Just Eden School

Leila and Molly were swept away to the zoo today.

They even ran into an old friend from Kansas City! Kirsten and Addie!

I got to do school with ONLY Eden while paige took a nap.

I've enjoyed doing school while in Utah.

I have lessons I've prepared early.

I have grandparents to help babysit littles.

We have new outings to go to.

Today I saw a box of my mom's games. I taught Eden how to play Racko and Boggle along with school.

The other fun addition to school this year has been geography.

Grandpa Fin's Birthday

Tuesday was Grandpa Fin's birthday.

We went to the food court in downtown Salt Lake. Played. Socialized. Sang Happy Birthday. And just had fun.

I've become friends with Grandpa Fin during this vacation. Anytime we are able to get together we talk, hug, and have a great time.

Happy birthday to Grandpa Fin! 

Outings and a Car Wash

Monday Activities

West Valley Water Conservency

The park.

And a car wash.

A Wonderful (Pictureless) Sunday

Had a great stake conference in my parents' ward.

The highlight for the girls was seeing grandpa singing in the choir over broadcast becausen we went to the ward building and not the stake building.

Family dinner.

Card games.

Family scripture study.

The kids are going to bed slightly earlier each night 

And I plan on running tomorrow morning. Not gonna lie, I'm slightly nervous since it has been so long but the race is in four weeks so I need to up my mileage.

Overall, a happy Sunday.

The Farm (a Post from Two Days Ago that Somehow Never Was Published)

(Thursday, August 25)

I'm not 100% better.

But I'm at least able to stand up and eat.

I find that a great improvement.

Only my stomach aches a bit. 

It may just be recovering from yesterday.

But to save my kids from "stuck-in-the-house-all-day-itis" we went to Thanksgiving Point. It was a short, fun, little outing.

They made craft kazoos.

Went on a wagon ride.

Fed some goats.

And rode ponies.

Molly wasn't a fan of the pony ride. She kept saying she was scared but I couldn't get very close or I'd scare the horse. So the worker had to come walk with her.

Later on in the day...Molly started started to act sick.  Oh no. Hope the virus doesn't live on...

Birthday Coupons, Service, and Soccer

My dad woke up this morning and printed out all his "birthday coupons" from different places to eat that give him free food on the month of his birthday.

He got a free breakfast from Black Bear Diner, and decided to take Eden.

She had a great time on her grandpa/granddaughter date.

Later grandpa took Leila, Ting-Ting, and Ramona out for a free birthday shake at Del Taco.

The family also got together this morning for a "service day" at my parents' house.  We helped weed and clean up the yard and garden.  Leila was the best of the helpers.  She was excited to get out there, pick vegetables, pull weeds, and occasionally take a swing-set break.

We later went to Hideki's soccer game, followed by Trey's soccer game.

Both Hideki and Trey won their games.  WOOT! WOOT!

Unfortunately, Molly got her first (actually the first for any of my children) bee sting. I think she sat on it or something. It was right on her leg. Poor girl.

We came home and there was lots of play time to be had.

The only downfall of today was at the end when it was clean up time.  We planned on sleeping over at Laura's house and going to church with her tomorrow...but it ended up only Leila going to sleep over and the other girls staying here.

It was OK in the end.

But it does make for a slightly sad ending to a really quite fabulous day.

Girls' Night

Girls night with my girlfriends from high school. 

*ahhhh* 

That was needed.

Laughed until we cried.

Discovered secrets we never knew.

Reminisced the old days.

Ate delicious food.

Liz, Melissa Rachel, and I have been friends forever. We get together whenever we are all in town (which is probably once a year).  I had such a good time I completely forgot to take a picture.  And completely forgot the time! I left my kids with grandma and grandpa for close to 5 hours!  (Sorry about that, but I am SO grateful!)

Thanks again mom and dad.

Sick with the Flu

I'm sick.

It is horrible. 

Thank goodness for grandparents dealing with unhappy children.

Even when a happy face was found, it was destroyed.

Thanks, Paige.

They weren't unhappy all day, but they definitely had their moments. Quite a few moments unfortunately. Hopefully this bug will leave as quickly as it came.

Hello Dolly

School.

$1 hot dogs.

Cousin makeovers.

Childless outing to a restaurant and theater.

Hello Dolly with my dad, Alyssa, and my Aunt Sherry.  It was so much fun! My mom gave me her ticket ad my grandma (who isn't feeling well) gave Alyssa her ticket.  Thank you!!

School Starts and Tie Dye Reveal

We started school today.

It went pretty well. No tears....except maybe by my parents who were non-purposefully put in charge of Molly and Paige while they were set wild and parent less while I taught the olders.

Guess I better figure out a better method to the madness.

As school finished up, family showed up to unravel their tie dye projects. 

It was a really fun activity. 

 This is the only shirt I got a photo of because it is Molly's lucky dog night tonight so she gets to stay up with me until I head to bed.

