Swimming Lessons

We were so blessed this summer as a lady in our ward offered to teach swimming lessons to quite a few children. She did the lessons for two weeks. Spring took lessons both weeks and Thomas joined in the second week since he was at day camp the first week. I am so amazed at the progress they both made in such a short time. They are both swimming so well now and are much more confident in their abilities. I know they will enjoy the summer so much more now that they can swim with their friends when they are invited to do so. I am so grateful for the willingness she had to teach the children. She is an amazing teacher and we can't thank her enough.

Hobo Dinners

For Cub Scouts last week we made Hobo dinners with the boys. They loved making them and we all enjoyed how tasty they were. Sister Grantham is our other leader now and the boys love her. She talked to them about where the name for "hobo dinners" came from. While the dinners were cooking we taught the boys about fire building using a napkin to represent the cleared area; marshmallows to represent the rocks to make the fire pit; coconut for tinder; small pretzels for the kindling; larger pretzel rods for the fuel; and candy corn for the flames. The best part was they were able to eat their fires afterwards! It was a great day with the boys.

Cub Scout Day Camp

I was fortunate to be with Thomas all week last week for Day Camp. We went to Visalia which is about 45 minutes away for the camp. We had a great time. The theme for the week was "Out of this World" so the boys were able to do all sorts of fun space related activities and crafts. Thomas says his favorite parts were BB Gun and Archery. I loved being the leader of his group and watching first-hand the fun he had in all the activities. It made for a busy week because we would get home from day camp and then work on moving things to our new house but it was well worth it. We were sure tired by the end of the week but it was so much fun. I love the cub scouting program.

Fun Amidst the Chaos

Chaos is a good word to describe the last week. I don't know how we have been able to do all that we have done but I know many blessings have come our way so we could. Our house is disheveled and we have had very little routine or consistency other than naptime. I spend all morning at day camp with Thomas and Alanna is home with the others keeping them entertained and happy. Thomas and I get home around 1:30 and then we start packing up more stuff and making trips to our other house to unload. Most nights these trips continue until about midnight. We go to bed and then start all over again bright and early. Amidst all these chaos the little ones are finding ways to have fun. Joshie has found many cords to chew on and boxes to unload. Sammy and Mary follow us around saying, "Me help...me help." Thomas and Spring are really good helpers and they have really made a big contribution in getting these accomplished. We can't wait for the weekend to have all our stuff in one place!

Aunt Alanna's Visit

We always love to have Alanna come and visit. This trip was not like the traditional trips. With us having to move in the middle of it and also me being at day camp with Thomas all week it has been quite unusual. Add to that the fact that we have ALL gotten the stomach flu (Alanna twice) during the week she was here and it makes for some interesting stories. I have been so grateful for her help this week. We would not have been able to get nearly all accomplished that we did if it weren't for her help. She helped me out in a huge way too by taking Spring to swimming lessons this week also! In between all the chaos of the week we have found some time for fun also. She is so good at spending special time with the kids. She took Spring to get her nails painted and then got her some new flip flops. Spring loves them because they are "heal flip flops". She took Thomas out for ice cream and to get a new LEGO set. Then they spent time putting it together. She has played with and entertained Sammy and Mary all week and helped them have picnics for lunch while I am away at day camp. She also got them some new cute clothes. She has been a lifesaver with Joshie as well. The poor kid has had diarrhea for a week and we have changed way too many diapers, clothes, and sheets! Thanks Alanna for all your help, support, and willingness to just jump in and help out. I promise your next trip will be more relaxing than this one! It is tradition to take pictures of her with the kids while she is here. Usually we take a lot of time and get different poses and such. Not this time...again sometimes we just have to decide what we can let go so we can stay sane! It has been so much fun and I am sad to think she is leaving tomorrow. We can't wait to see her next month at the reunion!

Water, Water, and More Water

Whenever Alanna comes to visit there is bound to be water involved. It's just something that comes natural to her! She got the kids a triple slip n slide which they have all enjoyed immensely. One afternoon this week Thomas and Spring were outside playing in the pool and slip n slide. Spring came in the house so Alanna and I picked her up and ran outside and threw her in the pool. Well, that just started a big waterfight between all of us. When Alanna wasn't looking I ran up and pushed her in the pool. I caught her so off guard that she went completely under...it was classic! I ended up in the pool at one point too. All, along Sammy was in the house bawling because they were being mean hurting his mom! Now, that's a boy that loves his mom!

A few days later Thomas, Spring, Sammy, Garrett, and Haley were out in the pool. Alanna went out and soon enough they had her in the pool too. They all loved that she would come out and play with them. The kids are sure spoiled by their Aunt Alanna.

My Memories of Grandma Spring

I have been wanting to record some of my memories of Grandma since she passed away and it just seems like life has been going so fast that it takes all I have to just barely keep up. I am grateful for the time to now record some of my precious memories of my wonderful grandma.

1. Visiting her in the summer and walking to the store to buy "penny" candy and bringing a bag full back to her house. She would sit with us and look through all our goodies.

2. Driving to her house on the weekends while I was at BYU. I loved the weekends with them. For some reason I always slept so much better at Grandma's house...maybe it was the special down comforter that I always used!

3. Going with her and Grandpa early in the morning when they would visit us in CA.

4. She was always up early making breakfast for everyone.

5. Visiting her at work at the cheese factory.

6. She would always send me home with frozen homemade meals when I would visit while I was at BYU.

7. The way she said "Hello" whenever she answered the phone.

8. Sitting outside in their yard in the afternoon and evening just relaxing and talking with each other. She always had time to talk and she always made everyone feel so at ease.

