Our FHE

FHE: Stands for Family Home Evening. It is recommended by the LDS church presidency that families reserve one night a week to be together. Family Home evening for us starts with a primary song, prayer, scripture, lesson, game, then treat. We have the kids take turns in each of these responsibilities, including the lesson. Sometimes, though, we skip all except the "game" and do something fun like bowling. But most of the time, we use this as an opportunity to teach our kids a principle, such as honesty, kindness, service, etc. I think every family across the world should do FHE regardless of religion.

 I wanted to record our FHE tonight because this is one we will have to reference back to in the future. Lohn remembers doing something similar to this FHE as a kid with his family. Every year, his family would gather and discuss family vacations. So Lohn taped a huge piece of paper to the wall, grabbed a sharpie, and asked the kids to tell him something fun they want to do this summer. Here's our list for future references.

Take apart electronics *
Go to the Beach **
Play with Toys
Make homemade Ice Cream
Hiking *
Wrestle
Skim boarding*
Swimming ***
Camping
Fishing*
Play with cousins****
Make/play with sidewalk paint
Boating *
Zoo *
Visit a battlefield *
Yorktown
Bowling *
Warrior Dash
Confederate White House *
Science Museum
Family Sleepover
Water park
Amusement Park
Washington DC

 After we made the list, everyone got to pick their top 3 favorites. These are the ones with stars next to them. As you can see, cousins are the favorite. :) Also, I just wanted to share the scripture I picked for FHE. It's in D&C 48:1. Please keep in mind that I picked this scripture knowing we were talking about our vacations. And keep in mind that I am a stinker at heart.

 "It is necessary that ye should remain for the present time in your places of abode, as it shall be suitable to your circumstances."

 Heehe

Day 4/5 of My Parents Visit

Baptism Day! It was awesome. I am so proud of my little guy for making the decision to get baptized. I am glad I wore a white shirt that day. It made for a nice picture :)

 Grandma McKee gave a talk on Baptism and Tamsyn gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. They both did excellent.

 Have I mentioned how much I love my Mom and Dad? I am so glad they spent the week with us. I miss them already.

 Grandma McKee gave Ander his own set of scriptures, with his named engraved on them as well. Aunt Melissa and Uncle Lynn gave him a journal. He's already written in it about his baptism day.

 Grandma and Grandpa Dahle found probably the ONLY orange scripture case in the world. I am so glad someone thought to make at least one in that color, just for my son. They also gave him a CTR ring (CTR stands for Choose The Right) He's never taken it off yet. Grandma Johnson gave him a CTR tie pin. Super Cool!

 Lohn made this box. I wish you could see it closer. It is beautiful and very well made. I love and miss my woodworker husband. But there is a time and season for everything, and someday he will be back at his craft.

 And one must have his ears snorted in every once in a while. It's good for the soul. :)

 And what kind of a day would it be if it didn't involve rolling around in the dirt??? Look at those dark eyes! Are these children mine???

 Painting with cousins. Thankfully it wasn't too messy.

 The girls entertained themselves wonderfully by playing games.

 And another proof that I was wrong about sunsets/sunrises. Somehow my Dad found the only gap in the trees in the whole state of Virginia to get this picture.

It was a great week! I am so glad so many people came to visit and spend Ander's special day with us. I love them all!

Day three of Parents visit

We took the Ferry for a ride down the canal that runs through downtown Richmond. The guide gave us a short history tour on the way. 

 Aren't they cute?! I LOVE my Mom and Dad.

Day 2 of Mom and Dad's visit

Jamestown!

Day one of my parents visit

 I warned my Dad that there won't be any photo ops for sunrises/sunsets here. Too many trees here. You can't see anything. Looks like I was wrong!

 I took my parents to the zoo. My kids love this place.

Another fun day coming up!

Anders 8th Birthday and Easter

Ander's birthday was on Easter this year. That hasn't happened since he turned 3. 

 I saw this idea on Pinterest. You hang balloons upside down from the ceiling and it gives the almost the same helium balloon effect. And it's cheaper.

 Mac'n'cheese cook off. This was our 2nd year doing this for Ander's birthday. Ander made the Kraft, Tamsyn made the middle dish (with a wee bit of supervision) and Lohn made the one on the right. Guess who won? Tamsyn's was everyone's favorite.

 Look who's excited...

 I have been looking forever for a second hand bike for Ander, but we haven't found one, and Lohn and I felt like 2nd class parents denying our kids bikes. So we found one on sale in his favorite color.

Easter Egg hunting in the backyard

Ander picked out the cake mix, frosting, sprinkles and candles. And he helped bake and decorate it.

And a preview of the next post to come...

Random Thoughts

My kids don't seem to understand that it isn't April 1st anymore. It's no longer funny.

I want a pantry with a lock on it that only I know the combination to. It's hard sticking to my grocery budget when I live with 5 ravenous wolves.

Sylas's new word is Ploop. It is used in place of toot. "Mom, I plooped!" Also I think it is worthy to note that he calls Fruit Loops "ploop ploops." You're not far off, kid.

We have an infestation in our yard. The first inch worm was cute. After the gazillionth they are foul and disgusting.

Why do I keep seeing "Free Piano" on craigslist? Why is everyone getting rid of their pianos? And why are they getting rid of them for free? And do I dare take one of them? Is this a warning to stay away from the world of pianos and music making?

I planted petunias. They make me happy. Sylas is still ticked off at me for not buying the "Yewow fwowers" Yellow is his color of choice right now.

Where in the halibut does one find all white underwear for a little boys baptism??? ALL of them say Hanes or have gray lines on the elastic. All. Of. Them.

I bought four 12 packs of diet coke in preparation for my parents coming to town.  (WAHOOO!) I have already drank some of them. (Migraine)

My iPhone and computer died these last 2 weeks, taking my photos, calendar, and phone contacts with them. Not to mention Drop 7 and the scriptures. As I was lamenting the loss of the scriptures with my phone, Lohn said "You know, they are available in printed form now." Yes, honey, but that would mean I'd actually have to hold up the heavy scriptures with my hands and they don't glow in the dark.