Charlottesville

 

We went to Charlottesville the weekend after conference to see Nathan's baptism.  Despite last minute wrenches in our plan, we were able to make it.  Sunday between sessions when we went to the park, our van wouldn't start when we tried to leave.  It had been giving us problems off and on, but this was the worst.  A park employee tried to jump us, but it didn't help.  I took it to get fixed on Monday to a recommended local mechanic.  He told me he thought it was a fuel sensor but I would need to take it to the dealer.  The dealer told me it was a started and charged $350 for a new one.  Thursday evening after Katy's track meet, the van did the same thing.  It was 7pm and we were in Moundsville.  We were supposed to leave for Charlottesville at 4am since the kids were off Friday.  We eventually got it started and got home but Jared was worried about driving to Virginia with it.  While I was getting the kids in bed, he pricelined a rental van.  He got an incredible price, but w had to drive to the airport-- in Pittsburg, an hour away- to pick it up.  We didn't get home until after 10 so we ended up not leaving until 5:30.  The van was a 2013 Sienna and I am now in love!

 

When we got to Charlottesville we went on a hike and a picnic. Nathan was at school so the poor guy missed out.

 

 A hike wouldn't be complete without some frog catching.  We were careful to release it before the kids "loved it" to death

 

After the hike, Amanda picked up Nathan from school and we headed to a Tulip Farm she had heard of.  The owner told us they were not even at 50% of their full blooms but it was still pretty.  You could pick tulips for $1/stalk.  Wish I had a tulip farm around here.

 

 

 

 I love the tulips planted in the shape of a tulip

Monticello is in Charlottesville.  I have always loved history and Thomas Jefferson has been my favorite president since I was about 12 yrs old.  I was looking forward to seeing Monticello.  You can't get close enough to see the house without paying $25/person.  We did not want to pay that much with the whole family and we didn't have enough time to take the whole tour to make it worth it.  Much to my disappointment, I came within 1/2 mile but didn't get to see it.  We did watch a film and play in the kids discovery center.  Maybe another day....

James Madison and James Monroe always have their homes near Charlottesville. While Amanda's family was at a law school function we went with Grandpa and Grandma to check out Montpelier, the home of James Madison.  It was close to closing so we didn't get to go in, but we were allowed to walk all around the grounds for FREE!

Statue of James and Dolly Madison

 

Grandpa and Grandma took the tour of Monticello earlier in the week before we got there.  Grandpa may have just been trying to make me feel better, but he said he was more impressed with Montpelier than Monticello.  I don't know, but I do know that I love Montpelier!  Isn't it just beautiful???

Bella gave the baptism talk at Nathan's baptism. Alexandra led the music.  Katy played interlude hymns after the baptism while Nathan and Robert changed.  All the kids sang with their cousins for a music number (When I Am Baptized).  Jared was a witness and participated in the confirmation.  It was fun to see Nathan baptized and spend time with family. 

 We hope to go back to Charlottesville the end of August when BYU's football team is playing there.  I can't wait!

Park days and my little buddy

I am really struggling as this school year draws to a close.  I am one of the rare moms who look forward to having my kids at home.  I know they can fight and drive me crazy but I still love vacation days.  I love the more relaxed schedule.  Doing what we want, and not being a slave to HW, practice, etc.  I love sleeping in and staying up late to watch a movie with them.  So, why is this year any different?  Because, after school lets out in May, life will never be the same.  I know life is always changing and is never the same, but I am talking a big milestone, an end of an era.  All of my kids will be in school next year.  I will not have a little buddy tagging along on errands.  No more park days or play groups or story hour.  No more naps with a little one asleep on me or snuggled up next to me.  No more mid morning stories or silly dance parties. No more afternoon games of memory and cookie baking. No more sticky jelly kisses after lunch. During the years when I had 3 little ones at home, I dreamed of this day.  It was a distant promise of shopping by myself, getting ready for the day without a million interruptions, and a little peace a quiet.  But, the last 3 years of just one child, coupled with the fact that Jacob is a super sweet well behaved little boy, has left me quite content with the status quo.  I'm not ready to lose my little buddy, but I know he is ready for more.  So, for the next 5 weeks I am going to cherish the special little moments.  We will squeeze in a few extra playdates and park days.  We will go on a bike ride or two, and take some afternoon walks.  We may have a pajama day just for fun, or eat our lunch outside.   We will fit in as much snuggling and as many stories as we can.  We may even watch a few movies together or take a few naps. I may even try to play Star Wars Wii.  Chores will not be a priority so if I messy house bothers you, please don't come visit until school lets out.  When school lets out, I will no longer be the center of his universe.  He will be off playing with his sisters.  I don't begrudge this, I'm glad he loves his sisters.  I will however, cherish each little moment for the next few weeks.  Stretching out the last 5 weeks of this chapter in my life as best I can.

