Goodbye Grandma Bonnie :(

I was learning about the new photo features on Instagram and trying a filter out on Rylee and I. It makes me laugh that my kids know so much more about electronics then I do. I like that they know though so they can explain things to me, it is very helpful. 

I love this picture of me and my youngest cuddling on the couch. As she has gotten older the cuddles have definitely been getting fewer and further in between so I will take any opportunity she gives me!

On Monday it was time to say goodbye and drop my Mom off at the airport. It was really nice having her here for the two weeks and I will miss having her around. After I drove away from the airport I looked at the empty seat next to me and got really sad, it was nice having her fill that seat every time I went somewhere. 

I wanted to get pictures of her with all of the kids but forgot and so it was just Rylee and I who got pictures.

I piked Ryker up from school this day to go get his drivers training permit. He was super tired and fell asleep on the way home. I took some pictures and even did a boomerang video of him sleeping while I quickly pressed the brake pedal. It was funny watching his sleepy head go back and forth.

YCC Practice

I had to help drive kids to the Stake practice for our dance in the YCC and since we had so many youth participating in our stake we had to find a place big enough to hold them all for the practice. That place ended up being an empty warehouse in Boise. It was about a 20 minute drive to and from and wasn't the funnest driving wise but having 4-6 girls in our car was pretty fun.

Avynlea, Tessa Trite, Katie Myers, Jordyn Manthy, Sara Fuller and Ashleigh Snow

All of the kids had partners to dance with and Avynlea's original partner, Shaeden Albert, had to back out so she got matched up with Natalie Kashyap. Avynlea and Natalie had so much fun getting to know each other and dancing with each other, they became really great friends through this process which made both their Mamas really happy. Natalie is more quiet and shy while Avy is more outgoing, they are a perfect match and compliment each other so well. They helped make practice more fun for each other.

Avynlea had a spot right up towards the front which was pretty great for viewing purposes. This practice was a dress rehearsal practice and Avynlea looked so cute in her pioneer clothes, the skirt was one of Kenedy's that she wore on her very first trek. Our Stake dance represented working in the fields before irrigation and the song they danced to was called "digging in the dirt"

Ryker was also up towards the front pretty close to Avynlea. His dance partner was Kayden Munson and he also had fun dancing with him. Practices were hectic, loud, frustrating and crazy but it was fun watching the kids as they improved.

 Kenedy was always late to our practices since she had to work, luckily she has a nice, understanding and flexible boss so that Kenedy was able to get off work early to get to at least some of the practice. Kenedy was more towards the back and her partner was Aubrey Ashton. 

Veterans day Assembly

One Friday after school Bailey called Ryker to see if he wanted to help him do booties at the Temple for the Open House. Ryker had nothing else to do so he went with Bailey. While he was there Darcy Dille a friend from our old ward spotted him and took a picture with him to send me on Facebook. 

My Mom got to finally be with us to go to one of my kids concerts. Avynlea was singing in the Veterans day assembly and I was excited to go because it is my favorite concert to attend, I love patriotic songs, and also because my Mom was going to be there with me. Rylee had her friend Serena over for the day and they got to come along as well. 

 As always the assembly did not disappoint. We got to listen to the choirs sing patriotic Hymns with accompaniment from the orchestra. We got to recognize and cheer for the Veterans in attendance and we got to listen to the presentation on the Grave of the Unknown soldier. I love this assembly so much, I feel the Spirit and also an overwhelming sense of pride, love and gratitude for our country. 

Avynlea is smack dab in the middle of the front row between the flags.

Birthday Time!

The morning of my birthday Kefford made me breakfast which was pretty great. Scrambled eggs and toast with strawberry jam. I love having breakfast made for me, well any meal really. 

Rylee wanted to make the birthday cake for me and Ryker and since she was on track break she was able to get it done in the morning. After she got the cake in the oven she set the timer on the microwave and then pulled a stool over so she could sit and keep an eye on the timer while also reading her book. 

