SWINE FLU!

I have become quite a germophobe since the outbreak of swine flu. I know that some of this has worn off on Ellie and she is now the expert on the symptoms, the effects, and how many friends in her class she thinks has it. The following is a conversation we had in the car on our way home from school the other day.

Ellie-There were four kids in my class out today and Mrs. Dutson was also out. Mom, what is a swine anyway?


Me-It's a pig but that doesn't really have to do with anything with the sickness.


Sarah-"I'll never kiss a pig! I want to but I won't!"

This must still be on Sarah's mind. Last night, while my friend Kandyce was babysitting her she had this conversation with Kandyce.

Sarah- How did your dog Max die?
Kandyce- He got sick.
Sarah-What did he get sick from?
Kandyce- He had cancer.
Sarah- So he didn't kiss a pig!

PRICELESS!

$17 tickets, $4 cotton candy, spending the day with the family PRICELESS!

One of the reasons we love living in Logan is all the benefits of living in a college town. Ellie sings with a group that has student teachers from Utah State. We love being involved with community by going to the football games (fun atmosphere, getting better team) and basketball games (crazy fun atmosphere, awesome team)!

The most PRICELESS part of living here are the amazing college students that eat dinner with us on Sundays. We appreciate the good example they are to our girls. It is PRICELESS to give our girls an example of people that are hardworking, involved with church and school activities, laugh, are service oriented, and are getting a college education all at the same time! Thanks- Bridget, Steve, Nat, Kim, Malory, and Logan for the example you are providing to my kids it is PRICELESS!
Ellie and Big Blue at Family Fun Day- lots of great activities for the family and that day everything was free.

Sarah at Family Fun day! Thanks go out to Grandma and Grandpa Pratt for getting the girls the great outfits for their birthdays!

DRAMA QUEEN!

This afternoon Sarah sang us song after song! Sarah is definitely a child that can make me laugh and cry. Sarah is currently the family drama queen.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

This was Ellie's first year of community softball! She played coach pitch and loved every minute of it. In the first game, Ellie wanted to hit a home run so bad, that when she finally made contact with the ball she run pass two of the runners before her and missed touching 2nd and 3rd base. Coach Larson was my hero that day, he never let Ellie know that she got out and let her believe that she got a home run! (The next time at practice they worked on running the bases.)

Ellie hitting the ball!
Ellie is playing catcher! Just like her Dad.

Can't wait for next year!!

While You Were Away....

For the last eight days we have been off adventuring through Canada. When we left I plugged in my cell phone and left it at home. We brought Jason's just in case we might need it. Five days later we checked Jason's phone. It makes you nervous when you receive texts like- "Are you guys ok?", "Did your house receive any water damage?", "Do you need help?" Jason had multiple voice messages- "Brother Mons bring your shovel and meet at the church!" Jason quickly called a neighbor and found out that the mountain side three doors north and three doors west had a landslide, flooding over a dozen neighbors homes, trapping and killing three neighbors! Upon our return it has been amazing to learn of the number of volunteers that overran our neighborhood. Over 1,00o people came out on Sunday to move rock, mud and clean out peoples basements. It was frustrating to only be able to pray for our neighbors and friends.We are grateful that our home was ok! I am grateful to live a community where people help people.

The other message we received was letting us know that our dear friend Vance Thompson died. Vance is the neighborhood Grandpa! Telling Ellie about Vance's death was heart breaking. In her short little life she has seen death up close more than Jason or I did until we were into our teenage years.

Ellie and Vance had a very special relationship. During her kindergarten year Vance would do Ellie's nightly reading assignments with her. Vance has attended a number of her birthday parties at her request, he never missed stopping at her lemonade stands, he joined her at the schools Veteran's day assembly as her guest.

Last year the neighborhood kids planned a parade and had Vance be the grand marshal. The kids took great care to decorate his scooter and make sure he had a cape to wear for the big day! Ellie dearly loved Vance and she will miss him!

When I think about what I learned from Vance there are things that will stay with me forever and I hope that I can be like him!

-You can be friends to anyone no matter how young or old they are! At 88 years old, Vance has touched our families life forever.

-It is ok to be proud of your family! Vance always talked about the accomplishments of his kids, grand kids, and great grand kids. The way he talked about them you knew what was important to Vance.

-You are never to old to make changes and teach others by the mistakes that you have made. For many years of his life Vance was an alcoholic. He never made excuses for what he did but would tell you how it ruined relationships and work. Vance used his life experiences to teach those around him.

-Vance never missed an opportunity to tell us that he loved us!

Thank you Vance for letting us be your friend! You have forever touched our families life. I am so grateful that I have a firm belief that I will be able to see Vance again.

Don't forget to take time for the little things!

Summer fun!

What could be better than spending my favorite holiday with family that we don't get to see very often. Over the 4th of July weekend, Tyler and Robyn (Jason's brother) and their cute family came for a visit. The little kids and the big kids had a great time together playing!

The kids loved shooting off Aunt Heather's "fireworks"! I will read the label next time before I buy anything. Tyler had a great time shooting off his illegal fireworks that he picked up on their way through Wyoming.

Tyler's goal was to spend time in the mountains. The kids loved roasting hot dogs and marshmellows and throwing rocks into the river. I think their favorite part was putting out the fire with cups of water from the river!

Robyn has a great tradition of spending one on one time with each of the family members. Sarah enjoyed a trip to the temple and feeding the ducks. Ellie went to the park and had her fingernails and toenails painted red and blue. (I hope some day that I will think like a blogger and remember to bring my camera with me more places. Hopefully more pictures to come.)

Happy Birthday Ellie!

It is hard to believe that my baby turned seven last week! Eight years ago our bishop asked Jason and I to come in and meet with him. He told us that there was a special spirit ready to come live with our family. He couldn't have been more right.

Ellie- Your dad and I think that you are amazing!
We love how creative you are! There is never a day that passes that you are not using your creativity to decorate, entertain, and keep us busy. When ever you are asked what you like to do with your dad, you always answer "Work in his wood shop!" For Christmas this year Grandpa Pratt bought you your own sander.

Ellie you have a compassionate heart that daily teaches me to love more and serve more. At school I watch you protect those that can't protect themselves. I am in awe watching you with your friend Cora. You are always willing to include her and teach those around you that every person is important and has value.
Ellie we love your adventurous spirit! You are willing to try anything-rock climbing, swimming, motorcycle/4 wheel riding, roller coaster riding, skiing, bike riding, cheer leading, concert singing. There is nothing that you won't try at least once!
We are so proud that you do your best work in school! You have an amazing ability to set goals and work hard to achieve them. It is neat to see you learn new things and come home and tell dad and I about what you have learned.

We hope that all your wishes come true! We love you!
Ellie is currently on a health kick! (thanks to her 1st grade teacher) Instead of cake, Ellie requested that we have "pink drinks" fruit smoothies for her birthday!