Alan's Paper is done!!! and Manti Temple Pageant

Monday we had a normal day.  Alan went into work and worked on getting his paper done. We just had a normal Monday here at home.  Alan contacted the guys at 5D in San Diego to see if working there is an option.  They didn't call and talk to Alan until we were eating dinner.  He had a 10 minute interview with them.

Tuesday Alan worked on his paper more, but was finally able.to spend a little more time at home.  Tuesday was the first day of our anxious waiting!!!!  We went to the library in the morning.  The craft that day were little garden gnomes.  They were just made out of card stock with a cotton ball beard.   In the afternoon we just played outside.  I also went to the doctor in the morning.

lunch on the stairs again.

but it was sunny so they had to move to the shade.

Wednesday Alan got his paper all turned in.  We all celebrated and did a little happy dance.   He is happy with how it turned out and said it is a really strong paper.   Alan also hosted a group of high school students in his lab and showed them the cool things they are working on. We went to seven peaks in the afternoon.  Brett came and surprised us there.  It was fun to have him show up.  Alan had kind of a later evening, but it was bearable since we knew it would be the last one for a little while.

Thursday we found out that the company had gotten internal clearance from the upper management to hire Alan.  We were super anxious all day waiting for an offer, but one never came. Still waiting!   Besides being anxious we had a nice day with Alan home all day.  Maybe he went to campus for a couple of hours, but we got to see way more of him than we had been getting to.  We went to the Wymount activity in the afternoon.  They did bean bag bocce and bubbles.  The sprinklers were also turned on over on the softball field because the grounds guy was working on them.  He lets the kids run through them while he works.  Every loved it!  While they were on the water main broke while we were over there.  It just started coming out of the sidewalk...about 40 feet down from where it broke last year.  Jared had a good time playing in the sand from it and then watching them fix it.  That night was the quad potluck too.

After they were done working they scooped his castle back into the hole to help fill it in a little.

Friday was another fun relaxing day.  We just played more around here and Alan went to campus for a short time and to ask some questions. We went to the Manti Temple pageant that night.  Brett went with us.  We had a great time and everyone stayed up through the whole thing.  We haven't been on the weekend for several years.  More people go, so it took us a while to get home.  I don't think we got home until close to 2.

Saturday we had a ward breakfast in the morning. We got to meet the new bishop, Bishop Parker.  There was really yummy food: pancakes, sausage, eggs (which tasted really good to me) and fruit and juice. They also had some water games for kids to play.  From there we hurried down to the children's parade.  Jared rode his unicycle and so did Alan (and carried Connor) Lauren twirled baton and Bradley and I just walked along carrying flags.  We got to the start of the parade just in time to catch up to the very end and walk along to the band.  We just relaxed in the afternoon.  It was a really hot day.  Over 100 I think...the start of several hot hot days.  We went to the store..a new store that just opened called LoLo's. Jared and Lauren play a game and read every sign they see while at the store and make sure to shout out LoLo's every time they see it....at least they are entertained.  I also worked on making some cardboard armor for singing time.  Once I got it all cut out Alan sprayed it for me with some super cheap white spray paint we got.  He had to use the whole can and it still wasn't super white, but good enough for what I was using it for.  Alan also worked on some contract work he has been doing for 5D.

The camera was in a funny setting...and Alan was on his unicycle with Connor.

Sunday was a good day.  I did singing time. We worked on scripture power more...and mostly the second verse with the armor.  It was a fun singing time.  Especially since right now our primary is mostly boys.  There was only Lauren and one other girl in her class...the rest boys (9 or 10).  Our primary has gotten pretty small over the Summer.  That night we went to a patriotic service at the Marriott center as part of the freedom festival.  There was good music and the speaker was senator Mike Lee.  Who I didn't realized is the son of Rex Lee.  He had some funny stories.  It was a good week.  We were glad to see Alan a lot more!

Fun Summer Week

Last Monday we cleaned up like normal.  I guess we find it hard to clean up on the weekend when we play hard.  We also played outside.

Tuesday we went to the library for their story time and craft.  They got to make really cute little clams with pearls inside.  They were mostly felt and a alligator clip (like hair clip) to make them open up.  Between the two layers of felt (pink and beige) there was half a cotton ball to make it a little puffy then a puff ball inside and google eyes on top.  They were super cute.  We watched some friends in that afternoon while their mom went to the IRS office....a place I hope I never have to go.  Alan came home for dinner, but then went back to work in the evening.  Most nights he came home around 12:30 and some were later.

Wednesday we went to ready to learn and the group before that too.  We got to have pizza for lunch there.  We cleaned up a little in the afternoon and then went to seven peaks.  We had fun there going between the kid areas, wave pool, and lazy river.  For dinner we made pretzels and macaroni salad and went to eat it at the bell tower concert.  Alan came home and went with us to the concert to eat then had to go back to work.  The carillon bell tower concert was a lot of fun.  We saw Jeff and Elizabeth there too.