Our birthday fell on a Wednesday this year and the kids were in the middle of dance practice for the Youth Cultural Celebration. So we had to have a bit of a rushed birthday celebration since the mutual age kids had to be at dance practice. Kenedy was at work and missed out on our partying which made me sad but I guess it is something I need to get used to since she will soon be off to college. Ryker was pretty anxious to start opening his presents and so we ate a rushed dinner of steak and fries and then let him have at it.

I got some gift cards which I always love and my Mom gave me my baby book and some childhood items of mine. An old journal, school papers and swim ribbons she had found. I was pretty excited about all of it especially the ribbons because I thought those were gone forever. It was fun reading through my journal and I definitely had some good laughs over the things I had written.

After gifts it was time for cake and Rylee made a delicious chocolate cake with crystal looking sprinkles on top. She did a really great job and I loved how excited she was about the great job she did. 

Kefford did an awesome job of cleaning up the kitchen since all of the kids were at YCC practice. I am a Beehive advisor and should have been at the practice as well but I took the night off for my birthday. :)

I had to get a picture of the hat my friend Michelle Ray knitted for me and the Belle/Gryffindor shirt Brit got for me. 

It was a very Happy Birthday for Ryker who turned 15 and for me who am now 39

5 things I love about Ryker:

1) He is a hard worker at school and despite taking harder classes, AP and Honors, does really well at keeping his grades up. He pays attention to what his grades are and works really hard to get them back up if they slip down to a B. His goal is to get straight A's all through High School and I know he can do it. 

2) He is good to all the other boys at church and I have had more then one Mother tell me they appreciate Ryker reaching out to and including their boys in his fun. He is really great at being including and has a good time will all the kids.

3) He likes to tease and sometimes torment his sisters but he loves them and is becoming more of a friend to Kenedy and likes to have fun with Avynlea and Rylee. I like seeing him have fun with his siblings. He and Rylee especially get along well and I often comment I am glad they have each other. They have similar interests and have no problem hanging out and finding things to do.

4)He loves the Gospel and has a testimony of our Savior that he is constantly working on strengthening. He loves Seminary and loves to tell us different points of Doctrine he is learning or a cool well his teacher taught a certain principle. 

5) Ryker can be quick to temper but he is also quick to apologize and make amends for the things he does wrong. He is a good boy and I am glad he is mine.

Rykers Favorite things:

Food: Hamburgers

Dessert: Ice Cream

Candy: Sour gummies

Church Song: If you could Hie to Kolob

Radio Song: Believer by Imagine Dragons

Book: Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordon

Movie: Justice League

Color: green

Friend: Parker Myers, Nathan Ferguson, Sam Ashton and Kaden Munson

Scripture Story: Helamen and the Stripling Warriors

Thing to do: trying new things

School Subject: Math

The Meridian Temple...again

After school Ryker came up with a checklist of things he and Rylee needed to build with their legos. Pretty sure they were bored and were trying to come up with things to do. They made a happy face, built the tallest tower, made their initials out of the Lego's and make a sword. It was cute watching them build and then check off that item on their list. Avy was busy in the background wrapping a Christmas present for a lucky member of my family. 

I realized I wasn't taking any pictures of my Mom so I took a picture of her writing in her journal. It has been so nice having her here and I have really been loving spending time with her.

It has really been bothering me that we haven't been able to go through the Meridian Temple as A family. With Kenedy's busy schedule it has been hard to find a time to get together. We definitely wanted to take my Mom through and so I planned Tuesday night for us all to go. Kenedy had cheer pictures and when she got home we finished eating dinner and then got ready to head out. 

It was a lot more crowded then the other times we had gone and it was really cold walking to and from the Stake Center to the Temple. The most time we had to wait was getting our shoe coverings on and once we got up to the tent we were able to stand in front of heaters to make it more tolerable. 

I loved being able to go through the Temple with Kefford and all of my kids. It was a special feeling being in their together and I had a lot of emotions as I felt the Spirit.  As we were going through the sealing room Kenedy made the comment that she will be going in there in a couple of years and it made me reflect on how fast time is going and that all of my kids will be utilizing that room before we know it. I love being able to raise my kids in this Gospel and I love the opportunities we have being so close to a Temple. I can't wait to see what the future holds for our family and this beautiful Temple.

