Primary Manti Temple Trip

Back in May, our primary decided to take a temple trip to our temple, the Manti temple. It was so wonderful and I am so glad that we did it. It was a lot of planning and a bit of stress, but I think it was worth the effort.  When we got there, we sang some songs while waiting for President and Sister Pinegar to come and speak to us.  The Pinegar's are the temple President and his wife.  So, here we are listening attentively.  It really is amazing how much kids pick up while you think they are not listening.  In fact, Joshua came home and immediately gave me a hug and kiss and asked what he could do for me.  It was so wonderful, very endearing to me, he is such a sweetheart with a gentle spirit (the following story will make this more clear).   (Thanks to Cami for this picture). 

Both Pres. and Sister Pinegar had such a great way with children and our kids were so good to sit and listen.  Sister Pinegar spoke about being somewhere where there was all sidewalks, cement, roads, I can't remember where it was, but how she was walking along and she looked down and there was a sunflower growing right in a crack in the cement.  As she looked at it, she realized it was looking up at the sun.  Then, she went on to say how sunflowers follow the sun and we should follow the example of the sunflower.  But, we follow a different sun, we follow the Son of God.  We should always be looking for him and trying to please him. Pres. Pinegar spoke next and first had us sing his favorite primary song, "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ" followed by his talk.  His father passed away when he was very young and so he had to help his mother a lot.  He told the kids how lucky they were to have wonderful parents.  He went on to encourage the children to go home and give their mother a hug and a kiss and ask them, "Mother, what can I do for you today?"  Then, do what she asks you to do.  He told them how busy mothers were and that each child should take a bit of time out of their day to find out what they could do to help.  He then moved it further to having them ask our Heavenly Father what we can do for Him each day.  And, then do what he tells us to do.  

Both Pres. and Sister Pinegar are awesome and I will be forever grateful and impressed that they took the time out of their busy schedules to come and talk to our children.

This is most of our group, save a few who are taking the pictures.  Thanks to all who helped us drive and arrange things.  

All the kids gave the Pinegar's hugs afterward.  

Sister Kunzler took us on a tour around the temple telling us about unique things about it.  We walked up here toward it.  There used to be a set of stairs that would go up this direction.  It is pretty interesting, if you walk up this way and stop to look at the temple, it almost looks like it is going to fall on you!  Not a bad way to go, I would say?

I love this picture of Jainie and her friend, Harper walking around the temple.

There is a little cabin built into the side of the mountain where the pioneers lived who worked on the temple.  They let us open it and Brother Blake told us stories about it and how it was built and about snakes coming out of the walls one winter.  (I am forever grateful I am not a pioneer.)  He did a great job and I learned a lot more about the building of the temple.

Now, as you can see, this is us rolling down the hill.  I used to do this quite a bit when I was young, but my kids have never done it.  From what I have heard, they (the temple workers) don't like you to do this, never heard firsthand but through the grapevine.  However, I was not present when this happened, the kids did ask one of the leaders and they didn't know we weren't supposed to do it, so everyone went ahead and rolled.  I about had a heart attack when I saw it, but it was too late by then.  Another good memory, however, I would not suggest you do this, besides the fact we don't know if it is allowed, we went home with very dirty pants and shirts and some ripped dresses.  It does make a lovely picture though, doesn't it.  (Jaxon got to go with us, because when everyone else in your family is going, even though you are 12, I figure you should tag along. :))

Hopefully our purpose was achieved, and that was to remind the children of how special the temple is and the wonderful spirit that is there.  We really had a pretty good turn out and some non-active children.  Quite a few hadn't been before so I say is was a success.

So thanks to the Pinegar's and the wonderful pioneers who built this beautiful building that we are able to attend and enjoy with our children.  We love it!

Field Trips - a little behind

So, at the end of the year, Josie, Josh, and Jake all went on field trips. Jaxon, being in middle school, doesn't really do that anymore. Too bad. Anyway, I decided long ago, that Jared should go on at least one field trip per child per lifetime. That's not too much to ask, is it? I think not. Well, he hadn't been on one with Josie yet. Most of the boys he takes to Gooseberry so he gets them in in 3rd grade. But, I went with Jos so he hadn't been on one. So, 4th grade has their field trip in Fillmore - the first capital of Utah.  It really is pretty cool. I liked it with Jaxon. Anyway, Josie loved having her dad around. I think it is so good for kids to have their dad's involved and am so grateful Jared is willing to go.  She had such a fun class this year with a great teacher.  She also had two of her best friends with her in class and they were quite the threesome.  So cute, aren't they?  Kandice, Josie, and Alexis.

Here she is playing pioneer ball - rag ball.  I think she thought this would be the worst part but she ended up loving it.  She wore her "Girls Always Win" shirt just for the occasion.

