Merry Christmas everybody!

The job search saga

Well, I've been putting in for jobs. Filling out applications is one thing. But so many times I've seen it where you throw out applications and never hear anything back. At least this time I've been getting some interviews.

I put in for a position as an educational assistant at Grandhaven -- similar to what Mom did, but part-time. I had an interview for that job today, and I think it went well. It was definitely better than my last interview.

The last interview was a surprise, and very quick. I'd found the opening on Monster and put in to work the front desk at a nursing home -- Osprey Court. The next day I set up an interview for the day after that. I tried to prepare, but when it started, I kept drawing a blank. I didn't get that job.

Oh, and earlier today, as I was getting ready to go to the district office, I got a phone call inviting me to come in for an interview at the steel mill. They have an opening for a clerk. I have a feeling that there might be more competition for this job, but at least they want to meet with me.

And while I was at the district office, I also put my name in for a position as librarian assistant at Wascher. That job is almost perfect; it would be perfect if it only had more hours.

reunion receipts

At long last, we've run through the food receipts from the family reunion.  We spend approximately $425 on food give or take a few dollars.  We budgeted for $500, so we have $75 left to split between the four couples and Tawnia and Emily.  It comes out to $15 per couple and $7.50 each for Tawnia and Emily.  If you want, we can send you a check.  Or we can just leave the money there as seed money for the next family reunion.  Let us know what you all want to do or if someone else has a better idea.

Not good news

I got laid off. Not enough residents at the nursing home. Part of me is a little relieved, since I didn't much like my job. Most of me is frustrated; I don't like unemployment.

cousin book exchange for Christmas AND sibling exchange notes

I didn't realize I hadn't posted this yet, even though I figured out the names awhile ago. Here is the list for the cousin book exchange for Christmas:

Summer --> Stevie
Marnie --> Henry  
Jenna --> Allie
Tenley --> Joshy

Stevie --> Brooke
Allie --> Bryan

Brooke --> Summer
Bryan --> Jenna
Emma --> Marnie

Joshy --> Emma
Henry --> Tenley

Eric and Nathan, you can send the packages to my house because Jared and his family are spending Christmas here. (Or Nathan can give it to Mom to put in her luggage.)

For the sibling exchange, maybe I'm just still on pregnancy brain but I didn't really follow what Mindy was saying about the letters/ornament exchange. Why would you just take a picture of an ornament instead of sending the actual ornament? And I do a year-in-review letter anyway every year and send it out with all my Christmas cards. Some kind of Christmas decoration (not just ornaments) could be fun, especially if it's homemade.

I also like useful gifts rather than useless - I'm so tight on space with cramming 4 kids into a 2-bedroom house that I don't have room for useless things. Books would also be good. Adam is of the opinion that there is no such thing as "too many" books.

for the record

Just so you all know, I'm holding Emily, Eric, and Amanda responsible for Tenley coming so LATE! Yes, coming at 40 weeks is LATE! Everyone else guessed the last week of September, and those 3 put their guesses for right up against the due date. Punks, all 3 of you.

I really really really do not want to be induced - when I was induced with Jenna, the stupid epidural did absolutely nothing to ease off the trauma of the pitocin and having my water broken for me. I'd actually kind of like to try to have this baby naturally, since I had ineffective pain killers with Jenna and also got stabbed in my back multiple times because the anesthesiologist didn't get the stent in with one attempt. Natural childbirth isn't going to be much worse than Jenna's birth, if it does surpass it in the first place.

Anyway, this week I've been doing much better with my energy level and fewer contractions and all. All the physical gear-up for labor has totally backed off. SIGH. At least I feel better. The latest discussion with my doctor was that he'll induce me whenever I want - he originally suggested this week. The final decision is that we'll let Tenley go all the way to 40 weeks to see if she comes on her own because that's what I'd prefer, and probably induce on the 17th if she doesn't because then all the age-bracket risks start to jump. I'm comfortable with that time frame. But I still really hope she comes before then, except NOT on the 8th because that's Marnie's birthday.