Last week we met some friends at the playground at Ogleby.  Afterwards, we ate a picnic lunch by the lake. It was a beautiful day!  Jacob suggested we go for a walk after lunch.  Even though I had a to do list of chores awaiting me, I jumped at the chance to spend a some more quality outdoor time with my little buddy.

Jacob and his friend Isaac

 

This turtle seemed to be enjoying the warm sun as much as we were

First track meet

Katy is in Track this spring.  Her school does not have a track, so practices were inside until the last few weeks.  She was not a fan.  She really wanted to quit especially when we decided it would be best for the family to take a break from soccer.  I wanted her to give it a fair try and encouraged her to stay in it. 

Her first meet was last Thursday and it was almost perfect weather.  She ran the 1600m and the 800m.  She did a great job in both. 

I loved being back in the meet atmosphere.  I love the sounds, smells (Icy Hot) and sights.  I don't know about her, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  It also is exciting that she chose to be a distance runner.  Just like her Mama.

My only complaint is the race officials were doing last calls way to early.  The girls were standing without their outerlayer of clothes too long, and any warmups they performed did them no good since they had to stand in a group for so long.  Her coaches also never told them they should stretch after each race.  I intercepted her on her way up into the stands and had her stretch.

The 1600m is the very first race and the 800m is one of the last races so she has a lot of down time in the middle.  They didn't give times except for the top runners and I didn't think to start a timer for the 1600M.  She got about 3:24 in the 800m.  It was really hard to know for sure when she crossed the finish from my seat so that times is give or take a couple seconds in either direction.

Waiting to run the 1600m

Running the 1600

 Refueling in between

 Running the 800m

Monday she had her second meet but I forgot the camera.  I meant to take pictures with my phone, but I was there alone with all the kids.   Again, I didn't get her mile time but I think she shaved a few seconds off her 800m time.  I told her middle school track is just practice for high school.  Only concentrate on improving your own time.   So far, shes finished in the top half of the second half of runners.  There have been about 20 runners in her races so far.

Conference

I think I enjoy General Conference more each time.  I remember as I child dreading conference weekend since we had to stay dressed up and go to church to watch it.  I love technology!!  My kids look forward to it since we can watch it at home and they love playing Conference Bingo!

Between sessions on Saturday we went for a family jog.  We ran 2 miles and walked 1.  The kids are all signed up for 2 5ks in the next couple of months so we are training and trying to up their mileage.

Sunday between sessions we drove to Oglebay for some walking/hiking.  The weather was BEAUTIFUL!! We enjoyed being outdoors and stretching our legs.

More fun with Family

Austin and Mason had spring break the week before the baptism and were staying with Mima and PopPop.  Since they hadn't seen my kids in about a year, Mima and PopPop decided to come early for the baptism so the cousins could play.  The cousins were all so excited they were playing very crazy and some of my decorations had already been broken, so despite the chilly temperature Thursday, Mima and I took them to the community playground near our house.

Bella- ever the little diva insisted I go back home for my phone or camera so I could take her picture posing

The "twins" Mason and Jacob

When Kelten showed up as a suprise, Bella really wanted Weston and Nicole there also.  She really loves her cousins.  Here are all 7 cousins that were present last week-end

We had our Easter dinner on Saturday so people wo needed to leave after church on Sunday could get an earlier start.  While the ham was cooking we decided to enjoy the weather and take a little walk.  This picture is crazt to me....I can't believe that not only one but both of these crazy boys stopped and waited for the rest of us before crossing the street!!

The originial twins- I watched Austin when he and Bella were little.  They both had light hair and people often thought they were twins.  I started calling them the "Jo" twins.  His middle name is Joseph and hers is Jolynn.

The aftermath and some hiking

Sunday after church Martin ,Jennie, anf Kelten left for home. After the testimony eggs, Grandma B left with Mima and PopPop. Tonya's family stayed the evening because she wasn't feeling well and stayed to rest. Dustin had to stay back to work so she had to drive by herself. The excitement and craziness of the weekend hit us and we were all struggling to keep our eyes open.
Grandma didn't know the consequences of falling asleep. Anything's fair game if you try to nap on a couch!

