A Random Sampler: Yard sales and Primary

Saturday was Aunt Teak and Uncle Junk. While we were driving through town the girls observed a sign reading "Yard Sale" During the next few minutes I could hear them discussing why a person would be selling their yard. It was too funny so I passed on the teaching moment and chose not to tell them that "yard sale" was another name for "garage sale".

Sunday after church the girls played "Primary". Katy must have been the president. She stood behind of the couch holding Jacob. The other two took turns standing on a box behind the couch. Katy would then whisper "talks" and "scriptures" in their ear and they would repeat it out loud. It was so cute I hated to interrupt them for lunch. Which meant I had to eat my pizza bites cold after they were finished.

Dance Recital

The girls had their Dance Recital over the week-end. Over the course of a four day period 14 hours were spent doing dance. That doesn't even count the time spent on hair and make-up. Needless to say, I'm glad that is over. Overall, the Recital was very cute. It makes me wich I was young and could dance all over again. We weren't allowed to take video during the actually recital but I did take some at the dress rehearsal. Fortunately, both classes improved for the actual show! I took it with my normal camera while holding Jacob who was trying to grab the camera- so I apoliguze for the poor quality. I wasn't about to pay $50 for the DVD so this is a good as it gets. I went outside to take some pictures of the girls beforehand. They thought it was fun to have their own photo shoot and kept posing for more and more pictures. Bella felt left out and even joined in on the fun. Enjoy the slide! ( In the videos Xandy starts on your right hand side in the front. Katy starts second in from your left in the back)

Duct Tape Festival

It seems that weeks can go by without a single blog worthy event. I have to really use my imagination (which is a brain strain for me) or else bore all my readers in order to create a post. And then... BOOM! a thousand things happen in a few days time. Okay, maybe not a thousand but lets recap this week-end: Dance dress rehearsals, Safety Town grad, Dance Recital Part I, Duct Tape parade & festival, Dance Recital Part II, animal sightings at Sandy Ridge.... I already posted about safety town and over the next couple of days, I'll finish the posts on dance and our fun nature walk.

Avon is very proud to be the home of Duck Brand Duct Tape. About 4 years ago the Henkel company started the Duct Tape Festival. It has put our small farm town turned suburbia on the map. People literally come from all over to see it. Once my Dad was out of town during the festival and heard it mentioned on the radio hundreds of miles from here. It is always held Father's Day week-end and some lucky Dad is pronounced the Duct Tape Dad of the year. (Although its a shame its not open to moms cause my mom can fix anything with Duct Tape.) If the Storm boys and I had any pictures of our road trip to BYU/Ricks one year, we'd make a good commercial. I had purchased a rackless car top carrier so we could take more stuff out to college. About an hour down the road the buckle broke and it fell off. Luckily we had a roll of Duct Tape handy and we taped it back down. It actually made it all the way to Provo without any more problems!!!! Anyway, here's some pictures from the week-end and a short video of the moving statue man.

Safety Town

Alexandra had safety town this week. I think safety town is a great experience for the kids. I don't know if safety town is a widespread idea or just a local tradition but I hope my other two kids get to go to Safety Town. Monday a Fireman came. The children got to help him spray his hose, go in his truck, and learn that Firemen are not scary, they are our friends. Another day a lady came to talk to them about "Safe Touch". A policeman was there several of the days. Thursday, they took a ride around town on a school bus. One of the highlights of the week was riding tricycles around the "safety town" where they learned about stoplights, stop signs, cross walks, etc. YOu can't tell from the pictures but the little buildings all have names of local businesses (The Rock Pile, Target, Henkel Consumer Adhesive (aka makers of Duct Tape) etc.) Friday the week culminated with a graduation. She had a blast!

Our favorite part of summer

Summer has finally arrived and in full force. The kids and I love summer. We love camping, playing at parks, the ice-cream man, fireworks, flexible schedules, picnics & barbeques, bonfires, the beach....etc. But most of all, we love swimming in Mima's pool!!!!!! We opened the pool the first week-end in June. Just in time for our 90 degree weather. Good foresight on our part! Here is Jacob's first swim experience in Mima's pool.(although he's actually gone 2x indoors already).

Here are some more pictures with cousin Weston over Memorial week-end. Check out these two handsome dudes!

Relay for Life

We actually managed to be productive this week-end and sneak in some fun on the side. Jared had Friday off so we spent a lot of the day packing. I got the whole toy room and most of the books packed. Late afternoon we headed to Mima's for a little swim break. Saturday morning we continued to pack (and accidently forgot about the fishing derby- don't tell the girls they'll be devastated). Then we headed out to have fun with the Franklins and some other friends. We had a blast even if it was 90 degress outside! I was having so much fun I forgot to pull out the camera so sadly there are no pictures to document our fun evening. Then we were off to Relay for Life. We have participated in Relay for the past 4 years. With the move I was unable to devote as much time to relay as I normally do but we were grateful to make it to the luminary ceremony. It is my favorite part of relay. Once it is dark, all of the luminary bags are lit and they read through the names of cancer survivors as well as those who have lost the battle. After all the names are read,everyone is handed a candle and walks around the track in silence. It is very moving to see the sea of candles walking in silence. This year the wind didn't cooperate and the candles didn't stay lit. The girls observed that some people were placing the candles in front of luminaries of loved ones. Without saying a word Katy stopped in front of Grandma Sharpe's luminary and laid her candle down. It was very tender and touching. Following her lead, the other two girls asked where Uncle Jim's and Aunt Judy's luminaries were and placed their candles at those spots.