(Recommendation to all the sisters and sisters-in-law - obviously you need to discuss/decide this with your husband and the Lord. But my advice is to have as many of your children as possible and maybe even be done before you're 35. The minute you turn 35, obstetricians get REALLY paranoid and want to subject you to all kinds of extra tests and monitoring when pregnant. It's really obnoxious.)

time for the baby guesses

I'm now 35 weeks and I've been having contractions since we got back from Nauvoo over a month ago. I'm gearing up for labor-mode, so if you're going to make guesses as to when Tenley will arrive and her length/weight, whatever statistics you're shooting for ... now would be the time to do it.

Based on all the scheduling issues we have around here these days, I'm hoping she comes either on the weekend of Sept 24th/25th, or Wednesday the 28th. Well heck, I hope she comes on the weekend just so I'm done - I'd kind of like to resume breathing sooner rather than later. That means, of course, that she'll come on Mon/Tues (26/27) like all of her sisters even though those are the worst days for her to come. Mondays and Tuesdays are our busiest days for being out of the house with regularly scheduled things - Summer's dance, Marnie's dance, a music class, and the library. Plus, Adam has some stuff at work those two particular days.

Happy guessing!

sibling Christmas exchange year 5

My turn to be excited for Christmas this year.  Someone has posted before me in regards to it, but I figured I'd take the lead and get the sibling exchange sorted out for the 5th year.  I did go over the previous years to make sure there haven't been any duplicates yet, and came up with this configuration:

Trina - Emily
Eric - Nathan
Jared - Trina
Tawnia - Clarissa
Emily - Tawnia
Nathan - Mindy
Mindy - Eric
Clarissa - Jared

As for a theme, we've used something inspirational, a memory, food, and FHE in a box.  Jared suggested something completely useless.  As a counter suggestion I would say something useful.  A lot of what I get for Christmas is useless fluff, and would love to get something with a purpose.  I was on the phone with Tawnia this morning and she suggested a book exchange, like the cousins do.  Any other opinions?

I just had a thought about doing an ornament exchange?  Either with the sibling, or sending them to all the siblings (or just to Mom and Dad) .. finding a Christmas ornament that is specific to your family or location or stage of your life.  We could put those along with a year-in-review sort of letter.  I was just thinking about our memory letters of years past - I love reading those, and thought a review letter would be good to have for personal history and future reading.  Or instead of sending the ornament to everyone, just include a picture of it with your letter, so you can have it for future years.

Anyway, give your thoughts or suggestions on all of this so we can figure out what we want to do this year!

Requests

Trina started the Christmas things going so I thought I'd put my two cents in. I have a couple of ideas of gifts for the grandkids but I need some help from you. I need to know the kids t-shirt sizes. I also need their head measurements. How big around is each kids head? And I need their favorite colors. I think that's it for now. I'm not promising anything but I'll try to make them something. Dad would also like any pictures or videos you took during our reunions this summer including coming and going. It would be nice if you could tell us when and where they were taken. I've pulled some off Trina's blog and off facebook but the resolution is lower when you do it that way so if you could put them on the FTP that would be best. I made a folder on the main page to put them in, "Palmer Reunion 2011".

Thanks, MOM

Christmas exchanges?

I know, I know. It's still August. But hey! 4 months from today is Christmas Eve! And I've got a lot to do between now and then, so I'm starting on my Christmas planning now.

Just wanted to make sure that all the applicable parents are on board with the cousin book exchange - this is the 5th year. Yay! I actually really like choosing the books for the other kids - it's fun for me. Although, maybe this year I'll let Summer and Marnie choose what book they give to their cousin - narrow it down to 3 or 4 options and let them pick.

Yes or no on the sibling exchange again? Theme? The first year, we had "something that inspires you." I don't remember the 2nd year (2008). The 3rd year was food, and last year was FHE in a box. All of them good ideas - I wouldn't mind doing any of them again, or something new.

Palmer Family Reunion Mad-Libs

Here we are at the Palmer family reunion in playful Nauvoo. I've been forbidding forward to this for 1,000,273 nanoseconds, and I know you're just as itchy.

We've come from all over -- Virginia, Mississippi, and McDonald's. We came by car and by camel. Some of us exploded at the zoo and saw lions and tigers and roller-coasters -- oh my!