My mom and dad are at my grandma's house because of an unknown sudden health problem from earlier today. She's seeing a doctor tomorrow to find out more.

I'm ready for bed.

Triple Birthday Party

Ting-Ting. Delaina, and my dad.

Those were the birthdays celebrated today.

The party activity was tie dying.

They did the dying in the grass in the backyard.

Then they walked on the grass...

That'll be there for a while.

We also ate dinner.

Opened presents.

Had cupcakes and homemade peach ice cream.

And had lots of cousin fun.

There was even a special guest appearance by Mrs. Fru-Fru Nutter Butter and her dog.

Tyson Goes Back to KC and JACL Picnic

Tyson returned to Kansas City today.

It was nice to have him here.

I miss him already.

But he'll return for a long weekend visit in two weeks.

After dropping Tyson off at the airport, I went back to my parent's house, went to the farmers market, ran some errands, and shucked some corn.

Then my family went to the JACL (Japanese American Cutizens League) picnic.

There were a few kids games (water balloon toss and a relay race), playing at the park, delicious dinner, and BINGO.

We had a great time.

The only thing that would have made it better is if Tyson could have been there.

Templeton Holiday

Templeton holiday.

The holiday created by the Finlinsons to celebrate the last hoorah of summer before the start of school.

A day where kids rule and are the decision makers.

They chose crepes for breakfast.

Watched a movie.

Played.

Crepes for lunch.

Had a tea party outside.

More playing.

Grilled do-it-yourself pizza for dinner.

Late night projector movie outside.

Tyson and I missed out on a section in the middle where Nana took the kids and we went on a date before Tyson heads back to Kansas City tomorrow.

We went on a hike up Stewart Falls.

Ate at La Jolla Groves.

And got some shaved ice.

We had an amazing time.

The girls ha a perfect day as well.

Today: River Run, Guy's Night and Walker Picnic

Floating the Provo River with Tyson's friend Matt and three of his four kids (all girls).

Quite the adventure.

The kids weren't sure if they should laugh or cry by the end.  It was all fun until we went under a bridge and ran hard into the side and we came SOO close to flipping over!  We barely saved ourselves but filled our raft entirely with water barely staying afloat.

The girls were all so scared we would never make it out alive and if they did they insisted they never wanted to do this again.

We gradually emptied the water out by emptying our small cooler of water bottles and scooping out bucket loads.

In the end the girls are excited to have a story to tell.

After floating the river, Tyson got in his guy time.

The girls and I went to Breta's annual family get together picnic in the park. We ate dinner, played at the park, and explored the stream.

Then it was time for bed.

Last Night: Hayden and Hunter's Wedding

Tyson's brother, Hayden, is officially married.

The girls are overly thrilled to call Hunter "Aunt Hunter" now.

They were married in the Provo Temple.

The reception had street tacos and tres leche at a park with lots of dancing and fun.

We love you guys!

Two Nights Ago: The Wedding Dinner

Hayden and Hunter's wedding dinner was lots of good food and fun.

It was a BBQ in the Finlinson's backyard.

There was an open mic where we got to hear fun stories, an ode to Hayden, a musical number by Papa and his brothers (barbershop quartet style), and a few shed tears.

Then there was dancing. Lots of dancing.

Some better than others.

Mine was definitely on the "less talent" side.  My girls were rocking out as well.

'It was a blast.

Pics, Holes, IKEA, Grandpa Fin, and a Pick Up

This morning we had Finlinson family pics.

Afternoon Eden felt brave and wanted to get her ears pierced. Eva got permission to gets hers done too. She was really nervous and felt quiet deceived after everyone said it didn't hurt and she felt everyone was wrong. 

Then we went to IKEA.

Then to visit Grandpa Fin and eat dinner at City Creek and let the girls play on their playground.

Then to my parents to pick up a few things we left. Turns out a good portion of my family was at the house and my kids were excited to play for a few minutes with them.

Finally we are home again.  Goodnight.

Eden's Baptism

Today was Eden's big day.

She was so excited she went to church in Lydia's white dress and flower wreath.

She was glowing from head to toe saying, "I can't believe I'm actually getting baptized today!"

The opening song was A Child's Prayer.

Chorister was Macie.

Pianist was Ben.

Opening prayer was given by Miriana.

Baptism talk by me.

Then she was baptized.

Her foot popped up and her hair almost didn't make it under.

Tyson just dunked her further until she she was under.

The witnesses had to do a little check with one another to make sure it was successful.

Eden left the font and practically RAN to get dressed again. The biggest smile was on her face. She got dressed even before Tyson.

We watched the video of Christ being baptized.

Holy Ghost talk by Kylie.

Confirmation.

I guess I should have warned her what it would be like to be confirmed because she said after, "That was so awkward! All these guys hands were on my head!"

Then Eden and some cousins sang The Miracle song.

Closing prayer by Lydia.

Baked potato and dessert at my parent's house.

Here are some of her baptism pictures taken by Eric.