Bradley turned 3!!!!!

This last week hasn't seemed as busy as the couple before it.  Monday we watched a little girl in the morning....and yes most of the boxes were gone or back where they go by then.  Bradley, Connor, and I walked down to pick up Lauren.  We had a few extra minutes so we went a different way than normal. We got to see some fun Halloween decorations.  We also saw lots of water flowing down one of the streets. We had to go back and explore it on the way home.   It was a really nice warm day so we spent a lot of the afternoon cleaning up and outside after we picked up Jared.

Tuesday Bradley had preschool and I got the dishes done in the morning too.  Lauren always asks what we did while she is gone and I tell her and she says no what else.  She never believes me when I tell her it was just the dishes and going to preschool.  I guess it must seem like she does so much more in the same time.  In the afternoon we delivered invitations for Bradley's monster  birthday party.  Lauren rode her bike for part and wanted to ride down to pick up Jared.  So I rolled his bike down to the school (while pushing the stroller) so Jared could ride home. Tuesday night we went to an open house to say thank you and bye to the Freestones.  Then we went to juggling club.

Wednesday we made our usual trip to the library and a quick trip to the store before getting Lauren.  Jared got to walk over to BYU and see some dancers from China.  We just happened to see him walking back.  There were a ton of kids.  It looked like most of the school got to go.  He said it was pretty neat.  After school Jared and Brad both had well child checks at the doctor.  They are both healthy and doing well.  Bradley was super tired, but he just doesn't like going to the doctor...until it comes time for the sticker and sucker at the end.  Wednesday night Greg came over and anxiously waited for everyone else to get here so he could open his mission call.  He is going to the Mozambique Maputo mission.  I think he'll fit right in :)  We are all super excited for him.  He will be a great missionary.  (After the announcement yesterday during conference we were joking with him that it's good he already got his call so it didn't get mixed in with the new rush.)

Thursday we went and helped in Lauren's class.  This time we got to help them color their families faces for their special books they are making all about themselves.  Really we were there to try and talk them out of giving their moms green skin and their dads purple hair.  Most were pretty good but some no matter how hard I tried looked like they could have made appearances at Brad's monster party.  One little boy couldn't remember what any of his family looked like.  I asked him who dropped him off at school and he said my mom.  I said ok what color hair does she have.  He gave a very emphatic I don't know.   I tried skin color, eyes, mouth, nose...every time I got the same answer.  He was getting more and more frustrated with me...I told you I don't know!!!!  I wanted to say how do you not know, but we just moved on and worked on him.  He was sitting right there and if he didn't know I could tell him.  We spent the rest of the day getting things ready for Bradley's monster party.  We walked down to pick up Jared again...with bikes...and then over to get some monster body parts laminated.  We were able to eat out at the quad barbecue this week.  It hadn't worked for a while since Lauren had soccer games most Thursdays.

Friday I baked a couple of batches of cupcakes...and just did more general getting ready for the big monster bash...or maybe it was a mash.  I did go help in Jared's class for awhile.  They were working on their scarecrows.  It was kind of crazy but really fun to help them.  There are 19 boys in the class and 9 girls.  I only know a few of them from last year so I have been trying to learn their names.  I don't like to ask them over and over so I just try to listen for when someone else says it and then remember.   Last week we were playing a game to help with vowel sounds in the middle of the word (I'm pretty sure they all liked scarecrows better...I sure did) and I used one little boy's name (his friend had been saying it repeatedly) and he looked at me and said hey how did you know my name. Then pretty quickly he said oh the family presentation.  I just had to laugh inside...I couldn't remember any names from that...I couldn't even understand most of them when they said them right then.  Well this last week in Jared's class they were working on their scarecrows at the desks...with their names on them.  The same little boy said how do you know my name when I asked what color paper he wanted...oh yeah the family presentation. I think now though I really do know his name...I guess we'll see next week.

