Wrapping it Up

The month of May is one not just of flowers and promise of warm weather-it is probably one of the craziest months of the year!  We are all exhausted when its over, so it's always a good thing when the month finishes up.  This year, it started with a glorious night out for Dave and me-Hamilton!!!

 It lived up to all the hype for sure.  I was boppin in my seat, singing a long (quietly of course, I have no desire to be booted from a fancy theater), shedding tears and grinning from ear to ear. Glad we didn't throw away our shot to see this amazing show!

Katelee had her first tap dancing recital.  She was a tap tapping smooth criminal.  

Brenna's entire month (and April actually) was filled with dance also.  Brenna has told me that dance is life. It's a good thing she feels that way because she spends a whole lot of time doing it! We went to dance competitions where she competed with her company in Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary.

There were only minor balloon/prop malfunctions over the duration  of performances! Ha! Her Hip Hop dance was the best ever and it will probably be in my hall of fame dances that I will file away to remember.  They were little astronauts and it was so amazing- they earned a trophy taller than me! 

Brenna had such a fun year dancing and loved being with Kylee, Brooke, Kinley and Kate.  I am sure many more competitions and recitals together ahead for these cuties.  

Grant finished up his 7th grade year and was busy with soccer, scouts and YM.  The youth in our church group in the surrounding areas participated in a lot of events leading up to the re-dedication of the Jordan River Temple. They had video conferences with people in other countries, went on a 'treasure hunt', had a concert, prepared for a great cultural celebration and this photo is of them walking to the temple.

 It was a cold, rainy day, so some of them were covered with ponchos or hoodies, etc.  But, no matter their cold weather apparel, the touching effect was prominent.  It was awesome to see hundreds of youth and their leaders all making their way to the temple.  They started from their own stake centers and had time to meet.  Loved to see a literal gathering in action!

The other fella in our house wrapped up his first academic year-preschool year one graduate right there folks! Ha!!  He is quite the smarty.  Here are some conversation examples of Harrison's genius:

Harrison: (explaining to me something I clearly didn't understand) That's the ingenuity

Me: Who taught you that?

Harrison:It's just me being smarter

After playing duck duck goose and relating to me the rules of said game...

Harrison: It was SO fun.  It was SO fun, it was all I ever dreamed of.  But I didn't really dream it. 

Harry was telling me why he doesn't actually need to go to bed earlier than others in our home...

H: The sun goes down at 11

Me: oh, really?

H: Yea, I'm impressive, I know all that

While shopping with me, a kind gentleman told Harrison he was a great helper and gave him a $2 bill, Harrison was of course, thrilled.  He used his impressive preschool vernacular when he said, 'If anyone wants a $2 bill from that guy, so be it.'

His skills and knowledge are not limited to grammar.  He has talents in dancing, as is pictured below; he is a superhero in training and sings the soundtracks without words to his imaginary play every day.  When driving in the car, he sings along to whatever song we listen to.  He is a bit delusional though, I've asked him how he knows the songs and he claims he wrote them.  So, we will work on not claiming other people's work! 

 One weekend in May we were able to get together with neighbors we used to live by in Draper.  There was a group of us that lived in that ward and moved out around the same time.  The time we lived by each other was not many years, but it was such an important and fun time of life-when we were all starting families or beginning our first years of parenthood/being real life adults!  It was so fun to get together and watch our kids play.  It's so rewarding to look back and see the positive influences in our lives and appreciate relationships, even if you never see those friends anymore.  We've had some great connections over the years, and hope to make more! 

Westward Ho!

For many, many years the McArthurs flourished with their southern charm in the Sunshine State of Florida.  They influenced their community, were caretakers, served in many capacities, but as Dave and his 8 siblings migrated to different locations, Carl and Catherine found themselves away from family.  They were exemplary in their attending to needs of many loved ones as they finished their time on earth, but recently, they became the only ones in the family still living in FL.

After consideration and prayers, we were informed that this long distance was going to be shortened and they were pulling up stakes, leaving the humid and glorious beach for the desert of Arizona!  Arizona did have a big pull with 4 of their kids there with grandkids etc to be surrounded by.  This news was met with mixed emotions by us.  We LOVE visiting Florida, but having Carl and Catherine closer and surrounded by family seemed to be the perfect fit.  Of course, we couldn't let the exodus happen with out one last Florida fling!!

