conference weekend

The tradition continues--matching pajama clothes. This year, in honor of our big move, we all got ASU attire to wear General Conference weekend.

We soaked up as much as we could during the sessions. I keep telling myself that one day it won't be so loud in our house and that I won't be so exhausted that as soon as I sit down during the day I fall asleep. Until then, we listen to as much as possible and then I look forward to studying the addresses when I get my magazine.

In between sessions, we tried to get out some energy. We walked to Sprouts to get candy to munch on during the second session. We also went to my parents house so the boys could all watch the Priesthood session with great-grandpa Allen.

We went on a walk along the canal Sunday afternoon. Everyone had to point out something beautiful along the way. The boys made sure to point out a dead bird. To add to our adventure, it started to sprinkle. I told everyone it would stop and we would be fine so we kept on walking. And then it started to pour. So we ran to take shelter in the nearest house under construction. 

It started to let up so out we went. Before we got very far, it started to dump again so back we ran to our shelter.

We were finally able to emerge and hurry home before the rains continued.

All that rain left our backyard a beautiful mud pit.

After the last session of conference, Perry couldn't resist it and spent a good thirty minutes out playing in the mud by himself. Eventually, the other three kids joined in for a good mud fight. A little mud never hurt anyone.

those September days, the rest

I was lucky enough to go with Kacin's class to visit the MIM. I love going on field trips with my kids. Especially when they are older because, man, it is just fun!

I had never been to the MIM before. I thought it was a fascinating museum. It was both interesting and enjoyable to learn about music around the world. I learned I need to study geography a little bit better. And that God's children around the word are extremely creative and talented. Music is such an important and powerful part of our experience as humans.

Kacin and I had a blast pointing things out to each other. But I did notice he was quick to walk away every time I started dancing to the music. I can't quite understand that because that group of girls, his teacher, and I all had some pretty sweet dance moves. I dare you to listen to all that music and not tap your toes, sway your body, or jump around!

Kacin and I have had a little ongoing joke about Elvis. We stepped away from the group for a few minutes to find the Elvis section.

We had a great conversation with two older ladies who lived during The King's era and remembered watching him on the Ed Sullivan show, etc. I was pretty excited to see everything Elvis so they asked me how old I was. Ha! Elvis spans generations, doesn't he? They took this picture for us.

Kacin's teacher took this picture of us chaperones.

What a fun group of 6th graders!

Layla is mastering the art of the selfie.

For seven days, we had painters in our house working their wall magic. I'm so relieved to have that done and to feel like I can hang things on the walls now!

I think that basically wraps up life in September.

those September days, some more

Layla and I went with a little group of moms and kids to the Great AZ Puppet Theater. We were entertained with a version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. 

Layla also got school pictures taken. We had to choose between these cute shots.

E and I went out on a date to the Hale Theater. Before the show, we ate a yummy meal at Joe's BBQ.

One day we went to Target. All of the older boys in our family needed hair gel and deodorant. Perry wanted to get something to so I let him get a can of shaving cream to play with in the bathtub. Well, I didn't see that after we paid for the items, he sneaked the shaving cream out of the bag. And had a blast with it all the way home. By the time we got home, there was so much shaving cream absolutely everywhere! Our car smelled quite refreshing for a long time after.

Do you see his hand in that compartment? That's where he hid the can of shaving cream. And then later filled the compartment up with the cream.

The older boys have soccer practice a couple of nights each week. Layla and Perry loved playing at the park by their field one night. They were so proud of their climbing skills.

I got to go on a field trip with Perry and his class to serve at Feed My Starving Children. The kids worked so hard and enjoyed it.

A highlight was wearing the hair nets.

 We are still in the open your mouth to smile phase. :)

Red faced after a picnic at the park and playing on the playground.

Layla made some clothes for Minnie and Mickey.

She also had to participate in "reverence training" after some consistently wild behavior at church, fhe, scriptures, and a visit from our Bishop. Each day, for a week she practiced sitting reverently. Sometimes I would turn on a conference talk and sometimes she just had to sit quietly (only for like two minutes each time). We put stickers on a paper every time she was reverent. Sometims she even earned two at a time! The training has paid off and we've seen some good progress.

Especially bad picture of the first soccer game when Kacin got to represent his team to meet with the refs and choose sides, but soccer season is well underway!

those September days, part one

September was rough for me. I think even through some tantrums because nothing seemed to be going right. It was a culmination of smaller things. But even the smaller things have a way of piling up enough to get you down sometimes. Which makes me so glad when I remember to take pictures of our little life here. It reminds me that we may go through some stressful and emotional things, but there is so much light and joy scattered in between. I need to remember that sometimes. Life is good. Here are some more of those good moments from September.

We set a trap for Kacin. When he walked into his room 30 small papers fluttered to the ground. Each one told him something Eric and I love about him.

The boys got new soccer balls and left their boxes in the car. When I picked Layla up from school, she discovered if she put the box on her head she looked like one of Perry's beloved transformers. And then for the next five min, it was "I am a robot, I am a robot. I am a robot. . ." all the way home.

We got our own real robot at home. Before we took the Roomba out of the box, we joked with the kids that we got a pet dog. They thought that thing was pretty cool. And then Layla named it Spot. And as she pet its head she said she would take care of it. I thought everyone understand it was just a joke and it was not really a dog. But the next morning, I heard Layla pat her legs and call to "Spot" from across the room. When it didn't come, I heard her stomp her feet and take a seat on the stairs. She was mumbling angrily to herself so I went to check on her. With her arms folded across her chest, she huffily told me "That's not even a real dog!!! That vacuum is just a vacuum!"

Kyler will sometimes serenade me with the songs he is learning in his guitar class at school. I love hearing him play!

A few weeks after we moved in, we did a little more exploring of our new community. We visited the big park and the water, saw the splash pad, and journeyed along the paths. It is a beautiful area. Especially when Eric models for the camera. He cracks me up.