Camping trip

note: So as not to disclose our location to unwanted readers this post may have obscure descriptions.


This past week we decided to go on a family camping trip again. (I don't think I mentioned our first one to a state park near some water falls not too far away.) This was our second one with just our family at a state park. Because we have adopted children from the foster care system we get free access to state parks for 5 years including free camping. That's why we've been choosing state parks. This time we chose a state park almost 3 hours drive from our house. We chose this location because it was within 20 minutes of a temple Timothy and I hadn't been to before.



We were able to set-up camp and walk by a river and roast hotdogs and marshmallows. The children had napped in the van on the way there and even thought we put them to bed late it still took about 3 hours to get them to sleep. (That was the VERY frustrating part about the camping trip.) In the morning we packed up and got into church clothes and drove to the temple.

Timothy and I took turns doing a session while the other stayed out with the children. It was kind of a long day and we still had a 3 hour drive home. But, it was worth it. And it was nice to see this smaller temple that we hadn't seen before. They are all so beautiful and full of the spirit.

"I love to see the temple"

Making messes

Homemade play-dough

The children wanted to help me make play-dough. Their old play-dough had been drying out from being played with so much and also got left out a few times. We love making our own play-dough. It's cheap and we love the consistency of it, and there's only one color which means no fighting over colors!After we make play-dough we get to play with it!

Play-dough Recipe

1/2 cup salt
1 cup flour
2 tsp. cream of tarter
1 Tblsp. vegetable oil
1 cup water
food coloring

Combine all dry ingredients and oil in a saucepan. Add food coloring to the water until desired color is reached. Gradually add water to other ingredients. Cook over low heat stirring continually until dough forms a ball and is no longer sticky. Cool and store in an air-tight container. (From an old Young Women Leader- Paige Nemrow)

Homemade finger-paint

We had this big long piece of brown paper that had been used as packing material in a package we got. I ironed it and then it was just begging to be finger-painted. So, I looked up a recipe online and made some finger-paint. We made 5 different colors.
And had a fun and messy time painting away!And making hand prints, then smearing them.

Finger-paint recipe

• One-cup flour
• 1 1/4 cups hot water
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• Two-tablespoons salt
• Food coloring or tempera paint

Mix the flour, salt, and cold water in a saucepan. Beat the mixtures (with whisk or rotary beater) until smooth. Add the hot water and boil it until the mixture is thick. Beat until smooth. Add food coloring to add color. Store this in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
(http://www.everythingpreschool.com/recipes/paint/finger.htm)

I enjoy doing things like this with my children, but I just don't do it enough. I wish I did it more often. I've found when I take time to involve them in an activity with me our whole day goes much more smoothly.

A Bike Riding Summer

Ready, set, go!

This summer we have gone on a lot of bike rides. We've collected enough bikes for the daycare kids and my kids to each have one to ride, so 2-3 days a week we ride our bikes either to the park or just around the neighborhood. The kids love it.

Hyrum only lasts about 1-2 houses down the street before he gives up trying to keep up with the kids. Then I stick his bike in the triple stroller with him on it and he pretends to ride while I push him in the stroller.

Family Reunion! (Timothy's Family)

We were able to spend some time at Timothy's parent's house with his family and Grandma and Aunt. Then, we drove up to his big family reunion in the mountains with his Dad's family- Grandma and all of her posterity. (The kids' great-grandma) It was so fun to see all of Timothy's Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins that were able to make it. We missed all of you who didn't make it. We camped there for two night and were able to go hiking, water-sliding, and participate in a world premier sock-puppet show. It was a lot of fun! The kids took turns getting rides in great-grandma's wheelchair.



The kids especially enjoyed the water slide- It was a home-made water slide. Timothy enjoyed it too! Hyrum took one run down and didn't do it again, but the others went over and over.

P.S. ↓ There is another new post dated July 24th, scroll down. ↓

Making strawberry jam

These posts are all out of order, but about a week before we left on our trip we went strawberry picking and brought home about 16 lbs of strawberries. We froze most of them because I love to make pie with them, and then I used some to make strawberry jam. It was my first attempt at canning with the children underfoot, but things worked out fine. They even helped a bit.

Family Reunion! (Jessica's Family)

During the week of the 4th of July we had a family reunion for my side of the family. We met a Katherine and Andrew's new house. We all (except Jason and Marji) tie dyed shirts, went swimming at a lake, played at the park, made a water slide in the back yard, and went to the Pocatello Zoo. It was a lot of fun and it was so great to see family members!The water slide got the kids going pretty fast!Grandma brought up some of her "Grandma-toys" this scooter was one of them and the kids loved it.


We tried to get a picture of the 5 grand-kids on Independence Day, but it didn't work very well. They're all so young.

Our wild family

If you want a more thorough explanation of our family reunion go to my sister, Katherine's blog she's got a lot more details. katherineandrew.blogspot.com

Happy Pioneer Day!

Our ward did a pioneer activity on Saturday to remember those who sacrificed so much to find a place of rest where they could practice their religion freely. We were invited to dress in the pioneer fashion and bring food for a potluck dinner like the pioneers would have made.

I made some gluten-free corn bread so that I would have something to eat there, I also took a little time to throw together some pioneer outfits for the family. I am pleased with how they turned out.

Rebekah

Hyrum and Mommy

Hyrum and Daddy
Brigham
My pioneer children

Ten years to forever

Ten years ago two people were joined together for time and for all eternity in the House of the Lord. In those ten years their love has only grown.

Timothy and I are both so glad that we found each other in that little music theory classroom those many years ago. We have had an amazing relationship so far, filled with love a beauty we never could have imagined. It is amazing to think what forever will bring as our love continues to grow. We have been very blessed to have found such a special relationship in our marriage. It has been a marvelous ten years as we have struggled through 2 bachelor degrees, a masters degree, and almost a PhD- Ten year of infertility that has only brought us closer together, and the miracle adoption of our three precious children which has been the greatest challenge and a huge source of joy for us.
We are so grateful that our loving Father in Heaven brought us together and gave us the opportunity to be sealed forever. What a marvelous joy these past ten years have been and what amazing times (and eternity) we have to look forward to.

Our poem of positives

I've been trying to focus more on the positives as I work with and teach my children, and it's hard. So, I created this little "poem" that we use at circle time to help us remember what we can be. Here are the children showing you the actions we do along with our "poem".

I am happy, I am happy

I am strong, I am strong

I am healthy, I am healthy

I am brave, I am brave

I am gentle, I am gentle

I obey, I obey

I am special, I am special

God loves me, God loves me

I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

I Love to See the Temple

(These pictures are from a month or two ago...)

One day after church we decided to build a temple with the chidlren. They had a great time and it was a good opportunity for us to teach the children about the temple and why it is so important. That green thing on the top is our "angle Moroni". I hope he's not offended that we used a green piece of plastic to represent him. :)