9. Her amazing strength and courage as she fought and won her battle with cancer.

10. Her smile, hugs, and kisses.

11. Having to tell her I left earlier than I did to drive up to visit her and then waiting about an hour after I got back home before I called her to tell her I had arrived home safely! She always thought it took longer than it did to make that drive!

12. Going to Utah one summer when I was a young all by myself and spending a whole week with her and grandpa. We went on drives up the canyon and to Bear Lake.

13. Playing card games in the evening with her.

14. Her homemade bread and jam. I still think of her when I make bread.

15. Her constant service to everyone around her.

16. Watching her love and spend time with my children. She always wanted to know how they were doing and what they liked. Our children loved to talk to her and send her letters.

17. Her amazing spirit. She is incredible. She is my hero and my example of strength, courage, and unconditional love.

It is still hard to realize she is gone but her legacy will continue on forever. I am so grateful my children were able to know her and to share in her radiant life. I hope Mary and Spring always remember they share a name with an amazing and incredible woman. I look forward to the day when we will see each other again and I will hear her say "Hello" and give me a hug and kiss again.

Last Day of School

I am finally getting around to posting the pictures of Thomas and Spring on their last day of school (School ended last Thursday, the 4th of June). I like to take a picture of them on the 1st day and the last day to compare and see how much they have grown. It has been a wonderful year and they both did exceptionally well in school. Thomas is excited for school to be out; however, Spring is really sad to see the year end. She comments often on how fast the year went and how she wished she was still in school. Thomas reassures her that school will start again and the fun will continue. Thomas loves school too and he has the experience and understanding that next year he will see his friends again and all will be good! Spring will have to learn that. I am just so excited for them to be home with me during the day. I love summer vacation!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

Tuesday evening we went to the open house of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Alanna, Eric, and Emily came with us. It was a great experience and the kids really enjoyed being able to walk through the temple and see how beautiful it is. We quickly took some pictures as soon as we came out of the tour and we made it just in time before a huge thunder and lightening storm hit. It poured down rain and then down came HUGE hail. I was reminded of how much I love spring and summer storms in Utah. I am grateful we had this time to share together and to be able to have Alanna, Eric and Emily with us.

Fun with Aunts & Uncles

We were able to enjoy time with family while we were in Utah for the funeral. Aunt Kim and Uncle Matt took each of the kids somewhere special on Saturday afternoon. Spring went to the dollar store and got a teddy bear. Thomas went with them to DI and they found him junior golf clubs. Sammy and Mary went shopping with them also. They all have talked about their special time with Aunt Kim. Sunday afternoon we headed to Salt Lake to spend a few days with Alanna and Eric. We invaded their apartment and they were so accomodating. Joshie loved chewing on all of Eric's wires. Poor Eric was bombarded with all the kids because they only wanted to be with him. They enthusiastically greeted him when he would come home from work. During the day we went swimming, shopping to IKEA, and to a place with fun jump houses. On Tuesday Aunt Emily came up and we went back to the jump houses and had fun there together. Our kids are so blessed to have amazing aunts and uncles that shower love and attention on them.

Grandma's Funeral

My Grandma Spring passed away on Tuesday, June 2nd.  The kids and I were able to come to Utah for her funeral.  We left on Thursday afternoon right after the kids' last day of school.  We got to my sister's house in Salt Lake around 1:00 am.  The kids really did well on the drive and Thomas and Spring were my big helpers!  We then headed to Smithfield, Utah Friday afternoon. We enjoyed the time to visit with family and share memories of Grandma.  She is an amazing woman.  We attended the viewing on Saturday morning.  Sammy kept wanting to "see Grandma Skipper" again and again.  So we would walk over to the casket so he could see her.  He would just quietly look at her.  I wondered what he was thinking but unable to express.  The funeral was a wonderful opportunity to remember and reflect on the life of my Grandma.  It still doesn't seem real that she has passed on.  Thomas was able to accompany for a special musical number, "A Child's Prayer" at the funeral.  He enjoyed being able to do that.  After the funeral we stood as the casket was rolled out and we followed behind.  Sammy kept asking me, 

"Mom,where are they taking Grandma?"  We told him that her spirit is with Heavenly Father and Jesus but her body was going to be buried.  When we got to the cemetery for the burial he asked me, "Mom, is this where Grandma is going to live now?"  Then he asked, "Mom, where's Jesus?  Let's go find Jesus."  He thought since this is where Grandma's casket was going to be then Jesus had to be there too.  Such innocence and yet difficult concepts for him to understand.  I am grateful I could be here for this special time.  I am grateful for my testimony of life after death and my knowledge of the plan of salvation.  Although it is difficult to know my grandma has passed to the next life, my testimony helps bring comfort to me.  I know I will see grandma again and I know she is enjoying being with Grandpa again.

Cowboy & Cowgirl

Yesterday morning Joshua was napping so I was cleaning bathrooms. Sammy and Mary were playing in the front room and I vaguely heard them talking about dress ups and then something about cowboys. They were laughing, giggling, and having fun so I didn't think much of it. I was actually enjoying having some time to clean the bathrooms without them right underneath me. I came into the front room and discovered what they were up to. They had Spring's dress up stuff all over the place and they were dressed up as a cowboy and a cowgirl. They were sure proud of themselves as they were running around the front room. In Sammy's words, "We're looking for cows mom! We're going to fix them so we can eat them for dinner." He then showed me that he had his tool box all ready for the job! Don't mind shirtless Mary. I tried to convince her to put on a shirt but she was having nothing of that!