Lyden's Baby Blessing

Lydnen's baby blessing today was beautiful. We were so glad we were able to go to go to Lehi and share her special day. Sarah and Trent's ward meets from 2:30-5:30 p.m.We attended two full church blocks today! Right before Sacrament Meeting started, Sarah asked if Aleece and I could fill in for my mom and write down Lynden's blessing-- well I can't do shorthand like mom so I wrote as fast as I could phrases from her blessing 

The girls were excited because they were able to go to class with cousins. Hayley, Kaitlin, and Kortney all went with Paeten (and that isn't even including all the boys who went with them).  While in Relief Society, I was asked if I was Sarah's mom lol. I guess the lady behind me saw all the white/gray streaks in my hair and thought I must be Sarah's mom. I think she realized things as soon as I turned around. She might have been a little embarrassed. I just thought it was funny! I told her I was Sarah's older sister (only by 7 years) and that our Mom and Dad were on a mission in Africa and that this was our Grandma, Betty Wood, sitting next to me. (I have had a few of those open mouth and insert foot experiences so I didn't take anything to heart--it was just humorous!)

After church, Sarah had reserved the park pavillion behind their home for a dinner. It was a great way to break the fast and eat yummy food. Trent smoked some yummy meat and their were plenty of desserts. We really enjoyed spending time together and talking with family and Trent's family. We watched David biff it trying out a hoverboard and falling on his keester too. Grandma Wood was able to come with us which was good. We were happy to see Rachael and Klint and their family up from Cedar City and we missed seeing Leslie and Doug and Rebecca and Joe and their families plus my Mom and Dad were definitely missed.

Scott's Week (with many tender mercies and the Lord's hand)

Monday, June 27th was crazy! Scott had to get a lot of things in order before he left to go to the Wind Rivers again in Wyoming with the YM for a 50 mile canoe trip.  Right before he came home from work, his brother Brent called to see if Scott could come by and give him a blessing. I told him that Scott was leaving in the morning and that he had someone in the Ward pass away. I told Brent Scott would call when he got home (I didn't want to promise anything when I knew Scott had a ton on his plate already. I asked Brent if he was alright (he had pneumonia and was in the hospital for a week and had a long recovery plus he had kidney stones on Father's Day when we saw him). Anyway, he said it was worse than that. I didn't ask anymore since it wasn't my place. When Scott got home about 15 minutes later, he called Brent (Larry had told Scott at work he would be calling). Scott felt strongly that he needed to go with Larry to Brent's but luckily no one else had things going that night. Scott ran with his counsellors to Sister Olsen's to help plan the funeral and then Scott headed to Brent's around 8:30 pm. Brent just found out he has cancer-- an incurable one that starts with an "m". Scott was really glad he went down. Brent doesn't ever call his brothers for anything because he usually calls his in-laws (Ralph and Sharon Miles) so it was big that he called Scott, Larry and his dad. Scott didn't get home until 10:15.

Right before Scott got home, his nephew, Justin, stopped by to give him some cinnamon rolls (a little tender mercy).  Scott had told Justin everything that was going on so his wife, Natalie, made him a treat--Scott's favorite treat. Scott was up until 1:30 writing emails to his counselors with everything they could do to help him line things up for the funeral while he was gone. Scott hadn't done one stitch of packing. He went to bed and woke up at 4:30 to start packing. The YM were supposed to leave at 5 but they didn't end up leaving until 6:15 while they waited for Scott. 

They had a great time! There was a lightning storm on Friday night so Scott couldn't get back across the lake to get home. Luckily it was nice Saturday morning at 5:30 am for him to make it home by 10:30 a.m. in time for the funeral things to start at 11:30.

Scott made it home for the funeral. I went with him and the girls stayed home. We didn't quite know what to do during the viewing part. Scott was really nervous and was pacing around. He would stand in one place and then move 3-4 feet and then motion for me to come and stand by him. He just wanted me to follow where he was pacing. It was kind of funny. Scott did a great job conducting the funeral and he spoke at the end. I didn't write anything down but the spirit was strong and he said just what needed to be said. He had a few experiences with the YM that he said were wonderful teaching opportunities that he shared during the funeral. They were able to capture this awesome picture of a full rainbow (taken with CJ's cell phone-- I can't image what it would have looked like with a better camera), he felt was A sign of God's love for him and for Brother Olsen (I can't remember exactly how he said it but it was profound). 

Hiking Elephant Rock

We went with Aleece and her kids to hike Elephant Rock in Bountiful today. It was a 6.8 mile round trip hike! (I didn't tell my girls how long it was.) The night before, I had the girls put together their own little first aid kits to pack with them. Hayley's little kit came in handy when Arika tripped and fell. Hayley whipped her little kit out and was taking care of the cut on her knee.  They each carried their own water and lunch too. We had a great time. It was a pretty shady hike most of the way and only one person complained a little (Mallory).

 We went to Mrs. Cavanaughs for yummy ice cream comes and chocolate mint truffles (that just melted in your mouth) before heading home. 

Bountiful Temple Visit

We stopped by the Bountiful Temple today for our Northern Utah Temple Tour! Aleece and her kids met us there. We took a few pictures and Hayley taught us a few things about the Bountiful Temple. We have been loving this temple tour with started! My girls and I have made it to every one so far.

Award's Assembly at Fremont Elementary

This morning was the Award’s Assembly at school! 

