Our Brilliant Banner Roll Student

We got Katie's report card today and she made Banner Roll AGAIN! She has made Banner Roll every six weeks for the entire year! We are so proud of her and all of her hard work this year! Great job Katie!

Cleaning Up, Cleaning Out, and Making Room

After Hurricane Audrey and her sister left on Friday, we were all so exhausted we all took a nap. When we woke up, we cleaned out two closets to make room for food storage. Ever since our amazing stake food storage specialist came and spoke at our April Enrichment, I have felt an urgency to get it done. In the past few years, I have told myself that we just don't have room for food storage and made it okay, in my mind, to not worry about it. But now I have the 'food storage bug' and I am determined to make room, no matter what I have to throw out. Having our food storage is much more important than having clothes, toys, or whatever is in all of these closets that we don't need or even use. I can't stop thinking about it. I usually fall asleep thinking about it and wake up thinking about it. My husband calls it OCD, but I prefer to think of it as the spirit reminding me of the importance of getting it done--or, inspiration.
So after making room for 600 lbs. of wheat in the two closets we cleaned out, there was another mess, on top of the destruction from the category 1 hurricane. Instead of cleaning it up, we took the girls to Dan and Kayla's and went on a date. After our date, we came home and watched a movie and stayed up way too late. So after sleeping in on Saturday (we're trying to stick to that summer schedule), I woke up to the disaster and decided it was time to get to work. I spent hours trying to clean up the toys, figure out what to throw out, and finding places for the things we were keeping that needed a new home. It took a while before it even looked like I had been working, but slowly the house got put back together and surprisingly, we didn't really have too much stuff to get rid of--mostly just making better use of our space. Which just goes to prove that Nephi knew what he was talking about when he said, "...I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7)

Baby Briley

Today we watched our friend's (and neighbors) little girls, Audrey (2) and Briley (3 months). Briley was a little fussy, not bad, but it took me a few minutes to remember to check her diaper and to realize that maybe she was tired. I didn't realize it until today, but I think my baby skills are a little rusty. It was not only obvious to me, but Sarah also. At lunch I was holding Briley while she was crying and trying to get Sarah to leave Briley and go eat her food, when she said, "Mom, I don't think you will take good care of her." I guess crying means that the baby in not being taken care of. It's a good thing Sarah was born after Katie because she would have thought I was a terrible mom because Katie was colicky and cried a lot. I also forgot how time consuming a little one can be. It wasn't until after they left that I realized how much time I had spent with Briley as I was noticing the disaster area that her big sister Audrey had created in THREE ROOMS--it seriously looked like our toy box threw up! But, she was happy and had a great time pulling out toys from every nook and cranny she could find and then scattering them all over the place. And I had a great time trying to take care of Briley.



"I can hold her by myself Mom. I don't need any help."



Katie likes to hold babies, but after a minute or so, shes done and ready to move on.



Sarah on the other hand, was right there watching her every move. This was right after Briley had woke up from her short nap. She was a little fussy, so Sarah went to get her bottle. "See Mom. I'm a good calmer downer!" If we are ever blessed with more children, I know I will have lots of good help.

What Time Is It? SUMMERTIME

Finally, the last link of our countdown chain was taken down today, meaning that school is out and it is officially SUMMERTIME! WAHOO! This day has been much anticipated by Katie, because she is ready to stay up late and go to the waterpark, by Sarah, because she is ready for her sissy to be home to play with her everyday and go to the waterpark, and by me, so that I can sleep later that 6:30am and have both my girls with me all day! However, we do have a pretty rigorous summer schedule.

Monday--waterpark
Tuesday--movie day/story time at library
Wednesday--waterpark
Thursday--waterpark
Friday--grocery shopping, waterpark
Saturday--sleep late, clean house

And to add to that tough schedule, swim lessons, two week trip to NC, weekend getaway to San Antonio, lots of fun crafts, and sleepovers too! Yes, that's our summer in a nutshell--lots of fun and relaxation!