At Nauvoo, we saw fish heads built in the year 17. We enjoyed the pageant with all the singing and splaining. Our family talent show is even more sparkly. Rosemary will tease the songs "Row, Row, Row Your TV" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Lazy Beret." Grandma will tell stories about our barrels -- such as the time Summer built a fire in the spray can or when her wood said, "The Jello is flammable." At the reunion, Adam is in charge of all the screaming -- except when Eric makes purple food. Yummy!

One more thing -- I call dibs on the duck bed!

moving

Announcement!

We will be moving (just a couple miles) soon. How soon? Well, we've started packing. We plan to have everything packed up and cleaned before we leave for the reunion, and we'll load it into a truck and take it to our new apartment on Saturday August 6, right after we get home again.

I'll send the address and other pertinent information out later.

Video challenge update!

First of all, congratulations Aaron and Mindy!

B: It has taken me less time than I expected to edit all the videos together into one big conglomeration of awesomeness. So, here is a brand-new, one-time special offer. If you want to submit any additional videos (like if you missed one of the challenges, or something) you still can! Yay!

Also, BONUS CHALLENGE!

Boot to the Head!

movies

Jared,
What is the absolute date that these movies can be in? We are working on them and don't want to miss out.
Too bad we won't be there. We are jealous that all the grandkids will be there except ours, and that you and Trina and Eric will be there and we haven't seen you in years (five years for you and Trina).

Last two weeks!

Just a reminder, I need everybody else's videos sent to me within the next TWO WEEKS for inclusion at the reunion! Great big thank yous to everyone who has already contributed!

Video challenge!

I know, it's not June quite yet, but our school year has ended, so it's close enough for me.

Our sixth and final video challenge is called... "RANDOM DANCING!!!"

In recap, the challenges are all as follows:

1. I'm a Little Teapot

2. What's Your Sign?

3. Pump your own gas

4. Tell a joke

5. Oops!

6. Random Dancing!!!

So far, I've gotten videos from Mom, Dad, Emily, Trina, and Tawnia. I'd love to see some videos from everyone - you don't even have to do all of them! We just really want to have everyone involved in what is shaping up to be a really fun project. I think everyone will love the result, even more so if you took part in it. Eric, Nate, Mindy, Clarissa, I'm talking to you.

That being said.... I need to impose a deadline. I want to have all the videos compiled and edited so we can watch them at the reunion, and I'm going to need some time to get that done. Therefore, I need to have all your videos filmed and sent to me (just upload them to the ftp folder and let me know) by the end of June. That way, I can edit them all together in July in time for the reunion.

reunion challenges

Here's the Caudle update for the reunion challenges -

Read the entire Book of Mormon: Adam has completed it himself so he gets the prize. We started reading it as a family and we do read EVERY DAY but there's no way we're going to finish before the reunion. We get through only about 10 verses at a time and we're in Alma 10 or 11 as of today. Well, we're trying! I'm not reading the Book of Mormon for my personal reading because I'm still working through the Old Testament (and wow, is it ever WORK to read the Old Testament!), and I'm teaching Sunday School out of the New Testament right now. My brain can do only so much lately.

Memorize the Family Proclamation: Adam has been working on this as well and is almost done. I should do it - I'm a question mark.

Family food storage/emergency supplies: my challenge ... is anyone doing this? I'll keep the prize all to myself, if no one is! Adam found a news article the other day that the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has recently released information on "what to do in case of a zombie attack." No kidding! It said in the article that it's so "interesting" that preparing for a zombie attack is just the same as preparing for a hurricane or an earthquake. Imagine that! Very funny PR campaign and a good way to get people's attention when normally they just tune out - "yeah yeah get ready for a hurricane." But getting ready for ZOMBIES! Totally different!

Jared's video challenge: Tawnia did our filming when she was here in March. I think she missed one of them but five out of six ain't bad! I just have no idea if the video clips actually made it to Jared. Tawnia, did you send them to him? I know they're in my computer somewhere, but I have no idea how to access them or send them to Jared if I knew where they were. Can you please give him the clips? Thanks!

Did I miss anything?

Question

Hey Everyone,

I need a head count of who is completing and/or attempting my challenge so that I can make my final decision on how to do prizes. I have some ideas but I'm not sure which to go with.