HOPE OF AMERICA AWARD given by Sunset City Mayor and Kiwanis Club President to Mallory (with  Erin)

HOPE OF AMERICA

The first award they did was the “Hope of America” Award. This award is given to the top 6^th grade students at school from the Kiwanis Club who display leadership qualities. Mallory received this award from the Sunset City Mayor who is also the Kiwanis Club President for Northern Davis County. Mallory, Emmalee Slater, Kaylee Cardenas and Janeth Ameda received the award—all girls. Mallory’s teacher had told me she would be receiving this award three weeks ago so I could plan to be there. They had the parents come up and have our pictures taken when they gave the presentation. It was really neat! Mallory lead the Pledge of Allegiance in the assembly also.

MALLORY
Mallory received the following awards in the assembly:

·         -Hope of America

·         -Top Math Student in her class

·        - Davis Decathlon Participant

·        - Student Council 2015-2016

·         -Library Assistant Service Award

·         -Trophy for Davis County Math Olympiad participant

    Mallory also received a class award of being the best writer in her class. I guess she got 29/30 on her Final State Writing Assessment!

HAYLEY:

Hayley and her friend Shaylee at the Award's Assembly

Hayley received the following awards in the assembly:

·        - Davis Decathlon Participant

·        - Perfect Attendance Award for 2015-2016

·       -  Student Council 2015-2016

·      -  Library Assistant Service Award

·         -Trophy for Davis County Math Olympiad participant

Hayley was also called up as the 2016-2017 Student Council!!

BRITTNEY

Brittney received the following award in the assembly:

·        - Top Math Student in her class

After the Award’s Assembly, 2^nd grade had their own trophy ceremony for all those who read 100 hours during the school year (which entails reading 25-30 minutes per night all school year). Brittney was so excited to get her trophy! She ended up turning in reading logs for over 140 hours but I know she read a lot more than that! Way to be Brittney B!!!

6th Grade Market Day

Mallory and her friend Mackenzie set up a store today at the 6th Grade Market day. They had to come up with a business name (Sweet-Tarts), purchase store space and purchase a business license to sale their things using Crazy Cash. They had a great time and sold out quickly and were able to use their earnings to purchase from other stores.

Real Monarch's Game

After school, we hurried and got ready to go to the Salt Lake Monarch’s game (the semi-pro soccer team) at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. We rode down with our friends, Danielle, Abigale, Preslie and Adalynn (Scott and Alan didn’t come since it was bishopric night). It was raining the whole way down. We brought coats, gloves, umbrellas, and blankets plus sandwiches and stuff to eat for dinner before going into the stadium. Brittney and Preslie’s team were able to be the “Dream Team” and walk the players out on to the field. Luckily, it stopped raining while we sat in the car eating. It did start sprinkling again about halfway through the game for about 10 minutes. After the game, the Monarch players came and signed the girl’s shirts and scarves (Brittney’s coach has connections) plus we stayed and got more signatures. I think the girls got about 12 signatures plus the mascot “Theo” to sign their things. We didn’t get home until 10:30 but it was a fun night and worth the loss the sleep.

Field Trip with Mallory and Hayley

Soccer in the POURING RAIN

Mallory and Hayley played in the pouring rain in Bountiful today!!! Soccer games are only canceled if there is lighting!! They didn’t have any subs but the played exceptionally well. They ended up winning 8-0 (Mallory scored twice). They were sopping wet and cold to the bone but they didn’t give up! 

Mallory with the rain coming down!

Hayley and Anna

Even though Mallory and Hayley were frozen, the wanted to stop and get ice cream on the way home. Our new thing is to stop at Smith's (every once in awhile) and everyone picks out their own carton of ice cream-- same price as a small shake and you can enjoy it for a day or two (Mallory eats here in a day or two but some of us make it last a whole week)!

Mallory's Piano Recital

Mallory’s piano recital was today. She played “Holiday in Paris” by William L. Gillock and “Play it in Peoria”  by Melody Bober (a duet with her teacher, Becky Hollist--Sister Holllist). She did a beautiful job! 

Mallory was really nervous because she has been with her new teacher since February and wasn't sure what to expect from the recital. I loved how it was small and intimate (her teacher does three different times and only a 8-10 students at each recital). Mallory was lucky to have her Great Grandma Wood attend plus her dad, Hayley, Brittney and I there.

Mallory playing "Holiday in Paris" (this picture isn't the greatest--it was taken at the same time I was recording video to send to Grandma and Grandpa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Recital Group
Back L-R: Emma, Jane, Sister Hollist
Front L-R: Hayden, Isaac, Jeffrey, Hyrum, Addie and Mallory

Becky Hollist and Mallory

All of Sister Hollist's students, design a recital cover. Here is Mallory's cover (she traced the piano) plus the recital program. 

I wish I would have take a picture of the back of heads of the performers on the front row in the Recital Hall at the Piano Gallery. Mallory, Addie and Emma all sat together in a row, and all three had their hair done almost the exact same way (half up in a bun with hair still over their ears-- just a little something I noticed).

Great Job Mallory!

Family Home Evening-- Family Work Project: Painting the Deck

Stake Conference April 2016

Cement!!

Lunch with the Mayor

Hayley was able to go to "Lunch with the Mayor" today for school. She was so excited! She rode from the school to the city building in a unmarked police car and back to school in an ambulance. Hayley can now say she has been in a police car and an ambulance (I've been in both too but for different reasons ;))! 

Congratulations Hayley!

Church History Museum and Temple Square