July '18- Week 2- Studio 5 Pilates, Firework Fire, Swim Lessons, Drum Bus, Theater Camp Revue, Choir Reunion

Sunday A sweet sister in the ward, Val Mills, felt like she needed to come offer help to me in the morning so she came and picked up a couple of my kids who were all ready for church.  Anna had a really hard time going to primary that day for some reason.  We had a normal afternoon at home and   McKenna finished a "coloring" project on Pickle's phone (the Toucan).  In the evening our ward hosted a "walk about."  4-5 homes hosted by providing treats and people just walk around and eat and socialize.  So fun to meet some new neighbors even! 

Monday I went walking in the morning.  We started swim lessons for Ben and Anna at the Kofoed's.  They both did very brave things on their first day (Ben swimming in the deep end and jumping off the diving board, and Anna going down the slide).  

I'm so proud of them! Dan came home a little early and took the girls swimming more at the Gunnerson's.  After dinner I went to Laurie's house for a fun girls night that was a pilates class.  The host of Studio 5 on KSL is in Laurie's ward and was filming a segment on new ideas for a girls night out.  *We also got word of a firework mishap up the street from us where the dry grass in the gully caught fire.  Thankfully it was put out rather quickly with garden hoses!

Tuesday We started session 2 of summer camps for Ben, science camp.  Later Ben and Anna played at the Alexander's.  I also had Bethany's final IEP meeting for speech where they told me she no longer qualifies for speech services, which is a very good thing!  Anna had a hard time going to bed that night and settled for falling asleep on the couch and I carried her to bed.  Here's a picture of the burn mark from the firework fire.  

Wednesday Ben went to Annie Martini's birthday party.  We also hosted our first outdoor movie that night.  We watched the old "Jumanji."  

Thursday I took the younger four to see the $1 My Little Pony movie, then we got Keva Juice and Great Harvest for lunch.  

Friday Anna got to go to work with Dan for a bit.  

I took the other kids to the Wood Cross City Literacy Program where the special guest was the "Drum Bus" guy.  

After lunch it was time for McKenna's theater camp revue.  They opened with "Greatest Showman."

 Each age group had three songs and each kids had about three lines.  

 McKenna and Katie's group performed "Never Fully Dressed Without and Smile," "Hakuna Matata," "Get Back up Again" from Trolls.  

"Greatest Showman"

"Never Fully Dressed..."

"Hakuna Matata"

Lines

"Trolls: Get Back Up Again"

"Thanks for Coming"

After the revue, we went to Blake Maxfield's new office open house party with food and prizes! 

Anna was up late again that night, not wanting to go to sleep.  

 Saturday Dan went rowing.  Then he went to buy wood for some stairs to be built in our back yard up to the retaining wall.  

Mickelle babysat that evening while Dan and I went to a Millennium Choir reunion for it's 20th year Anniversary with Lex Deazavedo.  It was so fun to see some familiar faces and sing a few familiar songs! 

June '18- Week 4- Upstart Graduation, Girls Camp, My Parents Left, Anna's BD, Last Day of Camps, Hiking, Dan's BD!

Friday morning we had Anna's Upstart Graduation!  I'm so proud of Anna doing this online preschool 15 minutes a day for five days a week for almost 10 months!

 That night Dan and I (and Alice) went up to stake girls camp to be with our ward for their testimony meeting.  My parents came over to babysit (grandma being especially expressive while reading to the girls). :)  My parents also took the kids to visit Grandpa Paul's grave.

At girls camp, we enjoyed a "Who Feast" dinner.  Afterwards a great fireside with Pres. Cowley, though I had to leave the fireside early to feed Alice.  

We also had to bundle up as soon as the sun went down. Brrr! It was quite chilly. We sat around the fire for testimony meeting.  I shared some thoughts about how when I strive to learn of Christ, I am filled with peace because I know I'm seeking and making the effort to learn and know more.  Becky Paulson was also sweet and shared something special about every person in the circle.  We drove Andrea Gunnerson home, saw a moose and a deer on the road, and got home around 12.  

Saturday, Dan went rowing and I worked on the grocery list and Anna's BD invitations.  We also met my parents at their hotel lobby to say good bye to them before they left for the airport.

Our family divided up in the afternoon to run errands.  We had dinner with Dan's mom at Zupa's.  

Sunday was a normal day at church, other than our power went out right before we left the house so I had to open the garage by hand. 

Ben took this cute video of Alice.

 That evening we had a BBQ dinner with the Coombs.  Sharon was on institute council with Dan in college.  Bethany had two accidents unfortunately, but it was a lovely dinner and conversations otherwise.  

Monday was Rachael Alexander's BD so we went to the park for a picnic lunch, then we took three of her kids home to play at our house for a bit.  

That evening was the Webster FHE.  We had dinner and swimming at the Winegar's.  

