Derby Day

Today was the big race day. Here are all the cars before the race. Notice the headlights on Mike's batmobile. He has a rocket launcher inside, but he didn't use it. Mike said he liked knowing he could if he wanted to.

All the cars. Weston won 1st place overall. His is the black car to the left of Jorja's superblooper
Preston at the race.
Jorja's car was the fastest in our family. She raced Weston's car at the end and won! She was excited. She worked so hard!
Stockton won a few races as well.
See what I put up with? Preston is looking for Altoids. I'm not kidding - he loves Altoids.

Maysen had a birthday party today. I dropped her off, and talked to the birthday girl's mom for a bit. I told her we were hoping to move out west. She asked if I was from California. I told her I was from Utah. She asks, "Are you mormon?" I tell her I am. "How many kids do you have?" Four. "Are you polygamist?" No. Mormon's aren't polygamist. "Oh, we're big Big Love fans." Then she starts talking about the show. Soon, another parent comes to the party and I am introduced as "She's a mormon but she's not a polygamist." No mormons are polygamists!

Last but not least, we can not find Jorja's blanket. We have searched the entire house. Jorja took it to the pinewood derby. I thought we brought it home, but I have no idea where it is. Mike is going to look for it tomorrow. She sobbed and sobbed tonight. I cuddled with her until she fell asleep. I think this is only the second night she has been without her blanket since she was given it when she was 2 months old. We better find it!

Dragon Bread

Maysen and Mike made Dragon Bread. They have been making homemade bread lately, and Maysen decided she wanted the bread shaped like a dragon. They made a few mini-loaves as well.

The bread was so delicious. Especially the dragon bread. Way to go Maysen!

Inkdeath

I just finished reading Inkdeath. I loved it! It is the third (and final) book in the Inkheart series. It took me a little while to get into Inkheart, but once I did I really liked it. I loved Inkspell, I opened the book and felt like I immediately dropped in. Inkdeath was wonderful. The writing was so delicious. I am amazed at Cornelia Funke's imagination. I wish writing was my talent. Anyway, the best thing about the car pool line is I get to read books!

Poor Porja

Jorja is covered in hives today. She had a few when I took her to school. By the time we got to her class, they were all over her stomach. Apparently Fifths Disease is going around her class. By the time the hives appear, you aren't contagious anymore. Good think I had Mike take her home from church on Sunday. I read the hives are supposed to last 7 -10 days. Hopefully it will be less.

It's a Sad, Sad Day

I put Preston down for a nap in his crib. While I was talking to Brooke on the phone, my door opened and in walked Preston! This is the first time he has climbed out of his crib. It is a sad, sad day. He has been potty training, and needed to go to the bathroom. He grabbed the phone from me and started telling Brooke he needed to go potty. He is in his bed in Stockton's room right now, but today he doesn't like it. I don't know why he is still in there, I can hear him crying, but I'm not going to mess with it unless he comes out. (He wanted a water bottle) Now starting, two years of bed time/nap time torture!

I took a picture of the kids before school. Jorja was so excited for St. Patrick's Day. She had her clothes picked out days before. She told me all about the mischievous leprechauns that visited her classroom. They turned over chairs and left little green footprints all over. She loved cleaning them up!

Priming

The kids primed their cars today. Maysen kept asking if they were priming them or compositing them. Something like that. I'm sure I messed up her joke.

Preston

Maysen & Jorja
Stockton

Mike

Sanding

I successfully made it through my talk. I did not fall or mess up, so that is good. In my mind I was imagining the congregation all standing up and writing A + + + + + on their imaginary chalkboards. Hopefully I won't have to give another talk for a LONG time!

For Family Home Evening we talked about the things I had learned in my talk. We discussed having the children contribute to fast offerings and talked to them about starting to fast. We are going to start with a two hour fast. We are going to decide what we are fasting for, say our prayers together, then two hours later we will help Maysen and Stockton say an ending prayer for their fast. I hate giving talks, but I like everything I learn while I am preparing for them.

We also had the kids work on their pinewood derby cars. The derby is this Saturday. Everyone is making a car except me (I have no desire to do that). I'm not sure if Preston is making one, but he had fun sanding anyway.

Maysen

Stockton
Jorja and Preston
Dad

If you are wondering why Preston never has a shirt on, it is because he is potty training. He seems to think he can't go to the potty unless he is naked. And of course he likes to go on the potty every three minutes. We've given up on clothes for the time being.