Bradley had a great birthday party.  He didn't want everyone in the quad to come...and that was just fine.  We still ended up with about 14 or 15 kids there.   We played monster monster how's your neighbor, monster monster who stole your fur, monster in the closet, read if your a monster and you know it, made a monster with the monster body parts, played with balloons, had cupcakes, and opened presents...and they decorated bags like monsters when they first got there.  It was tons of fun.  It seemed like a pretty quick little party, but perfect for the ages there.  Once again Greg came and saved the day.  After the party was all cleaned up Jared practiced unicycle for a bit and got 6 pedals without holding on to anyone or anything.  Then we went down to the tailgate party by the stadium.  We had a fun time there.  Brad was wiped out.  He slept through most of it...and for sure the loudest parts.

 Super Greg

Saturday we cleaned up a little and baked a cake and watched General Conference.  Jared thought it was pretty unfair that his birthday could never be on conference and that Brad's could.  I'll admit that's not what I was thinking....  Bradley did have a good day. He got to Skype with Grandma and Grandpa Schachterle and then during priesthood we did a Google hangout with Ashley and Lindsay and Alyanne...at the same time.  It was fun and a little crazy.  Greg, Jeff, Elizabeth, and Spencer all came over after the priesthood session.  We played a few games and opened presents and ate cake.  It was a lot of fun it just got kind of late.

He wanted a lemon cake and a red monster...I thought the party hat would be fun, but it looks more like a stocking hat...or a house without the eyes.

Today we just got to enjoy conference.  We played with some of Brad's new toys and went on a walk between sessions.  Mostly we just spent the day relaxing and enjoying each others company (except for the times when we weren't..but there weren't too many times like that :)

Connor pulled himself up on the BYU bucket so he could get some crumbs from someones french toast breakfast.  And this last week he started going from laying down to sitting up by himself too.

 ready for our walk...the shoes finally fit, but he doesn't like to wear them.

We are looking forward to this coming week with all our visitors and having a little break from school.  Have a wonderful orange-pineapple week!!!! And if you are coming here I'm sure you will. :)

One year older and hopefully wiser too

Last Monday was a pretty good day.  Jared got to celebrate his Birthday in his school class, so I went to the store and got creamsicles for him.  I took them to him at his lunch time and they got to eat them sometime in the afternoon while at recess.  Jared's lunch time is right about when Lauren is getting out of school.  I watched a couple little kids for an hour in the morning too (we trade so I can help in Jared's class. ).  But there wasn't much else going on and I chose not to do some of my normal chores either (although I paid for it later in the week...dishes weren't fully caught up until Thursday....and really are they ever).  We spent lots of time playing outside.  In the evening we went up Provo canyon to Bridal Veil Falls and had a picnic.  We had bihon and I sure I liked it more than everyone else...They let me eat the leftovers for lunch most of the week.  It was a lot cooler day and it even rained on us.  It has been awhile since we've been to the falls and there is a new fish area and fish food to feed to them.  We didn't know so we didn't have any quarters, but there was a nice guy there with his FHE group that shared.  It was a good fun Birthday...and I finally got a Y cookie cutter.

Tuesday  Bradley had his preschool in the morning.  In the afternoon I had a doctor's appointment to get my mole removed.  I thought that they were going to take it off that day, but all they wanted to do was talk about it, so I had to go back.

Wednesday our family went to Jared's class and did our family presentation...every student has a week to be the VIP.  Jared took a VIP poster on Monday.  For the presentation we were supposed to just share about our family.  Lauren and Bradley both took things that would tell about them.  Lauren took her swimsuit and a stuffed animal dog that she likes.  Bradley took the unicorn costume.  Alan was able to show pictures and videos of his robot and I showed a picture of one of the cakes I have made.  We also showed on a map where our ancestors are from.  Jared introduced us to his class and his class to us.  When Jared introduced his class to us he just held a pointer over their heads and they said their own first and last names.  It was super hard to understand them and it was fast.  Then for the rest of the time we just juggled.  It was pretty fun.  Brad, Connor and I went to the library story time in the morning too.