We flew out for few days during spring break to let Dave say goodbye and for all of us to get one last feel of that soft white sand.  We went to the beach the evening we got there, saw a bunch of stingrays and were ready to go again for day two.

Grandma and Grandpa were busy selling house items, they were so nice to make sure the big furniture

 etc was there till after our visit.  So, Dave and I took the kids to a perfect secluded location and we played 

and played.  Because we weren't at a popular, busy location, we didn't have public bathrooms nearby.  When Harrison exclaimed that he needed to go to the bathroom and we told him, just go in the water, we maybe should have explained how that typically works when you are swimming...We just looked up from our chairs to see this:

Luckily, it was a pretty much personal beach so no one was flashed and no citations for indecency were issued!!  We enjoyed our time so much, until we started to feel hot.  In my defense, I reapplied sunscreen as instructed on the bottle, but boy that Pensacola sun couldn't have cared less about our skin precautions.  Grant did refuse to put it on when his time was up 'to get a little color' he extended the time between applications, but none of us knew how badly those 30 min would burn him! By the end of the night, I'm fairly certain there were 2nd degree burns experienced by at least 2 of the kids.  Luckily Harrison fell asleep with beach towels over him, so he did not experience the worst burn of of his life like Brenna and Grant. 

After some aspirin, aloe, water, rest, Dave and I left the kids in their grandparents' capable hands and we went to dinner.  I will definitely dream of that Key Lime pie for all my days! 

Our final day we were able to go to the Lighthouse, 

which turned out to be fairly traumatic for Harrison.  Not really a shocker though-those hundreds of spiral steps are trippy.  But he made it to the top!!  We all did (minus Grandpa), even if Grant bolted before  a picture. 

 We were really lucky because the Blue Angels were doing a practice so while we got to explore the Naval Air Museum, we also got to 

view their show!  Pretty spectacular!  Everyone's reactions were pretty priceless.   And that was that.  Many trips and memories of Pensacola for me don't compare to the lifelong legacy that Dave and his parents have in the area.  But we sure have fond thoughts when we think about our beautiful beaches there.  We probably have permanent markings in the shape of freckles from the sun damage, so we are not likely to forget them! 

Dave earned extra son points because he volunteered to fly back to Florida about a week and a half later, drive across the country with his brother Russell to deliver the Penske truck with his parents belongings as well as the car.  From what I hear it was a LONG ride! 

But they made it and experienced rural American pit stops that they probably never would otherwise, so it turned out pretty great! Ha!

After that, it was back to normal/scary life...

This is the plaster for Brenna's Native American face mask...not sure they will ask me to help out with that again...some kids may be minus some eyebrows or peach fuzz because I didn't properly lube them up with vaseline.  I'm sure it grows back! It wasn't too bad...

Dave was happy to be back to work and had his annual Saturday CPA day with the kids.

  Only the boys could help because Brenna had a dance competition.  Harrison actually ended up needing an instacare visit due to walking pneumonia, so not sure how much assistance he was.  

Katelee had a commitment for the production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat that she was in with her friend Emily. 

 She had a great time and it was so fun to see her tapping!!

A Most Marvelous March

Because of Brenna's momentous birthday, she was able to be baptized the first Saturday of the month. 

She has been counting down the day and she was glowing. 

 Our ward is a large one and typically every baptism service has a few kids sharing their special day.  Brenna shared with two fun peeps: Cooper Jesperson and Kylee Nelson. 

Each of the kids were baptized by their dads.  Dave prepares and looks forward to these special moments with our kids and we are grateful He is a priesthood holder. 

 We split up the program- Cooper's grandma spoke, Grandma McArthur spoke and all the siblings from each family sang with the special 8 year olds.  

The song they performed was "Choose Him Again" and it was so sweet.  It was a special and powerful message about choosing Jesus in our lives and I know while Brenna chose Him as she made those baptismal covenants/commitments we have to continually choose Him.  

We have to always remember Him and put him as the center of our lives, even (maybe especially) over Zac Efron...who Brenna thinks is dreamy and even requests coloring pages of his handsome face.  

