Ice Cream Man

10:30am .... Small knock on our door.  There stood our 7 yr old neighbor, Joseph, who said, "Ice cream man."  Oh, the ice cream man is coming?  We looked up and down the street.  He said, "No, we're the ice cream man."  Then I see their suburban, decked out with signs for free ice cream, windows rolled down with fun music playing .... The Ice Cream Truck!  Joseph had been asking his parents when the ice cream man would make an appearance in our neighborhood, so they decided to deliver the goods themselves.  How completely awesome is that???

The kids sat in the back and handed out popsicles and Fat Boys to whoever in the neighborhood wanted one.  And believe me, the kids all came running.  Word spreads fast when free ice cream is involved.  Kuddos to the Olsens for a fun idea!  Nothing like popsicles/ice cream at 10:30 to start your day off right. :)

Youth Conference 2013

Oh, how I wish I had more pictures of Youth Conference.  I didn't end up taking near as many as I thought I did.  We spent 3 days'ish here around town and up at the UofU in the dorms.  Mike & I were involved in planning it and then watched the fun event unfold....

The first night, we blindfolded the kids and took them to the temple.

Awesome photo bombing skills there, Heidi. :)

From there, we spent lots of time at the UofU Institute building.  We played Minute-to-Win-It games (here, Steph Hess winning the 'Chocolate Unicorn' game -- by smashing chocolate mini-donuts against her forehead for the win)...

There was also a skit night, where Mike and his brother, Nate, played Dr. Evil and his Mini-Me.  It was pretty funny watching people's reactions when Nate crawled out on stage on his knees.  Most people don't know the uncanny family resemblance between Mike & his brothers.

Between amazing food, speakers, big group games, service projects, diet coke runs for leaders, decorations, a dance, rounding up the youth back to their dorms after dark, kids making their own videos for a 'film festival' later that week ... it was a very cool experience.  And Christian -- fresh from his successful EFY week -- was happy to be there and had a blast, too.  That's all this mom could ask for.

Away from home

A few weeks ago, Christian & Haley both spent the week away from home at different camps.  It was weird to have half of our family gone!  Makes me realize how quickly things will change in the next few years ...

First off, Christian went to his first year at EFY (Especially For Youth -- a church camp at BYU).  He had no desire to go, actually.  I signed him up and kept trying to convince him how much fun he'd have.  He wasn't so sure, even as I dropped him off.  I kept trying to sneak pictures of him since he wouldn't pose for one.

"Mom, stop taking pictures!"

Finally found his dorm and got him settled.  Drove away and prayed for the entire week that he was having a little bit of fun.

Picked him up at the end of the week and he looked like this ...

He loved it.  Hallelujah!  He had a fantastic time (Hello! Trust your mom next time, buddy.) and wants to go back.  I'm so, so glad. :)

Haley took off for most of the week with her friend, Kate, to Space Camp.  Christian went when he was her age and had such a great week. It's a very cool program where they do everything from space shuttle mock-runs to building and racing Mars Rovers to scuba diving to feel weightlessness.  These girls had a blast. :)

I love that they are both having positive experiences away from home.  And I have a feeling that it's all just the beginning .... 

Father's Day Interview

Happy Father's Day to my honey.  We adore him.  Here's what the kids said about him today .....

Elle:

My dad's name is: Mike
My dad is 43? years old.
My dad is great at: helping me learn how to ride my bike.
When my dad was my age, he liked to: Did he play basketball?
If you looked at my dad, he would say he was: funny
It would be cool if his name was: I don't know!
His favorite color is: Red because he loves the Utes
Dad likes to cook: bacon
When he is bored, my dad likes to: sleep
My favorite thing we do together is: go get ice cream

I love my dad because: He is caring

Paige:
My dad's name is: Mike
My dad is 43? years old.
My dad is great at: coaching sports
When my dad was my age, he liked to: play sports
If you looked at my dad, he would say he was: bald
It would be cool if his name was: Awesome, because then on nametags he could write, "Hello, my name is Awesome."
His favorite color is: Red
Dad likes to cook: eggs
When he is bored, my dad likes to: watch football games
My favorite thing we do together is: telling stories to each other
I love my dad because: He comes up with cool nicknames for us.  Like, Paige-a-rooskie.

Haley:
Best memory with my dad: Going to Utah football games together.
Funniest moment with dad:  When he sings and tries to rhyme.  Like, he rhymes 'cute' with 'toot' a lot.
Something I've learned from him: How to give good talks.
Best qualities: He's super friendly with everyone and I don't think he has a bad reputation with anyone that I know of.
What bugs you about dad? When he wakes me up in the morning and he tackles me and pins me down.

Christian:
Best memory with my dad:  Sitting in his office together, looking up old rock songs
Funniest moment with dad: When I was 4 years old and went up on the stand to sit on his lap during church.  I pulled a bunch of licorice out of my pocket and loudly said, "Here's your treat, dad!"  His embarrassed face was awesome.
Something I've learned from him:  "Potty jokes" are usually ok and get a good laugh.
Best qualities: His sense of humor
What bugs you about dad? He makes songs up about me and sings them to me all the time.

Love you, Mikey.  We couldn't be luckier to have you as our daddy and head of this family.  We're proud of who you are and are grateful you are ours. :) Happy Father's Day!

End of year stuff

This last month has been full of trumpet solos at school ....

.... Cinco de Mayo celebrations,

... a luau at the park,

... going to see our cute friend, Emma, as she starred in Secret Garden,

... got creeped out by this ginormous snake at the kindergarten's Scales & Tails field trip,

... had fun watching Haley and her class participate in their medieval feast,

... also helped with their soda pop rocket launch,




(Cool, huh?)


... saw our baby graduate from Kindergarten,

... and then promptly got her hair chopped off for summer,

... and saw this 6th grader leave her elementary school years behind her.  (Sure love both of her amazing teachers!)

On to summer ....