Pi Day

Last year, Lisa wrote on her blog how she celebrated Pi day. I loved that idea! We made a chocolate cream pie and a banana cream pie. Thanks for the great idea Lisa!

Flat Jacob

I made it back from Utah! It is always nice to be home. When I came up the elevator, I heard Jorja yell, "Mommy!" I turned to see her and I saw all the kids holding up welcome home signs. It was so cute! Preston kept giving me the biggest squeezes! I missed them so much. It is good to be back. On the way back home, we dropped Maysen off at a sleepover, so she isn't here right now . . . but Stockton is sleeping in her bed.

I sat by the Anderson's on the flight back. They are headed to Mexico City on a Book of Mormon tour. They were so nice. They even let me take a picture of them with Flat Jacob! Flat Jacob will be staying at our house over the weekend, then he is headed back to Utah via the US Mail!

In other news, the worst thing about being home is I just was called and asked to speak at church on Sunday! Well, I wasn't really asked. I do the bulletin and Brother Lott told me the 2nd speaker was Sister Stephanie Smith. Ha, ha, very funny. Apparently it wasn't a joke. I have to talk on How you can get the most out of fast & testimony meeting. . . spiritually, personally, and for your family.

Grandpa Millburn's Funeral

**note: these pictures are randomly put in here, I'm way too tired to get them in the right spot **
Notice Lincoln helping. He ran up to Bubs saying 'Help too!'

Today was my Grandpa Millburn’s funeral. Steve dropped me off at my dad’s house in the morning. My dad and I left to pick up my Grandma. We got to the church early, which was very nice. It was so wonderful to see so many people. My Grandpa Parry and Uncle John drove down from Idaho Falls. That was so great and thoughtful of them. All the California cousins were there as well. They are my dad’s cousins. My Grandma and Grandpa Millburn sure do love them.

Rachel & Cassie

The funeral was very nice. Both my Aunt Gayle and my dad spoke. Elder Robert L. Backman also spoke. I loved the stories of my grandpa. My favorites were:

When Aunt Gayle gave Grandpa a vest for Christmas he leaned over to my brother Mike and said, “Maybe next year I’ll get the sleeves.”

Stephanie & Marie

When my Grandpa was a lawyer, he was assigned a client to defend. The client was accused of murdering his wife. The evidence was overwhelming. When the verdict was read, both my grandpa and his client were shocked that he was acquitted. A few weeks later, my Grandpa recognized one of the jury members on the gold course. He asked him why they decided to acquit his client. He was told that they decided if Doc Millburn was representing him then he had to be innocent. Wow.

I also love the story of my Grandpa falling at the cemetery. He rolled all the way down the hill. When my dad ran down to gather him up, he said, “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.” My grandma stood at the top of the hill with her hands on her hips and said, “Honestly Ralph, act your age”.

Marie & Mike

My Grandma and Grandpa were so funny together. I loved being with them. The hardest part of living so far away is not being able to spend as much time with my family as I would like. I hope my Grandma is going to be okay. Life sure got a whole lot more lonely for her.

After the funeral, we went to my Grandpa’s grave. He had already picked out his headstone. He use to walk over and double check that there was no death date on it.

Mike, Brett, John, Bubs, Steph & Matt

At the luncheon after the funeral, we were able to spend a lot of time catching up with each other. I talked to my dad’s cousin Chris Cremer for awhile. He was talking about when he coached soccer. They were in this huge tournament. They had a big game on Sunday and his star player is LDS. Chris is not LDS. He talked to his star player and said, “I want you to ask your parents if they will let you play this game on Sunday. If they agree to let you play, I will go to your church with you for the next four weeks.” Brilliant! She played, they won and he followed through with his end of the bargain.

My family with Grandma

After we left the church, we hung out at Bubs & Ange’s house, then went to my dad’s. We played games the rest of the day (and watched a little basketball). We played Would You Rather . . . and Apples to Apples. My dad got pizza, and I got back to Steve & Shannon’s around 11:30. I couldn’t believe how fast the day went. It was a wonderful, sad, happy, and enjoyable day. I loved being with my brothers. It has been years since we have all been together. I really wish we could experience that more often. I love them.

Grandma with the California cousins

Grandpa Millburn's Viewing

I flew to Utah today. It was an easy flight because I had no kids with me. It was hard to leave Preston who started crying "Go too!" when I got out of the car. Mike said a couple of times he pounded on the door crying, "Mommy!" I talked to the kids on the webcam, but Preston was already asleep.