Thursday we helped in Lauren's class.  Later in the day I went to the doctor again and this time they really did remove my mole.  I was pretty nervous, but it all went well.  I have 3 stitches and since they are right close to my hair line they are hardly noticeable.  We saw Greg a couple of times on Friday and he didn't notice until the 2nd time we saw him when we were saying bye...and Greg said something like your mole is gone...where is the rest of it.  That's kind of how I feel.  I'll just be left with a line scar right close to my hair line.  I went visiting teaching later in the day and then to Lauren's last soccer game.  She had a fun time, but she made sure to tell me that she wants to do swimming lessons next.

Friday I went and helped in Jared's class (Bradley and Connor went to a friend's)  Then in the afternoon Greg stopped by on his way home from the Temple and a little later we went and juggled at a tailgate party for parent's weekend.  Then we walked over to the tailgate party by the stadium.  It was a really nice day...The week gradually warmed back up.  We had fun at the tailgate party and came home and watched the game.

We had chips and cheese and salsa during the game.  Connor went all the way across the room to get there and then got caught.

Saturday we didn't have much so I decided it was the day I was going to start the great clothes shuffle.  Trade boxes and rebox and sort put small ones away and get out bigger and just get them all organized better.  I worked on it on and off throughout the day...and a little more on it today...and it should be finished by the time I go to bed.  We also went to the Museum of Peoples and Cultures.  They were open and having a few extra things since it was free national parks and museum day.  There weren't too many people there when we were...just the workers at the museum.  It was fun to stop by for a few min.  Then we went to Winco.  On the way home we stopped at the splash pad at the Riverwoods.  I walked through Williams Sonoma while everyone else got soaked.  We hurried and put away our groceries and them went to McDonalds and got ice cream cones with some free cone coupons we had that were expiring.  We came back and I worked on the clothes some more.  Jeff and Elizabeth stopped by and Elizabeth reminded me about the broadcast...which was good.  I was forgetting even though it was on the calendar.  I really enjoyed the broadcast.  Everyone else got lots of outside play time with dad and Jared practiced his unicycle a lot.  It was a great day.

Today I worked on the clothes more and went to church.  In the evening there was a Priesthood meeting and we got a new councilor in the stake presidency.  President and Sister Freestone got called to be MTC presidents at the MTC in the Dominican Republic.  It was a good day.  Jared and I both got sung to for our birthdays in primary.


Lauren rocking out on a guitar she made earlier...see all the boxes

We are looking forward to another fun week!

Jared's 7th Birthday!!!!!

This past week has been super busy!!! Last Monday I guess there really wasn't much, but I think that is the only day.  We just had a fun time playing outside and having Family Home Evening.

Tuesday Bradley had his preschool in the morning and we walked down to pick up Lauren.  Then just getting some stuff done in the afternoon before getting Jared.  After we got Jared he hurried and delivered his invitations to his birthday party.  Then we got Alan and went to Ikea.  Alan wanted to get some things there to build a standing desk.  Kids eat free there on Tuesdays and we had a free dinner coupon from earlier this Summer...so we got to enjoy our dinner there.  They all loved it and had a fun time....too bad it isn't a little closer so we could go there every week.

Here is what Alan made...

Wednesday was the day I think...that I drove 6 kids to school.  When we were headed out to the car our neighbor who drives more neighbors car wouldn't start so we ended up taking them all.  When I got home we took Alan down since he was in a hurry.  Then my visiting teachers came.  Bradley, Connor and I went to story time at the library, got some boxes (for Jared's party) from BYU recycles, brought the boxes home, picked up Lauren, stopped by home really fast and went to ready to learn (which was in the court house building this time...we got to have a self guided tour while trying to find the class).  After ready to learn we came back and I watched some neighbor kids until it was time to pick up Jared.  After getting Jared we went to Winco.  Then hurried home and ate dinner quick (chicken from Winco) and I went to a Relief Society activity....What a day!

