Sunflower Maze

We did something new!  I took the younger boys to a sunflower maze.  I came up with the idea of a new tradition where once a month, on a Saturday, we will do something fun (or sort of fun) together as a family.  It hasn't happened yet but I hope it will.  Typically our Saturdays look like yard work or boys being lazy while Randy and I do yard work and house projects, sports, or church activities.  We are never intentional about our Saturdays and let the fill up with anything and everything.  Now that Marcus is gone I'm realizing Ethan will be leaving soon too and it's tie to be intentional.  Since we don't have any fall sports going on, squeezing in some family togetherness shouldn't be too hard to do once a month. We shall see.  

The younger boys and I drove out to Duvall, a beautiful farm community about 20 minutes away, to go through a sunflower maze.  Naturally my boys were complaining and trying to convince me it was a bad idea but we persevered and had a good time.   Henry even said, "It was a little bit fun."  

The maze was beautiful and Landon wasted no time using the map to help us maneuver quickly through the maze.  Henry was convinced we were all going to be attacked by the many bees buzzing around but we were fine and had a good time.  Henry and I waited on a bench while I set a timer for Landon and Parker to run through the maze from the finish back to the start.  It took them about six minutes which was impressive.

I rewarded the boys with shave ice (Tiger Blood/Orange Creamsicle) and it was divine.  Food at the end of any activity always helps end things on a positive note.  Works every time!

The flower garden was beautiful too.  I made the boys pose for a picture and Landon gritted his teeth and said, "Smile, Parker! Or mom will keep making us take more pictures!"  So don't let Landon's grin fool you.  He wasn't happy, just smart and obedient! 

February Little Things

We had a lot going on in February starting with Marcus getting his wisdom teeth out.  He put on quite the show for a couple hours afterwards.  Turns out that when Marcus is drugged up with no inhibitions, he's the kindest, most sensitive person I've ever seen.  He cried a lot! He FaceTimed all his friends and I think most of the guys thought it was a joke.  They were literally speechless when Marcus said things like "You are just the greatest person I know.  I'm so glad you're my friend."  My favorite conversation was when he said, "My tongue feels HUGE!  It won't let me do anything.  It's like Joe Biden.  I have a Joe Biden tongue."  I laughed so hard I cried.

Henry enjoyed the softer side of Marcus as well.  While they were hugging, Marcus started to cry and said, "I love you so much Henry!"

Watch this video of Marcus showing off his dance moves before he makes me take it down.

Ethan has a job at Cold Stone and he loves it.  He works with a ton of his friend (pictured here) and since he gets paid $15/hour plus tips, he's making a killing.  He always brings home something delicious from work so we all benefit from it.

Ethan and friends have also invented a delicious way to cook hotdogs.  They score them open, then fry them up in half a stick of butter until the outside gets crisp, then wrap it up in a toasted bun soaked in the butter remnants.  It's a heart attack with every bite.  I tasted it and it is actually really good but not something I will ever eat again.

We had a beautiful, sunny Sunday so I made everyone go on a mandatory walk.  They were not happy so I decided to make them pose for pictures and told them to act like they all loved each other.  For some reason they thought this was hilarious and totally cooperated. Even Henry did, eventually.

I don't even know what to say

There's a lot of fake love in this photo

This was the first day I didn't wrap my leg in an ace bandage.  I was sitting in a doctor's office and had to get a Kleenex to wipe the yellow ooze as it ran down my leg but at least I was free from my bandage.  My foot is always swollen and always purple.  I guess it's the new normal.

Marcus spoke in Stake Conference and did an excellent job talking about what it means to stand as a witness of Christ.  He made me so proud.  I was also thrilled that it was the perfect excuse to dye his hair from the bleached white, back to his normal color.

This is probably one of the greatest pictures of all time and accurately depicts life with Henry.  Henry and empathy do not go hand in hand.

My boys love to tell me all about their day when they get home from school.  Usually we sit around the kitchen counter but I was on the couch with my leg up when I noticed Parker and Ethan were twinning and had to take a picture.

This photo deserves a post all its own.  This is Marcus with his new friend Aubrey.  Aubrey is the daughter of our best friends from our Boston years.  They were born just a couple weeks apart so I have lots of baby pictures of the two of them together.  They "found" each other through social media and our annual Christmas cards, and have become fast friends.  Isn't it great when arranged marriages don't feel arranged?!  Just kidding.  But seriously, I've never been more excited about a couple.  Too bad Aubrey lives in Provo, UT!

Ethan injured his neck/back way back in November and after weeks of physical therapy, he has to wear a neck brace when he's not at school.  So far the nerve pain hasn't improved much.

Henry was having the time of his life dancing to some annoying song from YouTube.