General Conference

This year for general conference we took it pretty easy. I have tried fun little games and stuff in the past, but they have always ended up a little distracting. This time we just let the kids play and do some worksheets. I was surprised how often they asked about something that was said...they sure do hear more than you think.

 

Star Trek

For David's birthday I got us tickets to see Star Trek, the Ultimate Voyage. We were finally able to go in March! It's a 50th anniversary production where they show clips and scenes from the Star Trek  series and movies while a live orchestra plays music. We thought it was pretty good, though a lot of the clips are from the original series and we are not as familiar with them. But I really enjoyed the orchestra, live music is always a plus.

 
 

Superheroes and backpacks

Brayden has been obsessed with his backpack these days. He loves to wear it around the house, and he always puts his blankets in them. He loves to say he's going to school like Emma does. He also likes to be a superhero, and says "I'm a superhero boy!" We should probably get him a mask that's not pink. 

Isaacson get-together in Omaha

One of David's cousins from California got married in the Winter Quarters temple this past weekend. He married a girl from Iowa (smart guy!), so some of David's family took the opportunity to come to the wedding and see us, too! It was a quick little trip, but we had a lot of fun. Molly and Emma had a blast with their cousin Lily, and Brayden loved playing with Grampy. David and I enjoyed seeing Kevin and Mary again after 5 years. And even Heidi made it out! 

We started the trip on Friday with a long drive to Storm Lake, Iowa, where the reception was being help that night. We met up at Burger King so the kids could play at the play place while the adults chatted. We spent 4 hours there!! We had fun laughing about the slow service...it took 25 minutes to get a few ice cream cones!! 

After Burger King we headed to the reception and changed our clothes. David and I couldn't stay too long...it was getting late and we still had a 2 hour drive to the hotel in Omaha. But the kids had fun for the few minutes we were there.

The next morning we got ready to head for the temple. The sealing was wonderful. Afterwards we picked up the kids at the visitor's center.

Then we went to see the bride and groom come out of the temple. When he saw them, Brayden said "oh, look, there's the princess!" 

After the wedding we went to eat at a great Italian place, hosted by David's aunt and uncle. It was so yummy. Then we finally went back to the hotel to swim, which is what the kids were most excited about. 

The kids were so exhausted by this time that we put them to bed, then hung out with the family in their room. It was nice to just visit and talk. We were sad the next day when it was time go home, but at least we got in a few more hours of hang-out time. 

We hope it's not too long before we can see them all again!
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pre-school and 3rd Grade

Well, I officially have 2 out of 3 kids in school.  Molly started 3rd grade this year.  Her teacher is Mrs. Robertson, and she seems very nice.  Molly is really excited to start school.  It was a rough transition last year when we moved and she switched schools, so we're hoping this year goes a little better. 

And then we have Emma.  She has been asking to go to school for a really long time.  They have a good preschool here that is just a couple of hours a day.  Emma could use some practice learning to follow directions and sitting still before she has to go to all day kindergarten, so we decided to go for it.  It's been really great for her.  She loves it.

Camp Abe Lincoln

At the end of the summer we had a little YMCA employee appreciation dinner at Camp Abe Lincoln, a summer camp spot for kids about 1/2 hour away.  It was fun for the kids to get out and do some stuff.  It was a little rainy the whole time, and we all got filthy, but we still had fun.

This little guy was so filthy.  But he was happy.

This little girl makes the funniest faces sometimes when I'm trying to take her picture.

Trying out the archery.  

Molly and I got to go zip-lining.  So fun.  I was proud of her for trying it out.

Brayden's new bed

So, Brayden has always been a climber.  He climbs tables, and chairs, and bookcases, and everything else.  I was surprised that for the longest time, he never climbed out of his crib.  So, I wasn't really shocked when it started.  It was first just every now and then, and we could go in there, put him back, and he would stay.  But after a week or so, he did it every nap time and every bed time, pretty much as soon as we shut the door.  He would end up just taking his naps on the floor behind the door.  So I finally changed his bed from a crib to a toddler bed, thinking and hoping that maybe if he could climb back IN, he would stop sleeping on the floor.  Nope.  He still sleeps on the floor.  I don't dare interrupt him during naps, but after he falls asleep at night, I'll open his door, which usually involves shoving him out of the way, and put him in is bed.  I know that he climbs back to the floor if he ever wakes up during the night though.  Silly kid.  I'm hoping this is just a phase.

Loving his new toddler bed.

A couple days later..."see Mom, I know this is where I'm SUPPOSED to sleep..."

"...but this is just so much more comfortable."