"It's A Sad Day!"

That's what Sarah said as we were leaving the airport this afternoon after dropping Grandma and Grandaddy off. Usually it's just me crying as we leave, but today Aaron drove away from the airport with three girls with sad faces and teary eyes. Katie said, "I wish I were in Grandma's suitcase right now." And Sarah replied, "Me too. Like when I was in Mama's suitcase when she was going scrapbooking." For at least thirty minutes of our two hour drive home, Sarah just kept saying over and over, "I just don't know why they have to leave!", "I sure had fun with my grandparents.", and "I wish those grandparents didn't have to leave!" She was quite pitiful. We're so glad that they were able to come visit and for all of the fun memories that we made together.





The girls and Grandma enjoyed playing air hockey together this morning before we left for Baton Rouge.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Today as we were driving in the car, Sarah asked Grandma, "Do yal believe in Jesus?" Grandma said, "Yes, we do." Sarah replied, "Good, because Jesus will guide you and keep you safe."

Memorial Day Weekend Celebrations

We have enjoyed the long Memorial Day weekend by celebrating each day with different activities. Here are the highlights.

FRIDAY night we had the Andrews over to celebrate the arrival of sweet little Jackson. He is just adorable!

The girls were crazy about him--especially Sarah!

Aaron grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for supper, and for dessert we had a yummy cookie cake to celebrate dad's 69th birthday on Wednesday and of course Jackson's birthday too--or as Aaron calls him '7-11' (Jackson's birth weight). He actually can't decide if he likes '7-11' or 'action Jackson' best.

SATURDAY we went to the waterpark again and it was much warmer outside, which translated to lots more fun. Sarah went down the kiddie slides for the first time and she loved it! We practically had to drag her off of them.

Saturday afternoon we headed to church for the ward crawfish boil. It was my parents first time trying boiled crawfish and they were really good sports about it--even my mom, which is a HUGE thing for her to try new foods.

They did actually eat them, not just have their picture taken with the crawfish in front of them. And they liked them, but thought they were lots of work for just a little bit of food, which is true.

My mom was so funny. She kept pulling the tail off and throwing it down and asking, "Now what do you do? How do you get it out?"

Katie and Sarah had a blast riding their bikes and playing with their friends. But Katie fell and scrapped up her knee and foot pretty good. So to distract her from her pain and suffering, Aaron asked if she wanted to have a bike race with her friends. So he rounded up some kids and they had a race.....AND.........

.....SHE WON--even with her hurt knee and foot!

She was so proud of herself!

SUNDAY we went to church of course.

That afternoon me and my little chefs made 'monster cookies', another yummy recipe from the Essential Mormon Celebrations cookbook.

You know they're going to be good when you can't stop eating the dough! Seriously, they were SOOOOOO GOOD!

We also found some squash in our garden today! HOORAY! It's so fun having a garden and watching it grow!

But the highlight of the day was definitely the pillow fight we had Sunday evening in the living room. It started out with just the girls and grandma and grandaddy (it was just so much fun watching them interact with each other and hearing all the laughs), and then Aaron and I joined in too. It probably lasted at least an hour! I don't know who had more fun--the grown ups or the kids!

MONDAY we started out the day going to Walmart to buy red, white, and blue nail polish and then came home and I gave the girls, grandma and myself a Memorial Day pedicure. It was so fun and it turned out pretty cute!



This afternoon we went to Lake Charles to see the Avenue of Flags, where over seven hundred are on display.



We saw several really cool early American flags.







It was my first time going and my parents too, of course. It was an awesome sight to behold so many flags in one place and to realize that they all represent the life of one man or woman who served our country. I am so grateful for all who are willing to sacrifice their time, energy, and sometimes their lives to protect our freedom. I feel truly blessed to live in this great country.
Here are my two favorite veterans.



