Ketchup, Catsup or Catch Up??

I'm playing catch-up again. After we took Emma home on Wednesday night, we brought Matthew home with us to spend the night. He went to work with Mark on Thurday and passed off some Cub Scout requirements he needed to do at a police station. He thoroughly enjoyed himself. He learned how to take fingerprints, dust objects for prints and lots of fun things about police work. He got to ride in the DARE Mustang, which was especially fun for him. He and Grandpa had lunch together at Burger King and we took him back to Dan's office that afternoon/evening.

On Friday, we went to the Cold Stone Creamery headquarters in Scottsdale for a fundraiser. A friend of ours, Makenzie Moore, was found to have an inoperable brain tumor three years ago, when she was 7. She's spent most of the past three years undergoing chemotherapy in an effort to keep the tumor from growing or maybe even to shrink it. That was successful, so they took her off chemo the first of this year. Then she developed what they thought was a cyst and they were watching it. However, in May, just before school got out, she had to have brain surgery to remove what turned out to be a nasty looking tumor. It's uncertain how it will all pan out, but there was a fundraiser on Friday to help her family with quickly mounting medical bills. We weren't sure what to expect, except that we knew you got some ice cream in exchange for a donation (your choice as to amount) to the cause. When we arrived, we were surprised. That store is their training center for managers and new employees. On Fridays, they practice what they've been learning all week and the public gets to benefit from it. From 1-3 pm, they scooped and mixed ice cream for a large crowd of people. You could order ANYTHING you wanted from the menu in any size, shape, container, etc. The kids were all over the waffle cones....plain, chocolate dipped and covered with sprinkles. There was a constant stream of people donating and eating ice cream. I hope they did well that day.

On Saturday, we picked up our bountiful basket (along with Brian and Kamille's). It's almost like Christmas when you get a basket because you never know what will be in it. This week was a good one, as usual. Dallin and Abby were fascinated with the cucumber that came. They wanted it in the picture with them! Funny kids.
Saturday afternoon was a baby shower for Angela Coltharp. They've been in the ward for about the past two years, but have now moved to be closer to her husband's work. She's having her third boy!
Sunday was Fast Sunday. It was a good Sacrament meeting. And the lesson in RS was good. It was on Provident Living. There was a lot of good information given about food storage and related topics. Since then, Ashley has asked me to help her teach some Enrichment classes on home canning, etc. Should be fun and informative.

Today Brian needed help with his kids. He needed to do some homework for school and needed a place for his kids to hang out for the morning. He brought them by early this morning and Erin came by with her girls after swim team so they could all have a play date. They played well together. We didn't get much done, but the kids had fun. We practiced "eating in the school cafeteria" around our kitchen table in an effort to help Dallin know what to expect when he starts kindergarten in August. They did well. They had most all of the same rules that apply in a school cafeteria. After that, they lined up (complete with a line leader!) and we headed off to Mark's summer program locale. They had fun playing in the gym for a few minutes and then gobbling down their choice of yummy ice cream treats. I then took Brian's kids back home and Erin took her girls home. Now it's Monday night....and I'm ready for bed....early!!!

Yes, I'm Still Here!

I know....it's been almost a week since I've posted, but since I didn't have anything too "exciting" or "interesting" to say, I've delayed. But here I am. My week in a nutshell: Tuesday--Erin and I baked bread with the help of four great chef's assistants. Wednesday--I worked (and finished) my CityScape project. If I'd taken picture of it, I'd post them, but I haven't yet. Thursday--I made lemon bars (YUM!) and a veggie tray for Jenny Cooper's baby shower. I also got my hair cut and colored. Always a good day when that happens. Friday--Mark and I went junkin' and found next to nothing. We were able to get a few kid books for the treasure box. I'm sure they'll like seeing new books to read. Friday night I worked on a sample for a class I'm teaching the YW in the ward the end of June. Today (Saturday) Mark and I took a day trip up to Payson/Pine. We were scoping out a place to stay during the three days we'll be at girls' camp. I know, we're wimps. I guess that's the luxury of getting older! We did stop at our favorite scrapbooking store in Payson and found a couple of fun items I'd not seen here in town. Almost made it all worth the trip! We even managed to get into some beautiful rain. That did make it all work the trip! There's nothing like being in the mountains during a summer rain storm. We even were treated to several loud claps of thunder! On the way home we stopped for a minute at the outlet mall in Anthem. They have some new stores we'd not been to before. Now we're home getting things ready for the Sabbath...clothes ironed, dinner planned/prepared, etc.