Tuesday was Anna's 5th birthday!!  

We had summer camps in the morning with poor Alice getting naps on the go.  After lunch we got all set up for Anna's party! 

While everyone was arriving we did chalk on the driveway.  We set up the bounce house in the grass, but it was too hot on the girls feet!  So, while Dan was moving it into our patio room (thankfully it fit!), we played "Pin Sebastian on the Ocean Floor." 

Then we headed to the front yard to play on the slip 'n slides and kiddie pool.

After that, we did cupcakes and ice cream and opened presents.  

Her expressions were so cute while opening gifts.  

Alice thankfully took a little snooze during the party.  She woke up super happy and cooing.

Anna loved her crown and jewelry and mermaid balloon.  She got some wonderful cards from great grandparents and Skype phone calls from grandparents and Aunt Pickle.

Here's the party invitation McKenna made.  :)

I had book club that night at Amy Pugsley's house discussing "Being Mortal."  I really liked this book and it made me think hard about what would be most important for me towards the end of life.  

I felt exhausted by the end of the day, but so happy to have celebrated Anna! Here's what I posted on Instagram about her: "Happy Birthday to my middle child!  She milked it today by saying 'I don't want to cause it's my birthday' whenever I asked her to do something.  She is a passionate child who likes things her way.  She loves snuggles and lately has a hard time going to bed because she always wants more snuggles.  She loves pink, and barbies, and smarties.  She is finally coming out of her (selectively shy) shell and saying prayers at home now.  I can't believe she'll start kindergarten in the Fall.  Her all girls party was a blast today and wiped me right out.  Love you Anna Gayle!"  

Anna’s 5th Birthday Interview

What is you favorite color? Pink and Red and blue and purple

What is your favorite toy? Water coloring (Melissa and Doug brand toy)

What is your favorite fruit? Peaches

What is your favorite TV Show? True and the Rainbow Kingdom (Netflix)

What is you favorite movie? Peter Pan

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Nutella

What is your favorite outfit to wear? Tights under shorts, dresses,

What is your favorite game to play? Frozen games

What is your favorite snack? Fruit snacks

What is your favorite animal? Doggies

What is your favorite song? The Greatest Showman

What is your favorite book? 5 Minute Stories (Frozen)

Who is your best friend? Paisley, Desi, and McKayla, Lizzie

What is your favorite cereal? Berry berry Kix

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Roll down the hill

What is your favorite thing to drink? Lemonade

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Blankie

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Yogurt and English muffin toast

What do you want to have for dinner? Pasta Salad and Swedish meatballs, Spaghetti and meatballs

What do you want to be when you grow up? A dancer and a mermaid

What is your favorite thing to do with our family? Snuggle

What is your favorite thing to do in school? Play with friends

*Unfortunately Anna may have had a little too much fun and threw up in the middle of the night. :(
Wednesday was full of laundry and shows.  Anna also developed a fever in the evening.  McKenna went with Dan that night to mutual which was a free car wash.

Thursday the kids had their last day of Summer camps (for session 1).

We went on a walk that evening as a family.  

Friday Dan took Ben to work.  They had a great time together.  

Alice has become a slide sleeper and learned to bust out of her swaddle completely.  I took the girls to Mills Park for the Literacy program.  There was a presentation on theater/performing, story time with a fruit snack, and a puppet craft.  Later, McKenna had Camille and Olivia over to play.  

That evening we hiked Holbrook Canyon with the Pugsleys and McKameys then went to Hokulia.  The weather was fairly cool for being the end of June.  

Saturday was Dan's birthday!  Unfortunately for him, rowing was cancelled due to wind.  McKenna went to McKinley Ulmer's BD party.  Dan went up to his parents' to cut down some tall weeds which were obstructing the view of drivers turning down the hill.  After lunch we went swimming at the Gunnerson's.  Mickelle babysat that night while Dan and I went on a date.  We ate at Mo Bettah's Hawaiian Grill then went and saw "Solo."  I love this birthday boy so so much!

June '18- Week 3- McKenna's Recital, Alice's Baby Blessing, Chalk Art, NFBD, Summer Camps, Lemonade Stand, Gpa Mike's Work Party

Friday we went to 5 Points Park for ministering visits with Shelly and Amy.  Then I took the kids straight to Grandma's house for Grandma's camp where they did some cooking (muddy buddies and blueberry scones).  

The kids were home for lunch and my parents and Mickelle came over.  The kids got to have more grandma time and made a craft with my mom.  I took McKenna to her recital dress rehearsal.  My parents and sister stayed for dinner and I worked on some laundry and grocery order after kids were in bed.  

*I was so thankful for my parents and Mickelle's help in the evenings while Dan was gone at his camp out!  I'm also grateful for Val Mills who called to offer to bring a fruit platter for Alice's baby blessing on Sunday. 

Saturday morning was normal with chores and kids playing.  Anna got some cute giggles out of Alice.  

