week by doing laundry, packing, cleaning up, having the bug guy come to exterminate bugs, and dropping library books off at the library.
Hurricane, Mama, and Underfoot participated in Vacation Bible School at a neighbor’s house. Prayer, different miracles of Jesus, and loving one another were some of the themes. We colored, created, and ate yummy snacks. I think the boys enjoyed playing with friends a lot. It was a great time and strengthened friendships. We left on Thursday and drove to Flagstaff that evening. The boys enjoyed jumping on beds. They loved it.
We arrived in Salt Lake City on Friday night. On our way, we stopped in Provo at BYU for some ice cream on the lawn. Mama, Hurricane, and Underfoot rolled down the hill on the grass. It was fun to hear them laugh. We spent the night with L4’s brother and family.
On Saturday we went to a train museum in Ogden, Utah. We took S and B, L4’s niece and nephew. Everyone had a great time looking at trains. Underfoot especially liked climbing on the full size trains. Hurricane was fascinated by the model trains. He wanted to watch them and chase them. It must be part of his genes.
For our family home evening activity, we planted our garden. By the time web were done, it was dark. The boys helped build up the mounds for the melons and squashes. They were very tired from the day but were good sports. Underfoot named each of the mounds as a different mountain.
We got ready to come during the week by doing laundry, packing, cleaning up, having the bug guy come to exterminate bugs, and dropping library books off at the library.
Hurricane, Mama, and Underfoot participated in Vacation Bible School at a neighbor’s house. Prayer, different miracles of Jesus, and loving one another were some of the themes. We colored, created, and ate yummy snacks. I think the boys enjoyed playing with friends a lot. It was a great time and strengthened friendships. We left on Thursday and drove to Flagstaff that evening. The boys enjoyed jumping on beds. They loved it.
We arrived in Salt Lake City on Friday night. On our way, we stopped in Provo at BYU for some ice cream on the lawn. Mama, Hurricane, and Underfoot rolled down the hill on the grass. It was fun to hear them laugh. We spent the night with L4’s brother and family.
On Saturday we went to a train museum in Ogden, Utah. We took S and B, L4’s niece and nephew. Everyone had a great time looking at trains. Underfoot especially liked climbing on the full size trains. Hurricane was fascinated by the model trains. He wanted to watch them and chase them. It must be part of his genes.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
June 12
We’ve had a few exciting things happen this week.
We harvested 4 bunches of grapes. On three occasions I’ve harvested a handful of berries from our blackberry bushes. Our garden is mostly fallow but we have harvested a few onions and some basil. We hope to get the garden planted this week.
Mama got me a book at the library about being a bee keeper. It is very interesting. I would very much like to have a hive of bees, if for no other reason than to boost the production of the garden.
We got out the GeoTrax trains this week. Hurricane and Underfoot have spent many hours playing with them. Their affinity for trains must be in their blood. Underfoot says that two of the trains are broken.
We got home from church today and found a puddle of antifreeze underneath Fred Ignatowzki. My initial diagnosis is that the water pump is leaking.
Mama has been busy this week with travel preparations and attending baby showers. It seems that everyone is having a baby except us. We hope to have another child soon. Mama is done with physical therapy.
We had a family over for supper tonight. It was interesting to learn about their family and the experiences they have had. The husband is a principal at a Jewish K-8 school. The wife also teaches at the school. We learned a bit about the differences between public and private education.
Hurricane’s personality continues to flourish. His language amazes us every day. He is very vocal when he wants something.
Underfoot is very patient with his brother. He loves to play. Underfoot says, “Please help the cho-choos to get better.” He wants me to fix the remote controlled trains.
We harvested 4 bunches of grapes. On three occasions I’ve harvested a handful of berries from our blackberry bushes. Our garden is mostly fallow but we have harvested a few onions and some basil. We hope to get the garden planted this week.
Mama got me a book at the library about being a bee keeper. It is very interesting. I would very much like to have a hive of bees, if for no other reason than to boost the production of the garden.
