Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Outside my house right now.

Having a lemonade stand is kind of a right of passage isn't it?  Except this isn't a lemonade stand.  It's an orange stand.  Originally he wanted to sell the tangerines that I had bought at the store, but later it changed to the oranges from the tree.

He has all the signs of a great childhood, Sitting in the sun, faithful dog looking on (faithful because he is tied up), and really nice neighbors who take pity on our kid.  

Oh, and I've giving free cookies to whoever buys an orange from my son.  A thank you gift from me for making my child's day.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Traditions

Picture is from 2009.  Drawing by Alan of President Monson.
I was at a Relief Society activity recently that mentioned planing traditions.  In my experience traditions can not be planned.  We've tried a few in our marriage but they really didn't take.  Traditions in our family seem to just happen.  General Conference was this weekend and we definately have a few traditions for General Conference.

Our first tradition is one that I'm sure we share with many others.  Cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  I made them once for conference, and the kids have never forgotten, and always insist on the cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  In fact for the last month Hyrum has been telling his Primary teachers about the cinnamon rolls every week for a month.  The secret to my cinnamon rolls by the way, brown sugar, instead of white.  And don't even think about serving them with out cream cheese frosting.


Our second tradation is our Reverence Tent.  A few years ago there was a story in the Friend Magazine that told about a family getting ready for conference.  The had studied about King Benjamin in The Book of Mormon and how the people had come and set up tents to hear him speak and the kids in the story decided to set up their own tent to hear the prophet speak.  Our kids love this tradition.  Really any excuse to build a fort is good for them.  We never have to remind them but every conference we have a fort set up in front of the TV.   I'm just glad that they look forward to conference.  Never mind that half way thought conference Alan is loudly declaring how boring it is.  At least the six months between conferences is long enough for them to forget the boredom but remember the fun things.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Luv

I had big plans for Valentines day. It was going to start with special breakfast for my three favorite boys. Heart shaped pancakes, strawberry syrup, strawberry smoothies, the works. Followed up with a heart shaped lunch, and of course a love note. And a valentine themed dinner. The plan was to decorate after the kids went to bed the night before and get up early the next morning and surprise them. Then Sunday, I got the flu. There would be nothing special for Valentines day. For once I was going to get the mother of the year award, but no, I'm not that great. I instead went to bed hoping the kids could get themselves ready for school the next morning.

Monday morning however, I woke up to two kids who were WAY more excited than they would have been if I had made them breakfast. They made me breakfast! Heart shaped pancakes with strawberry syrup and orange juice. As Alan said, "I didn't actually cook any of it, but I planned the WHOLE thing" And to top it off I got love notes too.




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Do I keep it or not?



Dec 4

Feb 20

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Greatest accomplishment this year



Before:




After:



See the difference? Yes the grass has gone downhill a little. That isn't an accomplishment to be proud of. I'm talking about retaining wall. There is a 7 foot gap in the top picture. I fixed that yesterday. I have a close up picture so you could see how good it looks but blogger won't let me post it. So you'll have to admire from afar.

- John

Friday, February 11, 2011

Joy

Almost three years ago President Monson announced that a new temple would be built in Phoenix.  We were thrilled.  We sill are.  It's taking a long time getting started but it's looking like it will get going soon.  You can learn more about this temple and see pictures and plans here. 

A few weeks ago we got to go hiking near where the temple is going to be built.  I snapped this shot with the temple lot in the background.  I'm looking forward to taking many more pictures in the future to note the temple progress.
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