Summer Visitors

Summer Visitors

One thing that I love about summer is summer visitors. This year things have gotten off to a great start already. We have had the pleasure of spending quite a bit of time with some of Tyler's family. At the first of June, Tyler's Uncle Lew and Aunt Marilyn, came to town for their granddaughter's mission farewell. I was working at Farm Chicks and missed out but my family had a great time hanging out them and with Tyler's cousin, Angie, and her family. Uncle Lew is HILARIOUS. My kids have been keeping me laughing for weeks with "Uncle Lew-isms." One of the other highlights (besides Uncle Lew and Aunt Marilyn) was going to church with cousins. This is actually quite exciting for our family since we don't have many LDS family members and it is so fun to go to church with family!! Angie has kids that are similar in age to our kids and they have a great time together. Our kids enjoyed being "visitors" in Angie's ward and hanging out with Lew and Marilyn.  I love it.

Then last weekend Tyler's mom and stepdad came to town. They brought with them some of Tyler's relatives from Sweden. It was great to see them and we had a really fun time. A few years ago Judie and Joel went to Sweden and Robert and Lisabet gave them the grand tour. This year it was Judie and Joel's turn to return the favor. Robert and Lisabet flew into SLC and then they all went on a big road trip to the Oregon Coast, Seattle, over to Spokane, and then they were continuing on to Yellowstone.

Grandpa made Ailey an authentic Native American flute for her birthday. Grandpa is really good at playing it and lucky for Ailey it is quite similar to the recorder so she was cranking out Hot Cross Buns pretty fast. Joel is super talented and makes the most amazing things for the grandkids. Last year he brought her the coolest jewelry box that he made that looks just like a grand piano.

We spent quite a bit of time in Coeur d' Alene while they were here. It is so pretty and Robert and Lisabet loved it. We ate dinner at Cafe Rio. Another hit with the Swedes...they love mexican food...and we introduced them to horchata. They loved it.

We went to the Coeur d' Alene resort and walked around the board walk. Robert used to work at a very posh hotel in Sweden at one time and he enjoyed checking out the resort. Robert is hilarious and you can totally tell that he and Uncle Lew are cousins!! They have the exact same sense of humor. Lisabet is sweet and kind. I really enjoyed talking to her about parenting and life in Sweden versus life in the US. So interesting!!

Robert (who is Judie's first cousin...their mothers are sisters), Lisabet, Joel and Judie.

I loved Robert's shirt he was wearing "The Crazy Norwegian." Joel got it for him in Oregon. Hilarious. I need one of those for Tyler. (Tyler's Johnson side of the family are ALL from Norway.) Robert is originally from California but moved to Sweden as a young man and loved it so much he stayed for good.

It was such a gorgeous night out on the board walk. Tyler proposed to me on a night just like this in June at about this exact same time of day with the sun starting to go down and everything looking beautiful and golden. It was crazy that it was almost on the exact anniversary of the day that Tyler proposed. We were both quite nostalgic.

I'm sure glad that he did and that I had the good sense to say "YES!"

Try keeping us out of the water. Not possible. That water was calling our name. It is still pretty chilly though. We had a such great day and a fantastic time in Coeur d' Alene.

The next morning Judie and Joel joined us at church. Have I mentioned how fun it is to have visitors come to church with us? It is such a rare phenomena. Ha ha.

It was great to have them there. They enjoyed watching Kameron pass the Sacrament and seeing me get sustained in a new calling. It was nice to fill up our big bench!! I think that is something that people from a large LDS family take for granted. Having family at church! It is something that our kids talk about quite a bit like "I can't wait until we are all grown up and when one of our kids gets baptized or blessed or something our whole family will come." I can't either. I hope we fill up rows and rows someday.

I think this is a great picture of Ty and his mom. I think that Tyler's dad would be extremely proud of the man his son has turned out to be. We miss Grandpa Johnson (he passed away while Tyler and I were dating) and his memory lives on strong in our family but we also got really lucky with Grandpa Joel!! We are blessed to have him in our lives. He is such a good man and a wonderful example. I am especially partial to him because we are blood related. He is a very distant cousin of mine. My great-grandpa and his grandpa were brothers. He knew my grandparents well while growing up and that is a special bond we share. We are both McKinnons.

The visit was a short but sweet one. It was good to see them and to meet Robert and Lisabet. Soon they were on their way to Yellowstone. Lisabet was REALLY hoping to see a buffalo. Ha ha. I'm sure she got her wish.

 Happy Birthday to Judie!! Hope it is wonderful.

End of the School Year

End of the School Year Hoopla

As the school year ended things were busy beyond belief. Several days in a row there were about four different events (all important) that we needed to be at, at the exact same time. It was crazy. Here's a recap of some of the crazy and fun events that took place as the school year came to a close.

