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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Summer Party

Summer Party

Saturday we had a summer party for our friends from church.  This is our third year hosting a summer party for our friends. We did our first one to celebrate the adoptions being finalized. Now, we just do it for the fun of it.  We are so blessed to live in this great house with a large yard.  We love to share it with others.  We open it up to anyone who wants to come and don't ask for an RSVP so we're never sure how many to expect.  One of our worries every party is having enough seating.  We have plenty of tables but not enough chairs.  On Craigslist a few weeks ago we found a set of 40 folding chairs with a wheeled cart to store them, so Dode and I (and our chaperon William) drove to Issaquah (an hour away) to get them.  The cart makes a fun toy for our kids once it is empty.  Of course, once we put them out we found out we'd only gotten 34 chairs.  I don't think the seller was trying to be dishonest, they were probably around there somewhere but not worth driving back for.

Another worry is having enough buns for the burgers and dogs.  Since we never know how many are coming we have to buy more than we'll need.  We freeze the uncooked hamburgers and hot dogs, but we don't really care for frozen buns.  It's never been a problem to get rid of them. We bring the extras to church and leave them by the door with a free sign.  I like to imagine some tired mom walking by that table and thinking, "Well, now I know what we'll have for dinner tonight, hamburgers!"

This year, we had 65 people. We provide the hamburgers, hot dogs and the playing, everyone else brings the side dishes.  This year nearly EVERYONE brought chips!  I'd been looking forward to some interesting salads but it was not to be.  Since this is a Mormon gathering, the first family showed up 20 minutes after our official start time, the next family was not there until 20 minutes after that, most people came an hour late, and the last family came 3 hours later as we were taking chairs down. 

We weren't sure if the water toys were even going to be used because it took the kids a while to get up the nerve to go down Dode's creation.  Our poor tree house that Dode spent hundreds of hours building sat neglected due to the unfortunate fact that it sits on the other side of  the house from everything else.  I know if it was on the hill, it would get heavy use but we had to build it where the stumps were. 

The weather had been cold and rainy for a few days but Saturday arrived with sunshine.  Saturday morning Sharon called me to get a weather report and when I told her it was sunny, she said she'd been praying we'd have good weather.  So had I!  The sunny weather lasted until the party was over and now we're back in the cold clouds.  Once Sharon got the weather report, she got off the phone and was off to Carthage.  Dode and I had a giggle about how much Sharon knows about what's going on with our lives even when she's all the way away in Nauvoo.  We know where her heart is!

Dode had spent lots of time before the party getting the pool perfectly clear and free of grass (every time a child climbs out and then gets back in he brings two feet covered in grass clippings into the pool).  It didn't take long for the kids to fill it back up with grass and leave us with cloudy water!  Miriam is always so excited for us to have a party and each day leading up to it asks if it's the day of the party.  Then, once the party arrives she spends the party out of sorts and crying.  This party was no different.  Her feelings were hurt because the friend she really wanted to come took a while to get there.  Then, when her friend came she didn't want to do what Miriam wanted and Miriam just couldn't handle it.  So, she spent the party pouting in the house or cuddled up in my lap.  I really enjoyed the party even though I wasn't feeling well from the flu.  I went to bed last night and absolutely crashed.  When I woke up, I was stiff from not even moving all night.


It's fun to see our friends visiting.

See Elizabeth?  She's cold after playing in the water!  A smiling photo of Dode?  Hooray!

William after a dip in the pool

two down the slide at once

Kids having fun everywhere!
It's hard to believe it took over an hour for the first kid to try the slide.

popcorn is always a big hit, with the adults and the kids

my porch swing is always popular too

Seth enjoying our one pedal trike

flying with the aid of the zip line

 As I said, this is our third year hosting the party.  So far, we've added fun things each time.  What for next year, we are out of ideas, any suggestions?  I'd love to host a family reunion for Dode's Dearinger cousins here.  We've got the space and the fun, who's interested?!