Curses, Foiled Again!

On Monday when we tried to go to the zoo for birthday celebrations, Dallin had a fever, so we postponed until today. But today, Abby woke up with a fever, so we've now postponed until next Saturday. The third time's the charm. We'll see. I pray that everyone gets over these little bouts with a viral fever and gets well.
Today was Jodi's bridal shower. She got lots of nice gifts. And it was so fun to visit with lots of friends and family. It's amazing how many common friends we have living in various parts of the valley. I felt a little bad for Jodi, though. She really dislikes being the center of attention and today she certainly was. Made her a bit uncomfortable. Just wait until the wedding/reception!! She liked it best when people would go in the other room and get something to eat and/or visit with each other so "nobody was looking" as she opened her gifts. Funny girl.
Since we didn't go to the zoo today, Mark and I ventured to Mesa to Mystic Paper and then to Deb's. I got a few sheets of paper at Mystic and an apron to alter. More on that later....when I get it finished! At Deb's, she LOADED me up with lots of new 7gypsies products. Yum!! I told Mark I wanted to hurry home and create something! I can't wait to have a few mintues (read hours/days) to just play with the new stuff. Makes me all tingly all over!!! I know, I'm weird. But I can hibernate in my workroom and spend hours on end just working away, completely oblivious to the outside world or the passage of time. I guess that's my escape!!

Catch Up

I guess I need to catch up for this week. Tuesday was our RS book group. We had read the book, A Heart Like His by Virginia Pearce. It was an excellent book about opening our hearts to others in ways that don't take any more time than what we would normally be doing. Helene Baysa came this month and she had a different perspective on the whole book. Since she teaches the Gospel Essentials class, she brought to our attention that this book would overwhelm a new/struggling member. And she's right. If you haven't read the book, I would recommend it.
On Wednesday, I had another one of those good, but unproductive days. Dallin had a fever for the fourth day in a row and since Kamille took off work on Tuesday, it was "my turn". He was great, but I didn't get anything accomplished other than having a great day with him. He's such a good boy. He's no trouble at all and he's quite pleasant and easy-going. I have to admit, though, that he loves to watch cartoons on TV and since he was "sick", I let him!! He didn't have a fever the whole time he was here. Must be a miracle at Grandma's house.
I can't think of anything worthwhile that I did on Thursday, but I know I managed to stay busy!
Today I finished up Jodi's album for her bridal shower tomorrow. It turned out nice. I did it in all black and creme so it would go with whatever colors she wants to use. Tonight is Dallin's birthday sleepover. After we picked him up, we went to Toys 'R Us to choose his toy. He wanted a stealth launcher Batmobile. Of course, the store at Arrowhead was out, but we found one at the Metrocenter store. Whew! He also chose a Joker character. He's had a great time all evening playing with his new toy. He wanted Sonic for dinner, so he chose a cheeseburger, string cheese (he claims he doesn't like fries or tater tots) and an apple juice. He also got to choose a movie at Blockbuster. He chose Space Buddies. It was a cute movie. Tomorrow he wants Pop Tarts for breakfast. Then he and Grandpa will drop me off at the shower while they go pick up Abby. Then they will pick up lunch before they pick me up and we'll all be off to the Wildlife World Zoo. Should be a fun, tiring day!