Thursday seemed almost as busy.  After dropping everyone off there was a birthday party in the quad for a little girl.  We had to leave early to help in Lauren's class.  We walked down and got a flat tire on the stroller on the front wheel, so the way back I just had to tip it back and they rode on 2 wheels.  We just had time for lunch and then we watched the Stuart kids.  Keith was defending his dissertation...and he passed and is done!  Jessica got back just in time for me to go get Jared.  While I was watching them we went outside and Brad and I were playing and he caught my mole...it started bleeding...luckily someone was out there who could keep an eye on everyone for a minute.  After getting Jared we worked on homework...like every day.  I forgot to go visiting teaching...oops...so I'll go next week.  I remembered I had forgotten on our way out the door to Lauren's soccer game.  Jared had an accident at the game...which made it quite exciting.  When we got home I went to our quad community meeting and Alan got home not too long after that.  He stayed for some info sessions...it was the career fair.  I made a quick trip to walmart and baked some cupcakes.  Alan made the pinata. It was a long crazy day.

Friday I spent most of the day getting ready for Jared's party.  I did go help in Jared's class (Brad and Connor go play at a friend's for it).  I made a few more cupcakes, frosted them all, and 2 batches of jello popcorn...plus a few other getting ready things.  Alan had a couple of preliminary interviews and went to another presentation.  Jared's party was at 3.  Alan made it home in time and Greg came up to help too.  Jared's party was a cardboard box party.  It was one of the funnest parties ever.  We just played with boxes for the first hour and then had a pinata and cupcakes, popcorn, and drinks.  It was simple but tons of fun.  I think everyone loved it.  I passed out 44 bags for the pinata...and that's only for the kids that cared...there were several too small and a couple too big to need bags for candy....it was a huge party!  After the party we went to the fall festival at Wasatch for a few minutes.  When we got home we went up and said bye to the Stuarts (they flew out early Saturday morning)...we sure will miss them.  We are all really good friends with their family...we did Jared's party this day so Nathan could be there...Jared says he is his best friend.  I think Friday night I turned to Alan and said day 1 of crazy weekend down.

Jared and Lauren's pop bottle creations they had to before school Friday morning

all the cupcakes...

toss the balls in the holes

our cardboard city...just getting started

bubble wrap hop scotch

creation 1...

creation 3 or 4...or so...

city from the other side

Lauren in her house/ car

pinata...look at all those kids...

Jeff stopped by right about clean up time and played with Bradley and Connor

and we put Greg to work

Saturday Lauren had a soccer game at 10 (we took the treat).  The Wymount opening social was also at 10 so we hurried over there after.  They changed the set up a little this year and had a few different activities...over all I liked it better.  One of the new ones was rubber ducky races...it was pretty fun...and mine got 3rd.  Greg went with us (to the game too) and his got 1st.  In a different heat Jeff and Elizabeth went 1 and 2.  Jared tried sliding down the duck track too...There was also tug of war...I had never seen a rope break until Saturday...it was pretty entertaining to watch both sides fall over backwards.  At the end we had to hurry to Jared's game (we took the treat).  Then we went to a baby shower for a couple that used to be in quad 2 at Rock Canyon park.  It was fun...and there were a few ice blocks that had been left there, so Jared and Lauren gave it a try.  From there we hurried home to drop some people off and I took Greg to get some dance shoes then hurried back and gave him a hair cut.  He was trying to get to the Folk Dance opening social.  I started working on dinner when I got home and after dinner we went down to Spanish Fork to hear a Piano Guys concert.  They were having sound problems so it started late and then we couldn't hear very well...and we were all tired...so we left before it was over...but I think we got to hear some of our favorite songs.

cake walk at the opening social

ducky slide

jump jump jump

Jared's last soccer game

before the concert started

Today is Jared's birthday.  It was also the Brigham City Temple dedication.  It was broadcast to all the stakes in Utah and some in southern Idaho.  We didn't have regular church.  Jeff and Elizabeth went to the 9:00 session and then watched our kids so we could go to the 12:00 one.  There was also one at 3.  Elder Packer presided and Elder Nelson and Elder Perry were also there.  It was really nice.  Jared wanted barbecue chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner...we also had some broccoli and green salad, and tried some fish that our neighbors left for us.  We had presents and cake and ice cream.  It was just a really nice day spent with family.  We sure are lucky to have Jeff and Elizabeth and Greg here with us right now.

I don't know why the tube kept getting clogged...the frosting was like soup

I'm looking forward to a little less crazy week coming up...at least I hope.