Vancouver Temple Open House

We made an impromptu memory Wednesday.
Late Tuesday we decided to go to the Vancouver Temple open house, which is really in Langely, Canada. Randy had classes, Makayla didn't want to miss classes, so I packed up the "middles: and Makenzy and we left early in the morning.

Hard pounding rain and a leaden sky stayed with us for most of the first half of the 300 mile trip. Though once we crossed the border the rain let up to a comfortable drizzle. In the temple parking lot, the kids changed from warm pajamas into their church clothes, I dipped the comb into water from our breakfast at McDonald's to smooth down bed head hair and then we went over to the chapel to see the 12 min. introduction movie.

Like each child, each temple has its' own character. The interior of the temple is a lot of light green and soft blues accented by mahogany accents and white painted woodwork. Naturally it is all beautiful, calming, and serene. Cayden, who once bawled and fidgeted at the Nauvoo temple open house, kept older brother watch over Madalyn and Cayleb as I had to step back from the group several times, since the 2 year old was being well 2; a bit fidgety, wanting to run, and play with the phone in the bride's dressing room. In the end, they all politely had a cookie and lemon water before we went back into the drizzle for a few outside pictures.

As we changed, again in the car, a volunteer parking attendant told us White Spot is a British Columbia legend and a good place to eat. We ordered the pirate paks which are akin to happy meals but way better, meals that come in a pirate boat including ice cream and a gold coin. Made my kids happy. We laughed at ourselves for being obviously clever that the White's were eating at the white spot. After finishing up, we stopped across the way at Willow Video to buy a few videos for the way home since I accidentally forgot the movie case.

The rhythmic rolling of the car put Makenzy to sleep. However, the lull in motion while we waited 22 minutes at the Peace Arch border caused her to wake up and be awake for the rest of the ride home. Cayden picked the outside lane, but jokingly chided himself saying, "middle is best, middle is best."

During our conversation home, I asked Cayden if he was planning on going to the temple one day to get married, he replied, "Nah, at least not for a long time, I don't want to get married, not yet." Good, he is still my man.

We made it back home in time to see Makayla and Randy off to the "Where's Waldo" young men/young women's activity at the mall. All in all, a nice day, glad we decided to act on the spur of the moment.

girls weekend

Scheduling for 6 is hard.

But really it is more than that.

It is the work schedules, the kid's school schedules, and the flights, and the budget,

and. and. and.

And it is just plain hard for all of us to get together.

But we did it again.

Girls Weekend 2010.

It was a very full weekend.

We started off by watching Nikki's Mrs. Arizona pageant dvd and practicing interview questions. We were "cheerleaders for married women" for a bit and then our after midnight humor took hold and we cracked stupid, funny jokes, which are really only funny to us. We ended up hatching a business plan based on Ms. Divorce pageant.

I am officially copyrighting the rites to this money making idea now!

Divorce attorney's for judges, most photogenic replaced by most divorces, most alimony, etc.

Tiff was the expert contestant. Funny girl she is!

We visited Grandma Frye.
She told us to no one knows how lonely it is to be alone, until you are.

She really misses Grandpa.

Woke up to see the sunrise, hopped aboard tracks and headed to the start line.

All 5, Ang, Tiff, Me, Nate, and Nic

plus Mom, Walt, and Sierra did our first family fun run.

Competition was inevitable.

I thought Nate, who hadn't trained at all could maybe hang with Nikki and I for a mile maybe, 2 if his ego really got going. Coming around to the Gateway finish, we saw him, we couldn't believe it, I accused him of crossing over early on the course, he swore he didn't.

Really?
Really.
Darn.

I told Nikki we would finish together.

But pride is pride.

Brother couldn't beat us.

We took off, Nic was close behind.
People that didn't have their reputation on the line jogged down the last 100 yards.

We did.

So we furiously dodged in and out of slower runners, I almost tripped over a jogging stroller.

We booked it.

He says he let up at the end, so I wouldn't feel bad.

We finished about a foot apart.

Dad and Corey said it was neck and neck.

The photo will tell.

But I did start from behind, over 2 minutes behind.

So technically I won.

But I don't like to win on technically.

I wanted it to be an outright spankin.
Sibling rivalry.

One reason why we didn't play a lot of board games when we were younger.

Pictures will be forthcoming.

After Sidney's 1K, we headed back, ate, cleaned up, and were back out the door to see Lexie model in the "Bridal Show." She was so darling. There was no parking on account of the bridal show, gun show, and what a woman wants show going on at the expo center. I was thinking they should have combined the first two shows into the "shotgun wedding expo."

We savored some bity delicious bites of wedding food and cake then went around the corner to the What a Woman Wants show, bought lots of fun things, then piled in Ang's truck and headed up to the St. Regis at Deer Creek.

Loved the place. It opened just a few months ago. December. We didn't know it was valet only. Rode up the steep slope in a funicular. Tipped a few more people.

Made it to our rooms. Loved having the forgotten toothbrush served on a silver platter.

You know your sisters when you all have matching swimsuit bottoms.

Chocolate brown.

Messing around with the mink throw.

Loved the warmth, texture, and clean lines of the lobby call out for a family room makeover at my house. I've always loved neutrals, browns, tweeds, brass nail heads. If you've been to my house, it is obvious,

I am down with brown.

I just finished reading "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith, who is also the author of 101 Dalmatians. Almost every good movie was a book first!

Anyhow, I noticed in her book that food played a big role in telling the story of how the characters felt and acted. With that in mind, as I looked at the creamy orange sauce, I thought, hmmm, it is almost the same color as my hair. My highlights have grown out, and badly, badly need a touch up.