Thursday we went back to the library.  They wanted to make the clams again and hear all the stories.  In the afternoon we picked up and then went to the Wymount activity.  This time it was making paper airplanes...which Jared loved.   They did some races and tried to see who's would fly the farthest.  Brett came by Thursday evening, just before the quad picnic.  He decided to stay and eat with us.  Alan was also here this week for it, but then went back to work.  He did spend sometime shooting off water rockets before going back.  There was a big water fight at the end of the potluck which was fun.  Jared and Lauren loved it even though it wasn't that warm of a day.  Brett stayed and helped them all get to bed.  He read stories for over an hour to them before he had to go.  Thanks Brett!

Friday we watched some other friends in the morning.  We got some bread from the free bread day at the office.  We played outside for most of the afternoon.  There was a Birthday party outside in the evening for a little boy turning 4, Sam.  They played some baseball and soccer and had cake and ice cream.  Alan and I went for a little walk.  We decided that he would just be done with school with a masters and not finish his PhD.  There are several reasons for this.  He will be able to explain them all better so maybe sometime he will be able to post about it.  I think the gist of it is he decided that he doesn't really like the research he would be doing with a PhD.  He did go back to work Friday night to work on a paper some more.  He has a paper that is due on Wednesday and he will still finish that up and submit it.

Brett came and played and raised Lauren's bike seat for her.  She has been wanting it for awhile.  Of course Connor wanted to help.  Connor loves Brett!

Where Alan spends his days (and some nights).

Saturday Alan went in to work.  There was a stake primary water activity that we went to in the morning.  They had several stations that the kids all rotated through.  There was the sponge and bucket relay where you transfer water from one bucket to another, duck duck sploosh (think duck duck goose, but instead of saying goose you break a water balloon behind the person), a water balloon pinata (hit a water balloon hanging with a bat...harder than it sounds), a dunk tank with the stake presidency members there to get dunked, and a sprinkler to play in.  They had popsicles when it was all over.  The kids had a fun time playing in the water.  At the end of the activity they said Jared and Lauren could both take a turn being in the dunk tank.  The water was really cold.  We played outside part of the afternoon and talked to Lindsay and Alyanne and Adam for a little bit.  Then we went to a circus party at the Riverwoods.  It was partially done by the freedom festival.  There were games to play and bounce houses and the splash pad.  We had a fun time playing.  Then we picked up Alan and went to a new store that just opened where Buy Low used to be.  They had some good sales and 25 cent ice cream cones.  After shopping we all got an ice cream cone.  Then we took Alan back to work.  He came home pretty late!

Jared dunking President Runia

Jared getting dunked by President Runia's son

Lauren's turn....Jared got her down!

Lunch on the stairs

Cute little faces peeking out

Today at church we got a new bishop and one new counselor.  Bishop Parker is the new bishop.  The MacCallums also blessed their baby.  It is their last Sunday in the ward...we will miss them.  We only had 2 hours of meetings (Sacrament meeting and then sharing time/ priesthood/ Relief Society) so we could all go to the special mission president's training that was broadcast from the Marriott center.  You had to have a special ticket to get in (and Brett did), but we just went to our stake center.  It was a really good meeting and I'm glad we took all of them down to it.  We had fun saying hi to a few family members today too.  Looking forward to a little less crazy week for Alan...I hope!

Happy Father's Day

Last Monday was a recovery day!  We had lots of cleaning up to do from all the fun we had had the week before.  I worked on dishes first and got the kitchen back under control...mostly.  We played outside for a lot of the day.  The other guys worked on cleaning up a bit, but weren't very motivated.  Alan worked late again, but we were able to have a short Family Home Evening when he got home.

Tuesday morning we played duck duck goose for a round right after prayer.  Alan was it and every time around he would touch my tummy.  It only took a couple passes for these guys to figure out we are going to have a baby!!!  Lauren was really excited and started jumping up and down saying "I hope it is a sister.  I'm so excited I have to tell someone!"  The boys are excited.too.  Lauren has been telling everyone she sees.  We went to the library and did the craft and went to story time.  Last week the craft was a magnetic ant farm.  This week it was a pumpkin/carrot hat. They worked on cleaning up their room a bit more and we played outside.

