Tag Archives: Maren

Last day of school!

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This was our earliest end of school since my kids have been in school. They ended in May this year. We have adjusted to the new time frame just fine. Here are the kids with their teachers and buddies. My parents were here for the day after graduation. We took Nicole to lunch after her early morning arrival and a few hours of sleep. We had a delicious fish market lunch. I feel blessed they were able to come help celebrate Nicole’s graduation from high school. They are dear and blessed in our lives.

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Memorial Day adventures

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We had a wonderful Memorial Day. We didn’t make it to the Golden Gate National Cemetery like we usually do. Brandon went on Saturday and decorated the graves with flags with the Boy Scouts.

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So we held a cousins’ piano recital at the Westerlind’s house. It is amazing to see these kids progress and the work and time of practice and lessons.

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Then after the piano recital we had a book club with the cousins and adults. We read this book by Lois Lowry. Maren chose this book and resonated with the strong 10 year old girl who was the main character.

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We were invited to attend a barbecue for incoming BYU freshman from our stake. What a great group of kids!

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The house had a pool. We didn’t bring swimming suits, but that didn’t stop Robin, Maren and Camille from having a grand old time.

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Shining stars

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We had the chance to have an overview of Maren’s 4th grade year today. She was very confident as she shared her love of all the California history projects. She loved the gold rush study and mission report. Here she is in her element.

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Then we had the chance to go hear Camille’s 6th grade choir and the other choirs in the middle school sing. I have to say the quality of the singing was fantastic. It was some pop music and group and solo pieces. It was a fun evening.

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Mother’s Day 2013

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Every year that passes deepens my love for my children. It was a simple and sweet mother’s day. The greatest gift was having Erik home more, fewer meetings at church. He brought me breakfast in bed. We both had singing and piano assignments that took us to church early. He sang in a beautiful barbershop quartet version of Love at Home in Relief Society. I accompanied the young women singing He Sent His Son in sacrament meeting with a beautiful flute and violin accompaniment.

IMG_1854After church we took a few photos in the back yard.

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Then we headed over to Jammie and Grandpa’s house for dinner and sharing of how our mothers have influenced us. I found these fun photos of my mom and Erik’s mom from our wedding reception in Salt Lake after we were married.

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I enjoyed seeing this artichoke, newly picked. I also loved Robin and her cousins frolicking in the backyard.

IMG_1864IMG_1865IMG_1866I felt the love of my husband and my kids. I enjoyed the unity and fun of this relaxing Mother’s Day.

 

Book Fair and School visits

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We have been finding some new books at the book fair. It has been fun for everyone, even Brandon, to find some new books. Robin has been my sidekick most of the week when school is out. And Maren has found some new books that she has been reading.

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We went over tonight to the middle school for Camille’s portfolio night. We saw her work in science, math, English, and social studies. They have done lots of work this year.

I loved this sign (created by Camille) that I saw in the window of her social studies class. Good words to live by.

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Friends in faith

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Every other week the 8-11 year old girls at our church get together to do fun activities together. Tonight they did some watercolor painting and learned about the temple. They are cute and energetic and good friends to each other.

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Ice skating buddies

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Robin has been begging me all during this ice skating session to ice skate with her after her lesson. So since it was Spring Break and there was more time today, I told her I would skate with her. Maren and some of her friends also joined in the fun. Robin was tired really quickly because she is still getting over the flu from last week and really hasn’t completely regained her strength. So I gave her a hug and told her we could rest and leave earlier than I had expected. I loved watching my friend skate with her kids and parents and sister and then her husband came to join in the fun. I love the power of families together.

IMG_1633IMG_1634 IMG_1635We had family night tonight and talked about honesty and integrity. It is interesting to contemplate both telling the truth and not trying to deceive. We talked about needing to shine a light on anything in the corner we might be trying to conceal. I know I have learned a lot about this since my youth, and I have learned to try and open up and shine the light and try to be truthful even when it is painful. When someone has integrity, we can trust them completely.

 

Stake Musical

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In honor of Dr. Seuss and the youth theme of the year, the teenagers in our stake put on a fun musical. The narrators were characters from Dr. Seuss’ books, the Cat in the Hat, Sam-I-Am, Thing 1, 2, 3, fish, Horton, and more. It was entitled Oh, the Places you will Stand, stand in holy places. I love how these youth stand for honesty, integrity, modesty, righteousness. I learn from them each day.IMG_1471Camille and MadelineIMG_1472 Having funIMG_1473Cute girlsIMG_1474The Three MusketeersIMG_1475Sinclaire, Miko and NicoleIMG_1476CousinsIMG_1477More cousinsIMG_1478Kyra and Robin, more cousinsIMG_1481Jeslyn and meIMG_1447 Sinclaire, Lena and Nicole narratingIMG_1451 Hannah and AubreyIMG_1459Brandon waiting to go on stage for StompIMG_1463 StompIMG_1466 CamilleIMG_1467Brandon and all the boysIMG_1482Time for fun afterwards

A show is a great way to bond and unite in a different way than just at school or church. I am glad they had the time to Stand together.

 

 

 

Corn Husk Dolls

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Today I went with the fourth graders to Peralta Adobe, to see the oldest house in San Jose. All the parents ran the stations at the site. I got to help the kids make corn husk dolls. They also made candles, tortillas, did some dressing up and played other games. I really like hands-on learning. Here is Maren making the corn husk dolls, playing the ball and cup game, and dipping a candle.

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It has been a long week, and I am tired. Good night!

Maren is 10!

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An amazing thing happened today. Yesterday Maren said she wanted to invite 15 of her friends to go to a nearby bouncy house arena for her birthday. So I sent out a last minute email to all those friends, and every one of them could come except one. It took some last minute scrambling to find a third driver to accommodate the 19 kids we ended up taking. The girls were very energetic and busy running up and down the slide and climbing walls and playing games and bouncing around. It was nice to celebrate on Maren’s day. She said she loved every part of it.

DSC_5283Maren is energetic and bright. She has a smile on her face and is enthusiastic to try new things. She easily makes friends. Maren cares for young children in a uniquely attentive way. She has a brilliant mind for math. She has been loving The Little House on the Prairie books this year. She is orderly and neat. She has nice penmanship. She is a loving daughter and sister. I love her!

Here are some pictures from the grand event.

Erik and Maren

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Blurry, but fun expressions, love holding hands with Robin.DSC_5158 DSC_5157 DSC_5092 DSC_5194 DSC_5193 DSC_5183 DSC_5090 DSC_5195DSC_5269 DSC_5264 DSC_5262 DSC_5248 DSC_5214 DSC_5211 DSC_5210 DSC_5209 DSC_5202 DSC_5201DSC_5205

Great girls and friends. Fun for Erik and me to join in the fun. Thanks to Heather for loaning her car, and to Erik’s dad for joining us on the adventure.