Cardboard Fugitive +

When I first got called to Young Women's, the activity I heard the most about was Fugitive.  It had been a huge hit with the presidency before me and all the kids wanted to play it again.  How it works is we have a starting point where everyone gathers.  We then give them a list of 4 places that they have to go to and find ribbons. ( Ribbons put up just before the activity)  And then make it to a final destination.  They do all of this as the leaders are driving around in cars, hunting them.  We usually play it earlier in the year so it is still dark out during activity time.  Making it easy for them hid. This year we never got to it and then it was already light.  One of my councilors had seen another youth group in town play it while carrying mattresses on their heads.  Everyone in the group had to jump on the mattress to be safe.  So we decided to use cardboard.  

We drew names to see who was on which team.  It just happened to be the Beehives and Deacons against the Mia Maids and Teachers.  They called themselves the youngers and olders.  The thing every year is do we really catch them or not.  It is the whole point of the game, but once they are caught it is done and fun is over.  Again my councilor had a brilliant idea.  She suggested that each time they were caught we rip off some of the cardboard.  Which ever team had the biggest piece at the end of the game, won.

It was so much fun.  Even tho it was a little wet and cold, they had a blast.  Always the best activity.

Oops!!  Getting caught.  We were not sure who won, the youngers made it back first, but the olders had the biggest cardboard, barely.  We ended at Bishop's house for a snack and then done.  Loved it.  We think we might do it again in the summer and spray them with water guns if they get caught.

Dave wanted a project for Blake to work on.  They have spent many hours designing a chicken coop.  Dave wanted to use up our leftover wood.  Last Saturday was a nice day and they started working on it.

At first Dave was hoping to get chicks this year, but we didn't get on it soon enough.  So I guess next year it the plan.  Leah and I want nothing to do with it.  I said I would gladly cook the chickens and use the eggs, but I did not want to gather, wash, kill or pluck.  So Blake will get himself  job for life now. 

We also finally went through trek clothes.  Leah didn't have a whole outfit to wear yet.  Cora reminded Blake not to smile in the picture, because they never used to. 

And then she decided we needed to take the iconic farm picture.

Easter Break

Our Easter break has been wonderful.  A few days before the break, Cora had her first rugby game.  She debated for a few weeks about playing this year.  She loves the sport, but was a little worried about the time.  After the first game she said she was so glad she was doing it. She is #7 this year.  I loved the picture with the mountains in the background.  They absolutely dominated the first game.  49-0.  Great start to the season.

She loves being in the ruck.  After this game, one of the coaches had taped it all with a drone, they went through some things at practice.  The coach used Cora as an example of how well she did a few things.  She was pretty happy about that.

There was an unexpected spectator at the game.

Levi was super supportive and came to watch.  :)

Dave had Friday off.  He worked a lot on our closet doors, did some cow stuff and hauled this truck home from the sand.  Blake had a blast being able to help tow it home. 

I guess there were quite a lot of mice running around the bottom when he jumped in.  I don't think I could have done it.  No seat either, just springs, so he sat up top.

He loves the farm work, helping dad, checking cows and all that.

Saturday the girls headed to town with Maycie and Emily.  They did a little shopping, ate and went to Get Air.

It has been open for a while, but I seem to never get there.  I was going to take the kids during Reading Week, but we sent skiing instead.  They had a blast.  Jumped for 2 hours and where not tired of it at all.

 

I asked them to be home by 6, but they were not done parting yet.  At 5:30 Leah called to see if they could go to Toone's house and hang out for a while.  I guess she figured that was almost like home.  They ended up getting home about 10 and had so many stories.

Sunday after church we went to Myrna's for Easter Dinner.  It was a wonderful meal, as always, and nice to be together with everyone.  She had even set up a hunt for all the grand kids.

Monday Toone's came to our house all day.  Natalie brought her Instapot and we experimented with cheesecake.  They were very good.  Emily had to go to work for a few hours, so all the girls took her to work, and then went to their grandma's house to wait until she was done, then back to our house.

Having a morning snack.

Natalie, Blake, Avery, Sophie and I just stayed and hung out until they got back.  By this time Dave was home and we made dinner.  Dave did all the dishes for us as we sat at the table talking.  It was lovely.

Tuesday we again went to town.  I had a list of things I needed the girls for and had been waiting till Easter break.  We dropped of grad dresses to get altered, got passport pictures taken, a new battery for Cora's phone, and haircuts for the girls.  We got it all done, plus all Blake's soccer equipment bought and a rugby ball.

Wednesday we cleaned the church and then played some soccer, tossed the rugby ball, and practiced some kicks.  Then home to be lazy.  It was a beautiful day.  I sat on the deck and read for a few hours.

Today, Thursday, the girls went back to Toone's.  We had tried to find another day for us all to get together, but Natalie and I had other things on.  So the girls just decided just to go.  They wanted to celebrate Maycie's birthday with her.

Tomorrow we have no plans.  We will have to straighten the house and fold laundry, but I am hoping for another lazy day in the sun.  Our May is very full.  Cora has two jobs she will be starting and lots of rugby.  Still calving season, plus planting and getting things ready there.  Blake will start soccer as well.  So it has been nice to not have a schedule and be laid back this week.

Happy 15th Leah

I had had visions of lot of helium balloons all over Leah's room when she woke up the morning of her birthday.  But the helium wasn't going to last that long and I didn't want to buy one of those tanks just for 10 seconds of cool balloons.  Although I did stand in the store and consider it for quite awhile.  I finally decided on just filling the room with regular balloons.  The night before, while she was still at study group, Dave helped me fill them all and we hid them in our closet.  At dinner, Dave mentioned he was taking the next load of steers to auction when Jared got back.  Just as we saw Jared drive by, I decided to go with him.  We had just finished eating.  Blake and Leah were going to do the dishes, but one pot was kinda gross.  I said I would wash it if Leah could run up to my closet to get my jacket.  (Yep, I bet you all caught on faster than I did)  She was taking a while, so I yelled up again, 'Leah, hurry it's just on the floor of my clos.....' then it dawned on me.  I totally ruined my own surprise.  She knew and kindly tired to convince me that it had actually been on by bed.  But  I knew. :(

We accidentally slept in the morning of her birthday.  Leah was the first up.  I still wanted balloon pictures in the morning, so I made them late for seminary.  Whoops.

Leah had wanted to open her presents after school.

I wrapped all her lunch again.  Interesting to wrap a banana.

I had invited the Toone's to come to dinner the day beforehand.  They didn't think they were able to make it.  Then just a few hours before, Natalie text and asked if just some could come.  Of course!!  But I wanted Emily to surprise Leah.  I picked her up from badminton, we opened presents and then had just a few minutes until they came.  I couldn't have her set the table, because then she would wonder at all the place settings.  I did tell her Grandma Puzey was coming.  She was so surprised.  I should have gotten a video. 

It was a good birthday.  I made her a cookie dough ice cream cake.  We had spaghetti and ceasars salad.

Emily being there made her day. 

Happy 15th to my beautiful girl.  You are such a light.  You are outgoing and fun, can work hard when you want to, and study hard in school.  You have no problem standing up for yourself and what you believe.  You look out for your friends and love to have them around you.  You are quirky and off the wall and we love it.  You are a very special sister to Cora and even Blake sometimes, we will keep working on that one. Love you to bits.