Last Sunday

Last Sunday in London, we went to the Hyde Park Ward for church and it was a neat experience.  I love visiting different wards.  It is amazing how different the world is and how the church is the same where ever you go.  The people were so friendly and we were greeted by several members.  It was a sweet ward and a very diverse ward, which wasn't too surprising.  After being in London for just a few hours, you get an idea for just how diverse the city itself really is.  There were lots of Americans and lots of missionaries.  It was fast and testimony meeting, so it was neat to hear from a variety of members.

The church building is next door and right across the street from several museums, so we slipped back into the V & A and had lunch in their cafeteria.  I thought is was so pretty and such a fun idea to have a cafeteria/deli in a museum.

Then we headed over to the London Tower.  It is an old fortress.  At one time it even had a mote.  It had an amazing display of armour from King Henry VIII and it is also where they keep the crown jewels, which were out of this world!  I can't believe England still has a monarchy and carries out coronation ceremonies and crowns royalties.  It is both fascinating and weird.

The London Bridge in the background, just outside of the Tower of London.

We did a tour of the tower with a Beefeater (that is the tour guy dressed is red and blue and no one knows why they are called Beefeaters, but they are).  It is an elite status to be a Beefeater, this guy actually lives in the tower.

The view as we entered from the outside.

The view as we came up from the tube.

We did get a chance to ride a double decker bus, too.  It was a lot of fun, they are all over in London.

He was guarding the building that housed the crown jewels.  I expected to see this type of guard while we were at Buckingham Palace, but we didn't.  Are they normally there, anyone know? 

An Early Morning Request

This morning we slept in and were lazy, the kids are off track and Kirk has been taking it easy after having been gone so much. We made a big breakfast and when we started cleaning up, Kirk asked me for a favor, "sure," I replied, "what do you want?" He asked me to go play some Les Miserables on the piano. So I did. One of the highlights of our trip to London was seeing Les Miserables. When I go back, I will see as many plays as I can. There are so many to choose from and they are way more affordable than seeing them here. And way better! Les Mis was incredible. I have never really been into theater, in fact in high school I probably made fun of the people who were, but now I really appreciate it. When Fantine sang "I Dreamed a Dream", it made me cry. The actress/singer was amazing and she just took you in, like you were her, it was beautiful. It was an experience of our trip that we both keep talking about. 

The theater where we saw Les Miserables

London is huge and parts, like near the theaters, it is CROWDED all the time.  We saw these people dressed up in what looked like some kind of Adams Family wandering through the streets.  I don't know if they were advertising something or what, but there is definitely some good people watching to be done in London.  

Before the play, we went and saw West Minster Abbey, which is right across the street from Big Ben and the Parliment Building.  This was the day we got rain, but it was a pretty light rain and didn't last very long.

West Minster Abbey was really neat and just as much as a morgue as a church.  There are lots of people who have tombs there, or are buried there, like Sir Issac Newton.

Big Ben, with the London Eye in the background

Big Ben up close

A part of the Parliment Building, a lot of it had scaffolding

P.S.  I am sure you are probably sick of me talking about London, but these posts are mostly just for me to document a little of my trip

Continuing Education

I have never liked history.  It has always bored me for the most part, but when I was in London, I was really wishing I knew some history.  On Friday Kirk had meetings, so I set out to visit a few museums.  First was the V & A or the Victoria and Albert Museum.  It was my favorite!  In fact on Sunday I took Kirk back.  It is a wonderful museum with lots of interesting things and also focuses on fashion and design, loved it!  I also visited the Tate Modern Art Museum and enjoyed that as well.  These photos are from the V & A and show the exterior that used to greet visitors, it now has a different exterior, but once inside you can find this courtyard and see this beautiful building.  The words above the front door really struck me.  It says "Better it is to get wisdom than gold."  I just love that.  And it really inspired me to continue my education, especially a humanities, design, or history class.  I want to look into BYU independent study.  I wonder what the process is...

