Grandma Time

As part of this year's Christmas gift, Grandma Smullin wanted to spend 4 hours with each grandchild, doing WHATEVER they wanted to do. This could include a breakfast or lunch. So when we went to Utah for Spring Break, our kids took their turns with grandma.

Abree was first up. She said she wanted to go to IHOP for breakfast, then to "Toys-R-Us" to look at toys. Maybe "look" wasn't exactly what she had in mind. She came home with a mermaid doll. :) Treyson was next. He wanted to go to Golden Corral. (He's an all-you-can-eat type of guy.) Then he said he wanted to "look" at shoes. Grandma said she wasn't buying any shoes today, so they went to Wal-mart and he came home with a new Zhu-Zhu pet.

On Monday morning, Taylee and grandma went to the Village Inn for breakfast, then to Michael's for some crocheting supplies. Taylee had been taught how to sew and knit from grandma, but now wanted to learn how to crochet.

Rylee and grandma went to lunch at Subway. Then off to a place that does nails. Rylee's request was to get her nails done. She got acrylic nails with green sparkle tips.

Grandma got a french manicure.

The kids had a blast spending time with Grandma Smullin.

Thanks Grandma for the wonderful memories!

Spring Break with Cousins

For the first part of spring break we headed to Utah.

We had a date with this little cutie.... Lynley Francis Smullin,

who was born early, but is growing a TON each day.

And also wanted to meet this little cutie... Sydney Lynn Polston,

who is laid-back and let us all hold her and play with her for a long time.

Also on our list of things to do was to watch tons of 3-D movies on Grandma and Grandpa's new 3-D T.V.!!!

Colton, Emma, Taylee & Jordyn

We also did some of this. Clockwise, starting bottom left-Carson, Treyson, Jade, Rylee, Jessica, Taylee, Jordyn & David.

And some of this. Abree & Emma These 2 were attached at the hip for most of our time there. Which lead to sharing sick germs and Abree started throwing up Monday morning. We were glad she was better by that night, so that (cross our fingers) no one was sick on the way home on Tuesday. On Monday evening, we went over to the Olsen's for dinner and FHE. Jeremiah gave a sweet lesson on being kind to everyone. I loved that when he played his own game, he somehow picked the *BONUS* which helped him to win the prize... reading the scripture. So cute and funny!

Treyson, Jeremiah, Catie

Rylee, Taylee, Ethel

Lex & Bob Abree was home with Grandma recovering...didn't want to further share the wealth.

Cousins are the BEST!!!

Music Festival

In preparation for the upcoming Music Festival, Rylee's school choir put on a practice performance for family and friends.

Rylee is in the back row middle, to the right, in green.

They sounded great.
Next, the orchestra played. They sounded AWESOME!!!

It seems their teacher has a passion for orchestra... and it shows.

UPDATE: Music festival was this week. Rylee said their judges had nothing but good things to say to their choir. She was excited and confident about their performance.

Green Milk!

St. Patrick's Day eve, Abree came down to my room at bedtime and said, "Mom, we've got to put milk out, so the leprechaun can turn it GREEN!"

Where did she get this idea? She must have heard about it from school. It has never been a tradition here before.

Initially I thought about turning her down, but then decided what the heck, it's a pretty simple request.

She was SO excited the next morning, when the milk had actually been turned GREEN.

The rest of the kids asked, "Why do we have green milk on our counter? Isn't it going to get rotten?"

I guess they didn't share in the magic or thrill of green milk. :)

Later that day, Taylee brought me this and said, "Happy St. Patrick's Day. Mom!"

Isn't he cute?!

I LOVE his freckles and pointed ears.

Happy Birthday Relief Society!

This year the Relief Society lessons and meetings will be focused on the history of the Relief Society. This past Tuesday, we had our RS Birthday dinner. We talked about the past General RS Presidents and the story of the very first RS meeting.

I gathered all things old, or at least old looking, and rummaged through my house until I found enough 8x10 frames to put all the past RS President's pictures in.

This is an adorable VT handout about how the Relief Society was organized after the "pattern of the priesthood". Here's the blog I found it on and here's the actual printable. It's so cute. I made up several for my VT ladies.

The menu that evening was lasagna, salad, bread and birthday cake.

Simple, but yummy.

The sisters had plenty of time to eat and visit...

as we desperately tried to get the technical part of the program working.

After about 40 minutes, we decided to continue... video or not.

For our program, we had Emma Smith come talk to us. She shared some of her experiences and stories of being the first RS president.

Next, we wanted to play this video, ("Live Up to Your Privileges")but with our technical difficulties (getting the computer to talk to the projector) we ended up sharing it as an audio.

I thought this was a funny picture..... the past interfacing with the present. :)

In closing, Jessica Whiting (Emma) shared her personal history and testimony of the Relief Society. She talked about how when she turned 18, she was thrilled and excited to come into the program. She also talked about her early RS college experiences, her RS experiences as a young wife and as a mother. She moved around A LOT and the connecting factor in all of their moves was the Relief Society. The Relief Society was always there to welcome, to be-friend and to provide relief.

I loved hearing Jessica's testimony and history. I can attest to the things she shared. I too am thankful for the Relief Society program. I have been on the receiving end of much "relief" at times. I am proud to be a part of a world-wide sisterhood. I love the Relief Society!

Harmony in the Key of IDAHO

Treyson is in 4th grade. When you're in 4th grade, you study your state. So this year Treyson is learning about IDAHO.

He can tell you about IDAHO's state bird, flower, tree, gem, horse, etc. He also knows about the flag and state seal. Several weeks back, I heard him reciting/chanting something over and over. When I asked him what he was saying, he told me he was reciting the motto on the state seal.

I can't remember it now..something in Latin.

The program had good variety; different instruments, many hand/body movements while singing, cool props and lots of different types of song.

They sang a mix of; Native American "Flying Eagle", African American spirituals, Chinese improvisations, a Mexican folk song and a Basque folk song. --These are the different cultures that settled in IDAHO.

Treyson got to be a part of the "Tamborrada"... a Basque folk dance.

He told me as we were walking home that afternoon, that one of the girl's hands he was supposed to hold kept slipping. He said she wouldn't hold on to him, but just hold her arm out straight. Cooties, I suppose. :)

I think he was proud to show me what he had learned. He caught my eye, as soon as he was on the risers and kept looking my way the whole program. I'm guessing he was making sure I was paying attention and saw everything. I'm sure it pleased him when I snapped a few pictures too. :)


Way to go Treyson!