After the tour we went through the reception tent and had some pictures taken. I am feeling so grateful for my little family at this time and for the knowledge that families are forever. It was especially special to have my Mom with us, any time spent with my family is good time.

One funny thing I want to remember is that after the video presentation before the tour started the tour guide asked if anyone needed to take the elevator tour. Rylee leaned over and said "Grandma?" and I knew as soon as she said that that she was really hoping that her Grandma would need the elevator so Rylee could ride it also. Sure enough when Mom said she was fine to use the stairs Rylee was pretty disappointed. 

After the Temple tour we drove to the Stake Center so Kenedy could have her eclesiastical interview with the Stake President. While we were waiting for her Joshua sent a picture to the Lutes Hangout of a card he received in the mail from Avynlea. It made me laugh so hard, she sure is a goofy one. She said the prize she got was a ghost keychain and it was worth it.

Family Home Evening Fun

We invited Shawn and Elaine Josi over for dinner and FHE on Monday night. I made Lemon Fehttuchini Alfredo with chicken and broccoli and it was delicious. I also had homemade rolls fresh and hot from the oven. We had a great time chatting and eating and then after dinner we gathered for FHE. 

I gave a lesson on why it is important to stay worthy and it was nice to have the Josi's with us for their insight.

After the amazing lesson we played the mouthguard game. With a mouthguard in the person has to read the sentence and we have to guess what they are saying. It was hilarious and so hard to understand a lot of what the kids were trying to read. We would guess and guess and then some of them we got right but some we had to give up and have them take the guard out to tell us what they were saying. 

Kenedy first put hers in wrong and it was pretty painful for her...oops.

We had such a fun night and I am glad we were able to have my Mom and the Josi's over!

Start of November

Heather sent a spatula with Mom for me to have. They have one just like it at their house and I love it because it is our thing! This one was especially great, it has a Sloth which is Heather's favorite animal and it says slow cooker. It took me a bit to understand the pun in that phrase but I did get it!

On Wednesdays I wait outside the Library to pick up Avynlea after school. so I can take her to piano lessons. I used to pick her up in the parking lot outside the church but we switched to the Library because I was late a few times and Avy did not like waiting outside for me. She felt like everyone was staring at her as they drove by. While we were waiting on this particular Wednesday I saw a boy ride up on his Bicycle that looked just like Joshua. Mom told me I should take a picture and so I did get one as he was walking in. Once he got off the bike he didn't resemble Joshua as much because this kid was pretty short.

Friday Avynlea and Ryker had Dental appointments to get a few cavities fixed. I forgot about the appt and set up a meeting with Kenedy's cheer coach at the same time so that Kefford and I could address some concerns we had about the Anaheim cheer trip they have scheduled for January. I asked my Mom if she would drive them to their appointment and she was hesitant but she came through and did it. I had Kefford drop me off at the Dentist after our meeting so that I could take back the driving duties but first I had to take a picture of my kids with their funny numbed up smiles. Rykers wasn't bad at all so I had him fake it for the second picture.

Avynlea had a friend over Friday night and they invited Rylee to sleep with them she did not want to, she wanted to have a slumber party on her own. I told her she could sleep in my room on the cot and she seemed to enjoy that. We read for a bit and then she told me a few stories and then we went to sleep. Rylee woke up and got up at about 2:40 in the morning and I asked her where she was going. I think she was little bit out of it but she told me she was cold. I told her she could get another blanket and to to come back to bed. She did and she slept soundly for the rest of the night.

Saturday night Kefford showed Avynlea and Rylee some funny movies on his phone. I loved watching and hearing them laughing together, it was really fun.

Showing off my bangs in a picture I posted on our Lutes hangout.

On Sunday I did a different braid in Rylee's hair and I think it turned out pretty cool. She got a lot of compliments in church so there were others who thought it was cool as well.