24 April 2011

Grandma Linda and Grandpa Dan came to visit this weekend for Abe's baptism. Grandma showed us a new way to dye Easter eggs. Brandan donated an old silk tie for the project. Grandma cut the tie into squares and showed us how to tie the fabric around the eggs. We then boiled the eggs in water and vinegar.

When the eggs were cool enough to handle, we unwrapped the fabric. The pattern from the tie transfered to the egg with remarkable clarity.

On Saturday morning we had an Easter egg hunt. Here's Helen getting started.

 

Gibson thought this itty-bitty egg was hilarious. He used his plastic pointer finger to help him find eggs.

 

Sophie is taller than Grandma! 

We had scheduled Saturday pretty tightly: Easter egg hunt, soccer game, then Abe's baptism. As we came home from the game to change for the baptism, Gibson tripped and hit his face on the corner of a picnic bench, splitting his upper lip. The gaping V obviously needed stitches. The stake baptism program began in less than an hour (Abe needed to be there in 30 minutes.) To make a long story short-- and thanks to the goodness of many people in our ward and stake-- we were able to postpone the baptism 3 hours while Gibson was seen at the ER. A bit of grace-- Gibson held very still while his lip was numbed then got stitches. He did not need to be sedated as the doctor had anticipated for a child his age, which would have extended our ER stay. Gibson's composure made it possible for Grandma and Grandpa to stay for the baptism and meet their other obligations at home.

 

Back from the ER, Brandan hurried with Abe ahead of the rest of the family to the church. Our first view of them at the church was all in white, looking very ready for the baptism. Abe has looked forward to his baptism for a long time. Under the direction of Bishop Idiart, we enjoyed a very impromptu and still beautiful service. Grandma played the piano and gave a talk. Sophie led the music and gave a prayer. Becky gave the other talk. Brandan baptized Abe and Grandpa confirmed him. Abe's good buddies were able to attend the baptism and we felt their love and support.

 

Becky got a little teary when Brandan and Abe came into the room after changing out of their wet clothes.  They looked so handsome together in their suits.

 

The day turned out very different than we expected, but happily in the end. Sophie was a fantastic help, making lots of phone calls while watching Helen and Abe.

 

And hooray for Grandma and Grandpa! Helpful and fun through their whole stay, they were especially useful in our little emergency. Grandma drove with Becky to the ER, helping Gibson keep a washcloth on his lip and singing to him, then enduring the long wait. Grandpa went to the church after the stake baptism was over since the stake leaders cannot leave an unattended font full of water. Then they drove through the night to make it back to Utah for a baby blessing this morning. We're so thankful for their love and sacrifice.

 

So happy today for a quiet Easter Sunday! Gibson is doing great today. He needs to drink with a straw, but otherwise his lip doesn't bother him too much. Our kids seem especially sweet and dear to us. We're feeling very thankful for priesthood blessings, for the gifts of the Spirit, for saving ordinances, for the Savior who makes all these blessings possible, for the promise of eternal life. "He is not here: for he is risen."

 

17 April 2011

We're about 3/4 through the school year now and it shows if you look at the kids' school supplies. Sophie tried duct taping her binder back together when it split open. It held until Brandan picked the binder up to move it.

We're about 3/4 through the school year now and it shows if you look at the kids' school supplies. Sophie tried duct taping her binder back together when it split open. It held until Brandan picked the binder up to move it.

We finished the delightful Betsy-Tacy books this week and celebrated with a picnic. It was wet and rainy so we had our picnic inside. Betsy loves picnics. We had hot chocolate, just like she and Tacy always did.

 

The kids have a 4 day weekend this week to celebrate the lack of school funding. On Friday we went to the weather station to watch the weather balloon get launched. Sophie went on a tour of the weather station a few weeks ago and learned that they launch balloons twice a day. A small sensor, about the size of a milk carton is attached to the ballon and transmits data to the weather station. In the photo, the sensor is the white box on top of the bucket. The balloon was smaller than we expected, but we learned that by the time the balloon reaches a height of 20 miles from the ground, it will have expanded to the size of a house. The balloon ultimately explodes and the sensor falls to the ground. Most sensors are never recovered, but an orange parachute is attached to keep the sensor from hurting someone or something if it falls on them.

It's Pinewood Derby time! All of our kids are busy building cars (our pack has sibling races after the main event.) The photo shows Abe using a Dremel to shape his car. The cars are a great educational project, encompassing design, engineering and manufacturing.

 

To keep Gibson out of the power tools, Brandan set him up with some finger paints-- a less risky activity.

 

10 April 2011

Abe played at the Guitar Society this week for the 2nd time. He played "Minuet for Anna" by J. S. Bach. Abe practices his ukulele after breakfast every morning. The mellow sound is perfect for early mornings.

Helen made herself a checklist earlier this week to plan out her day. She showed great organization and worked hard to complete her list.

 

Abe started Cub Scouts this week. He had a wonderful time at his first den meeting.

 

We woke up to a big surprise Thursday morning-- SNOW!

 

Becky ran the Pear Blossom Run on Saturday-- a great 10 mile race. The race gets fantastic local support. Seeing so many friends and neighbors out on the course (it's an out and back race so you really do see almost everyone coming or going) makes you feel like the whole world runs.

 

During Spring Break, we visited our friends, Tim and Kirse, in Vancouver. Their kids had Spring Break this week and they returned the visit with a quick overnighter. The kids put on a very avant-gard production for us involving Greek goddesses, Spiderman, 3 archaeologists and lots of shrieking and laughing. 

3 April 2011

We finally got some sunshine after a long stretch of grey rainy days. We went for a bike ride on Wednesday. Sophie scooted along with Gibson who doesn't ride a bike yet. Abe zipped ahead and beat everyone back home again.

Although the sun is shining, there is still plenty of mud around. Sophie, Abe and Helen came home covered in mud after taking their shoes off at the park.

 

We've spent the weekend indoors, listening to General Conference. The photo shows Abe during the Sunday afternoon session. His cup holder is full of candy and he's settled in with a book-- he looks pretty comfortable. So much to like about conference! The music was fantastic. Our kids favorite songs were "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus," "Have I Done Any Good," "Press Forward, Saints," and "The Spirit of God." We listened to the messages to "Wake Up!"-- to serve each other better in our family, to be better neighbors and to help our brothers and sisters throughout the world. This conference has been as refreshing and invigorating as the coming of Spring.

 

Another reason to celebrate-- Abe turned 8 today! Spending the whole day together made his birthday extra special. Abe likes challenges, projects and hard work. He's dependable and capable. Two funny sidenotes: Abe wore the shirt he made at his 7th birthday party on purpose today. He plans to wear it next year for his 9th birthday, too. Also, Abe requested apple crisp for dessert tonight. Warm apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla soy ice cream is heavenly. Warm apple crisp also melts wax candles which is why the candles in the photo are twisting topsy-turvy.