As for myself, I'm less than 30 chapters of being back to where I was in the Book of Mormon when Mom made the challenge so that one is almost completed. I've filmed one of the videos for Jared's challenge but still need to do the others.... maybe today? And I don't think I'm going to get to Trina's challenge. At this point I'm in the midst of packing things and giving things away as quickly as possible so that I can leave for the summer. And I am trying to memorize the Proclamation on the Family.

It's not to late for anyone else to make a challenge. It doesn't have to be anything big and the prize doesn't have to be anything huge either. (Something from the dollar store or even a hug for a smaller challenge, OR you could serenade the person that does the best whatever with a song you made up for them.... on the spot.) So yeah, let's do some more fun challenges if you'd like.... even those of us who have already made challenges. I'm really enjoying Jared's challenge and can't wait to see the videos.

Love you all! Can't wait to see all of you at some point this summer.

Love,

Tawnia

Sightseeing after the reunion

Before I can get plane tickets, I need to figure out when and from which airport to fly home. Personally, I'm not in a big hurry to get back to mopping floors, so I was thinking of staying around until the next Saturday.

Who else is thinking about doing some sightseeing? Tawnia, Mom, and Dad, at least. Anyone else?

Mom talked about seeing the sites in Independence and Liberty, and I thought about flying out from that side of the state. But then she talked about going back to St. Louis. So I wondered why drive all the way across the state (about 4 hours one way) just to turn around and come back? There's plenty to do in St. Louis.

The zoo is free (except for the parking). There's a temple in St. Louis. There's the Gateway Arch and several museums. There are Indian mounds 8 miles away in Illinois. Trina and Adam's girls might like the Children's Museum.

But I don't want to be the only one making these decisions. So, who else wants to sightsee? And what do you want to do?

sdoo

,,˙oops,, :sı ǝɯǝɥʇ s,ɥʇuoɯ sıɥ┴ ¡ǝƃuǝllɐɥɔ oǝpıʌ ʇxǝu ǝɥʇ ɹoɟ ǝɯıʇ s,ʇı suɐǝɯ ʇɐɥʇ os 'ʎɐW s,ʇI

Oh, wait, it's not May yet? Oops.

temple day

I realized that not everyone knows the news: Aaron is going through the temple for the first time on Saturday, April 9th. Yes, that's only two days away. We're going to the Cardston temple. If anyone else has the chance to be in the temple on Saturday (11:30 mountain time) we would love to feel of your spirit. We're going to wait until we go to Oregon to get sealed - so at least some of the family can be there!

We did look into what it would take to go to Nauvoo - $800 for a plane ticket. And we would need two. Driving would take a long time, and a whole lot of gas (and we only have an SUV). Just too expensive for us right now! We'll just stick with our Oregon trip - a lot less time and money. Be we still are planning on doing the reunion video challenges, so we can be part of the fun.

And our Oregon trip will probably take place at the end of May, beginning of June. My residency interview is on the 28th of this month, and we aren't sure how much longer it will be after that. We're hoping my residency is granted immediately, so Aaron can put me on his taxes and I can look for work. Once Aaron gets his tax return back we'll be on our way!

Other than all that, everything is great up here. Aaron is working, I'm babysitting and painting, and we both play lots of games.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Was it an African chicken or a European chicken?

(pause for laughter)

Happy New Month everybody! Here is your video challenge for April. Tell a joke!

reunion challenges

Just out of curiosity... who all is participating in the challenges for the family reunion?

We're not doing Trina's food storage challenge, but Brooke, Bryan, and I are all working on the Book of Mormon challenge.

I'm still planning to memorize the Proclamation. (Brooke thinks it's too much and wants to keep working on the Articles of Faith.)

As for my video challenges, we're going to do them, and I've already gotten videos from Mom and Dad and Emily. I know Trina and Tawnia are going to do them this week. Is anyone else doing them? I'd love to see videos from Eric, Nate, Mindy, and Clarissa. Even if you can't make it to the reunion, we'd love to "see" you there!

March video challenge

Oregon statute 480.320 Use of coin-operated pumps and dispensing of gasoline by self-service declared hazardous.

48 out of 49 non-Oregon states respectfully disagree.

Here's an interesting tidbit - there are members of our family who, having lived in Oregon since obtaining their driver's licenses, have never pumped their own gas. This is especially fascinating to members of our family who have never lived in Oregon, and therefore never NOT pumped their own gas.