The following day was fast Sunday. (side note: A month or so ago Harrison got up distressed one Sabbath asking me over and over again if it was a quick Sunday, or if it was hurry Sunday.  It took me a minute to realize he was referring to FAST Sunday.  We typically do have to hurry to get out the door, how that happens with 11am church, I do not know, but it does.  Now, I sometimes have to refer to Fast Sunday as Quick/Hurry Sunday just for kicks).    Anyway, Brenna got to sit on the stand and she had been itching to bear her testimony for a good year.  We told her when she was baptized.  You better believe she raced up to that microphone when it was available.  

She shared that she had felt the Holy Ghost 'so much' at her baptism, I hope she can always recall that she did.  I did too.  

Harrison did not share his divine experience with me, but he did tell me the other day "I felt the spirit when I watch Avengers

...but not the Holy Spirit."  At least we are learning that there are all sorts of spirits out there! Ha! 

Soon after our sweet girl's baptism, we were celebrating our other little lady and her birthday! 

The big 1-1 for Miss Katelee! This tween-er and her gal pals roamed the mall for a scavenger hunt birhtday party and it was hilarious. 

We split into two teams, with the help of Super Aunt Shannon and met back 45 min later.  We looked for an exit sign, a frog, something fuzzy, a size 13 shoe, etc  Katelee's team beat my team by a hair, but they definitely took the prize for best 'something fancy.'

Best part was watching them dance in Forever 21.  She had Pyper, Emily, Capri, Nicole, Peyton, Brylee and Breanna.  She's lucky to have great friends.  

Her birthday party was fitting for a pre-teen with emoji cakes and a gift of an Alexa speaker.  Alexa allows her to listen to music, set an alarm, talk about the deep things of the universe and most importantly tell the weather and jokes.  We have to keep those coming at our place.  

Katelee is an emotional, dependable, good to the core, kind young lady.  We are blessed by her genuine concern for others and it's balanced out so well with her goofiness and sense of adventure.  Harrison walked by her the other day and said, "oh, it's Katelee-the person with issues." She is not quite perfect, I guess. 

Katelee also had a fun month with her theatre school.  She was bummed to miss it last year, so we were pleased to get to enroll with Emily Cowley.  

The two learned vital theatre skills-singing, dancing, confidence and combat.  That last one probably comes in most handy at our house.  Although, now she is trained in stage combat, it's hard to tell what is legit and rehearsed here now! 

On to another production-Singing in the Rain.  Oh yes, take a double take of this picture below...

That is right!  It is Grant-the fellow who has never wanted to be in a theatre performance has finally caught the performing bug.  He wasn't too sure about it at first with the rehearsals, but come to the actual performance nights and he had a grand time.  He is already gearing up for some more time on stage. He was a natural for sure! 

The end of the month was Easter- and early one for us this year.  It wasn't too cold to have the city chaos collection...eh, I mean Easter egg hunt.  There was a mom that yelled at another mom there and I thought there was going to be a cat fight before my very eyes over a tootsie roll.  But, we keep going back every year.  It's pretty much hilarious...usually.  

 

 We love to remember the true meaning of Easter and spend time together reflecting on the Savior and the plan that allows us to live eternally because of Him.  Harrison, while angry the other day mumbled, "i don't care about Jesus."   I asked him what he said, slightly shocked that that came out of his mouth and he told me that I didn't hear anything.  I know he didn't mean it because really nothing else matters and Jesus is the reason the things we do care about last forever.  

The Savior also makes it possible to wipe away mistakes and come clean.  While attempting to be clean in the tub the other day, Harrison was showing me how he can touch the bottom.  He took a deep breath and went for it.  When he came up gasping,  I knew he hadn't quite made it.  He looked at me and frankly stated, "Well, that was humiliating." 

We finished off the month with a visit from Grandpa-we had just seen him for the baptism, but we were happy he got to spend his birthday and conference with us.  Good news was we also were going to be heading out to Florida a couple weeks later, more of those details with April's post! 

February Fun-Celebrating Life

I got back from Las Vegas (as may be recalled from the last post), the day before Grant's birthday.  It was Teen Eve, if you will.  I got home in time for the Superbowl (Brenna asked why the players had binkies! Ha!  Those funny mouth guards), and to wrap my head around the era we were all about to enter.  

