Independence Day

The kids were so excited that they actually got to see Daddy for the 3-day, 4th of July weekend because most days this past summer he had been gone to work before they woke up and back home after they went to sleep.  We started off Independence Day with a pancake breakfast at our ward building.  There were also some fun crafts and races.

When we got home we barbequed some fish, . . .

. . . ate some patriotic treats, . . .

. . . played with sparklers, . . .

. . . and watched an at-home fireworks show.

This little man was so brave and did not flinched one bit during all of the noise.

Adeline has to make sure she is copying her big brothers all of the time these days.

It was such a wonderful weekend! Despite its flaws, I am so grateful we have such a wonderful and safe country to live in and raise a family.  We are truly blessed!

Toy Chores

Since the kids' birthdays and Christmas are so near each other I have decided to give each of them an opportunity to earn a toy during the summer by doing some BIG chores.  Honestly it would be easier for me to do the chores myself rather than prod them along, but I guess they would not learn how to be hard workers.  Rigby and Peter ended up doing these chores: 1) deep cleaning their bathroom; 2) sorting, washing, folding, and putting away laundry; 3) cleaning the van.  It was a painful process, but I think they gained a little bit of appreciation for all of the hard work (at least for a mere few hours).  Peter told me, "Mom, I don't want to ever do those things again!  They were too hard!"  Rigby said, "Those were easy! I want to do them again!" (Rigby is always telling me the opposite of what he thinks I want to hear-stubborn boy!) 

Peter with his Ninjago Lego set:

 

Rigby with his Bucky ship from Jake and the Neverland Pirates:

Adeline got jealous of the boys' toys so I got out some of my old childhood toys.  Do you remember trolls?  Goodness, they really were ugly!

It did not work though.  She still stole the boys' toys when they were not looking.  I almost regretted giving them the toys after a long afternoon of arguing!

I think I deserve a toy now!

Happy Father's Day Scottie

The kids and I were not with Scott for Father's Day but we did celebrate before we left.  We got him a "back scratching shirt" that has a road printed on the back so the kids can run cars along it and give him a back scratch.  Those of you who know Scott know that he is always requesting head and back scratches!  

One of my favorite things about Scottie is that he is able to make the simplest things a fun experience for the kids.  For example, when he gets home from work he will ask the kids to come help him take off his socks and shoes.  I personally think it is disgusting but the kids think it is one of the funnest things ever, and they consider it a privilege.  See what I mean!  Something so simple he makes into a great and fun memory.

Here are the kids watching Daddy play a game on his phone.

I also made a card for him with these words.  We think he emulates these qualities so well and we LOVE him so much!  Happy Father's Day, Scottie!

Sleeping Pictures

Sleeping kids are the best!

Grandpa Madsen

We were also able to visit my Grandpa Madsen's gravesite at the Provo Cemetery. (*Pictures to come) He died in a plane crash when my Dad was 4 years old.  Even though I have never met him in this life, I have always felt a very strong connection to him, and I cannot wait to see him again and catch up someday.  Love you, Grandpa!

PROVO CEMETERY

Rigby's middle name, Preston, is after my Grandpa Madsen.

FAMILY HISTORY PICTURES AND STORIES

Here are a few of my favorite stories about Grandpa written by his mother, my Great Grandma Madsen:

Sitting on the Ditch Bank 
One Sunday morning, I dressed Preston and Mary for church. Then, I was getting baby Pauline ready. When I finished, the two were gone. That little tyke had lured his sister off to the pasture. I was desperate, so I left the baby and ran down to the ditch that ran through the pasture. I saw a pair of shoes first. I couldn’t find any kids. Then there were Mary’s shoes and her stockings, so I just kept going. When I found the children, they were sitting on the bank of the ditch with their little feet in the water. I don’t think I need to say that I was so relieved that I loved them, took them by the hand and we had a nice walk back home. I don’t think that Preston ever gave up his love for that crooked creek. He felt badly when, after the flood from the river came, that the creek was revamped and made just an old irrigation ditch.