So, here is your video challenge for March: everyone, pump your own gas. Including those people who... well, you know who you are.

Reunion Notes

Greetings my children,

Some time ago, Jared asked for an update about the costs of the reunion in Nauvoo. The housing cost is $188 per adult or $376 per couple (kids are free). That's for 4 nights. I just talked to Trina about the food and she suggested we estimate high so we have enough to work with. We can always return funds if need be. Let's say $50 per adult or $100 per couple and again kids are free. Adam will draw up a menu a month or so before the reunion - if you want input contact him. So the total cost per couple is $476 - which isn't bad at all.

I also have a question regarding the Book of Mormon challenge that I issued a few months back. How many of you are accepting this challenge? I need to know how many rewards to make, so if the kids are reading with you - please let me know. I have them mentally designed but need to get busy and make them.

As for the other challenges we've received, we're working on them. I've done an inventory of all the home canned and frozen fruits and veggies I have so I can track how much we use, and I figured out how much toilet paper we use in a year - we almost have a year's supply of that. I've been working on my memorization of the Family Proclamation. We've found our sign for February's video challenge and will film it when we have a dry day and I don't have a rotten cold.

I have another project concerning the reunion which will unfold in the next few weeks. Hope you all enjoy it.

Love always,
MOM

new calling

We finally found out about Aaron's new calling. He was set apart today as the second counselor in the Elders Quorum. He was pretty surprised to be called, and is a little nervous since he has no idea what he's doing, but we're both excited for the new experiences to come.

request for pictures

I have a bulletin board in my kitchen that I put pictures on of my family - especially my nieces and nephews. I've realized that most of them need to be updated! The most recent was from Eric at Christmas. Nathan and Amanda gave me some the Christmas before, from Trina the Christmas before that, and Jared sent some probably around that same time too (Emma isn't more than six months old). I don't need anything much - group shots or wallet sized would be enough. OR, instead of printing and mailing stuff, could you please post lots of pictures on Facebook or here? I'm in a painting sort of mood, and Amanda has requested something of her boys, but I feel bad that I've done so much of them and not as much of the either kids (but then I was around them and able to take my own pictures). Emma is already two, and I haven't done anything of her yet! I need pictures to work from though!


And instead of just requesting, I'll give an update as well. Still lots of waiting in the frozen north. According to the immigration website they are up to processing paperwork received on May 1st - and our was received on the 26th. So it should be soon! Then I'll be able to work for a while before kids come along. Aaron is getting a new calling at church, but it's through the stake, and signals got crossed at church, so we have no idea what, just that it's coming. With Aaron doing that, I got shuffled around in Primary so I'll be teaching the Sunbeams. There's only two of them, so it should be fun. Other than that, just painting lots, trying to stay busy, selling my cards, and staying happy and warm.

New Challenge!

Happy Groundhog's Day!

Here is your video challenge for February. I call it What's Your Sign?

Find a sign that is funny or ridiculous in some way. Be sure and get yourselves in the video, to prove that you actually found the sign in real life, and not just on the internet like I did with the picture here.

As a backup plan, if you are not able to find a funny sign, then you could always find a regular sign, and MAKE it funny in some way. (I mean reading it or acting it out or something, not drawing cartoon characters on it.)

Our Mission

Hi,

I think Eric misread Trina's intention. I didn't feel like she was suggesting that our children make the plans and decisions for us. We've been rather negligent in discussing our plans with you, but we have been talking about them. We need to look into the financial end of things and see what is required. As I told Trina on the phone we should be OK financially as long as there is still Social Security and PERS. Our house will be paid off sometime in 2012 so we won't have those payments anymore. But if you want to set money aside, just in case we need it, that would be wonderful. We also appreciate the idea of a fast. We were discussing some of our options as to what when and where and decided we need to pray more about it. We have our own ideas of what we would like but is that what Heavenly Father wants us to do?

Thanks so much for your love and support,
MOM & DAD

I didn't intend for us - the kids - to make plans in their behalf, particularly the WHAT and WHEN. I thought it would be nice to have a fast together in support of their decision-making process, and encourage them to work towards a mission. I talked to Mom yesterday on the phone and she said that the target is the summer of 2014. Yeah, it's 3 1/2 years off, but still, it's a specific target out there.