So, this was the school house, her favorite part.  She came home and told me she wished she could go to school in a place like this.  I love this picture because it is so her personality.  She is always raising her hand, usually with a bit of a wave, to get the teacher to call on her.  She is a smarty-pants and people pleaser.  Too perfect.

And, this is the rope she braided.  This is one minor reason I love that Jared goes with them.  He thinks of things that I never would.  He made Josie's rope into a necklace for her to wear until it falls off, then she gets her wish.  It is now July - 2 months later, she has never taken it off and she is still wearing it.  I think it is so cute and endearing.  She sure does love her dad, and he her.

Thanks for a fun field trip Fillmore!  

They both had a lot of fun and both learned some good stuff.  :)

Now, for Josh's field trip.  In 2nd grade, they usually get two field trips.  The first was Cove Fort in September"ish".  Then, we have these amazing people here who have a wonderful rock shop.  They always let the 2nd graders come and see their collection and each child gets so many rocks of their own to start their own collection.  I got to go with Josh to the rock shop.  This is a piece off of a meteorite, it was really heavy.  (Yes, I know he needed a hair cut, when to fit that between baseball is the question.)

This is a picture of his class.  He had a great 2nd grade year, a wonderful class, and a wonderful teacher.  Sad he is getting so old though.  Goodbye Ashman. :(.

 Every year, one person in each class wins a box full of rocks and gems, you just have to be the closest to guess the right amount in the box, well, Josh did it this year.  He was so excited, he won over 200 rocks.  Lucky boy.  This is him and one of his friends, Jake, standing in the front yard.  Pretty cool petrified wood, right?

Thanks to the rock shop for another FUN field trip!

I love field trips - they are awesome for learning, fun, and great for encouraging friendships outside of class.  Thanks to all who help put them together!

(Unfortunately, I can't find the pics of Jake's last field trip.  I will have to search and post later.)

Summer Solstice & Some Guns

My brother, Ryan, who is a world traveler, picked up this tradition in Lithuania or Latvia, I can't remember which one.  It is a celebration of the summer solstice, which is always on June 21.  I don't know too much about it, only what we did.  We all went over to my mom's house, where we went swimming, roasted hot dogs over the fire, Ry made everyone wreaths out of branches, and then we jumped over the fire.  I am not sure why you do it, Ry if you read this, you will have to let me know.  I am going to go ahead and say it is for beauty :) throughout the coming year - oh yeah, and maybe wealth and good fortune.  How does that sound?  I will take all three since I jumped over the fire!

I will warn you, since we had just eaten and everyone was so excited about their wreaths and jumping over the fire, no one has a clean face.  Those hot dogs and smores will getcha!  Jainie with her cute wreath.

Josh looks so excited but ended up sad on the trampoline so never even tried jumping over the fire.

Jos did make it over the fire, looked like perfect dancing moves.  She also hung from a tree after Sara and Ry stuck her up there. :)

Linds jumping over the fire - yea! she made it!  Once, again, a dancer.

Jaxon also made it over, although not quite as gracefully as Linds.  Doesn't look too hard for him, does it?

Yep, even I made it over.  I was a bit worried with a dress on.  Good thing it was loose.

Jared made it over too.  Even with this position - he is such a boy.  Although by the time he decided to try it, the fire was pretty much out.

Sar and Ry tried this last trick move.  Yes, they really did this.  We think it looks like it is photoshopped, but it isn't.  I only wish I was this good at photoshop.  Now, that would be really awesome!

Jos, my dad, me and Jainie enjoying the others jumping.  Mom was in cleaning up.  The life of a mother.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of her as well.  From now on, I need to go find her and get a pic of whatever she is doing.

And, I have found my pyromaniac.  Jake would stare at the fire forever, add more sticks, paper, whatever, watch it burn and stare longer.  He is mesmerized by fire.  Worrisome!

And, this is the guns picture.  Jake loves to see U. Ry's guns.  Then, he shows him his.  So funny.  Even after seeing this picture, Jake says, "Man, I have some BIG guns, I guess they must be growing, cause they look even bigger today.  I think tomorrow mine will be bigger than Ryan's."  Then, I told him you get bigger guns by doing housework.  So, he said, "Okay, mom, if you need me, I will be cleaning my room."  Woohoo!  Whatever works.  This picture was actually on Father's Day up at the cabin.

Could I have a time-out please?