We had a great day celebrating our firstborn.  He is a good soul.  His heart is good and I do say, he is becoming quite the handsome fella.  We are awaiting the official passage of puberty, but their are some certain signs...ahem, emotions at least.  Grant decided to have a guys night out and hit the Black Panther movie with is buddies to celebrate his advancement to the teenage zone. 

I pulled a stalked mom and followed them in to the theatre.  He has gone to the movies with friends since and it has been mom free zone.  He has recently started a 'movie group' with peeps from school.  I have to regulate that he is not the only fella because he seems to be surrounded by ladies.  Entering into this teenage zone, I just don't know if him being the only y chromosome around is normal or not.  For now, the wing man rule stands.  

After the movie, Dave took the boys for some real man food-Barbecue and then they had to hit up a declicous dessert spot as well for a pazookie.  It was a good party for my amazing Grant!

Brenna boo had her birthday just a five days later...it happens that way every year!  hahaha! She had a momentous birthday as she turned 8!  We had a small friend party this year, which was declared as weird by our neighbor because there weren't a lot of people! We took them to Airborne to be wild. 

 She had invited a couple more buddies, but one was throwing up just before.  Her mom almost sent her, and I was sweating having to clean up vomit from a foam pit.  Luckily, she opted out.  

The friends that accompanied us were:

Natalie Robinson, Kinley Smith, Madison Burgoyne, Kate Cowley and Lilly Taylor. 

It was good sweaty fun! 

We celebrated with family on her actual birthday with cake, ice cream and presents.  

My spunky little firecracker is 8!  Brenna is all intensity, passion and heart.  She is luke warm about nothing. She is always all in and a natural bossy pants...um, I mean leader.  She has become and incredible dancer and we love watching her do her thing.  She claims 'dance is life.'  

Loving holidays continued as we moved on to Valentines day.  I was sickly, but we just couldn't skip our fancy dinner/dance.  I love these traditions our kids anticipate.  They better be perfect dates after these training sessions!  Brenna's grade had a manners dinner where they got a partner and the boys pulled out the lady's chair, they talked to each other, helped with the door and tray, etc.  Brenna was anxiously anticipating who her partner would be.  She didn't want one particular classmate to be her partner.  I don't blame her, since he called her a 'fat lard.'  That typically doesn't set well with the ladies on a first date.  Ha!  Luckily, she was with a boy down the street.  As you can tell, she was not disappointed with her 'first date,' Tyler Baker.

 Harrison is currently fighting an Oedipus complex.  I think it's fairly normal, but he would give Dave a run for his money right now.  He attempts to attack me with lengthy kisses.  Sometimes afterwards, he will gaze into my eyes and ask, "are you in love with me yet?" 

All the romance was felt the night of the dinner/dance because on Valentines Day, Dave and I doubled with some friends to the Jazz game.  And we pretty much were playing basketball with the team.  I could hear them talk and nearly wipe their brows.  It was pretty awesome. 

School was extra busy for me that month as I was in charge of Literacy Week with my friend.  We were able to schedule author, Jennifer Neilsen.  Ms. Neilsen and I emailed all year and I felt like we became such good friends.  That day there was an awkward hug or handshake moment, but overall it was such a great experience arranging it for our school.  She motivated the kids to read and challenge themselves, to go for their dreams and work hard.  It was fabulous.

 We followed up with a reading minute competition.  Both the girls were in the top twenty of their grades and got special prizes.  We had a read-a-thon at home and read all day long one Saturday.  It was fun fun fun!

 Being able to celebrate 2 birthdays in February always gives me time to reflect on when they were born and how I knew when I first held baby Grant and baby Brenna that they didn't just start when they took their first breath.  I knew their spirits were vibrant and real before.  This year Dave's family said goodbye to his Grandpa.  Grandpa Church was the absolute epitome of charity.  He was modest and non assuming while wise and knowledgeable.  We were very blessed to have him influence us.  

 Those same thoughts about life that I had with my babies gives reassurance that life extends not just before Earth, but after as well.  We know we will see Grandpa Church, and all of our loved ones, again.  For now, we hope to live up to the legacy they gave us.