Later that night we met up with one of my friends from college.  She is living in London and working.  We talked to her about what brought her to London and she spoke about her love of being in a city.  I can totally relate.  I love the energy, the life, and the opportunities a large city can provide.  That day in particular I kept thinking of my kids and how much I wanted them to see and experience what I had been doing.  There are no museums, theater, or culture where I live that can even compare to what London has to offer.  Anyway, it was so much fun to see a dear friend clear across the country.  She loves London as well, how could you not?  And while I envy the experience she is having and I do love London, I am perfectly content raising my family and living where I do.  I just wish we had a money tree and I could take my family there for the experience.   

I Finally Get "It"

Last Wednesday I left for London.  I traveled by myself since Kirk was already there.  So when I finally got there, it was 9 hours from Houston, it was about 8:00 am Thursday morning.  I had the hotel address and was really hoping they would let me in early.  My phone didn't work and Kirk was up in Scotland, so I was still on my own.  I impress myself at my ability to do things all alone.  I sometimes forget that I am a capable adult as well as a stay at home mom.  It was super easy to find my way around.  I was surprised at how easy it was to navigate myself through that huge city.  I love the "tube" or as we might call it, the subway.  After checking into the hotel, I slept for a couple of hours and then Kirk showed up.  We went to Buckingham Palace and Green Park.  I can't say enough how much I love London.  I have heard others say this or dream of going there, or talk incessantly about it, and I never really got it, but now I do.  It is amazing and I can't wait to go back.  And I must say, we had the most lovely weather for the whole time, we only got rain on Saturday and the day we left.

The Green Park

Buckingham Palace

(The Queen was not there, no flag)

Inside Green Park

We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe which was near the Palace and has amazing nachos!

And of course Kirk got a chocolate shake, they are his absolute favorite!

Choices, choices, and the nachos were definitely a good choice.  This Hard Rock Cafe was also the very first one, I didn't know that, maybe you did...

 

Preparation

Soon I will be joining my husband in England.  Who knew I would get so much use out of my passport this year?  Not me.  I love traveling and seeing new parts of the world and I can't help but tag along as much as possible with my husband.  And he has had to travel a lot lately.  It is hard to have him gone, but I am grateful he has a good job.  Plus all of his traveling has enabled me to fly with his frequent flyer miles, gotta love that!

Getting ready for a trip is a lot of work.  I have been trying to clean the house, do some grocery shopping, arrange carpools, and write out schedules.  On top of that I have had to volunteer at school, parent teacher conferences, of course the car needed its oil changed, the kids still need haircuts, and there is rescheduling that needs to be done.  I have been very busy and I hope that I can pull it all together before the day is over tomorrow.

Saturday night I ventured to the mall with my four boys.  They had played hard all day.  Most of them still wore the remains of their previous athletic events.  I was in need of some dress pants.  I hauled them through lots of "fancy" stores at the mall and got all kinds of looks and comments.  It was kind of funny.  They were well behaved and my trip was a success.  We celebrated at a buffet style restaurant (they chose).  It was a fun night.  

When I got home, we all got cleaned up and went to bed.  I opened my scriptures and was reading in Alma about how this life is the time to prepare to meet God.  I thought about my running around to different stores trying to find the right dress pants.  I thought about all of the preparation I had been doing and had planned to do in order to leave on my little trip.  It was a lot.  And then I thought about what I am doing to prepare to meet God.  It is true, I am not doing as much as I should.  These thoughts have stuck with me for the past couple of days as I have continued to prepare.  It has been a good experience for me.  I really need to work on preparing to meet God.  Sunday we had conference and it was wonderful.  They talked a lot about the temple and temple attendance.  It inspired me to do better and I am going to do better and prepare!     