St. Vitus Dance 
Dad took him out and blocked one row of beets and decided to show him how it was done.  I shall never forget that morning.  That little guy thinned about half the row then laid down on the ground and began to cry. He was ashamed to let Mama know that he was shaking all over. Dad had gone to the field below and I was alone and scared. I left the other kids with Grandma, and I took that little boy to the doctor. They looked him over from head to toe, inside and out. Then they told me that he had a nervous disease called “Saint Vitus Dance”. I had heard of this before.  A little girl, her name was Virginia Clyde, that about my age had the same condition. The Dr. advised me to not put him under any pressure at all. We should allow him to play and do whatever he liked to do.  

Night in Jail 
Preston liked to play baseball with the rest of the kids in the ward.  His favorite friends were Bill Goodridge and Byron “Bike” Stubbs.  The team was going to play up in Orem, so he hurried to finish the chores.  He was already late. He was to pick up his cousin Marie and drive to the game.  I suppose he tried to make up lost time and broke the speed limit. A patrol officer tried to stop them, but Pres tried to ditch the cop.  When it was time for the kids to go home after the ball game, we got a telephone call from the Provo Police who were good friends of Alf’s and asked if we could come down town and talk to them.  The patrol officer caught the speeding car but let them play out the game and then took them down to headquarters.  When he found who Pres belonged to, he suggested that they keep him until morning.  We agreed. That was a long night for Mom and Dad. I suppose it was for Preston too. When he got home the next morning, he was a sad young man.  He just sat in his room and talked to us and cried.  All he could think of that day was what he had done and what made it worse, Dad was the Bishop.  That was the first and last time that he made that kind of a mistake. 

OLD MADSEN FARMS 
My parents found out several years ago that a man in their ward, Mike Boulter, is a distant cousin through my Dad's side (the Madsens).  His mother owns some old farming property near the Provo River that once belonged to our shared ancestor.  He and his wife were so kind to drive out and tell us some fun stories about the Madsens.

The kids loved tickling each other with the grass.

I cannot even describe how much I LOVE and miss the mountains!  They are food for the soul!

Adeline, Rachel, Reuben, Rigby, Peter

Father's Day

 I was able to celebrate Father's Day with my Dad this year!  We went down to Sara's house in Spanish Fork, ate dinner, shot off rockets, and had a marshmallow gun fight!  My favorite part was watching my Dad open up envelopes that us girls had written some of our favorite memories of him.  I think it was a great success because I could tell by his voice that he almost cried!  Love you, Dad!

ROCKETS

Charlotte patiently chilled in her car seat . . .

. . . but as soon as she saw the toy on her Mama's head she insisted on being picked up.  Who could resist such baby cuteness!?

MARSHMALLOW GUN FIGHT

Peter loved building a new design more than actually shooting the marshmallows.

MARDI GRAS MASKS

All of the girls, plus Peter and Rigby, got some masks from NOLA.

FATHER'S DAY GIFTS

My Dad really likes A&W root beer, so the grandkids gave him some for Father's Day.  The tags said "You're an A&Wsome Grandad!" and then they each drew on the back of their individual tags.

Here is Dad opening up one of the "favorite memories" that Sara, Marissa and I gave him.

Idaho

We made a quick trip 3-day trip up to Idaho, so we could visit with my Grandma and Grandpa Farrow.  I LOVE seeing my kids get to meet their Great-Grandparents.  I know old age is not fun, but thanks for staying around so I can have these precious memories of you getting to know my children!  I love you Grandma and Grandpa!

My Grandma was a 1st grade teacher so she and Peter had a lot of fun reading and doing math problems together.  He considers the math flashcards she gave him one of his special possessions.

Adeline was a complete mess most of the trip, but she did eventually warm up to Grandma-Great toward the end.

The kids "helped" Grandpa-Great weed the new raspberry patch (they might have stepped on a few plants, oops).

The boys curled up in some warm blankets to watch a movie on this ancient television.  I love watching my kids enjoy some of the same things that I did as a child.

All of my Grandma's toilets have these covers on them and soft spongy seats.  Rigby found this fascinating and said to me: "This seat is bouncy! Where is the flusher?"

Poor Reuben was so tired that he just fell asleep while we were loading the car to leave.  This is notable because he is one of those babies that will NOT sleep anywhere but his crib.

Grandpa Farrow, Rigby, Grandma Farrow, Reuben, Adeline, Peter

Rigby, Grandpa Farrow, Rachel, Reuben, Grandma Farrow, Peter