Gingerbread Man-ia

For Family Home Evening we found these huge gingerbread men at Costco to decorate. They came with the icing and some candy. We supplemented with some additional candy of our own too. They were really fun and a change from our gingerbread houses from last year. 

Ryan and his man. Special feature- the mustache made out of Starburst.

Erin and her girl gingerbread. Very cute hair accented with yellow gummy hearts.

Katelyn's girl. Dress made out of candy dots called "bowling balls". Hairdo made out of Starburst.

Ethan's studmuffin man. Complete with ripped frosting abs, suspenders, and Starburst pants.

Brigham City Temple

This weekend we were also able to visit the Brigham City Temple on the last day of the open house. It was a perfect fall day with the most amazing blue sky. We ended up taking my cousin Cheri's daughter, Kylee, with us too. It was a great experience and I know that when we attend the dedication next week it will be even more meaningful because we were able to see it. It, of course, was beautiful. Ryan and Katelyn didn't enjoy having the white booties placed over their shoes, and Ryan really wanted them off badly. We ended up taking them off and then carrying him through the rest of the tour. The cookies at the end made him happy though.

Visiting Grandpa

We had the chance this weekend to be in Ogden and to stop by the nursing home and visit Grandpa Hutzley. He was sleepy while we were there, but he did perk up for the kids and especially Ryan. His Alzheimer's is advancing. He is not wanting to eat much, but the nurses keep trying. On good days he likes to roam the halls in his wheelchair and wink at the nurses. It is so sad to see him like this, but it would also be sad for him to know where he is and that grandma is gone to heaven. I know that one day they will have a very sweet reunion there.

Sego Lily Carnival

It was once again time for the elementary school carnival. The kids had lots of fun eating candy, snow cones, and popcorn. They also got to ride the ponies, play games, get a balloon, get their faces painted, and ride the "train". Ethan came with us even though he is a cool junior high kid now. He spent the time with some friends there, but I did manage to get a picture of him.

Bowling

 It was time. It had been a good long while since we did it. So we went, and it was fun!


The momma and the daddy.





Bearto, fancy bowler.



KK, pink ball user. (Only because the purple ones weighed 14 pounds and she couldn't pick it up!)



Ry guy. Helper of everyone's game. He loved watching the ball crash the pins.



Buggy- first to bowl. Got a spare the first frame.

Even with bumpers, Momma was the only one to break 100. I guess we need more practice!

A trip up AF canyon...

We have lived in Lehi for over a year, and have never ventured up the American Fork Canyon. We decided it was time. So we made a quick picnic dinner and drove up. The canyon was beautiful. There was a hint of fall in the cooler air, and a few leaves were changing. We had a relaxing drive and then stopped for dinner and had fun playing on the bridge and skipping rocks in the river. I think that we'll definitely be back soon. Maybe even to hike Timpanogos Cave with the bigger kids.

Beautiful views.

The kids on a bridge.

My beautiful Erin.

Ryan's favorite part of the picnic.

My favorite of Ryan.

Brothers

Skipping rocks. Dad was the champion at this.



Daddy and Ryan, who just shoved an entire donut in his mouth.



Back to School

The summer went by entirely too fast, and school is here again! Ethan is in 7th grade and starting at Lehi Junior High this year. He actually started a day before his sisters to get the lay of the land at the new school before all the older grades were there. Erin is in 4th grade and Katelyn in 1st grade, both at Sego Lily Elementary. Ryan and I get to be buddies all day while the olders are at school. We will both miss them!

Ethan and Ryan (in diaper who HAD to be in the picture too.)



Sisters

Katelyn 1st grade



Ethan 7th grade



Erin 4th grade

 



All together and ready for school.



Father's Day

Jeff was gracious enough to share Father's Day with my birthday this year. We had cinnamon rolls before church and a little R&R after church. Two power outages couldn't stop dinner. Jeff fired up the grill to warm up the beef brisket and boil the mashed potatoes. After dinner we had my birthday cake and let the kids run around in the backyard. Jeff got some fruit pies and a multi-position ladder. We are so grateful to have a loving husband and father. We love you Jeff!

** Side note- Ethan passed the Sacrament for the first time today. It was very special as it was my birthday and Father's Day. A day to remember!

Deacon

Ethan was given the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday and ordained to the office of a Deacon. It's hard to believe that he is old enough. We were lucky enough to have Grandpa Petersen and Great Grandpa Lewis there to make 4 generations of priesthood holders. Ethan says it felt even better than when he was baptized. I am so grateful to have a son who makes good choices and is striving to live the gospel. He is looking forward to fulfilling his priesthood duties of passing the sacrament and collecting fast offerings. Father's Day Sunday (also my birthday this year) will be his first week to pass the Sacrament- that will be a  special day to remember.

The Graduate

My Miss K has graduated Kindergarten! Her program was so cute. The 3 kindergarten classes all sang some songs while wearing their paper hats (morterboards). Katelyn was so happy and excited. She has loved school and her teacher Mrs. Coles. K has come a long way this year and is caught up academically to where she should be. She is looking forward to first grade and the promise of getting a lunchbox.

Ethan's 12!

It's hard to believe that I am the mother of a 12 year old! Ethan celebrated early with us on Saturday at Tucanos for his birthday dinner date with just mom and dad. He got to pick the place and we all enjoyed a delicious feast. Ethan expanded his palate by trying a passion fruit lemonade, filet mignon and chicken hearts. Today we celebrated big. There was no school because of Memorial Day. We hosted the family BBQ at our house and had lots of fun with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We have expanded our family this week to 10 people with the addition of 4 cousins while their parents are out celebrating a wedding anniversary. Because of that we decided to host rather than travel. Ethan received lots of wonderful gifts including a Lego set (wouldn't be a birthday without one), a Newton's cradle, plasma ball, fun cards from the cousins, and cold hard cash. He really wanted all money, but wasn't quite ready to give up all the opening of real presents. So he settled on a compromise of a few gifts supplemented with moolah. He is growing up! He wanted an ice cream cake this year (Reeses, yum!), and he even was allowed to man the lighter to light his own candles.

I am so proud of Ethan. He survived his time in Primary. The last month hasn't been easy, but he has kept a positive attitude. He is a great example to his younger brother, sisters and cousins that look up to him. He earned his Faith in God award for church. He is a good boy and is maturing into a young man. I am excited and apprehensive to watch the transition. I am not ready to let him go, but know that he needs to make his own choices and learn things for himself. It can be tricky being a mother. He has a giant piece of my heart and will forever.

His summer plans include band (trumpet), youth conference, scout camp, lots of time swimming and hanging out with friends. On to the next phase in life- Jr. High!