Happy "Harry" Birthday

Oh yeah . . . we had them dress-up and everything.

Sammi turned the big 10 yesterday!

For her birthday she requested going to the final Harry Potter movie.

We were all happy to oblige. :-)

We had so much fun!

(For the movie, William went to play with friends --

because he is not quite at big-kid movie level, yet.)

Charles took-off work and we went to an 11:35 a.m. showing . . .

We all really enjoyed the movie. It was beautifully done.

The visual effects are amazing. I had a few favorite parts, but I particularly liked the part when the battle first begins at Hogwarts and also the duel between:

Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix.

I almost stood up and clapped and Woo-Hooed for Ma Weasley . . .

but I chickened out. :-)

It was SO awesome, though.

GO MAMA! YEAH!

I LOVE the contrast of loving house-mom against power-seeking, selfish-witch.

Never underestimate the power of MOM!

I was a little sad for the movie to be over.

I cried, unexpectedly, a few times! But, now that the series is complete we can have true Harry Potter marathons. :-)

So it is never truly over!

Sammi also got a special Harry Potter book with extra movie details and pictures. It is pretty neat -- it even has a real marauders map! She loves it!

She is a true fan of the books and the movies and she loves to know all of the details!

She has sucked us all into her love for Harry Potter.

We talk about it, a lot. We have lots of question and answer sessions.

(SHE answers OUR questions!)

In our home, intense wand-duels are a regular occurrence. :-)

"Expelliarmus!"

I came across this funny video, which you may have already seen . . .

I think Sammi might be "that kind" of Harry Potter nut. :-)

It will forever be embedded in her youthful memories.

We Love you Harry!!

YEE-HA!

Here we are . . . ready to go to our very first square dance!

Ma and Pa van Ormer

Charles has been prepping for Trek for weeks.

He is sporting his first-time-ever beard.

Not bad, eh?

It makes him look like the true rascal that he is. ;-)

It was so exciting to see everyone dressed up and ready to dance.

The youth were such a beautiful sight! The youth in pioneer clothes --

so adorable!

There seemed to be a new level of dignity among them.

Funny how modesty does that.

Here we are . . . ready to show off our dancing moves!

(I really think Charles looks like an old-time bank robber.)

Women's circle

(I am sure there is a technical term for it??)

Circle round and round . . .

Do-si-do

We danced as most of our family -- 8 of them -- but some had to join other families.

(Only 8 per square)

I wish we could have all been together!

But we 8 were pretty darn awesome, I must say!

Sometimes all you could do was laugh . . . mostly at yourself!

Howdy folks!

I love how our youngest boy Bennett (in brown)

was dancing with our oldest girl Alyssa (in blue).

Too cute!

Double time!

Star in the center

Ethan and Ocheana looking cute. :-)

We inherited a new daughter, Karlee (standing next to Alyssa). She is Alyssa's cousin.

She is a sweet girl! Glad to have her!

Partners Alyssa and Bennett

Lexi and Rachel

(Rachel was being the boy partner). :-)

It was too much fun! Way more fun than I thought it would be.

I think that is the nature of Trek . . . it leaves you feeling surprisingly happy!

Love it!

And for your entertainment . . . Square Dance Video.

When did I become so motherly-looking?

I still feel like a teenager, but I am definitely total-Mom.

And all of my 9 children are looking to me to be their mom! How crazy is that?

Scary!

One Trek Mind

I have been a little lazy with my blog-posting, but I have just had my mind/hands on other things! Two weeks from now is the big day! The day we have been looking forward to for the last 8 months will finally be here! I am so excited and nervous, I can hardly stand it!

We are tying up loose ends, gathering everything we need, having last minute meetings and trying to not forget anything! I have been watching Trek youtube videos and crying my eyes out. Not good. I am sure to be wiping tears during the entire Trek!

Tonight is the big SQUARE DANCE! Yee-Ha!

It should be entertaining! We have to be in our pioneer clothes and everything!

(I will be taking tons of pictures/video and I will post it tomorrow!)

Today I have been working on my bucket. We will be carrying EVERYTHING in the bucket, if it does not fit in the bucket -- we cannot bring it!

(Except a sleeping bag)

My theme for my bucket is "Face Toward Zion".

That is what Wee Granny, my great, great, great, great, grandma (Mary Murray Murdoch) was famous for saying before she died.

I am actually walking for Elizabeth Steele -- a young mother who pulled a handcart with my Wee Granny. (She is in the image above. In the image is James Steele (who Charles is walking for) Wee Granny who died at Chimney rock, Elizabeth Steele, her children and Elizabeth's mother.) It was Elizabeth who converted her husband, James, who converted my great, g, g, grandpa and Wee Granny. I owe everything to Elizabeth. I feel honored to walk for her, and hopefully with her.

My hope is that both Elizabeth and Wee Granny will be with me along the way.

My line of connection to Elizabeth Steele

This is Wee Granny and Elizabeth pushing my handcart

It will be fantastic! I am SO excited!

I just pray that none of my kids (or myself!) will have to be hooked-up to an IV! On another trek 7 kids were dehydrated and hooked to an IV (at our same location) on the first night! Yikes!

Some must push and some must pull . . . some must be medically-treated.

I wonder which one I will be?!!

My tummy flutters just thinking about it!

TREK 2011 here we come!

17 Miracles

http://www.17miracles.com/

Does anyone know anything about this movie? From what I can tell it is supposed to come to Boise theaters starting July 22? I have not been able to confirm that anywhere? It looks amazing and if I could go see it before Trek -- that would be awesome. It is about the exact group of people we are walking for. I can tell I will need to bring a box of tissues with me!

Has anyone seen it? I know it has already been in theaters in Utah? Anyone??

I REALLY want to go! I am sure it will be very powerful!

For Grandma and Grandpa . . .

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

My sister, Kary, and family have been in town for a few days and we have been having a PARTY! :-) I will write more later since there is too much partying to do, but I KNOW grandma is anxious to see some pictures. So mom, here ya go . . . . !!!!! More to come! And dad, you will be happy to know we rented a 12 passenger van, so we can all travel together. :-) Off for a ride! LOVE YOU!

Hello, Robinsons!

I was told by my parents that you have become their dear friends. I want you to know how much that means to me. It makes me so happy to know they are in good hands and in good company. Thank you for being so kind to them (though, I must admit, my parents are incredibly adorable and easy to love). ;-) wink!

However, I must apologize . . . my parents have this bad habit of keeping people up late, chatting, and watching movies. :-) They just can't help it.

So much to do, so little time.

My parents have always squeezed every minute out of each day. And, well, they have ALWAYS been party-animals!

I doubt that will ever change.

It looks to me like you have had some good, clean, fun!

I wish you the best, I thank you for your love to my parents, and I hope you have many more happy adventures together!

Please give my mom and dad a BIG hug for me!

The Robinsons

Mom and Dad

Dad and President Robinson

Robinsons

No, this is not their apartment, it is a fancy hotel. :-)

A couple of L.L.Bean models.

*For those of you who may not know, my parents are on an 18 month mission for, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in New Brunswick, Canada. The are serving with the young adults in the institute program.

The Robinsons are serving as the Halifax Temple President and Matron

They have become dear friends.

And dear friends are priceless!

Especially when you are far, far, away from home . . .

THANK YOU ROBINSONS!

Love, Ed and Sally's daughter,

Mari