1.) Track Season Ended

Kameron finished his first year of competitive school track. He did a great job. I don't think he enjoys track as much as he does cross-country but he does love running hurdles. He was only one of about three seventh graders who would even attempt them. He only took one fall... not during a meet thank goodness...just at practice. I would nearly have a heart attack watching him...many  kids went down at the meets running hurdles. Kam would make it over them every time. Awesome. I was beyond impressed. This year was more about not falling down or knocking over the hurdles...and next year it will be more about form and speed. He loved his team and he loves to run so it worked out great! We had fun watching!!

2.) I had a month long intense calling at the temple.

I got called to be our ward's temple cleaning coordinator. Every four years our ward is in charge of supplying people to clean the temple three days a week for a month. I had the job of finding about 20 people to fill each of those shifts for each of those days for the month. Hmmm...not as easy as one might think. I didn't love this calling. A.) It came at a super busy and stressful time. B.) Our bishopric didn't really know what it would entail and how much time was involved especially for a mom that still had a child at home. C.) Tyler had to take off a lot of work/go in late for me to do this calling which stressed me out. D.) I don't like bugging people to volunteer to do things. E.) I don't like cleaning. F.) Some people weren't very nice...most people were...but the one's that weren't were surprisingly rude. I was shocked. G.) I had jury duty simultaneously. That said, 1.) I learned a lot about how methodically and carefully the temple is cleaned. 2.) I was able to be in the temple a lot in the month of May. 3.) I was able to give back and serve in a way that I never have before. 4.) I am excited to go to the temple...and not have to clean it. 5.) I learned who I can count on and who are the genuinely nice people in my ward. 6.) I grew spiritually in surprising ways. 7.) The Spokane Temple is now a place that I feel like I truly am a part of and it is a part of me right down to all it's nooks and crannies. 8.) I feel more comfortable there and less awkward. (I am renowned for having weird and embarrassing situations occur at the temple.) Regardless, I was happy when June arrived.

3.) Ailey had her 4th Grade Music Program: DISCO!!

Lucky for us we had a leftover American Idol costume from when Reilly was little that we found in the dress-ups box and made disco-y. Ailey did a great job and was totally adorable.

Gabi and Ailey

Ailey and some of her cute friends who are always so kind to include Bryn. She just loves being around them.

Bryn is so excited for Kindergarten that she can barely stand it!!

4.) Kameron got to march in not one but two parades with his marching band. First up was the Jr. Lilac Parade. His middle school won first place in the band competition so they got to march in the Lilac Torch Light Parade with all the high school bands which was super exciting for him. We had a great time watching him and cheering him on. All I have is video which I will need to include later.

Proud parents!!

5.)

I got my yearly mammogram. Yay!

6.) This was all the rage to eat for snack with the girls in 4th grade. Weirdos. I had to buy big huge packs of it from Costco for Ailey to take to school. For the world's pickiest eater, I was baffled that she would actually eat seaweed of all things. But she did. Not even I can munch on it unless it's wrapped around some sushi. (This photo refuses to turn around the proper direction so I give up.)

7.) Bryn rode a bull. (She really wanted me to include this picture. Ha ha.)

8.) Ailey was asked to be the teaching assistant for Bryn's ballet class. She was THRILLED and so was Bryn. She also got to miss a little school to help get the little girls ready for the recital...score! Ailey also got to dance with them at the ballet recital this year. She did a fantastic job!!

9.) More swimming

10.) Kameron had his Scout Court of Honor.

He earned several things and was pretty happy about that.

Matt and Kam

11.) Reilly had her end of the year Spring Choir Concert.

12.) The little girls had their ballet recital it was The Nutcracker this year. They did a fantastic and outstanding job!!

13.) It was Ailey's school Trek aka their fun run fundraiser. It is always a lot of fun. It was so weird to have Ailey as the only child in elementary school.

14.) Kameron and Tyler went on a Scout Overnighter and had a spectacular time. We had a girls night of 80's movies, buttered cheerios and malted milkshakes (old family treats from childhood).

Like father like son!!

I'm so glad that these guys are getting in lots of camping (thanks to Scouts) and that I am NOT camping!!

15.) Farm Chicks came and went. It was amazing, exciting, so much fun, successful, and exhausting.

16.) Bryn graduated from preschool. *sniff*  Our baby is all grown up and headed to Kindergarten. Boy, did she have a great year!! We have loved the two years that she spent at this fun preschool and so did she!! I think she is well prepared for next year.

Bryn is in the center singing away...

Rylynn and Bryn who are not only school friends but church friends too. Half of the class, at least, are kids from our stake and quite a few of the high school buddies are too. Bryn just thrived in this environment.

