We just got back from Ernie Wallengren’s funeral and what a great experience that was. That man touched many people in his 50 years. There were more in attendance than at Stake Conference and most non-members. I felt like it was a great missionary opportunity taken and run with. Two hours flew by and Serra~V~ was a little angel with Linda Niell the whole time (even took a little snooze).
Here is a photo I lifted from Mom from Dad’s birthday. It looks like the folks are singing a song.
We had a great Memorial Day. At around 3 pm we headed up to Lupin Hill and used the vast lawn area to play games. It was really warm out and everyone was sweating like pigs. Everyone got into the fun though. Mom met up with one of her sons elbows and went down hard. She lay on the grass for a few minutes as she watched the birdies fly around her head. She is now sporting a hefty black and blue bruise on the side of her face that Julie would have been proud to display back in the day. Back at the homestead; barbeque chicken, baked beans, and a plethora of salads. There sure were a lot of boys around. Luckily the Bennings came and they have a few daughters. Along with the Bennings we had the Hansens from down the street, the Shahs, Tippits, and all us Arnells and Andersons. When it cooled down outside we came inside and played Pictionary. The women dominated the men and some of the men quit the game because they couldn’t take the heat. Fun was had by all.
Last week Brian and I house sat for the Hansons. They have sold their home and are in the process of moving but were going up to Andrea’s wedding in Utah. Their dog Jake needed company so they called us to help out. Here are some pictures from Dad’s birthday and from yesterday.
What good uncles our kids have. Dallas and Dave are so good to play with the kidlets. This is grandpa sharing his hershey kisses. She gets the whole thing in her mouth and almost manages to consume the whole thing without drooling.
MMMMMM! Dove Ice cream bars.
Grandma giving Serra~V~ a swing. Kim Shah and new baby Jayce.
Serra~V~ and her boyfriend Dallin. I swear she said “Hi Dallin!” on Sunday. She adores him and he is very sweet with her. He is 9.
Well, here we are, another week passed. We stayed busy all week but I am not quite sure with what. Serra~V~ has picked up a cold and although it isn’t a horrendous one it keeps her up nights and so me too. I am very tired and have a hard time napping because I get the most done when she is down.
I started something on Friday, inspired by Debi Onken, and I am going to write about it because the more people that know about it, the more accountable I am to stick with it. Weight Watchers offers an on-line deal, that is cheaper than the walk-in deal, and this way I don’t have to attend meetings. It is a great set-up, and although I should be able to do something like this on my own I haven’t been able to. SO…I bit the bullet and here goes. So far, so good and I am impressed with the way the program works. If all goes well, you all should be seeing even less of me than you already do. Instead of being accountable at weekly meetings, I am accountable to myself. However, if I feel like giving up on this quest, I have to remember that I told the entire family and they will see the failure too. Here is to not failing.
Yesterday, Dad’s birthday went off with hardly any hitches. The memory message got out a little late and so not all were able to participate, (Jeff) and then the power went out for over an hour. I was a little worried we weren’t going to be able to retrieve the messages. But it came on just in time and I finished compiling them just as we were sitting down to FHE. WHEW! Dinner was a good choice by Dad. There was too much dessert, but I heard nary a complaint about that. The weather and the company was perfect. A nice day.
There are too many shadows but it still is really cute. Serra~V~…flowersniffer.
Saturday I got up with Serra at a decent time after Brian had already left for work. Dad and Dave were at fathers and sons and Dallas was working around the house, so us ladies went to IHOP for breakfast. It was a busy Saturday morning there but we enjoyed ourselves. Serra~V~ enjoyed some hash browns and ham. She has taken a real liking to meat. Especially chicken. She just can’t seem to get enough. Little carnivore.
When we got home Dallas had cleaned the whole house and I think did the lawns too. Even though it was for Mom for mothers day it benefited me as well. He proceeded to detail her car too. What a good son.
Later I did a complimentary photo shoot for a friend and the pictures turned out good enough that I got another one out of it for someone else that saw the pictures. I think word of mouth is going to get me a few jobs around here. That would be nice.
