Garden!

Tonight for FHE we finally planted our garden! This process has taken us about a month to prepare and till the soil, put in the water lines, place plastic over the planting area to decrease the weeds, etc. It shouldn't have taken us that long, but the April weather has been bipolar and it never seemed to cooperate on the days that we had time to plant. However, it is finally warming up (Yaay!!!) and we had a perfect Monday for planting. I have to admit that I know nothing about this whole process. The soil in AZ is horrible for planting and the heat is so brutal that hardly anything grows anyways. Plus, it was always cheaper to buy our produce in the grocery store rather than pay an exorbitant water bill. I am looking forward to this new gardening adventure (just another part of the country life I'm getting used to) and to all the yummy fresh veggies we'll get in a few months. (I think the kids aren't too excited about that part.) Here are a few pictures of our gardening process over the last few weeks.

Graduation Party

I have really enjoyed having my family in town this weekend. Nichole, Tyler and Kate came in on Wednesday afternoon and had dinner with us. Tyler stayed the night at our house all weekend. I was really glad to see that he feels at home here and that he is getting along so well with Dallin. My parents came into town on Thursday afternoon. We all met up for lunch before Jordan's commencement program. Friday, after the graduation, Krystle and my parents ended up back at my house where we spent the day baking cookies to get ready for the party the next day. (The theme of the party was "One Smart Cookie"...which meant lots of cookies. I made snickerdoodles and homemade Oreos. Yum!!!). Michael and Jenn drove in later that evening and stayed with my brother Scott. On Saturday, we all met up (all my family, except Nichole's husband, Ryan, was in town) for lunch at the Art City Trolley in Springville (where Jeff took me for my birthday lunch). We then headed back to my house to finish the food preparations then transported it all over to Jordan's parent's house for the party! It was a BUSY weekend, but well worth it. The party was fun. Krystle did a great job organizing and delegating it all. My sister Nichole helped with the decorations too. It was fun to see Jordan's family and to have my cousins there as well. I feel extremely blessed to be related to and to know so many amazing people. I enjoyed watching how well the kids and Jeff interacted with my family. It's encouraging to see how open they are to establishing new relationships. The kids seemed to have a blast jumping on the trampoline, rolling down a hill in a large pipe, sunbathing, etc. Thanks to Jordan's parents for hosting the party! Here are a few pics from the party.

The girls after their trip down the hill.

Michael screaming like a little girl!

He might be dead.

Tyler, Dallin, Sydney (Jordan's little sister) and Danny

My nieces Kate and Kaia

Jenn, Amber, and Laurin trying to tan up for the summer.

My parents with all their kids.

My siblings plus our spouses (minus Ryan)

The original 5!

The whole Shumway clan (again, minus Ryan)

 

After we cleaned up, everyone headed over to our house to spend the last evening together before those from Arizona made the trip home the following day. We had fun playing on the zipline, four wheelers, motor bikes, etc. I'm grateful to have a home where I can host family and friends. We had fun just hanging out. Thanks to everyone for creating such a fun-filled, family weekend!

Umm...not sure the motorbike can handle all of Michael!

Papa on the zipline



Cardboard Arcade

This week (on top of graduation festivities) has been district testing for the kids. Unfortunately, Danny got stuck at school a couple days during all the fun, but the second grade students had their own fun. Each day, after testing, the kids would meet together in the gym to create arcade games out of cardboard boxes. I have to admit I was really surprised at their creativity. Danny and his friend, Parker, created a game that shot corn kernels at green army men. Danny is a very imaginative and determined boy. He is extremely inquisitive and eager to learn...whether it's playing sports with Jeff and Dallin or cooking with me. I am excited to see where all his imagination and energy will take him. In any case, I was able to go in on Monday afternoon to help out then on Friday all the parents, grandparents, etc. were able to go to the school to play the games. I was glad that my parents were in town and able to come support Danny. My parents are very eager to get to know the kids and to develop relationships with them. I am grateful for their example. I don't think I could be the mother I am without the parents they are. Here are a few pictures from Monday when  Danny started to create the games and on Friday when we were playing.

Danny showing Papa how to work the game.

Grandma Martie playing a string toss.

Jordan's BYU graduation

On Thursday (25th) and Friday (26th) my brother-in-law Jordan (Krystle's husband) participated in the graduation events at Brigham Young University. I am in awe of Jordan. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering. I would have failed miserably! Most of what he talks about is way over my head, but thankfully he understands it! He has worked very hard to get to where he is at. Now he has a four month break before he starts his Masters degree at BYU. Crazy kid!! In any case, on Thursday Jeff, the boys and I attended the University Commencement program with my parents, Nichole, Tyler, Kate and Krystle. Elder L. Tom Perry was the commencement speaker. As we arrived at the Marriot Center, we passed by Elder Perry in a golf cart. He had stopped to meet some of the event organizers. We waved to him and he even spoke with my niece, who was eating a pink sucker at the time (which was what he commented on). He was so pleasant to speak with and his smile was infectious. I didn't realize that he is the oldest apostle. He is 91 years old, but seems so much younger. He spoke about living a balanced life and using wisdom in future decisions. The program was really good. The following day was Jordan's actual graduation with the college of Engineering. As much as I enjoyed Elder Perry's address the evening before, I really enjoyed this ceremony because I could actually see Jordan. Again, we are very proud of his efforts. He is a great example to our kids (as with all the other aunts, uncles, etc. who have set goals and accomplished them). I hope that each of the kids will want to pursue their education in whatever form they desire after high school. Way to go Jordan!

Elder Perry in his golf cart with my mom and Kate in the corner of the picture.