August Happy's

I mentioned a few posts ago about Kraig's first day of school, and how difficult it was for him....and for me.  Well, what he didn't know was that his sister was coming to take him for a sister-brother date on Friday, the day after.  We did tell him the night before that she was coming, but not what they were going to do.  That part remained a surprise until they arrived at their destination.

He was surprised.  And had a great time.  She took him to Paint A Piece, which is a ceramic store, basically.  They have pre-fired ceramic pieces--you pick the piece you want, paint it, then they glaze and fire it again, and then you pick it up a few days later.  Pretty cool.  I love ceramics...of course I love the process from beginning to end, but it is quite messy until you get to the painting part.

Painting....

Nina helped some...

Guess what that expression means.....

Awwwww....

Before

After....

I think he did a GREAT job....!!!

Busy Saturday...

It's 620p and I am just now getting down to the business of blogging.   It's been a good day though...got a few things done, took a nap, made dinner with my husband, and still have some things to do--but what's left is mostly computer stuff (blog stuff, church newsletter, etc.) 

First order of business for the day was Kids Workshop at Home Depot.  If you don't already know....Home Depot hosts a *FREE* workshop once a month in which they provide a kit to make whatever the featured item is...usually seasonal.  (FYI..for my C'ville friends, it's the first Sat of each month from 9-12 for kids aged ? - 8, I think).  Each child gets an apron, a certificate, a tac pin and the completed project. 

Here is Kraig's finished item from today:

He refused to put the apron back on.  Said it was too hot.  Yes, I tried.

My husband LOVES IHop....we eat there alot as a family and for date night...

this week, date night was a challenge for a few reasons...so we decided to do date night at home and googled the IHop pancake recipe.  We found it! 

So we made pancakes together for dinner....they were awesome!  I recommend them to anyone!

We found it here. (you have to scroll down past the bogus stuff to get to the recipe...)

And in other news.....the streets of C'ville are no longer safe to drive.  Memphis and surrounding areas probably have some more time before they become infiltrated. 

Yes, my friends, it is true. 

MY DAUGHTER GOT HER DRIVER'S LICENSE THIS WEEK!!!!

She is beyond excited....So much so, she had to come show us.

Or show off....who takes a GOOD picture on their license?

Only my daughter....she is so freaking photogenic...BEAUTIFUL--yes she is!

Now to finish the Friday Blog Hops...and get to work on Saturday's!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kyrstyna!!

My December posts will be a little out of order...just because I want to keep the Christmas ones all together, so I'm not gonna post in chronological order.

This is Nina's birthday cookie....with all 19 candles on it.   Can't believe my baby girl is 19 YEARS OLD!!!

Blowing out the candles....with Kraig supervising to see that they all go out, of course.

This is Nina with her boyfriend, Kyle.

Trek

Nina's Pioneer Family

Every few years, the church offers the opportunity for the youth to participate in Trek....it is a simulation of the Mormon Pioneer trek west in the early days of the church. Nina decided to go this year. One of the leaders shared her pictures with me, and a CD was made and given to all who participated. It looks like an awesome and humbling experience.

Left to Right: Dede, Madison, Nina


Empty Handcart...I guess unloaded Handcart is probably more appropriate. They took pictures of many of the youth (and leaders), both in color and then converted to black and white next to this handcart, but there was not one of Nina. I looked through 1700+ pictures before I saw her to ask if there was one of her taken...there was not.

Loaded handcarts.....ready and waiting!

Nina with her family....not sure what they were doing, though. They look enthused, don't they?


Heading out..

Down hill...

Notice the "baby" Nina is now toting.

More walking....

And walking, again with the baby.

Camp Thursday night (the first day)...

I love campfires.....

Dancing Thursday night

Pioneer line dance?

Breakfast Friday morning....oatmeal...YUM....


Snack maybe...or lunch....not sure.

Pot of stew.....

Not sure what they were doing or making.....

Left to Right: Abby, Rose, Nina....not sure what they were doing...

They left on Thursday morning, and should have come home on Saturday, but due to severe storms, they came home early on Friday night. The storms brought tornadoes and very strong winds with them....(we spent about 40 minutes or so in the closet due to the sirens going off). They lost a few tents and had to run to a cabin. All of their stuff got wet, so the stake president decided to send everyone home. Going to pick them up, we noticed the street seemed awfully dark....the street lights were out, as was the power in that section of town. Lights were on at church however.

Dinner Friday night, after the great escape from the storms.

Tent stake....minus the tent, after the storms.

Tent stake with the tie attached, but still no tent.

Detached tent....

Flattened tent....

Blown away hat

Someone lost the baby.....

After the complaints about the heat and the mosquitoe bites and chiggers she brought home with her, I think Nina has a new appreciation not only for church history and the pioneers, but for the young men as well. On Friday, part of the trek was to simulate the time when many of the men were gone or killed....so the young men were not able to assist the girls. They had to do pretty much everything themselves, to include push/pull the handcarts. She said many of them wanted so badly to help, but had been instructed not to.

Coming up the hill

Snack after coming up the hill.....

Sleep after coming up the hill....she looks pretty zonked.

They got these T shirts at the Trek Reunion....I think it was a pretty clever idea.

Nina's transition to Womanhood

Further evidence that my little girl has grown up......

Nina was officially welcomed into Relief Society yesterday (the ladies auxiliary of my church)....this is her welcome kit.

Casserole dish--for that first compassionate service call

Table Easel and Doilie--for teaching lessons

Reading Glasses--(I don't remember)

Door Stop--to know that the RS presidents door is always open

Needle and Thread--(I don't remember)

Mormonad--Be Your Own Kind Of Beautiful

Just last week, Nina was sustained as a teacher in the Primary program. She was sustained before she was called....the bishopric forgot to talk to her first, then presented her name to the congregation for the sustaining vote. It was quite a shocker for she and I.....but she doesn't mind. She has frequently expressed some hesitation at attending RS....so now she gets to teach the children. A noble calling in and of itself.