I do think that us kids will be involved in the HOW - missions are expensive. Mom and Dad are confident right now that their retirement and government programs and all will cover the money aspect of a mission. I'm less confident in those sources of income because of what I'm observing from the government's/country's current and potential financial situation. And even if they can pay for it themselves, I still plan to help because they helped pay for my mission. And I can plan my own finances to accommodate that if I know at least the WHEN.

Mom and Dad's Mission

I will admit, I was a little surprised by Trina's feeling that we (the children) need to make plans for Mom and Dad. I mean, this is a pretty personal decision, especially the WHAT and WHEN.

That said, I'm all for encouraging Mom and Dad (and the rest of us) to serve missions. It's a great experience.

More on parents' missions plans

Our home teachers came last Sunday, and Dad said that he and Mom are planning and training for a mission. They're thinking about either family history or serving in a temple. Mom has a lot of experience with helping people with family history already, and she's also helping with FamilySearch Indexing. Mom and Dad also work in the temple every Saturday, so they're getting lots of experience there.

Either one of those missions would be wonderful for our parents.

Mom and Dad mission plans

Hi all. I think we've known for forever that Mom and Dad want to serve a mission, and plan to "when Dad retires." That's what I've always been told. Recently, particularly after reading the January and February 2011 Ensigns, I've been feeling like it's time to make some specific plans. Here are some things to consider and discuss:

1. Mom and Dad setting a specific target date to turn in their papers.
2. Mom and Dad going through what their options are as senior missionaries - regular proselyting (which is still modified - no tracting for you guys), office work for a mission, family history, temple, etc. and have a family fast to help them decide what particular mission assignment to submit for.
3. Start a savings account specific to the mission goal. I know that everyone is in different phases of life with their personal finances, and everyone would need to discuss with their spouse if/when to contribute to this savings account or help with paying for the mission when Mom and Dad leave. But if I'm told correctly, senior couples do not have the flat monthly contribution that the youth do - their finances are structured differently and I believe they're a lot more responsible for their own costs. I don't know. It's definitely something to check on so we know what we're getting ourselves into.

Thoughts?

FHE from Tawnia

FHE for Mom and Dad was slightly different from what I did for Emily.

Song: I made Emily a CD of "Happy Songs" with everything from the techno version of Winnie the Pooh to Viva La Vida by Cold Play. So, not neccesarily religous stuff. For Mom and Dad, the first half of their CD had some different versions of hymns that I had on my computer.

Lesson: For Emily, I downloaded some BYU devotionals and then told her where to find more on-line. There are free podcasts of current and past BYU devotionals. For Mom and Dad, I downloaded some talks from the October General Conference.

Activity: For both Emily, and Mom and Dad, I created a year long picture scavenger hunt for them to complete. There is basically one picture per week, but they could do more in one week and then skip another week if they wanted.

Refreshments: I got chocolate for Emily and a gift card to the Olive Garden for Mom and Dad.

So.... if you would like me to send you a copy of the scavenger hunts (they are slightly different) just send me an e-mail and I'll send one out to you.

FHE in a box

Mom commented that she really liked the FHE activities that Tawnia and I put together for her and Dad. We really liked what Eric and Laurel put together for us, and we want to do everyone's! That's 2 months worth of FHE! So please post them here on the blog!

I posted what Eric and Laurel put together for us here if you want to do it too.

What we did for Mom and Dad, and for Clarissa and Jeremy was this:

MUSIC
Sing the song "Scripture Power" - this link has an mp3 with the music and a pdf with the sheet music and words.

LESSON
Each of you share your favorite scripture story or prophet – why this means something to you and how you try to apply those specific lessons in your life.

Read and discuss the following scriptures:
2 Nephi 32:3
D&C 84:85
Mosiah 1:7
1 Nephi 15:24

Discuss the following:
How can you each improve your personal scripture study?
How can you improve your scripture study as a couple?
Set at least one goal for each of these to work on over the next month. Write it in your journal, and assess in one month.

MORE MUSIC
Sing the songs "Search, Ponder, and Pray" in the Primary songbook and "The Iron Rod" in the hymnal.

ACTIVITY
Use watercolors to paint a picture of your favorite scripture story.