Shannon picked me up at the airport and took me to Cheesecake Factory. Yum, yum. Then she bought me a new shirt. That worked out nicely because I got chocolate on the shirt I was wearing. I hung out with my niece and nephews until it was time to go to my Grandpa's viewing.

The viewing was held at Larkin Sunset Gardens. This is the cemetery where my mom, mother-in-law and niece are buried. I really wanted to find Jessica's grave marker. Lisa described where it was, and then she came up and met me! It was so nice to see her. We visited her mom's grave and then she helped me look for my mom's grave. After almost 13 years, I can't believe I still have a hard time finding it! In my defense, it is really hard to find in the snow.

John & Cassie

After Lisa left, I went inside to find my family. I met Cassie for the first time. I like her a lot. John will be really happy with her. John, Matt, and Bubs were there. (Ange, Lincoln and Ella were there as well of course). It was nice to talk to my family. My grandma was so sad. There was a slide show with photos that I had never seen before. My dad when he was a baby etc. Cathy put it together and gave me a copy, so I'm excited about that.

After the viewing, my dad took me, John, Cassie & Matt to Kneaders. It was very delicious. It's funny that John has worked there so long and doesn't know what his favorite sandwich is. He is clear that he has a favorite sandwich, he just doesn't know what it is called. . . they just give it to him sometimes.

Matt debated if he should buy a brownie. He decided he would rather eat a brownie then eat a dollar. Nice logic.

Me, Dad, John & Matt

Lions Vs. Tigers

Jorja had her first soccer game today. She was so excited for her 'big game'. For time with dad she's planning on making flags we can wave. Jorja's team is the Lions. They played the Tigers. Jorja's team won 8 - 0. Technically they don't keep score, but come on, the kids all know the score!

Jorja was goalie right off the bat. She did great!
I asked Mike which child scored one of the goals. He looked at me with a blank face and said, "I'm sorry, I don't have an attention span for sports."
Of course the best part of the game is the treats at the end!
And by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LARKIN!!!!

Preston on His Throne

Preston has been showing interest in the potty lately. I am not ready for this. Not only is the thought of my last baby out of diapers too much for me, but I am not ready for the loss of freedom this new skill requires. But, nevertheless, we press on. I wanted to take a picture of Preston on his potty because I thought it was so funny he was wearing Jorja's crown.

What would make Preston this unhappy? He wants the camera and mom doesn't want to give it to him!

Preston is now trying to fight me for the camera.

But I am bigger, so I won.

What It's Like To Be A Quarter

I was born in the house of the US mint & now I'm packed & sent away.

I don't know where I'm going but I know it's in the U.S.A.

I was sent to Bobby Fuller & I was delivered at dawn.

But I know that Bobby's careless of what he spends his money on.

So he spent me on a candy bar & chewed it right away.

So the cashier then considered what he'd spend me on today.

But he didn't get a chance to since his son cleaned the walls that weren't dusted.

Now I'll tell you why he can not be trusted.

He & his sister got into a fight about the butter.

He was mad & threw me on the roof & I rolled into the gutter.

I sped into the tire of the mail truck & it flung me in the air.

I landed in the package delivered to 567 - Ye Old Square.

Now I don't see my relatives 'cause I'm separated from the rest.

This is what it feels like to be trapped in a pirate's treasure chest!

--Stockton Smith

Delicious Dresses

Jorja and I went shopping for dresses for John and Cassie's wedding. The dress Cassie had picked out looked great on Maysen, but there was not a size small enough to fit The Porge. Jorja and I found this canary yellow dress at Sears for $27. I think she looks beautiful!

Mike was so proud of his hamburger today, he took a picture of it. It was delicious. Mike said the Diet Root Beer counteracted all the calories in the hamburger and fries. Mike makes the best hamburgers around. He puts grilled pineapple and BBQ sauce on it--I'll never be able to eat a regular hamburger again.

Grandpa Millburn

My Grandpa Millburn died today. He was 95 years old. Last week he fell and broke his hip. It just went downhill from there. My grandpa is so funny! I wish I was as good of a story teller as he is. My grandma is sure going to miss him. When my dad took her home from the hospital the first day she said, "This is the first time I'm going to sleep alone in 40 years." Wow.