Yesterday morning a knock came on our bedroom door at 7:45. Dallas brought us omelets and potatoes with fresh squeezed orange juice, slightly chilled. Very tasty. Brian has ordered it earlier and got the best of both worlds as he got to stay in bed and enjoy it without the work.
Mom did a great job on her mothers day address. We heard lots of great stories about her mother and grandmothers and some great thoughts. The choir did an small program that I did the solo on. I hate it when this happens but I choked my way through it, it was a little emotional. I think that is what women like though as everyone thought is was great cause they were all crying. I’m glad it’s over. We got little plants from the ward and Brian had arranged for some nice Mary Kay products for me and Mom through the Young Women.
Dallas made steak and mashed potatoes and ROLLS! All very impressive. Some girl out there is really missing out. I can’t complain though because we really are benefiting. Gary and Liesl and there ever increasing clan joined us as well. What a wonderful day. Thanks to all the boys and to Dallas who went the extra mile.
Family letter entry for April:
April was a great month and we reached a few milestone. First of all, Serra~V~ turned one. We had a wild birthday party where we threw water balloons ate cake, and opened lots of nice presents. It was a lot of fun and Serra~V~ enjoyed having her cousins over to play with. She is running now and has almost made the complete switch to people food. She cut 7 teeth in April as well, it was a little miserable at times but she got through it and now loves to chew on things like chicken and honey butter toast.
Also, not including the typical mama, dada words she is saying her first word. HI! She peeks around corner and says HI. And to everyone we see, a big smile and a HI. What is so funny about this is that Brian did the same thing as a little kid. With all her running around she has lost a lot of her baby fat and is starting to thin out and elongate. She is really tall. People ask me if she is two all the time. Barely a year though.
The other major event is Brian’s school. He started grad school this on the 28th and is two weeks in. It is soooo much work. He barely has enough time to complete everything before the next class period. I have to go and take him to lunch a couple of times a week or I don’t see him. He stays at work and studies because that’s the only place free enough of distractions. We don’t see him until 10pm or later most nights. His calling with the young men takes up the rest of his time; Tuesday night activities, temple baptisms, and this last week a dance until midnight. None of the boys have drivers licenses so he has become the chauffeur for most of them as well. I don’t think several of the boys would be able to be as active without the rides so it is good that he has a big enough car to do that. But he is busy and I hope he doesn’t burn out.
The other night when he came in late, Serra~V~ squealed and ran to him with her arms up. He told me when she was tiny that he couldn’t wait until she could do that. I think it melts him.
We are still staying with Mom and Dad and it is quite a full house, but we are so grateful for their tolerance of us because it is allowing us to fulfill some dreams.
As promised…here are some more pictures. Like I mentioned in an earlier update, Serra~V~ doesn’t like stuff getting on her. So when I wiped frosting on her leg she got very upset.
Above she is also talking on her cell phone. Everything is a phone nowadays…even the tiniest cheerio. She puts it up to her ear and says…”Bah!”…with the proper inflection in her voice for “hello”.
By the way, the last picture of the gross drain was for the sake of Dwaine being able to see what Brian was talking about.
Where is she, you ask? I have not been able to get on line to put up more pictures as of late since our computer took a big poop. We downloaded something that Windows Explorer didn’t like. Luckily I have some smart and somewhat computer savvy brothers who helped me access all the important stuff like pictures and journal and burn them on a CD. I took it in to Best Buy and had them re-do whatever they do to get this thing running again. So I have spent a good part of today re-installing drivers and programs. Fun! Later when I have everything up and running I will put up the pictures I took over the weekend of the kids. We had the three musketeers stay for two days over the weekend while Gary and Liesl went to some brain enhancing seminars. We took pictures around here of course.
This week along with all the computer fun, Brian started school and is already up to his collarbone in assignments that need to be completed by next class. It begins.
I started this week with an infection that made me not feel so good. I thank Liesl for her wisdom and knowledge on home remedies as I don’t have an established doctor for myself down here yet. The tricks worked and I am at about 98%. And it certainly cost less than a trip to the doctor. Pictures later.