Nauvoo notes part ??

I've already gone through that website that Mom posted, and I was actually going to work out a suggested itinerary to make sure we can get all the shows in. Not that anyone HAS to participate in everything or anything at all, but just so everyone knows what's available and when.

I vote for the wagon ride and definitely work in temple sessions (two? So we can switch off who watches the kids) for the adults. Too bad Brooke won't be 12 yet! That would have been neat for her to do temple baptisms up there!

I wonder if the handcart trek might be a bit out of our league. Our stake youth conference was up there last summer and they did the handcart trek. Everyone, including the leaders, described it as being rather brutal. One handcart weighs 500 pounds, and they're EMPTY. It took at least 2-3 people - teenagers and adults - to move the darn thing at all, and if they were going uphill, it took the whole group to get it up. Except for Brooke and Bryan, all the kids are pretty small still. Stevie and Summer will both be 5, and it just gets younger from there. Based on the kids' ages, it might be a challenging hike if we just walked the trail without the handcart because we'd end up carrying most of them for at least part of it. Just a thought.

I'd love to participate in Jared's challenge, but we don't have a camcorder. I think Tawnia's camera has video capability - maybe she'll film Summer and Marnie and Jenna doing Jared's things when she's here. (But that would mean we need to ask for the April/May/June challenges early, since she'll be here in March.) We will begin rehearsing "I'm a Little Teapot" during FHE.

More Reunion Plans

Here is a site you might want to look at when planning what to do in Nauvoo this summer. The shows and activities listed are all summer long - not just during the pageant. Dad and I were there this past summer and we saw most of the shows and did some of the activities. I'm sure all the kids will really enjoy the show "Just Plain Anna-Amanda". I also think it would be fun to do a handcart trek together and perhaps a wagon ride. Look it over and get excited we are.

Thanks Jared for what looks like a fun challenge. I hope everyone accepts it. Dad and Emily are asleep but I'm sure they'll do it along with me.

I also wanted to thank you all for the Family Home Evenings. We're having fun with them. So far we've done one from Tawnia and the one from Trina and family. It's helping us do better at having family night each week.

Love ya,
MOM

Video challenge!

Okay, it's January, so I figured it's time for me to issue my challenge to the family. I got Michelle and the kids involved in this too. We are issuing a VIDEO SCAVENGER HUNT challenge. There will be six individual challenges, which I will reveal on a monthly basis, now through June. Everyone needs to capture the monthly challenge on video, and send me the clip. I'll compile them all for viewing at the reunion (and afterward on Youtube or something).

Just a few simple rules. Get everyone in the household involved on camera (where applicable). Be creative. Have fun.

Video challenge number one: "I'm a Little Teapot."

reunion update

The deposit has been sent for the lodge in Nauvoo for the family reunion. We're in motion! A couple of notes:

The dates have been slightly adjusted because one of the days we wanted was not available. (And yes, I called before noon on New Year's Day. Someone else beat me to it.) Instead of Fri-Tues, we are Sat-Wed. in Nauvoo.

Check in: 3 pm Saturday July 30, 2011.
Check out: 11 am Wednesday August 3, 2011.
Nauvoo Log Cabins, Weary Traveler lodge

Please note that Sat. July 30 is the LAST day of the Nauvoo Pageant and all the accompanying presentations. Here's the list of what and when.  The sooner you can get to Nauvoo on the 30th, the better.

At this time, the reservation is just for the lodge and NOT for an extra smaller cabin. This is factoring in that Nathan, Mindy, and Clarissa and their families are not planning to attend. If anything changes with anyone's plans (either to attend or to cancel), the money numbers will need to be adjusted accordingly so please let Dad know as soon as possible. If anyone else adds, we will probably need to get the extra cabin because we're over the numbers on the lodge as it is. It has beds for 13 people - right now, the headcount is 10 adults and 8 kids.

We were able to pay cash for the entire deposit. If you have NOT already paid in full, which is most of us, may I suggest that sending Dad a little bit at a time over the next few months so you're not hit with the full amount in July. We are required to give the full amount of money in cash (not credit cards) when we check IN to the lodge, NOT when we check out like at a regular hotel. Also, please keep in mind that we have not figured out food expenses yet. A little more will be needed for that.

Any questions?