Purple Pajamas and Pancakes

You might be wondering what could purple pajamas and pancakes have to do with each other. It's actually a wish I am sending out. This wish is for my aunt who has been sick and in the hospital in China for almost a month now.

Okay, here is how it started. When I was pregnant with E, I was pretty sick. Even though I wasn't feeling my best, my mom and I had to go up and see my grandma since she was, well, dying. I was a little nervous about how the trip would go. Luckily, we stayed at my aunt and uncle's house. It made the trip pleasant.

To get ready for the trip I needed to buy pajamas that would fit over my belly. I went to the store and found some purple pajamas. The jamas are cut like the picture, but mine are pale purple and jersey knit. I have decided that they are probably not the cutest, BUT they are so comfortable! I felt like it was a brief release from all my physical misery every time I put on those pajamas.

So, there I was hanging out at my aunt and uncle's in my comfortable jammies in the morning. I decided to walk up stairs and see what was going on. Well, my aunt had made me pancakes for breakfast. I feel bad admitting this, but I don't like pancakes. I decided that I could handle pancakes for one day. I smiled and ate the pancakes, and they tasted great! In fact it was the best thing I had tasted in months. My aunt knew how much I enjoyed the pancakes, she made them every morning I was there.

Every day of the trip I had my purple pajamas and pancakes to look forward to. Plus, my aunt and I would visit each morning as a sat in my jammies eating pancakes. This helped make a not so pleasant experience, have some bright moments.

So, Aunt Anne, hope you have the equivalent of purple pajamas and pancakes during your hospital stay. Luckily, you have Sue-anne. She had me laughing most of the time we spend at the hospital visiting grandma. I am sure she can bring a smile to your face too!

While the boys are away...

This past weekend the boys of the J. Crew went Sturgeon fishing. This was has become an annual trip. Don Brown is "the fishing guide". Randy brings along the rest of our group. David didn't make it this year. He was being a good bishop instead. That won't get in the way next year, David was released. (He is heading to law school)

The boys were on the water bright and early!!!! 4:30am. They caught 4 big fish they were able to keep. JR will take ours on High Adventure and make a yummy dutch oven recipe for his boys. Another tradition.

This is not a picture of them, but it is an Oregon Sturgeon.(They are boys. They don't have a camera)

So, with all the boys gone, the girls got together to play!

Beth and family, my girls , and I all headed over to Mom's for a sleepover. We had a great time. There were snacks, games, and a movie. I guess I drew the short straw, Mom and Beth (who is 8 1/2 months pregnant) went to bed. The girls and I got to have a true slumber party downstairs. Well, "slumber" should be used loosely.

Saturday, we had a waffle breakfast,watched home movies and had tea party. Mom, Beth, and I were able to get away for a pleasant, ADULTS ONLY lunch. We went to a baby shower of a friend from high school, Wade Mann's wife.

Beth, Maggie, and Karen


Team Z wrapped up the day by having a ward Ma & Pa meeting at our house. Trek is less then 2 weeks away.

Cinderella, You're as Lovely as Your Name

"Cinderella, You're a sunset in a frame...."

Last week, R starred as Cinderella in her Kindergarten play. She was nervous, but did great when it came time to preform.

Here she is "just a cinder girl" in rags


"I Don't Know Myself. I Never Have Been Quite the Same"
Cinderella at the ball with the Prince.


Cinderella in front of her carriage.


R did such a great job as Cinderella, they asked her to be the Stepmother for the other performance (It is school. Everyone must be included. Especially since it is private school, so they want tuition money. They had 2 performances to make sure everyone gets a part to perform. Excuse me while I brag, but I felt as proud as a peacock when I found out that the guy we were sitting next to's daughter was a mouse with one line and only was in one performance. It turns out that is how it was for most kids) R had one day to prepare for the new role and nailed it.

"Here she is (not) Having a Wonderful Time at the Ball"
She even broke character, pointed at me, and mouthed that she didn't want her picture taken dancing with a boy. YUCK!



Here is the proud Team Z congratulating R after her performances.

Track Star

Our Elementary School participates in a multiple school Track Meet each year. E was so excited that she is finally old enough to be on the track team. She had once a week practice for a month or so to prepare.

Here she is showing off a ribbon she won.


The track star in action! I think she is "enjoying the ride", not necessarily running for speed.

Relaxing between events with her friend, Drew. (Ryan, reading at the Meet?)


A look of pure enjoyment! You silly, goof. I love you!!

Rolling on the River

Okay, not exactly rolling more like floating down the river.

A couple of days ago we went "river rafting" with a group of our neighbors. It's a tradition now. We have done it every year since we have lived here. Our girls think it is a little scary and very adventurous. In reality, it is a calm float in a raft down the river.

Here is Team Z ready to hit the river.


The group launch. What a GROUP we are!


Merrily, merrily, life is but a dream


Lunch break (Honey, I don't know if a side profile in a wetsuit and life jacket is your best look) (Carson, don't worry. You look like Superman in the picture)

I can hardly wait for next year!!!!

On this Memorial Day

Since today is Memorial Day, I thought I should take a minute and remember those who have fallen. A particular name keeps coming to me. This young man was killed in service. He was part of the greatest army on earth. His name is Mason Livingston. Mason was killed while serving a mission for the Lord.

I met Mason when I was his Y group leader, the people who help Freshman get around BYU. Mason became a really good friend. He would hang out with my apartment a lot. Our schedules also worked out that I would run into him when he was leaving the Joseph Smith building and I was heading into class. I remember one morning he met me there. He was so excited to tell me he bought a motorcycle, BUT he made me promise not to tell his mom. Mason thought she would think he would end up hurting himself.

At the end of the school year Mason headed back to Ohio and left on his mission to Puerto Rico. That November he was hit while riding his bike and passed away.

It has been many awhile since I have been in Utah on Memorial Day, but every Memorial Day I will think of when Mindy Gunn and I went to visit Mason's grave. We paid tribute to a true hero that Memorial Day.
http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/455660/DEATH--MASON-MCKAY-LIVINGSTON.html

Like Sand in an Hourglass, So Are the Days of Our Lives

So, I am feeling a little stressed lately. I have been running around a lot, but what do I have to show for it? Definitely, not a clean house.

I have decided that it is just that time of year when there is so much to do, and the dirt will have to wait, I am hanging with my kids (Fun Run, Art Discovery, Take Your Parent to School Day, Activity Day Fashion Show ...)and preparing for summer.

This is a picture of R from her music performance. Several of her friends and her acted out the life of a butterfly. R also did very well on her reading parts.


Trek's a comin'! Thanks to my Mother-in-law, I have most of my clothes. One of my kind friends helped me sew 2 aprons, one to match each outfit, and a bonnet (Bonnets are hard, and Claudine did all the work on it. I just watch her on that project). H and E are modeling my bonnets. Boy, am I going to look hot crossing the prairie!

I better get to bed. Field trip with E's class tomorrow.