Earlier, Mom made roasted almonds, yummy smoothies, fresh orange juice, chocolate macadamia nuts, frozen berry fruit bars, granola, orange chicken, creamy spinach and artichoke dip, and more satisfying little quick eats.

Finger foods that I snack on so much they become the meal.

Later in our trip, we dined at the J and G grill which proved to be delicious, though the service was a bit slow. Over 2 1/2 hours for dinner.

Normally when Randy and I go out to eat, we each order something different and then have a taste from each plate. This time Mom was my "date." We shared our asparagus risotto and spring pea soup parmesan. The salmon was cooked in a basil vinaigrette and served on some potatoes, good, but the glazed short ribs were better, ahhhh, cooked so well that when the fork went in it just fell apart.

Mom stepped out to help with baby Havyn, who was not feeling well,

so when dessert was served, I had a little of the passion fruit pavlova and a little

of the warm chocolate lava cake with white mint ice cream.

I waited.

She didn't come back.

So I plunged my fork into the warm chocolate once more.

Then with little encouragement, ate both desserts.

A definite self indulgence my sweet tooth applauded.

"Cheerio and smile!"

This picture was captured by one of Windsor Castle's 10 year veteran employee.

I have always loved accents. In fact, that was part of the reason I dated a guy in college, just to hear his accent.

Tarquin Morkel.
Saying his name alone is almost like speaking with an accent.

Marrying him would have been a mouthful.

Dad, Nate, Cruz joined us for proscuitto paninis and fruit platters on the veranda.

Then I had to catch my plane.

Mom used to wonder if we'd even like each other when we grew up.

Oh, we do.

Ever so much.

It is so great having sisters (I don't really need any other friends)

and a brother

and a great sister-in-law.

I miss and love you all a ton.

Dad and Mom too.

Durango, not so much!

Before we left, Mom gave us each a crown bouble to remind us we are all her "little princesses." Thank you and love you all!!!

FINE at 39

Happy Birthday!

Randy, Daddy, Brother White, "The Man", Mormon Daddy, Randge, Hey Boyfriend, Randog,

Your family is totally in love with you!

This year Makayla and Randy shared their birthday meal atop the Space Needle at Sky City Restaurant. It is a landmark restaurant for a reason, and they had an incredibly yummy meal that was definitely not a marathon training meal.

This year I planned a month ahead.

A surprise birthday trip to have a "Boys Weekend". I called his brother, his boss, and his bishop (it was Randy's month to conduct sacrament meeting, so had to get him out of that).

But sometimes the best laid plans change.

When I finally broke the surprise just days before he was to leave, he said he could but would rather postpone because he had a lot to do before the beginning of the quarter, he wanted warmer weather, and he had just had a break. So I changed the flight and now he gets the bulk of his present in May, over Mother's day weekend, ironic.

So when the official b-day rolled around, I had already given my gift.

However, the "middles" have been collecting golf balls from the "ditch" and the coursee across the street. Their collection was paired with a golf pass to the golf course feet from our hosue, which he has never golfed, it is time . Cayden is excited to share in the golf pass as he is just learning to golf. The "bookends" threw in the annual re-stock of the socks. Randy always says if he was rich, he'd have a new pair of socks every single day because he loves the new feel! Two years ago I got pans for my birthday, so I felt he would appreciate stark white bathroom towels,

for the house,

to share!

Happy Birthday Makayla

It is cliche.

But true.

I thought she would be little forever.

That I'd never stop re-stacking the books on the bookshelf.

Buying diapers.

Watching Teletubbies.

Squelching the urge to make her change out of her princess snow boots worn with her summer shorts and the neon green shoes she has worn every other day.

I'd have to keep finding new parks and school playgrounds to break up the day.

Will she ever stop biting her brother's toes and nose? Will they ever get along?

I'll always get to add bows, barrettes, and curls to her hair.

But it happened.

She grew up.

She's not ALL grown up.

But she is definitely getting there.

Teenager #1.

I think Randy and I should take before and after pictures of us too.

To see how we weather the teenage years.

To see the wisdom we've acquired by Teenager #5 and the gray hair.

To see if we will be beyond ready to be done raising kids at home.

To move on and leave no forwarding address.

Or wishing we had 5 more kids.

Lamenting the fact that it is all true.

When they grow up and are gone, you really do miss all the stuff you thought you wouldn't.

I already miss my Little Missy Mo.

Because she isn't so little anymore.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEENAGER!

Field Trip

It has been awhile since I've gone on a field trip with Makayla. Either my name wasn't chosen or babysitting just didn't work out. But this time it did.

The 7th grade class went to the Cedar River Watershed to study the importance of clean drinking water.

The lake is off limits to the public. We could stand on shore to see it, but not go in. Which we wouldn't have. It was a cold, cold day. Makayla's friend Lucy brought handwarmers and shared. Thank you!

Makayla and Lucy.

Gathering data.

Spring Break #2

No snow this year. At least not at our house. So we drove up to find the little patch there was at Crystal Mountain.

You can't tell we miss the snow.

On another day the Cayden and Madalyn "kidnapped" their friends very early, took them out in publc for public humiliation (the grocery store), and then to make amends, brought them home and made them breakfast.

Cayden is a veteran pancake maker. I can't even think of the last time I made pancakes. His future roommates are gonna love his cookin!Madalyn is awesome at scrambled eggs. I especially like her cheesy eggs.

The Kidnap! By kids, for kids..

Easter, Conference Weekend, Priesthood Dinner...