Dan got home around lunch time and I made a breakfast casserole for the brunch for after Alice's blessing.  The Panter's were nice enough to watch Anna and take her to Lizzie's BD party while the rest of us went to McKenna's dance recital.  Unfortunately, Dan had to miss the recital and went to the chalk art festival for work. McKenna danced to a hip hop version of Be Our Guest and did great! We were able to watch cousin Lola as well! 

We got dinner on the way home and did baths and bed time.  Bethany once again went poop in the potty and was excited to get her microphone back! 

Sunday was Father's Day and Alice's baby blessing.  Thankfully, she slept through the night the night before.  She also fell asleep right before it was go time.  I'm so thankful for my Grandma Pat and Dan's Grandfather who were able to attend!  The Ah Yen's are so nice to give Dan a Hawaiian Lei every Father's Day Sunday.   A couple things that stood out to me about Alice's blessing were that she was blessed to have charity and that her older siblings will look up to her.  

A sweet sister in our ward, Cheryl Freebairn, has always done us a great service by taking notes during all of our baby blessings.  This is the first time she emailed me the notes so I thought I would include them here.  

Notes on blessing of Alice Katherine Webster, June 17, 2018, by her father, Bishop Dan Webster:

Sweet Alice, we give you a blessing and an expression of love, as the men in your life to look up to. We bless you with a knowledge of the restored Gospel, that you will always have it in your life, seek to share it and as you do so, find great joy and happiness and bring others to knowledge of truth. Bless you with . . . Spirit. As the Lord feels necessary, blessed with ability to help others and use gifts in building up the Kingdom of God.  Most of all, gift of charity, have a deep love and feeling of affection to those who are closest to you and those you don’t know . . . Your presence has been a blessing in our home. Cultivate that joy in lifting others and inspiring. Bless you that as you go throughout your life that you will be given opportunities to share the Gospel. Progress along covenant path and waters of baptism and temple. As you are sealed to a spouse of your choice   . . . find great happiness. Alice, you have remarkable women in your life, with us and beyond the veil who will be guardian angels to you and inspire you. As you listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost that you will be  . . . God’s will. Know of our love. You came into our family when we needed you to come. Be cohesive . . . among siblings and seek your guidance. We love you and leave these blessings upon you and all others that our father in Heaven wills.

 My dad got to hold sleeping Alice for the rest of the meeting.  

We gathered in Dan's Dad's office (he's our Stake President) right after Sacrament meeting where Grandfather and Wendy gave us some sweet momentoes.  

 FOUR Generations!  (Daddy-daughter, Mother-Son, and Daddy-Daughter)

 My dad caught this "behind the scenes" picture of me fixing Alice's shoe.  

 The brunch after was delicious and lovely to be with family.  

 SO grateful my parents could be in town and for Dan's parents hosting.  

All the amazing priesthood holders (missing Jake Winegar and Grandfather) who stood in her circle.  After we got home, we celebrated Dan and my dad for Father's day! 

My dad took this picture of a lazy Sunday afternoon with many of us napping.  One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday afternoon like this is to nurse while both Alice and I sleep. 

 When everyone woke up we headed to the Gateway to see the chalk art we missed the day before.  

The two pictures on the top are the same drawing just taken from right side up and up side down.  Two different pictures in one.   

We had scones and bacon and fruit for dinner and played Banana Grams. I went ahead and tried eating dairy again to see how Alice would react.  She was ok but did have a couple larger spit-ups that evening.  So I decided to stay off dairy for a little longer.  

Monday we did some cleaning in the morning.  McKenna had a playdate with Brinley.  Ben's glasses were broken and when he dozed off in the car on the way home from Brinley's house, they fell off his face. :) 

That evening was the Nelson Family party at the Irion's so the kids got to go swimming.  They especially loved the hot tub. 

Happy Birthday June babies! 

Tuesday the kids had summer camps (cute Bethany and Daisy Behunin playing while we wait for their older siblings), then Brittana came to play for a bit.  After lunch McKenna and Brittana did a lemonade stand.  

Alice was being especially adorable and in a good mood. 

Ben turned into Olaf with his stick arms.  

Tuesday evening we went to my Dad's work picnic.  This year they had it at This is the Place!  The was the same (always delicious) and this year they had train rides, bounce house slide, face painting, and games and prizes!  They went all out! 

We stayed so long that at the end they had so many prizes to get rid of they were pretty much throwing them into a crowd of dancing children.  

Wednesday we had a cousin swim day at Mantua with Ailin and kids and Stewarts. 

My parents came over for dinner that night.  

Thursday the kids had Summer camps and I sorted through lots of toys.  Unfortunately, this was also the day Dan's dad went into the hospital with a punctured stomach.  They decided to put in a stent to bypass the hole in an effort to help the hole heal up. More on that later...