Produce Co-Op

I haven't given any photos of our produce lately but this week's baskets were so great, I couldn't pass it up.

organic basket, $25
broccoli, cauliflower, pears, lettuce, cantaloupe, bananas, green beans,
oranges, nectarines, mangoes, figs, grapefruit


conventional basket, $15
lettuce, plums, cantaloupe, broccoli, carrots, onions, green bell pepper
grapefruit, zucchini, oranges, tomatoes, pears, bananas

At the co-op this week, we also got lots of bruised plums.  After setting them out for anyone who wanted to take them, I was still left with a lot.  Sister Wilmont was at the party and she overheard me say that I needed a steam juicer to make jelly.  (We really like plum jelly but aren't too fond of plum jam.)  She had one in her garage and I used it to make three batches of plum jelly.

Friday, August 27, 2010

This week's fun?  Fantasy Fortress Park in Marysville, boating, Tulalip Safety Fair and the flu.

Fantasy Fortress Park

Fantasy Fortress Park has long been one of my favorite parks because it makes the kids WORK for their fun! 

                                                         Winding stairs lead to the slides. 

                                                           Tunnels invite exploration. 

Fun challenges are hidden along the way.




Boating and the flu
Poor Miriam can't get a break this month.  She's gone straight from getting over the cold Isaac brought home from scout camp to a flu.  Headache, tummy ache, body aches.  She's be fine one minute and the next flat out on the couch feeling terrible.  I tried washing my hands obsessively to avoid getting sick but it still nailed me.  So, Wednesday Dode took the boat out with the rest of the family, even Jacob, while Miriam and I stayed home and slept on the couch.  Dode and I were so excited that Jacob wanted to go with us.  He hasn't been out with the family on a Wednesday night boat ride yet this year.  We waited a few hours to leave until he was done with cross country practice in order to bring him along.  Then, once he's in the van, he's changed his mind and wanted to go to a friend's house while the rest of the family played on the boat.  When that doesn't work out, he spends the boat ride in the v-berth of the boat, refusing to have fun.  Maybe he'd realized that he'd opened a door by willingly doing something with the family and decided he needed to take care of that before it got out of hand.  We won't give up on him.

Tulalip Safety Fair
When I was writing our summer plans down on the calendar, I knew what I wanted to do and when I wanted to do it but there was one Thursday when I didn't have anything.  I thought maybe we'd get up to Oak Harbor to see the cousins but wasn't sure it would work out (it didn't) so I just wrote down "Family Fun".  Let me tell you, the excitement leading up to the mystery activity was intense!  The girls kept asking what we were going to do while I'd smile mysteriously and say, "We'll see".  Dode received an email at work that the tribes were having a kids' safety fair/carnival on that date and I decided it'd fit the day perfectly.  The theme of the safety fair was making healthy choices.  They could complete different activities and receive a prize.  They also served a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs.  It's nice to be able to take part in the family activity the tribes offer.  They seem to have a big budget for events with lots of prizes I can confiscate for day camp.  The kids had a great time and thought it lived up to the excitement of waiting.


a walk with "big feet"

coloring two pages about healthy habits
gym with three bouncy houses and booths around the edges

Elizabeth waited in line twice so she could get both cheeks painted
feeling good, she bounces.   five minutes earlier, I was holding a sick child

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Jacob's summer adventures

Jacob got to go on two adventures this year, a hike with his scout group and a pioneer trek with the church.


Olympic Peninsula
They went out to the Olympic Peninsula where they hiked from Lake Ozette to the beach.  The leaders that went said Jacob had a great attitude and was a lot of fun.  Jacob got home and told us he had a terrible time and never wants to go on another high adventure.  The true story must be somewhere between the two extremes!  (It didn't help that he started coming down with a summer cold on the last day.)

scout group
Jacob and Kichan






Pioneer Trek

He was also able to participate in a trek with the church. The youth re-inacted the pioneer trek west.  The trek lasted three days and two nights.  It took place in Eastern Washington.  Jacob was easy to spot in the photos because all the other boys are wearing cowboy hats.  Jacob's hat came from the Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, a gift from his grandma Sharon.  Jacob likes being one of a kind.  He makes a pretty handsome pioneer!

