Where were you?

I don't usually do cheesy reminiscences because, well, their cheesy. Today I feel a little differently about it. Last night the Scouts were coming around putting up flags for 9/11 and Annicka asked why they were putting up flags again, they just put them up on Monday. This is the first year that she has been old enough to ask such questions. So I tried to explain by telling her that some really bad men flew airplanes into buildings and a lot of people died and so we are remembering those people and the people who tried to help them. I guess I was taken aback, I didn't expect to be so moved by her asking. I remember the day very clearly. I had just started my Freshman year at BYU. I had a 7am Spanish class and after it got out I was actually getting a permit for my bike when I started to hear people talking about planes and the World Trade Center. I rode my bike back to my apartment and turned on the TV just in time to watch the second tower fall. It felt like watching a movie. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I remember the fear and panic I felt. The sinking feeling of loss. Then when Scott got home from work today he turned on the news and we saw some footage from that day. He called Annicka in so she could watch it. They proceeded to talk about what was happening on the screen. He was explaining that a lot of people died, that even the bad men died. Then Annicka responded with, "but they'll be resurrected one day." Out of the mouth of babes. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation and the hope it brings in the midst of despair, for a Savior who was willing to make that plan possible. Even though life can be really crappy, and it will be crappy, our Savior is there to succor us, to give us comfort and strength, especially during the 9/11's in our lives.

An Amusing Day

So today was just a normal busy day, with grocery shopping and freezer jam making, but I have some funny stories to share.

This morning while I was doing my workout on the Wii Fit I gave the kids some frozen go-gurts. They took them outside to eat. After I was done I went outside to go take a picture for my neighbor, Summer. On my way across the lawn to her house Annicka stopped me. "Mommy, the sun is warming up my brain." I think she had gotten an ice-cream headache from eating it too quickly.

Then we went grocery shopping after Indie's morning nap. On the way from Costco to Wal-mart Annicka was sitting in the very back of the van and asked me to turn the air conditioning up to three. It was on one and so I put it to two. She asked, "is it on three?" Not seeing any need to argue about whether it needed to be on three or two I just said, "Yes!" Then Park, who was sitting in the middle where he could see everything going on outed me. He said, "No, mommy. It on two!" What do you do with a two year old who knows all of his numbers and letters?

Soccer

Annicka has started soccer practice and she loves it! Here she is running laps.

Listening intently to coaches Cameron and Nate.

What a kick! Look at that extension!

Scott told her to look mean.

Proud of her first battle wound.

Girls Camp and Swimming

I was called about six weeks ago to be our ward girls camp director and camp was this last week. I was surprised at the call so close to camp, but I was really excited. Girls Camp was always a highlight from my Young Women years. I wasn't able to stay over night because of Indie, but I went back and forth every day. Scott was amazing, he took the week off and watched the kids while I was gone, all while he had a bad cold. Thank you, Scott! I love you! I've already started thinking about where to go and what to do next year.

This last Friday one of Scott's cousins invited the family to a swim party at their neighbors house. The pool was huge, complete with water slide and a waterfall to jump from and a shallow end for the kiddos.
This was Indie's first swimming experience and he loved it!

Ward Campout

We had our ward campout last night. The place was perfect for our ward, it's about 7 minutes from our house and they had a playground and pavillion and lots of room for tents under large trees. We made our tinfoil dinners and then the ward provided smores and breakfast.

Me at the karaoke show!

What a beautiful sunset!

So, I was feeding Indie in the tent at about 8:30 so I could lay him down. Annicka kept insisting that she was tired and wanted to go to bed. I tried VERY hard to discourage her from going to bed right then, I knew she would want to play with the other kids as soon as she heard them outside and that would mean having to get her ready again and so on. She wouldn't let up. So I finally conceded with the stipulation that if she came into the tent, she wasn't coming out. She said, okay. Less than two minutes after getting her ready to go to sleep she wanted to go out and play. I told her she had to stay and go to sleep like she said she would. She started crying. I left her in there for about 20 minutes. Scott went back after a while and she was still crying. Hence, the above picture. Four year olds are so fickle!
Park and Daddy!

Here is Indie, on our matress after a very LONG night of not good sleep.

Funny Stories

The kids have done some funny things the last couple of days. On Saturday we had Ross and Emily over for steak. With the steak we had potato wedges and bread. Apparently one slice of bread was not enough for Park. He was sitting next to me and saw me buttering a piece of bread. He said to me, "I wah some" (I want some). So I was about to rip a piece of bread off when he screamed, "No! Wait". So I just handed him the entire piece. Then I said, "can I have some back?" He looked at me like I was crazy. Then he looked down at his plate, picked up a piece of his steak and handed it to me as a peace offering. His look said, "huh, huh? This is totally worth your slice of bread, right?" As if the piece of steak was way better than the bread.
Then yesterday we were going to go over to Grandma Chamberlain's house. Annicka still had her dress on from church. We had asked her several times if she wanted to change into some shorts and a shirt, mostly so she wouldn't stain her dress while we were there. She politely declined every time. Scott made one final attempt once we were in the car, ready to go. "Annicka, are you sure you don't want to change? What if we go over to the park? You won't be able to play in your dress." Annicka replied, "I don't want to play at that park ever again!" Needless to say once we got to grandma's she asked, "can I go over to the park and play?"

Summertime...and the living is easy!

Most of our time is spent out of doors, at least for Park and Annicka. Park has a farmer tan you wouldn't believe. I can't keep that kid inside.

Indie's new trick this week is sitting up on his own.

Thursday nights are softball nights for Scott and if the game isn't too late we like to watch Daddy "hit" the ball. (It's negotiable how often he really hits it well. =)

This is me and our very pregnant next door neighbor. Our kids play together almost constantly.