Stinky Science

Maysen has been working on her science project. She is growing bean plants. She is watering 3 with water, 3 with milk, 3 with cola, and 3 with orange juice. She has done such a good job of watering them every day, taking pictures and tracking their progress. The only problem is - THEY STINK! Oh, my goodness!

Doesn't this look disgusting? The one on the far left is the water, followed by milk, cola and last the orange juice. The orange juice smells the worst!

This is what it looks like today...although it looks like we switched the tray around. Yucky orange juice!

Maysen also came home the other day with a Certificate of Achievement for getting 100% on their science benchmark test...also a coupon for a free kids meal at Joe's Crab Shack. Good thing there is free crab tomorrow!

Library Dresses

I took Preston to story time at the library today. I tried a different library. The building was cute, but they didn't have very many books. I might have more books then they do. Preston enjoyed story time. He liked the singing the most. He didn't sing, but he had a big smile on his face. Although the selection of books at this library was slim, I found several books for the kids. They are ordering one for me as well. I am reading Inkdeath right now. I love it!

After school, I took Maysen and Jorja up to David's Bridal. It is about an hour away, so I had put this off for a long time. The girls tried on dresses for John and Cassie's wedding. They looked so grown up! I should have brought my camera . . . although that might have been frowned upon in the dressing room.

Jr. Beta Club

Maysen was inducted into the National Jr. Beta Club today. They had a cute little assembly where they each got to light a candle. Maysen was excited about the candle. It reminded her of a scene from The Thing About Georgie. (Great book by the way).

Here is Maysen with Mrs. McLendon. She was Maysen's 1st and 2nd grade teacher. Now she is her Program Challenge teacher. Maysen adores Mrs. Mac. Stockton likes her as well. I think Mrs. McLendon was the one who officially introduced Stockton to poetry. He always liked it, and dabbled around with poems, but he never started writing like crazy until Mrs. Mac's poetry unit.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is my Grandma Parry's 86th birthday. Several of my relatives who live in Idaho got together at her house for lunch. I wish I could have been there with them. My grandma is the most amazing person on this earth. She will never fully understand how much she means to me. I remember when I was little, loving Idaho. I loved to go to her house. When you entered, you just felt joy and love. That is how I think of Idaho. Joy and love.

I remember when my mom was sick, grandma took such good care of her. Grandma and Grandpa stayed the week with us, then would drive home Saturday night to teach their primary class. Talk about dedication! Because Grandma and Grandpa were with us, my dad was able to stay at the hospital with my mom. I loved having both of them with us, but not for the reason they were there. I remember when my mom died. I was sitting by her bed with my dad listening to her breathe. All of a sudden, my mom opened her eyes - but she wasn't looking at anything. Dad told me to go get Grandma and Grandpa. I ran downstairs and got Grandma. She was doing our laundry. (Later I found out that Grandma feels really bad about that--which is crazy. She did so much for our mom and all of us . . . we can never repay her.) All four of us were with my mom when she died a few minutes later. I remember my dad leaning over the bed and timidly asking, "Are you gone Harriett?" My Grandma started crying and said, "Yes she is, she's really gone." Breaks my heart just thinking about it.

Sorry I was writing so much about my mom on my grandma's post. But I don't think about the one without thinking about the other. My Grandma loves me just like my mom did. I don't know what I would do without her. I love her so much.

This is one of my very favorite pictures. Grandma's holding Maysen and Stockton at the cabin. Look how much they love her.

Grandma & Jorja. Grandma knows how to make each of her grandchildren & great-grandchildren feel special. (I'm sure Jacoby loves his great-great grandma too!)
Grandma & Preston

I hope you had a wonderful birthday Grandma! We love you and wish we could see you more often. Thank you for all you do for us. You have been my biggest cheerleader and you are the most completely selfless person I have ever met. I love you!

It's Snowing!

As we were getting ready to go to church, we noticed some flurries. Very exciting. If you look real hard and squint, you can see some snow falling. You can also see our new car that Steve gave us.

After Sacrament Meeting, the Bishop got up and cancelled the rest of church. By this time it was snowing really hard. Too bad church wasn't cancelled before we drove all the way there. The kids had fun taking pictures all the way home.
I thought this picture Jorja took of Preston turned out really cute.

The snow even stuck for a few hours! Our kids didn't want to play in it for two reasons. 1. We left all of our snow stuff in Utah 2. The snow is too slushy and wet. The neighbor boys sure had fun.