Family Weekend

Some things couldn't go better if they were planned.

We told the kids we had gift cards to Cafe Rio so we were all going to go out to eat. When we got to the area, Jeremy parked near the movie theater and got out to "see where the restaurant was." Oh, it was within walking distance so the kids and I got out and started walking with him. As we were walking, I saw the movie poster outside for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. I just "happened" to be wearing my Mario shirt that day, so I made everyone get in a picture with me with the poster. Isn't that fun?

As we walked past the doors to the theater, Jeremy went inside briefly and told everyone there was a bigger poster right inside so I made everyone go inside for another picture because I was wearing my Mario shirt and it would be fun.

Then Jeremy spotted an even bigger poster by the podium where they check tickets, so I convinced the kids who were already outside again that we just had to get another picture together with that one. I was wearing my Mario shirt after all.

Then Jeremy continued on to the podium and we all followed, where he showed our tickets for... you guessed it... The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. We kept following him to the auditorium and our seats. 

Once we were inside, Jet kept asking if we were getting our food. The kids knew about the restaurant but not the movie. This was Jet's first time watching a movie at a movie theater so I had to explain that we were going to watch a movie first. We figured this would be a good one since he likes The Super Mario Bros. Movie and he's getting better at events. He used to try to wander around during orchestra concerts. He's been learning, though, and he did well watching Lucky's play. He did well with this movie and there were enough other little kids making noises that it was fine if he made noises or asked questions, too.

We all enjoyed it. It was a fun movie. It was a good one to watch as a family since we all like the first movie and Mario video games. It was a good surprise for the kids.

Jeremy and I didn't know about all the posters so that just added to the surprise because the kids really didn't know what was going on until that last poster. We've been known to take pictures with posters without going to see the movie before.

 

Afterward, we did go to Cafe Rio to eat and that was fun, too.

We went home for bathroom breaks then since we still had time in the day, most of us went to the library for a bit. People had movies and books to get and Jet got to do a library activity and earn a sticker. 

Then we went to a park because it was off and on kite flying weather. Nichole brought her kite she made in high school.

 

I got a walk around the park. Jet (and kids) played on the playground. It was a lovely evening. 

 

The next morning we got up early to drive to Idaho because our newest niece was getting blessed by her daddy, Jeremy's brother, so we wanted to go to support them. 

Jet was happy to shout out, "Road Trip!" every time I got a picture of us in the van.

We made good time and it was so nice to see family again. Jeremy's parents were also visiting for the baby blessing, so I made (asked nicely) my father-in-law take pictures of us since we don't have any family pictures yet this year (besides selfies- as you see from this post). Jet learned from someone at school I think to do the peace symbol in pictures, so that's what he was doing in all the pictures this weekend, until we made him stop briefly to get a nice family picture. I didn't think it counted if your fingers are in front of your face for all of the pictures. He's such a ham. I love it.

On the drive home, we went through a dust storm. Low visibility. Before we even got to the low visibility point, it was windy enough that tumbleweeds were tumbling across the road. So when it was low visibility and high wind...

Some of the kids were playing video games in the back and I commented how I was playing my own video game- dodging tumbleweeds. I got to the point where I slowed way down and put on my hazard lights so I could adjust my driving based on the tumbleweeds. Apparently I didn't dodge them all because I found this the next day.

We did make it home safely. The dust storm we were driving through only lasted a little while. I could see the headlights of the vehicle behind me so I knew they could see my hazard lights. I couldn't see the vehicle in front of me even though I knew it was there, but if they didn't slow down as much as me, then there was even more space between us. It was crazy but not too scary. We've been in scarier driving situations. I think it wasn't as scary because the traction on the road was fine- different than icy/snowy roads. We did comment how if we saw flying cows (get that reference?), then it would be more of a problem. I didn't want things flying at our van, though there were a few tumbleweeds that flew across the road instead of rolling. It turned out all right.

  

It was a wonderful family weekend.

Lucky showing his balancing talents in a moving vehicle.

A Bit More Bonding Time

I promised Jet one morning that I'd let him play at the park playground after school. I didn't realize a storm was coming in. We had a little rain and it was cold, the playground was wet, but he had fun anyway. I asked him how many minutes he wanted on the playground, he gave me a number, I set a timer, and he was good about leaving when it was time.

 

Later that day, I taught him how to play tic-tac-toe. When he finally beat me, he was so excited. It was so cute.

That night, December 17, since it was National Maple Syrup Day, I made pancakes. I made them blue. I don't think anybody had syrup on their pancakes. 

That's okay. The next morning I had syrup on my pancakes for breakfast as well as eggs. The eggs were not blue. 

Spending time with loved ones is a good way to do service.

Farewell Summer Reading

At the end of July, we finished up our Summer Reading Programs at Orem Public Library and Provo City Library. So the beginning of August, Nichole, Jr., Lucky, Jet, and I went to the closing event for Orem's held at Scera Park. Jr. Jr. didn't feel like going and Jeremy was gone at another fair, this time in Wyoming and this time without a hurt back.

Lucky, Jet, and I got to ride on the Orem Express train that drove around the park. We got there early enough to miss the long line waiting for it.

We played some games then spent a lot of time on the playground. Lucky was a big helper with Jet.

After we finally left, we made a quick stop at the Orem Library then went home and had ice cream.

Summer reading fun!

Spring Break 2025

Spring Break for the kids was from March 31-April 4 plus the weekends before and after.

Spring Break was, as often happens in Utah, a break from Spring. See our snow?

April 1 was April Fool's Day. I told everyone dinner was Fend For Yourselves but I did make "Kool-aid." It was actually Kool-aid. My family never knows from year to year if it's going to be Kool-aid or Jello. I made sure to use air quotes every time I mentioned it that day, though, so it added to "trick."

 

April 2 was National Walking Day. I made sure to get out for a walk by the lake that morning.

I walked around a playground later chasing after Jet. Lucky helped.

It was also Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Yes, I did go around singing, "Peanut Butter Jelly Time." We had some peanut butter and jelly pretzel snacks. They're like the peanut butter pretzels but with a coating on the outside. Yumm.

 

April 3 was Fish Fingers and Custard Day, World Party Day, and National Burrito Day. Woohoo!

April 4 was Walk Around Things Day. I walked around the store to get groceries and walked around the van to get the groceries.

 

April 5 and 6 were General Conference days. So good.

Jr. Jr. decided to make scones for everybody Saturday morning so with a little help from Dad, he did. He is a sweetie. They both are.

We had our traditional nachos, of course, and General Conference snuggles! April 5 was Love Our Children Day after all.

Saturday night we had our traditional Saturday evening session brownies. We had to start from the middle of course. Don't you love how traditions get started? This has been a tradition for more than 10 years. I blogged about the first time we did it on October 5, 2014.

General Conference wasn't all about food and snuggles. I tried to go in to it with very specific questions and listened for specific answers and I did. It was very personal some of the things the Lord let me know through the Spirit while listening to these speakers. I am so grateful.

 

Lucky got more service in during Spring Break. He twisted free balloon animals for people at the park. 

He came with me one day to tie quilts for Humanitarian Aid.

He was fine. He just likes to make silly faces when I take his picture.

 

Lucky also made a bouquet of balloon flowers for a sister I minister to for her birthday. There was enough that she was able to separate the flowers for her family members. They enjoyed that.

 

There we go. Spring Break 2025.