Wednesday they were super motivated to finish cleaning up their room so we could go to seven peaks.  I put crock pot lasagna in before we went.  Since it was the first time going his season there were some things to take care of once we got there and we went at a super busy time.  By the time we got our sun screen on and in the water we had been there almost an hour.  We had a fun time swimming for a couple of hours.  By that time Connor and Bradley were freezing and the other two were hungry.  We went to both kid areas the wave pool lazy river back to the kid areas and one last trip to the wave pool.  I changed Connor out of his suit before we left and he was pretty much out by the time I had his diaper on.  We made bread sticks at home and ate our lasagna which turned out amazing.  Thanks for the recipe Ashley!  That night we went to the marriage class again.  It was our last time and we got the gift card.  Grandma and Grandpa Atherton stopped by later in evening.

Thursday was just a normal day.  We played outside a lot!  We went to the potluck out in the quad for dinner.  Alan stayed late at work.  He is trying to get his paper done.

Friday we played outside more.  Jeff and Brett both stopped by to say hi.  In the evening we went to a flag retirement ceremony.  It is part of the freedom festival and was held in the parking lot at Macey's.  It didn't start until 8, so Alan went with us.  Then came home and helped get kids to bed and went back to work.  It was a little cooler day and we were getting chilly by the end.

Saturday Alan stayed home all day...which was nice.  We had a slow morning and went to Winco.  Then we went out to Saratoga Springs and had a picnic with friends from quad 2.  There were a few different people there this time that weren't there last time, but in general there weren't as many people.  It was still super fun to see everyone.  We went to the fireworks for Orem's Summer fest on the way home.  We saw Jeff and Elizabeth and Brett by their car just as we were getting there.  The parade had just gotten over.  We walked around a little bit and waited in line for the porta potty then back over to the church to watch the fireworks.  We were still plenty close.  None of the kids liked the sound and Jared even went and watched from the car.  It was only like 20 feet away and the back windows were open so I don't know if it really helped much, but he said it did.

What we took to the picnic.  I was trying to use up some leftovers, but all the frosting slid off the cake on the way there.

Sunday was Father's Day.  Happy Father's Day!  Alan got to sleep in.  We had smoothie and eggs and toast for breakfast.  We played mystery dad for singing time.  Jared had a talk in primary that we forgot about, but he did ok.  We grilled some pork for dinner and ate it with some grilled veggies and rice and a sweet and sour sauce.  We tried grilling the veggies in a little foil tray.  Some got a little burned, but I liked them.  We skyped with Grandpa and Grandma Schachterle and called Grandpa Atherton.  I think Alan had a good day and a nice break.  I guess I was just too wiped out from the previous couple of weeks and I didn't take many pictures.

Cake Decorating Contest

Monday we watched some neighbor kids first thing in the morning.  Most people here were still sleeping when they got here so I just turned on a show for them and made them sit there so they wouldn't be too noisy.    After everyone got up they were able to play some.  When they left I made 3 batches of fondant to get ready for Thursday.  We had lunch outside and then came in to get a few things done.  We went back outside to we could watch some other neighbor kids.  These ones live on the third floor above us.  The ones that came in the morning live right across from us.   We played outside all afternoon.  Alan had a really busy week but came home at a normal time so we could have Family Home Evening.

Tuesday we went to the library for the craft and then the story time they do called canopy capers.  It is outside at noon and you can take a picnic lunch to eat while you watch.  We just took some apples and crackers then came home and ate a little more.  In the afternoon I worked on baking cakes.  I baked 2 ten inch rounds and 4 six inch rounds (2 were for a cake for the judges to taste) and 4 dozen mini cupcakes.  We also played outside for a while.  Alan had to work late.

Wednesday morning some old friends from quad 2 came to play. They live in American Fork now.  It was really fun to see them. I also baked 2 eight inch poppy seed cakes.  They didn't come out great, so I baked 2 more just regular ones that evening.  We played outside in the afternoon.  That night I covered the 6 and the 10 with fondant.  I also colored the rest of the fondant I would need and made the elephant and monkey.

