Jemma's Drive-in Movie

For the end of the school year, in 4th grade, they have a drive-in movie. The kids all make a "cars" out of cardboard boxes. They get to bring snacks and drinks and watch a movie together. We decided to help Jemma make a Barbie Jeep, and then we made Jemma into Barbie, too! 

Aunt Leslee Christensen's Funeral

My Aunt Leslee Christensen passed away May 15, 2024. She had dealt with heart problems almost her entire life, and her heart was tired, so at the age of 77, she returned home to Heavenly Father. 

I have quite a few childhood memories of my Aunt Leslee. She always greeted me with a smile and hug. She always seemed interested in my life, and as a little girl, I always looked forward to seeing her and my Uncle Jim, when we visited Moroni. She loved to quilt, and she loved to shop. She had a big leather purse that my Uncle Jim purchased for her that she wore every where, and she always had a gemstone necklace on, of some kind.

My Aunt Leslee had a unique connection to Scott and I. My Uncle Jim and Aunt Leslee were in Scott's home ward growing up. Through his teenage years, he and his dad were assigned to Home Teach to my Aunt and Uncle. They visited with them many hours for many years--long before we dated each other. Scott also picked me up for our first date from my Uncle Jim and Aunt Leslee's house on the 4th of July in 2007!

Because we were connected through them, my Aunt Leslee always checked in on us and even stopped by to visit us at our house in Monroe. 

To watch my Aunt Leslee pass away was difficult. Of course, it was peaceful knowing where she was, and that she was living pain-free, but it was hard watching that loving connection pass on to the next life. I'm so glad Scott and I were able to go to Moroni, and we were able to be there for her funeral.

 

My parents visiting with my dad's cousin Marge. (My grandpa Charlie was the youngest of 10 kids. His oldest sister helped raise him from 14 years old on, and she had a daughter named Marge.) Marge is almost 100 years old, and she is sharp as a tack! 

Scott felt a duty as her former home teacher to be at the funeral. He knew it was what his dad would have done, so after the graveside, we walked down to where Lynn's grave is, and Scott reported back to his dad about how the last visit with her went.

Macey's End-of-year Band Concert!

Macey had her end-of-year, 7th grade band concert, and I got to attend! She practiced at our kitchen table many nights, and she did a fantastic job! It's always fun to watch her do something she loves!

Harper's Preschool Pool Party!

The day after preschool graduation, Harper had a preschool pool party with the other 3 year old preschool class! She had a blast!

Seasonal Allergies Gone Wrong

Every year, we struggle with seasonal allergies. I try to be on top of symptoms with medicine, but sometimes it's not enough! Not all of my kids struggle with allergies. In fact, we are exactly split down the middle! Four kids seem to struggle and four kids seem to be okay! 

We learned a few years ago, that when allergies are really bad, that sometimes your body needs a little help fighting them. It tries to fight them with medicine, for a while, and then we usually need steroids to help give our body a boost to fight them through the rest of the season.

At the end of school year, the kids were spending a lot of time outside. I got a message from Jemma's teacher one afternoon that I really needed to make sure I put sunscreen on Jemma before I send her to school. I told her that I actually had that day--and she reapplied at school--but I would make sure she had some on the next day! When she got in my car after school, I realized that it was a time for a steroid. (Usually, we know it's time because rashes appear on their bodies.) Well, Jemma looks sunburned...but her body was actually covered in sheets of rashes. I immediately called the doctor and got her in for an appointment. We got her a steroid, and within 24 hours, the rashes had almost all disappeared!

 

Within a couple days, the other 3 kids had rashes appear, too! (My allergy free kids were rash free the whole time!) What a crazy time of year!

Harper's 3 Year-old Preschool Graduation!

Harper finished her year at 3 year old preschool! She loves her teacher Mrs. Stacey! They had the cutest graduation ceremony. Harper was SO ready to perform her songs. At the end, she said that her favorite letter was H, her favorite color is rainbow, and when she grows up, she wants to be a doctor!

Harper was SO excited that dad got to come to her graduation! He slipped away during one of his prep periods to come watch her. (I think she was mostly excited about riding home in dad's cool, red car! Sometimes, the big white van is totally lame.)

Father and Son Campout!

In the beginning of May, Scott and the boys went to the Father/Son Camp out! Scott had never done a camp out with the twins before. We went back and forth, trying to decide if they were old enough to make it through the night, and finally Scott decided that it wouldn't a boys camp out without them!

While the boys were away, we got our free Papa Murphy's pizza for the month (thanks again, Grandpa!) and the girls and I enjoyed a pan of homemade brownies and watch the original Babysitters Club movie! We slept nice and cozy in our beds and warm house!

It was supposed to be a cold night, so I sent a bunch blankets! The boys stayed bundled up and warm all night! Dad was awake a lot, readjusting squirmy boys, but they had a great time!

The boys got home at about noon the next day! They had a big breakfast at camp. The bishopric was in charge of making breakfast, so Scott turned to Cooper and Quinn and asked them to keep an eye on the boys and make sure they got breakfast!

Scott told me that soon after that, he was thinking about a father and son camp out that he went to with his dad. His dad was in the Stake presidency, and he had the responsibility to make breakfast. He could remember his dad telling him to look after Jake and to help him get breakfast--just like Scott had just done with his boys. As soon as he thought of that experience, he looked down to find a penny on the ground...in the middle of the woods! It felt like Grandpa Bagley was there in that moment watching out for the boys!

On the way home, the boys stopped for some Maverik drinks!