While we were in Lake Charles, we decided to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Delicious! And then came home to hang out and watch a movie.
We have had a great weekend, and a great couple of weeks with Grandma and Grandaddy!

Funny Girl

Tonight we called for Sarah to come to the kitchen for supper. She called back, "I can't! I'm reading!" When I found her, this is what she was 'reading.'



I guess Bitty Baby will be potty training soon! Good luck Sarah!



After a busy day of exercising with Grandma and Grandaddy at SPAR, no nap, watering the garden, playing outside, and reading up on potty training techniques, Sarah admitted that she was "one hundred pounds tired" and fell asleep on my nicely folded towels.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Our garden is growing like crazy! It looks a little bit like a jungle because we never did relocate the squash and zucchini like we were supposed to. Hopefully it won't get too out of control.



Lots of flowers......AND...........



........our first tomato! We thought about slicing it up for some fried green tomatoes, but we decided to let it get a little bigger! hee! hee! Can't wait!

Miss Photogenic

This kid loves to pose for the camera. When I got the camera out to take a picture of her with the cute necklace that she bought with her birthday money from Grandma, she went crazy posing. She cracks me up!

Beef Stroganoff

Tonight I made the best Beef Stroganoff ever! The recipe came from the Essential Mormon Celebrations cookbook. Here is the recipe if you don't have it.

1 1/2 pounds top round steak, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
4 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 can beef consomme (I just used beef broth)
1 8 ounce can mushrooms
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup sour cream
noodles or rice for 8 (I used noodles)

Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a plastic bag. Add meat strips and shake until well coated. In a large frying pan, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. Add onion and garlic and cook until lightly browned. Place in a bowl and set aside. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in frying pan along with olive oil over medium heat. Place meat in pan and brown on all sides. Add beef consomme and onion and garlic mixture. Cover and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes. Add mushrooms and Worcestershire sauce and cook for about 10 more minutes, or until meat is tender. Just before serving, top with sour cream. Serve over buttered noodles or rice. Makes 8 servings. DELICIOUS!

Our Lil' Star

Tonight was Katie's first T-ball game against the 'Fillies.' I forgot to get a picture of her cheering section, which included, daddy, me, Sarah, Grandma, Grandaddy, and Maw Maw.



She got to hit twice and got a good hit both times.



But each time she ran to home plate, she just stopped and stood there on the plate until the coach told her she did a good job and to go back to the dugout. I guess she just likes being home!:) It's so cute to watch her and all of the team (except for a couple who must have played last year) figure out how it's all supposed to work.



She played catcher for a while and did a really good job! And she was just so dang cute!



Her friend Audrey was on the 'Fillies' team. I was kinda surprised when she didn't start waving and calling her name when she came up to bat.



We aren't sure who won. Aaron, who was coaching third base, said he thought we won. But I thought the other team had more runs. Who knows....and who cares really. It was just fun to be there and watch!



And even Sarah showed her good sportsmanship by going out to slap hands with the 'Fillies.' And here is the team picture.

Let's Go Fly A Kite

Tonight we met the Lundquists at the Civic Center in Lake Charles to fly kites. The weather was perfect--nice and sunny and lots of wind to keep the kites flying high. Aaron won the prize for the highest flying kite, only after stealing some extra string from Gary. But the Lundquists won for the coolest kite.

Katie was having fun and doing a great job with her kite, until the string got all tangled.

Sarah, who was excited about flying her kite before we got there, was pretty much done before we even got her kite in the air because she noticed we were right beside "the castle park." We tried to distract her and get her refocused on the kite, but it was no use. Finally, Gary and Aaron took the girls over to play while Ava and I visited with mom and dad.

After a few minutes of playing, they came back and the girls decided to roll down the hill.

It is apparently not as easy as it seems to roll down a hill, as they were pretty tired afterwards. However, they were quickly re-energized when the Lundquists announced we were all going to Wendy's for frostys. A delicious ending to a fun night!