the family Jacob was assigned to travel with
the youth pulled and pushed handcarts with their belongings inside
When I found photos of Jacob's group, he was ALWAYS out front,
pulling the handcart.
On the first day they traveled 10 miles.
some areas on the trail where very difficult to get through
Jacob and Kichan at one of the rest stops
It was very hot when they got there, close to 100 degrees.  They had to walk up this hill, carrying their belongings to meet the handcarts. 
Once they got their handcarts, they formed a line "west"
tired at the end of a long hot day

We're so glad Jacob got to have these experiences.  They were both difficult in their own ways and while Jacob wasn't interested in participating in either (and at times we wondered if he would actually go when it was time), we hope the memories he made and the experiences he had will help him grow
 into a strong adult of good character.

Monday, August 23, 2010

August 15-21

Our plans change
We'd planned to spend three days at the ocean followed by a hike up to Heather Lake near Mt. Pilchuck this week.  Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating with us.  But, it all turned out well because Dode's Aunt Morlan had a few trees taken down and said we could  have some of the wood in exchange for the use of Dode's wood splitter.  Having enough wood to get through the winter has been on our minds because it was looking like we were going to run  out in January.  Brr!  There is no way we can afford to use electric heat in our house.  The previous occupant said his bills were $400 a month to heat it in the winter.  Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I met Dode in Marysville and traded his pick up for our van (filled with Jacob, Isaac and Anastaya) and cargo trailer. 

Here's the wood shed which was absolutely empty before we brought home Aunt Morlan's wood.  It is great to have all that wood but unfortunately it wouldn't be ready for this year.  On Friday we got a call from Dode's grandpa that he knew where some wood was that would be ready to burn this year.  Saturday Dode, Uncle Dave, and Brother Haskins made two trips each in their trucks and we now have enough wood to keep us warm all winter.  Hooray! 

New Couches
The couches in the family room were shot.  We'd bought them on craigslist five years ago and have worn them out.  The edges of the cushions were frayed. 

William had used a knife on one of the cushions.  I'd sewed up the cut but he kept picking out my stitches so I gave us.

The final straw that pushed us to seek "new" couches was Miriam.  She loves sleeping downstairs on the couch and had had a few nighttime accidents.  The couches were developing a lovely aroma.  So, out with the old

and in with the "new" (to us that is). 


After much searching on craigslist (there are a lot of solid colored light material couches out there), we found a set that could stand up to the rigors our children put them through for $75, and in Arlington even! 



there is a subtle pattern which should mask some of the wear the children give couches

Anastaya dug lots of treasures out of the old couches

Being an adult IS a lot of fun
Jacob has three months until he turns 18 and has a lot of questions about growing up.  Yesterday he said to me, "I don't really see the point to becoming an adult, it just looks like a lot of work.  What do you do for fun anyway?"  I mentioned some of the things I like to do (exercise, take the family places, bake) and he thought they also sounded like too much work.  I told him I get a lot of gratification out of accomplishing something difficult.  He informed me he did not.  I told him that a lot of the joy you find in life isn't something you can plan for and explained what had been a joyful event for me the day before.

Miriam had been begging me to take  her to Haggen all day.  I kept putting her off because I was busy and walking to the grocery store is not one of my top 10 things to do.  She wouldn't let me forget that she really wanted to go.  Finally, I relented.  She was so excited!  She changed into a sundress I'd made her, brushed her hair and put a sparkly butterfly clip in it (not up against the scalp as you'd think but dangling down near the bottom of her hair), and found a doll toting backpack to put her stuffed gorilla in.  We walked to the store, hand in hand, as she talked with me about her concerns about entering kindergarten.  As we walked, my heart was filled with joy to be stealing away from the busyness of the house to spend a few minutes with such a fun girl.  There was nowhere else I'd have rather been or nothing else I'd have rather been doing at that time.  For me, that's the "fun" part of being an adult.