Some Serious Fun

On Friday a friend and I took our little ones to a fall festival in the valley.  The kids had an absolute blast!  I was blown away with the amount of things there were to do.  After paying a small fee to get in (we had some great coupons), nearly everything was free.  There were tons of inflatables, a small train ride, lots of games, a haunted house (appropriate for small children), and lots of other things.  Tyler had so much fun and he couldn't stop talking about it.  He even compared it to Disneyland.  Kirk and I decided to take the kids later that night.  I was a little worried that David and Jacob might not like it, but they loved it!  Their lives have been pretty hectic recently with football and it was so fun to see them laughing and goofing off like little boys are supposed to.  We will definitely be doing that again next year.  Our kids had a blast and we thoroughly enjoyed witnessing all of the smiles and laughter.  

Tyler on the train

Playing some games.

There was also a clown who was making balloon things for the kids.

David and Jacob had a blast on all of the big inflatable slides.

Love those happy faces!

Happily Ever After

Kirk's sister got married a couple of weeks ago.  We traveled to Richfield for the occasion.  It was a beautiful wedding and we are so happy for Brooke!

Ethan's Tooth

Just in time for school pictures, Ethan's tooth looked like this.  It was hanging on.  We wiggled and jiggled and couldn't get it out.  Can't wait to see how those pictures are going to turn out:)

Later that night we finally got it out. He is missing one on the bottom as well, he has got one goofy grin!

Change-Part II

So my husband says we don't need a new couch, and we don't.  I have decided that I still like my paint.  I will repaint eventually, but I am not ready yet.  So my project is going to be the laundry room.  It is ugly and it needs some help.  I would like to put some lockers in.  Do you have any suggestions?  I mostly want them to store coats, backpacks, and shoes.  Should I put doors on them?  A drawer on bottom?  Have them go all the way to the ceiling?  Shelves on top?  And does anyone know a great cabinet guy?  And by great, I mean one who is affordable:)  Oh, and I am going to get my hair done tomorrow, hooray for change!

Change

It is time for a change.  Does this ever happen to you?  I just need to change something.  Like maybe I need some new shoes, new pillows for my couch, new paint in my family room, new clothes, new hair cut, just something different.  I don't really want or need all of these things, I just need a change.  

I should mention that I am totally happy, I just need to shake things up a bit, this is totally normal for me.   

Chinny Chin Chin

I still have acne.  I guess that is what you call it.  It being large bumps on my chin that hurt and take about a month to go away.  And they only happen on my chin!  It is so annoying.  I recently got a suspicious freckle taken off of my back at the dermatologist's office.  While I was there I mentioned that I had this huge bump/zit on my back and she offered to take care of it.  She got out a little needle and injected something in it and later that day it was literally gone.  I couldn't believe it!  I didn't know there was such a thing!  For the past 2 days my chin has been an ugly mess, so I went back to the dermatologist's office and she injected it.  It is seriously instant relief, my chin already feels better.  I love my dermatologist:)  

Today I Was Going to Read My Book....

Today I was going to read my book and if I was lucky, maybe even get in a little nap.  I was going to do all of this after I completed my list of things that HAD to be done.  I can always clean or do laundry, but I get so tired of those things and they never get done.  And truthfully, I don't like either one of them.  This morning I got some things done and then I ended up watching one of Tyler's little friends because her mom had some stuff to do.  When she came to pick up her daughter, she invited Tyler over to their house.  "Sweet!"  I was thinking, "all of my wildest dreams are coming true!"  I was going to read in peace and quiet and probably fall asleep get that little nap that I wanted.  But then the phone rang.  It was a friend in need and I was happy to help.  I got off my bed, put on my shoes, and left.  On my way home, I couldn't help but count my blessings.  My life is so simple and easy.  All I was going to do was read a book.  I don't have any worries.  My dear friend is practically starting over.  Except I actually think starting over would be easier.  She is trying to pick up the pieces and blaze a new trail.  And she is capable and will be fine.  As I slowed to a stop at a light I looked over to see a cute mom in a mini-van who was turned around helping her large handicapped child in the back seat with something.  I don't know who she is, but I admired her instantly.  I can't imagine the patience, compassion, and unselfishness, she must have to care for that child.  As she pulled away with her handicapped license plate, I told myself all of those empty parking places are good for something.  She totally deserves one.  And then I remembered conference and all of the great messages of the gospel that were heard around the world.  My life is so easy and simple.  I really ought to be doing more.  I really can do better.  