She eventually gave up trying to rest.  We left the kids under Katy's care while Tonya rested and Jared and I took his parents on a driving tour of the area.  The next day we decided to go to Oglebay to explore.  It started to drizzle as we were leaving and by the time we went a couple miles up the mountain the light drizzle of rain turned to blowing huge snowflake.  We almost turned back but decided to persevere.  We found a nature center and stopped but unfortunately it didn't open for another hour.  We decided to go on some of the trails near the center.  We hiked for about 2 hours on 3 different trails.  We didn't see anyone else until the very end.  I guess we were the only crazies hiking during the snow.  But actually, the snow stopped shortly after we started and it turned out to be a decent day.

Grandpa pretending to find water with sticks

Grandpa getting his arms torn off while helping kids across the mud



Grandma with Bella who against all odds was the most calm of the kids that day

Grandpa and Jacob at the waterfall

We explored the nature center for awhile.  It was really nice.  The kids favroite part was the puppet theater with animals of all types.  Xandy did a great job at an impromptu narration for their show.

 

After the hike the kids played on the playground for awhile.  Poor Katy is at that hard stage where the playground just isn't as fun as it used to be, but she still kinda wants to play and have fun.  Then Grandma and I checked out the gift shops.  By that point we had missed lunch by several hours and we were all famished but Jared wanted to try a famous local pizza place when he got home for work.  We ended up stopping at Wendy's for Jr cheeseburgers, small frosties, and shared fries. 
Our next stop was Cabela's or as Jacob calls it the "Boy Store".  We enjoyed seeing animals both alive and stuffed.   I think Jacob could spend all day in their and not get bored.  There were kayaks in the front in all of the kids favorite colors. Xandy said it was meant to be and I should buy them each one.  Yeah right, I wish!

We got home just in time to make some fudge and start the mandarin cake frosted with whipped pineapple topping.  It was a copycat recipe for the delicious cake we had for Katy's bday.  We ate it before it chilled and it was just ok.  I had some leftover the next day and it was MUCH better.  Maybe not quite as good as Marilyn's bakery but pretty darn close.  When Jared came home we headed to the pizza place only to find out it is closed on Mondays so we ended up at pizza hut.  It was a fun but exhausting day. 

Before Grandpa and Grandma left the next morning, Jacob and I went to Coleman's Fish market with them to try their sandwiches.  I was not super impressed.  Maybe I'll have to give them another chance and try something else but so far, I'm not sure what all the hype is about.

Egg Hunt

The year that Bella was blessed the Easter Bunny came on Saturday since Sunday was going to be crazy enough getting everyone ready and at church in time to sit with each other. (isn't neat that her blessing and baptism both fell on Easter week-end?) We really enjoyed having the secular part separate from Easter Sunday.  It allowed us to focus more on the true meaning of Easter.  Since then, we have asked the Easter Bunny to come on early whenever possible.  It doesn't always work- like the year we were in Nauvoo until Easter Sunday- but for the most part Easter Bunny egg and basket hunts have taken place on Saturday.  This year the Easter Bunny came while we were at the baptism.  In addition to hiding 7 baskets he also hid 22 eggs for EACH kid!  That was a lot of eggs!!!

Last year we started a testimony egg hunt also. It was great!!! The idea came from my friend Jocelyn's blog.  We grew up in the same stake and played in the band for rival schools.  If you've never had a chance to check our her blog she has a lot of great ideas for having a Christ centered home.  We asked family members to email us their testimony and placed them on word strips inside eggs (for longer testimonies just a sentence was in the egg with an asterick cueing us to read the rest).  The Spirit was very strong.  We loved it so much last year, that we did it again this year.  I re-used the testimonies people sent last year. This year was extra special because we some of the people who sent us testimonies were at our house.  It was neat to hear the testimonies in their own voice.  We did the testimony eggs after church on Sunday.

Waiting to start

 Jacob got hurt and needed some Mima hugs

 Bella loved climbing the trees to get eggs

 Sisters

 

 

 Grandma and Grandpa Reed

 Kelten really enjoyed finding eggs

 The hunt for the baskets.  The Easter Bunny usually leaves clues from spot to spot until they finally find their baskets.  The kids were disappointed this year there were no clues.  I think the Easter Bunny is running out of clues and the thought of making them for 7 kids was too overwhelming!!

 It rained Easter morning so we had to get pictures inside.  Between Bella always pouting and Jacob always making funny faces, it is very hard to get a nice picture of us all.  This one wasn't too bad