The fabulous Mrs. Crater who runs such an amazing preschool. We just love her!!

17.) My Book of Mormon Class ended.

I am so bummed. I absolutely loved this class. As a person who only attended less than one year of seminary and only half paid attention in my religion classes at BYU ...this adult institute class has been life changing. See the woman teaching? (Do you like my stealthy picture taking skills?) She the rain man of doctrinal facts, LDS history, current events, and a master scriptorian. Not only that, but she is able to teach in the most interesting way. I learned so much and was able to understand the gospel on a much deeper level than I ever have before. My testimony has grown by leaps and bounds. I was literally so excited to go on Monday mornings. (There was also a Tuesday night class available.) I would come home brimming with interesting gospel facts and my family liked learning them as much as I did. I have grown so much as a mother, woman, and disciple of Christ. I can't wait for it to start back up in the fall.

18.) Ailey had her spring piano recital and did an amazing job. She played There is a Green Hill Far Away. Need to add more video to this post!!

19.) Then school ended and we jumped for joy!!

20.)  Now that summer is here, it is time to kick back and enjoy it!!

My 42nd Birthday

42!!

I am moving backwards in time to catch all the things that I have missed blogging about... one of those things was my birthday. I am now 42 and like I said on Instagram...Big Whopdedoo!! 42 has none of the angst of 40 and none of the "now I am older than 40" like 41 did. 42 is pretty pleasant. Yay! This year my birthday was squashed in between all the end of school hoopla and Farm Chicks craziness. But I took my birthday moments where I could get them and it turned out great!

My birthday was the very day before the Farm Chicks set-up but I still wanted to do something birthday-ish and not just stress about half-finished projects and worry about booth design. I am so glad I did because it really helped me to chill out before set-up day which is the most stress-filled day of a show (especially Farm Chicks). Tyler and I went downtown and had a quick date night.

Love that view!!

We saw the movie "Belle" which was exactly the kind of movie I like...a great English period piece. It was fantastic and we both really liked it. We came back home and had impromptu birthday cake and candles with the kids. You have to make a wish on your actual birthday, you know?

On set-up day my sweet friends Judy and Sally, the owners of the fabulous Sweet Frostings, along with Tyler, had me eating cupcakes all.weekend.long. They were divine. No need for an actual cake!!

Love these ladies!!

The next night after our set-up...I had a quick birthday dinner at PF Chang's which was delicious. I look haggard and weary but happy.

This was Tyler's attempt to get everyone in the picture. The server did not do a stellar job at all.

I think I could eat PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps and drink their Coconut Cooler every day of my life. Delish.

After Farm Chicks was over, I celebrated with my own little family. My plan was to go hiking and then into Coeur d' Alene for dinner and dessert at the resort. Their coconut cake is the best I have ever had in my entire life. The weather did not cooperate. (Rainy downpours have been the weather here for about a week and a half now. It is currently 52 degrees and pouring rain. It's not feeling summer vacationy at all. Ugh. The little girls are crafting up a storm. Today we are doing modpodge. The sun needs to come out soon!)

Anyway...after my birthday plans were shot...Tyler came up with the perfect thing to do. Go to the MAC and the Campbell House. I LOVE LOVE LOVE museums. Normally I have to get my fix while traveling and it usually isn't the highlight of the trip for my kids. We have to pound the culture in when we can. (The older kids all play instruments and have an appreciation for music, the girls all dance and have an appreciation for that, and even Kameron does too by proxy; they all like plays, musicals, and literature so I think we aren't doing too badly...but art and history... they are the weak spots.) Since it was my birthday, they had to do what I wanted to do, and they were great sports!! They even liked it!!

First stop...The Campbell House:

The Campbell House was built in 1898 by renowned architect Kirtland K. Cutter who designed not only the architecture but the furnishings as well.  The house has been restored to it's original glory by the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. I have wanted to go there for years!! Both Reilly and Kameron have had field trips there in elementary school and I had to miss both field trips for random reasons. I was thrilled to come, walk through, and imagine what life was like in Spokane at the turn of the century. It was fabulous!! The kids were more enthused now that they are Downton Abbey fans. I loved the maid call buttons in the bedrooms that looked just like the one in my parent's room in our house in Springdell. So cool.

Kam in the carriage house. He loved the old cars and carriages.

Everyone loved the creepy cutouts and dress-ups...

Channeling our inner Lady Sybil and Branson

We went and checked out all the exhibits at the MAC (The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture) and it was fun. We liked the local historical exhibits the best. It was fun to see the interesting pieces of  history from Spokane.

There was even cotton candy (my favorite) so all was right in my world!! Then we all went out to lunch and had a great time. It was the perfect birthday celebration for me!!

Yay 42!!