Okay, I am officially tired.  I thought I was tired a week ago, but now I think I reaallly am tired.  Today while giving my sharing time in primary, I realized how noisy the kids were being and I didn't really even care.  I know - crazy.  So, here is what has been going on.  First and foremost, I have 5 children.  That just sounds tiring, doesn't it?  And, I made so many promises to my kids during the school year of things we would do this summer and now summer is half over and we haven't done any of them.  Only baseball.  Don't get me wrong, I love baseball, but I do need a bit more time for other things.  (So, apparently, do Josie, Jainie, and Jake because they are getting really ornery about it).  Plus, what is up with the weather this year, it is not like it has been conducive to outdoor parties.  Anyway, after getting home from Martin's Cove last week, I decided to try and shove 3 parties between baseball tournaments.  CRAZY!  I am usually a one party per month sort of girl.  They are much too taxing on me.  But, I did it!  We were in Kanab for baseball on Tuesday and Wednesday, then came home and had Jake's birthday party on Thursday morning.  Followed by me hosting book club (thanks to those who came:)) Thursday night.  And then, Josh's birthday party Friday morning.  Friday night Jaxon had pool play (yes, baseball) games and again on Saturday.  Then, we decided to have an All-Star baseball party for Jaxon Saturday night.  And, at 11:00 pm Sat. we found out we play in Vernal Monday at 9:00 am.  So, now it is time to go pack up so we can get on the road again.  It just seems to be a lot for my normal pace of life.  So, yes, I am getting a bit tired.  But, what is crazy is that Jake must be more tired because he is sitting here right by me screaming/crying in my ear.  But, he says he is NOT tired.  Sure.  Remember those "Calgon, take me away" commercials.  I could use some of that. :)  Maybe next week.

Happy Birthday Joshi!

This is my Joshua Jeffery.  He is such a special boy.  He is one of the kindest, most gentle people that I know.  He is always looking out for others, making sure they are included and trying to make sure no one has hurt feelings.  He adores babies and children - whenever I can't find him, he has gone to find someone to take care of.  And, he is extremely loyal.  If he has your back, you don't need to worry, he will be there with you through thick and thin. He absolutely idolizes Jared, he will do anything for his dad and whatever Jared likes, Josh does too.  For example, on Josh's birthday, Jared and I took him out to Winger's then had to go to Walmart afterward and as we were walking through the store, I kept asking Josh if he wanted different things for his birthday.  He really wanted a bike for his birthday so when we got to the bikes there was this really pretty pink one.  I asked him if he wanted it - he reminded me that he hates pink.  And, he does HATE pink.  So, of course, he replied with a resolute no!  Then, I told him that dad loved pink bikes.  To which, Josh asked Jared if he did.  (Jared doesn't really like pink for himself, no shirts, ties, etc.  Unless Josie buys it for him then he will wear it maybe once.)  So, Jared, who was still with us, but preoccupied with other things, looks at me for direction in his answer.  I nodded yes, and so he said yes. Josh looked a bit upset, but then declared that he would love a pink bike!  Funny!  I just like to tease them.  (Don't worry he didn't get a pink bike).

He is very athletic and loves just about any sport.  He also loves swimming at his Grandma's pool - he would stay in all day if I would let him.

A Thalman family tradition is that you get breakfast in bed on your birthday.  Which I have to admit is hard for me since I am not an early riser and you pretty much have to be to get up before the excited birthday child and I don't particularly enjoy breakfast.  But, it is important to Jared and the kids LOVE it, so I comply.  And, as you can see, the pictures are usually pretty good stuff!

I was trying to get ready for our Martin's Cove trip (which I will post about later) so I have to admit I was running around a lot on his special day.  We did take time out to go bowling, which is what he chose.  Here, he is trying to help Jainie, who still basically throws a ball straight down on the ground.  He loves helping Jainie, more than she likes being helped, I can tell you that!

This is when Josh got a strike, you can see he threw the ball so hard that one of the pins bounced out on the lane.  He thought it was pretty cool.

Do we look like a group of professional bowlers?  Good, because we are!

Grandma Judy came bowling with us, to help me control the masses.  :)  She brought her present for Josh over to bowl and he loved it!

Finally, about 9:30, Josh got his cake and ice cream.  And, the thing he had been waiting for ALL day, his presents.  I'm not sure what his wish was, but I am pretty sure it had to do with baseball.

So, we couldn't find a bike in Richfield, but the next day, Saturday, we went up to Provo and he got to choose his own bike.  This is the one he choose, he wanted it blue, but decided this silver one was pretty awesome.  Plus, it has gears!  

This is in Pirate Island Pizza, in Orem.  This is where he choose for the whole family to out to eat for his birthday.  Once again, this is on Saturday.  After this, the girls and I came home because I was helping with Miss Richfield and the boys stayed up because Josh had baseball games.  It was a pretty full day.  But, lots of fun!

So, Happy Birthday to my sweet Joshua!  I hope this 9th year is better than all the rest combined!

P.S. Does Jared look stressed to you?  Yep, that is because he is - ALL the time!