Retail Therapy

I guess I have been feeling a little sorry for myself.  Kirk has been traveling a lot and I thought I was doing good.  After having him gone for a week to Japan, I thought I was doing great, but there is nothing like a little retail therapy to recharge or energize me.  I have had my eye on this soup pot and today I went and bought it.  I am soooo excited to make soup tonight!  When Kirk and I first got married, my mom advised us to get nice pots and pans.  We were so poor I am not sure why we spent so much money on nice pots and pans, but we did.  And they are still wonderful after 10 years.  Because they were so expensive, I have not bought any more pieces to add to what we have until now.  Who knew a pot would make me so happy?  It doesn't hurt that I got to browse around in Williams Sonoma either.  

New Beginnings

Today I started piano lessons.  My mom made me take piano lessons for several years while I lived at home.  If I had taken those lessons seriously,  I might actually be a good piano player by now.  However, I have forgotten small and simple things and I am excited to be learning.  Soon Tyler will be in kindergarten and then I will have to start taking golf lessons, I promised Kirk I would.  I look forward to doing that as well.  Here we go on the next stage of life.  I must admit I am very excited, I remember that I used to love learning.  I sometimes wondered what happened to the old me.  I am realizing that I am still that same, but being a mother of 4 little boys took everything out of me.  Now that they are learning some independence and growing, I feel myself coming back to life.  It is nice!

It's A Party....

I must confess that I love Miley Cyrus' new song.  I saw the video last night on TV.  Not so impressed with her, but I do still love the song.  Another new love is Smart Cookie.  I had heard about their cookies and they lived up to all the good things I heard.  If you love cookies, and I do LOVE cookies, you will have to check out this place.  I still need to take that cake decorating class that I have been meaning to do, (but it happened to fall on the same night that my husband has Young Mens) but I would also like to learn to frost pretty sugar cookies.  Does anyone have any tips for me?

*Miley's new song is on my play list if you haven't heard it, check it out!

Kids

*pictures coming soon, is anyone else having problems posting pics?
Tyler learned to ride his bike and literally took off.  I can't believe how quickly he picked it up.  We tried once and before we knew it, he was a pro.  He rides his bike around the block about 50 times a day.  He is rarely home anymore because he is always on his bike.  Since we switched schools this year, the boys can now ride their bikes to school and they have every single day.  I think this helped motivate Tyler.  

David is sick today.  After getting the kids off and drying my hair, I came into the family room to see what he was watching, it was ESPN news.  And he kept watching it for about 15 minutes.  I finally asked him to change the channel.  I don't know if it is totally appropriate for kids.  Isn't he a little young for ESPN?  Whatever the case, he totally gets it from his dad.  

Ethan is very competitive, I may have mentioned this and if you know him, you may have noticed.  Yesterday was a busy day.  I was hosting an etiquette dinner for the young men and we had a bazillion kids at our house right up until the last minute.  The kids were all having fun and being good and I attended to readying the house.  The dinner went great and my kids behaved themselves for the whole thing.  It was late by the time everyone left, so the kids bathed and went to bed.  This morning Ethan was getting ready for school and asked me to sign his planner.  He had written in 20 minutes of reading, only yesterday was so crazy we didn't do reading.  I reminded him of this and he totally lost it.  He cried and was so upset.  He makes it a point to always have above and beyond the required reading minutes and I guess missing one day really upset him.  I dried his tears and told him I would help him read 40 minutes today in order for him to catch up.  He settled down and went to school.  I know this is not normal because my twins could care less about reading minutes.  

Jacob for the most part has been my normal child lately.  He is a happy child who likes to please his friends and mom.  He has recently discovered the benefits of wearing a watch.  Yesterday he wore his watch to the tennis courts so that he could come back at a certain time.  There are a few good things about having them grow up.

