June 3-9

Here we go again with another chapter of the VA Stone saga....

So we were in week two of the Austin Ridge Rapids swim team schedule - we have practices starting at 4PM and ending at 6:45 Mon thru Thurs and a little shorter (4-6) on Fri. Everyone from Brittany down to Hans is actively practicing with the team, we are still working with Daniel and then Brittany and Alli will not compete at the swim meets as they have decided that belly flopping off the starting blocks is not a good idea...

Mingled with those goings on we had soccer parties for Hans and Daniel, Orchestra concert for Allison, soccer practices and a tournament for Michael, youth activities, a piano recital for all and various other miscellaneous outings to play tennis or to the pool etc.

The Orchestra concert was lots of fun with a little craziness because this was the same day as the soccer party for Hans and we had to run home for the camera - just little speed bumps though.

All of the kids (who participated) did great in the mock swim meet we had on Saturday morning and then we had a great time listening to our sun bronzed swimmers tickle the ivories as well at the Recital. Daniel and a few siblings headed off to his soccer party and then the whole family headed south for the soccer tournament. Michael's team won their tournament game with Michael playing great defense and setting up their third of three goals. We capped everything off with a fun cookout at Aunt Merica's house on Saturday and are now, Sunday evening, thumbing this update on the Blackberry from the Stake Center before Britty and Allison sing in the choir for Seminary graduation.

Mylinda continues to work miracles with the pebbles and I am enjoying setting years of crazy maker wasteful processes aright at work. We also have a champion crawler in Gideon and a potty trained little Lucy who expands her vocabulary by hundreds of word a day it seems. Never a dull moment and always reminders of the many blessings we enjoy. Sure love you all and would love to have any of you visit whenever you would like!

May 27-June 2

The week began with a Sunday full of meetings for everyone. Brittany and Allison are participating in two different special youth choirs. Brittany, Allison, and Michael are all in their class presidencies so have meeting associated with that. It keeps them all quite busy on Sundays.

Monday was a different kind of Memorial Day for us. We celebrated Mylinda’s birthday. First we had an amazing breakfast and then we went shopping for swimsuits since swim team started this week for everyone. After shopping we came home and had a super yummy birthday lunch and then, per request, worked on building a special shelf for the dinning room. Next we had an amazing dinner of ribs etc. and then a game of Phase 10. We were invaded by several of our teenage friends which was great fun and then they stayed for cake and ice cream to finish off a wonderful day. I received so many birthday wishes from so many wonderful people. I felt ever so loved.

Tuesday it was a little tough to go back to school after such a fun long weekend. Allison and Michael had their “at school” classes so I was driving back and forth for that. All the kids had piano lessons. Aunnika and Catherine had sewing lessons, and then it went like this. I ran Allison to a special Orchestra rehearsal to get ready for her concert this week, then went strait to the community center to update everyone’s pool passes for the year. I then came home and grabbed Brittany and Michael and then went and picked up Alli and dropped them all off at the pool for swim team. I came home and fed Gideon and then left with Aunnika to pick up Michael’s two teammates for soccer. We dropped Aunnika off and picked Michael up and drove out to soccer practice. I then drove right back and got Catherine and drove her to swimming. Allison and Brittany had walked home in the mean time. I dropped Catherine off and picked Aunnika up and then came home to help get dinner ready. As soon as Mike got home he took Hans and Daniel to swimming and I went to drop dinner off to a ward member and pick up Michael from soccer. We all got back home a little after 7 at which time Mike and I went to play tennis for a few minutes and then we went to drop off the dinner again after a call that they were now home and ready to receive it. We got home at 8:30 when we finally got to eat dinner, The kids had already had devotional without us and The little ones were headed to bed. We got them settled in, visited with the teens, and then finally all went to bed. What a crazy day.

Wednesday all the kids had swimming again. They are all getting a great chance to improve their skills, as swimming is not something that we have ever spent much time with before. Hans had soccer practice too so he went to half of soccer and then we went and I traded Mike spots at the pool so he could take the big kids to youth activities at the church.

Thursday was swimming again along with soccer practice for Michael and then Daniel had soccer too. This schedule is gonna kill us but thankfully this was our last week of this soccer schedule. Michael got invited to participate on an older team in a tournament this weekend so he’ll have practice for that but the little boys are done for the season.

Friday was most significant in that Brittany took her drivers test and passed with a perfect score. HOORA for Brittany. Now she just has to get a few more driving hours and wait until July 5 and then she will have an official drivers license. (It works kinda weird here) Friday night the big girls and Dad went to an eagle court of honor while we had our pizza and movie party here. The girls then went to a friends house and Daddy came home to hangout with all us really cool folks.

Saturday all three soccer games were at the same time to Mom took Hans and a few siblings to his game. Dad took Daniel and a few siblings to his game. Michael had to get a ride with a teammate. It was crazy but everyone had a good time. We then all came home and did our house cleaning jobs and then Dad, Mom, Brittany and Michael went shopping with Brittany at the wheel. It took forever but we finally got home and got the kids ready for their evening and then Dad and Mom went out on our date. When we got home we put the little ones to bed and then watched Batman with the big kids. It was a wonderful day, a wonderful week, we have a WONDERFUL life!