We got out the GeoTrax trains this week. Hurricane and Underfoot have spent many hours playing with them. Their affinity for trains must be in their blood. Underfoot says that two of the trains are broken.
We got home from church today and found a puddle of antifreeze underneath Fred Ignatowzki. My initial diagnosis is that the water pump is leaking.
Mama has been busy this week with travel preparations and attending baby showers. It seems that everyone is having a baby except us. We hope to have another child soon. Mama is done with physical therapy.
We had a family over for supper tonight. It was interesting to learn about their family and the experiences they have had. The husband is a principal at a Jewish K-8 school. The wife also teaches at the school. We learned a bit about the differences between public and private education.
Hurricane’s personality continues to flourish. His language amazes us every day. He is very vocal when he wants something.
Underfoot is very patient with his brother. He loves to play. Underfoot says, “Please help the cho-choos to get better.” He wants me to fix the remote controlled trains.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Late with 2 posts.
So this comes one whole week late. So much happened during this week that I thought I would be best to do 2 separate post so it isn’t super long for you. It is for my records also to keep the weeks straight in my head. I’ll be doing it in a bullet format so that each person gets their highlights and I don’t forget too much.
 |
| Just a teaser..... |
June 5
We celebrated Memorial Day by working and then going swimming at friends. We are grateful to the families whose loved ones have given their lives for our lives and to men and women who have given their lives for our freedoms to live, believe/worship, teach our children, and work as we enjoy.
L4
Underfoot
Hurricane
L4
- Our freezer has been on the fritz. On a warm day the inside of the freezer heats up to around 10 degrees. On cooler days, it cools to about 2 degrees. Since we are going on vacation, L4 wants to make sure the freezer is working when we leave for vacation. He replaced the thermostat, and THE FREEZER IS AT -10 DEGREES!We don’t need to buy a new freezer.
- He also changed the pressure regulator on our house. Apparently the valve had failed before we move in. We didn’t know it was broken until a plumber neighbor mentioned it to us. When L checked the pressure, it pegged the needle at 120+ psi. The maximum recommended pressure for a home is 80 psi. It was changed out Tuesday, and the pressure is now around 60 psi. We hope the change will save us money in our water bill each month.
- Also L4 found grape skeltonizers on our grapes. Last summer we fought those bugs daily. They attach to the grape vine and suck the sap from it until they lay new eggs to create more bugs. The bugs grow to be the size of an adult index finger. When they are terminated they shrink to nothing. (I guess we haven’t adopted the Hindu belief of not killing any living thing.) He found a spray to kill them and saved the grapes vines and ourselves from bug-picking insanity.
- Because the water pressure has changed how we water has to change also. He spent time fixing how much water is given to what. It is quite the task. We hope we can find a good balance.
Underfoot
- This weekend Hurricane rode a play car off the slide in our house. Underfoot was being obedient and helping pick up. He bent over at the same time that Hurricane pushed the car down the slide, and it collided with Underfoot’s face. He has a little black eye and a few minor cuts on the eye and nose.
- We were invited to go to Davis-Monthan AFB to see an EC-130 airplane. Our neighbor’s husband flies this plane. We got to climb in the plane and then did a tour of the base. We went bowling and shopping at the BX. It was a lot of fun.
- We had two little boys stay the night and day with us while their Mom went to support the young women in our church at a camping event and their Dad needed to work. Underfoot loved to have someone to play with for the evening and the next day. The boys fell asleep about 10:30 pm and were up at 5:15 am. They played hard. We enjoyed having them here.
Hurricane
- Hurricane is cutting 4 molars - all at the same time.
- He loved going bowling and seeing things.
- Because of the molars, he has been tired and started to cough. The cough turned into a bark. The bark has gone away and has been replaced with a drippy faucet nose. We kept him away from our over night guests. We don’t think he is really sick, but his body doesn’t like it when teeth come in. He and Daddy stayed home from church today. He has also kept us up at night several times this week.
- I made Hurricane his own cake. The cupcake wasn't good enough for me unfortunately. So here is a lousy looking train cake.
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