I Am Pathetic

Years ago I went to the theater with some girl friends to see The Notebook.  I was soooo uncomfortable!  The story was okay, but being uncomfortable is what stood out to me the most.  I have never really wanted to see it again.  This summer I have noticed that it has been on about a bazillion times.  With nothing else to watch, it called out to me.  Even after seeing it a million times, I still enjoy it.  There are parts that make me uncomfortable, but now I can change the channel or fast forward.  Without all the groping and making out, I really love that movie.  But I am still so happy that my TV shows are returning!!!!!  Last night I watched the Biggest Loser.  It was so good, and how could you not cry after hearing Abby's story?  Love that show.  I just finished up reading Catching Fire, the sequel to Hunger Games and when I watched the Biggest Loser last night, I sort of felt like the capitol watching different districts compete.  Reality tv is kind of sick, but it is sooo good at the same time.  I can't wait for all of the shows that will start piling up on my DVR.  

Best Birthday

Well, I am another year older.  Saturday I went running and felt so stiff.  I was complaining to my husband when a friend overheard, she reminded me that I was a year older.  If that is a sign of things to come, I would rather not have another birthday!  But this year was great.  I think we have started a tradition of celebrating at the Cheesecake Factory with my grandma and niece.  We did it again this year and it was just as nice.  We all share the same birthday, it is so much fun! 

Later that night we went out as a family.  We had to pick up a few things at Gardner Village, so we ate there and checked out the witches.  It was a great night and fun to be together as a family.

I was overwhelmed this year by wonderful friends and family who made this one of the best birthdays ever!

On Being Informed

Last night when I turned on the TV, I saw our president giving a speech.  I like to be informed and I like to know a little about what is going on, but I can't stand to watch those speeches, regardless of who is president.  I'd rather my husband watch the speeches and then tell me about it.  It sounds like last night was pretty interesting though.  Anyway, before I had the chance to change the channel I looked at our president and the only thing I could think was, he needs to fire his make-up artist.  I thought he looked really weird.  Did anyone else notice that?  Or was it just me?

Dinner

Last night was a crazy one for us.  We all got home after 8 o'clock and had pizza for dinner (you know the kind that you can pick up for $5).  It was yucky, but boy was I hungry by that time.  What I really wanted was a Cafe Rio drive through.  One just opened in Cedar City.  Aren't they lucky?  I sure think so!

Rockville Recap

We squeezed in a quick trip to Rockville this past weekend, it was quick, but well worth it.  We always have a great time.  These are a few pictures from our Sunday evening.  

We hope to make it back down again soon!

A Weekend of Firsts

The boys got to see their Grandpa's ranch for the first time.  It was HOT and DRY and DUSTY!  I would not fit in with all of these boys.  Me+dirt and dust=bad news!

Ethan and Tyler relieving themselves during the football game.  Hopefully this was a first and a last:)

Jacob and David got to play in their first real football game.  It was pretty intense, but they had a great time!

Jacob is #48 and David is #58

We went and looked at a boat with my brother and his family.  Then we bought a boat with them.  We are soooo excited!  I love boating.  I don't love being pulled behind a boat no matter what the apparatus is, I guess I better change that.  But I do love being on the water, swimming, and riding in the boat.  Next summer will be a lot of fun for us.  This will be a first for all of us!

Me and My Grandpa

My Grandpa (my mom's dad) died when I was little.  He was quite the handy man when it came to working with wood.  He made me an amazing barbie/doll house that I loved.  Some of the other things that he made me were wooden teeth (when I started losing mine), a cradle for my dolls, a bed for my dolls, a dresser, and the table in this picture.  I got this table for Christmas and I still have it.  In fact, I still have everything that he made me except the doll house, too bad I didn't have any girls.  I remember this Christmas and especially those little salt and pepper shakers that are shaped like green soda bottles.  Recently my kids have asked a lot of questions about my grandpa and it has been fun to reminisce.  It is still not uncommon for them to bless grandpa to "come back alive," when they say their prayers.  Thanks goodness for the gospel!