Thursday morning I covered the 8 inch cakes and made the crab.  I also just got ready to go.  We got to go to a birthday party at 1 and made ice cream at the Wymount activity.  I thought that their bags had leaked and it was a little salty, but they all loved it.  Most of them didn't get very hard because I was in a hurry to get going.  We went down to Springville and started decorating.  We were able to get there at 2:30 and start decorating at 3:00.  We had from 3-7.   We could take the cakes with a base layer of fondant, but no decorations on it.  We could have as many premade decorations as we wanted, but the assembly of they cake had to all happen there.   We could take 2 assistants with us to help.  I took 4 :) ( Jared, Lauren, Bradley, and Connor)....they made an exception.  They were all really good the whole time.  Around 6:30 Connor said all done so I decided I better be.  We just cleaned up and waited for the games and judging at 7.  The first game they had was a mini cupcake eating contest.  Jared and Lauren had already eaten a cupcakes they had there to decorate, but wanted to do it anyway. They had to eat 5 and there were 5 or 6 kids in the competition.  Lauren was going strong, but just couldn't choke down the last one...and had to give up. Jared kept going strong and had a come from behind win over a couple others.  He won a Springville Art City days t-shirt.  Jared also won a package of oreos for stacking the most oreos with an oven mitt on in 1 minute.  Jared and Lauren also won punching bags for another game.  They were supposed to launch a ball out of a little cup thing with a trigger and catch it again.  You were supposed to get 10 in a row, but since they were the only ones to catch it even once they won.  There was one more game, but they didn't win.  There were red balloons on a table with 3 yellow balloons.  They had to blow all the red off but keep the yellow on.  Lauren had a hard time blowing off the far side of the table.  They did get to work together, but I think they will have better luck with the game if they grow a few inches.  They were finally ready to announce winners around 8.  I won first place in intermediate...and was a little surprised. There were only 3 cakes entered in both the advanced and intermediate divisions and 5 in the beginner....so almost everyone went home with a prize.  My prize was a cricut cake machine and one cartridge.  We loaded up the car to come home.  It was a long day and we were all exhausted...and starving...maybe only me since they other guys had snacks to munch on along with cupcakes :)  It was a really fun experience.  Alan was home when we got home around 9 and got to hear all about it.  I had forgotten to take the little judge's cake for the taste part, but I did have the little mini cupcakes and some frosting that I used instead of coming all the way home for it.  I'm glad I didn't use that time driving...since it all worked out.

My cake 1st in intermediate

2nd intermediate

3rd intermediate

1st in Advanced

2nd Advanced

3rd Advanced

Right before she had to drop out

the winner!

Lauren getting some expert advice on a rose.

Friday we got up and got ready to go back to Springville for the children's art festival. There are about 15...maybe 20 booths set up with a different art project at each one.  You just go from booth to booth.  Once you do 5 you can get a little prize like some markers or crayons.  These guys had a fun time getting to make and do everything.  Then we had a picnic lunch there in the park.  Well it is just in the grass out front of the art museum and we just ate there close too.  One of my friends from my freshman year works at the art museum and helps plan and put it on.  It is always fun to see her there.  It wasn't as crowded as last year which made staying in the shade easier.  After we ate we walked through the quilt show which was across the street.  Then we went and played at the new splash pad in Springville.  We had to check out what it was really like :)  It was a super fun little day trip.  We watched Rescuers Down under that night while we ate our fishsticks and jojos...I was tired!   Alan had to work late again.

Saturday we had a slow morning then hurried down to the Springville's grand parade.  Alan had to go to work.  We just went to the end of the parade and got a nice shady spot on the street to sit.  Jared, Lauren and Bradley got plenty of candy.  We hurried after it was over so we could pick up Brett and go to the Utah Lake Festival.  We walked through the booths and played the games and learned all about water conservation....and things like that.  We got to do practice fishing.  I told Brett that was my kind of fishing...no live bait, no real fish, you still threw them back when you were done...back up on the hill. The boy scout there helping out looked at me like I was crazy.  Since it was free fishing day in Utah and they had poles and bait you could check out we did go real fishing.  But let me tell you I was super glad Brett was there to bait the hooks :)  I would have done it, but glad Brett was willing.  Thanks Brett!  Brett did say "I don't know if I can be a PA.  I'm feeling bad for this worm."  I think we fished for 25 minutes or so. That was plenty long for all of us.  We caught our tree branches snagged our lines and took our turns casting and reeling it in.  We checked out 3 rods, but we could only cast with 2...the third just didn't work. There was a nice boy close by who didn't think we knew what we were doing...and we didn't really...who tried to help.  He couldn't get it to work either.  Brett came and played at our house with us for a few minutes but had to get home for a date.  We went to winco.  On the way home I let them stop at the splash pad at the Riverwoods for 10 min then we came back and had dinner.  We had english muffins and scrambled eggs.  Then we took the cake outside to share with all our neighbors.  They ate the 8 and the 10 for us and we have been chipping away on the sixes.  Alan got home a little after 8 when we were on our way back inside.

Watching in the shade...

but you gotta collect the candy

My kind of fishing

He looks like a little Huck Fin sitting there fishing.

Cake party!

Sunday was a nice normal relaxing day.   Alan went and had an ecclesiastical endorsement interview.  We are hoping he'll need it in the fall.  I did singing time.  We learned My Dad for Father's Day.  They are also singing I'm so glad when daddy comes home.  I took the picture to help them learn the song and had them color them.  They loved it!  I just had 8 but everyone wanted a turn.  We kept singing while they were coloring.  Then we played a game with When I Am Baptized.  I had parts of the song written on it with some of the words missing.  If they could fill in the blanks then we would sing a fun song.  If not then we would sing the song.  I had gotten a baptism jumper out of the closet and had the words/spots taped on that.  We just relaxed the rest of the day.