The first box

Our first theme party

After visiting Michelle and loving her theme parties we decided to give it a try. We even invited some friends over to enjoy our party. Our first theme was Construction! We had trouble finding construction hats but the kids didn't mind wearing the camouflage ones! We started with a lesson in tools. We pulled out different tools and talked about how they work. Then, we learned how to use a hammer and drove some nails into boards.

Next we played the coolest game ever--Grease Rag Tag. Each child has a Grease rag (or a nice clean one) in their back pocket. Then, whoever is it runs around trying to collect all of the rags. It was great fun but was interrupted by necessary water breaks--this heat is killing our fun!

Then, we had lunch and did some constructing with marshmallows and pretzel sticks. We learned that the larger marshmallows worked best!

After lunch they did construction with Lincoln Logs and worked on the roads on "Matville" using their construction vehicles. It was a great success and will definitely become part of our routine!

I'm Melting . . .

So, I feel like the wicked witch of the west when she just melted away. We have been playing tennis in the morning and have been going earlier and earlier just to try and survive. On Tuesday we left around 8 and by 10 minutes in I was sure I was going to melt into a little puddle on the ground. I guess we're also the crazy ones who go and play tennis when there is a heat advisory. :)

But there is good news . . . we ordered some Biggest Loser Workout videos which we can do in the comfort of our own home! I am SO excited and can't wait to try them out!

1, 2, 3

Tonight Liz put together a great family home evening that I wanted to immortalize here. She read the first presidency message from the May 2009 Friend in which Pres. Monson relates learning about how roads, specifically Canadian roads, are made. The special thing about the roads is that they survive the harsh Canadian winters without cracking, splintering, or otherwise falling to pieces, due entirely to the depth of their foundation.

The process itself is simple:

1. Level out the dirt for a solid foundational layer.
2. 12 inches of gravel, compacted, then refilled.
3. Asphalt or concrete is spread on top to make it smooth.

Now, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to relate this "depth of foundation=strong road" thing to everyday life, but President Monson offers 3 specific things that will make our road through life stronger and smoother.

1. Prayer
2. Scripture reading
3. Service

In his final paragraph, he states, "We can fortify our foundation of faith, our testimonies of truth, so that we will not falter, we will not fail." Poetry, alliteration, Canada, and three important points. My, my, that's magnificent Monson.

We finished by building our own solid roads for dessert:

1. Banana slices to make a solid, smooth base layer
2. Crushed graham cracker for "gravel"
3. Chocolate pudding asphalt

We put them on plates, smoothed out the roads, and then we discussed President Monson's three guidelines as we enjoyed them. It was great.

We got to help build a wall . . .

You may not believe this, I know I hardly believe it myself but we did in fact help Michelle and Bryce build a wall in the middle of their house. And might I add it was the coolest thing ever! The first picture above is what it looked like before we went to work. Then, James and Bryce made the frame.

James even got to cut out the vent holes--this was very impressive!

And then, yes, that is me cutting sheet rock--I knew you wouldn't believe it unless you saw it!

It isn't completely done but it sure looks pretty darn good. Maybe we'll get to help again on Monday! But only if we're lucky! Look at us all productive on our vacation. :0

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

We were fortunate to be in Utah during the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House and just couldn't miss the chance to take our boys to the temple. It is great to go to the temple but it is even more awesome to take all of our boys with us into the temple. It was a great experience and definitely a highlight of our trip.

Chalk outline

I think this picture speaks for itself--thanks Uncle Bryce.

Friday Theme Parties

We've been in Utah playing with family and having a great time! While staying with Michelle (James' sister) we got to enjoy one of her traditions. They always have a theme party on Fridays. The first one we enjoyed was shapes and the second one was inventions. During their shape party they enjoyed cutting out shapes, playing musical shapes, doing crafts with shapes and cutting shapes out of brownies. It was great fun!

The invention party was pretty awesome as well . . . they started by inventing their own sandwiches. Michael the traditionalist had pb and honey while Jacob had a sandwich with turkey, raisins, tuna fish, mayonnaise, cheese and peanut butter. All of his favorite things in one fabulous sandwich! And yes, he ate the whole thing! Then, they made inventions out of blocks. Michael made a flying contraption and Joshua managed to make a block shape that looked exactly like a llama. Amazing! Then, we gave them just a big pile of craft items to invent with and just let them at it. Michael made a kite, Ella made binoculars and Joshua made a florescent sculpture that bounced--the bouncing part was most important to him! We were most impressed by all of their creations. We ended the day with Meet the Robinsons--a fitting movie if you ask me.

But no party would be complete without some great dancing which took place later that night watching Kung Fu Panda! It has been great fun. We may have to incorporate Friday theme parties at home!