January Ends

Sunday we fasted, so that next week we didn't have to fast in the car.  We three live in a house with five boys.  With Meg and Maisie gone and Andy home, we three are out numbered in so many ways.  But, we did match at church.

Studying juntos.

I had a million meetings and responsibilities, but they didn't.  Nick won Catan.

Meg sent me this.  My fat baby is so cute.

Cousin Kate S. sent us Flat Stacey.  Molly and I showed her a real good time in AZ.

I even included a little crocheted cactus souvenir.

Reading hammocks for the win!  70* and a require novel is an epic sum.  I didn't hear from them for six hours each school day.

Sourdough seed bread.  Goated.

Sourdough English muffins.  Snarfed.

AHAHHAHHA!  I have officialy gone down another scholastic rabbit hole.  We are studying the lives and works of famous artists.  Most days we recreate masterpieces.  My darlings can recognize 40 famous works and name their artist.  (I think it's a great game.)

Ryan's "The Scream" by Edvard Munch.

Eddie's "Son of Man" by Rene Margritte.

Molly's "Out of the Frame" by del Caso.

An experiment.  These doughs were started at the same time.  Can you tell which is sourdough driven and which is yeast driven.  Nope.  You can't.

Molly made cookies.  I ate cookies.

This newborn baby boy is leaving me for BYU Provo.  We work out everyday.  He somehow gets gains, I just put along.  I  no longer make HGH.  Boo.

Friday we drove to Highland.  Molly was squooshed between the two big boys.  They used every bit of her seat (whilst she was still in it), and they stunk.  

Some moments they were awake.  The three in the back row were neither heard nor seen.

Once we finally arrived in Provo, we visited Maisie and her dorm mates.  She fed us hot cookies and gave us the grand tour of their lovely dorm.  Their little place is filled with love and brightness.  

She even sang to us.

Austin took us to the Bean Museum for a quick tour of the main floor.  My children were quite entertained and entertaining.  Once we arrived at Mother's, she fed us and gave us warm and clean beds.  Every person was in their own bed, and that means she had so much laundry when we left.  I know that bringing big people for a visit produces quite a large footprint.  It's very kind that she let us fill up all her beds, nooks and crannies.

We three went and bought temple clothing for Maisie!  (She asked me to crochet strawberries for her.  I did.). 

Then, off to the temple we went where she made sacred covenants with God.  Her face and soul were filled with light.  She was literally glowing.  We're so proud of her.

Meg drove down for the session, so I had all eight of my children gathered about me.  Life is is grand.

Group hugs!

Sunday we went to church with Grandma Kim, and said our goodbyes to every one big in our world.  Nick said it best, "Well, we're going home to our small family again."

Our bigs sure love our littles so much.  Our little sure love our bigs so much.

We are blessed.

Practically the Von-Trapps

I spoke in the Sedona ward sacrament meeting, so naturally I asked my children to come and sing with me.  We relearned "Tree of Life" and sang.  (Andy and Austin sat out, and I poorly accompanied.). Ward members were so glad to have a musical number.  Family choir serves us so well.

We're really into peanut butter popcorn.  Peanut Butter Popcorn. 

Sunday night Grandma arm wrestled the children -- she was the winner and giggled.

Best study buddies.

Molly still uses her lunch veg and creates faces.

I baked this pretty little cake with Ermine frosting.  Do it.  Ermine Frosting

TREE OF LIFE FHE: This year was pretty great.  We had a rod of iron and a tree filled with jelly fruits.  The children each took a turn walking to me as I beckoned them to come and partake.  

Evening study.

I baked this sourdough chocolate loaf.  It was pretty magical.  

Molly's crack on the underside of her toe was really bad, so she used the shopping cart as her crutch for a few days.  Cracks are the worst.

School in session.

A seeded sourdough loaf.

Massage moments.

I navigated the ski adventure this week.  Austin had schoolboard meetings, Andy had classes and work, and Nick and Maddie couldn't miss again so soon.  70 miles north is a winter wonderland.  Eddie acted just as Austin would have:  He remembered where we parked the car, he noticed where the shuttle pick up was, he carrried the backpack with lunch, he made sure Molly had all her gear, and he came up with the best plan to ensure that our long waits in line were worth it, "Ryan, let's take as long as we can going down."  Mollly zooms right on down, I slowly make my way.  Once Eddie was waiting off to the side in the tree line -- "Ryan had a bit of a crash."  They wait for each other.

Perfect bluebird sky day.

Saturday was our stake youth Brand New Year.  My presidency and I were in charge of 130 youth and leaders for seven hours.  First we served a two hour shift at the "Feed My Starving Children" project.  Then we went to the Mesa temple for proxy baptisms, 2024 youth theme introduction, games, music and snacks and dinner.  I came home exhausted.  

Ryan played a few football games.  

 Maisie had a fun adventure on Utah Lake.  She writes tons of papers and reads lots of books.  We are excited about her upcoming temple covenants.

Melijah and the babes moved!  They spent the week unpacking and finding their new normal.  The babies cheeks are filling out, and everyone is healthy.  She makes so much milk.

Sad news:  Austin's favorite band is coming to Vegas, but he was busy at football and I was busy in Mesa, so we didn't buy tickets.  We are very, very sad.  

Mid-January

Ryan and Molly are the last two Babcocks in primary.  Ryan gave a talk about Nephi, and Molly recited the First Article of Faith.  They know exactly how to sing and worship.  

Monday we went to a BBQ all afternoon.  During FHE we gathered at the table to make replicas of the Tree of Life using yarn and tissue paper.  All seemed quite delighted with the craft.

Molly went to her first Activity Days!  They made clay pens and she used at least 15,000 words to give her account of the great activity.

I spent seven days developing my own sourdough start, so this week I put it to work.  These pretty little pancakes were kind of the best I've ever eaten.

Ryan with the selfie during my read alouds.

"No touching, guys. Ok. Ok. Ok."  Molly's protective of her crayons; I let her be.

Sourdough tortillas for lunch.

Sourdough English muffins for dinner.

Sourdough cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Sourdough pizza crusts for dinner.  Sourdough is kind of a vibe.  I have to prepare meals 24 hours in advance, but that's nice because I'm never in a rut at 5:15pm.

Our best interaction this week was Molly's treasure hunt.  She came to me bored, so I asked her what she wanted to create.  She asked me if I had a treasure, luckily, there is still Christmas chocolate in the pantry.  She spent at least an hour writing clues and hiding them.  Once Eddie was home from wrestling, all her older siblings (Andy, Nick, Maddie, Eddie and Ryan) took the role of the most excited treasure hunters.  They fought to find the clues, clawed over each other to read the clues, and then raced to the next location.  She was delighted.  The best bit was when she had to explain the local of the clues because there was more than one option.  This girl is often teased out of her mind, but she also loved and kissed and caressed by all.

 

Meg's babies are almost eight pounds.  Everyone is finally healthy again.  She refuses to take the babies anywhere, because Pocatello is "a petri dish."  And, she and Elijah have a podcast ..... with 45 episodes.  My friend mentioned it to me at church.  I was liegitamently confused, and so was he.  I turned to Austin and he had no idea either.  It's really darling.  I'll ask her if I can post the link.

Maisie's apartment is out of potatoes.  She's up early to clean the MTC.  This week she was able to talk with the Italian missionaries, which she enjoyed.  Her plan is to save tons of money and mostly eat it.  She is also scheduled to receive her endowment the first Saturday in February.