Spring Break 2012 - Drive Time & Alpacas

Kids started Spring Break on Friday, which was the day I was supposed to start packing for our trip to Florida. Well, I didn't do much packing until about seven pm and I didn't get the last of the shopping or the library stop I wanted done either. Oh well.

Saturday the family participated in the neighborhood tree planting in the morning. I went faster than I thought, which was a good thing.

Cutting off the burlap before digging a hole
placing and mulching the tree

Eric was home by just after noon and we were out the door, on our way to our first stop (South Pittsburg, TN) by 3:30. We got to Tennessee by 10 pm, filled up with gas and then, because the Walkers have chicken pox and we do not yet want to expose the kids to it, we slept in a barn at the construction site of their new place. After scriptures, we went to bed, sleeping with the lights on for the first half of the night and then Eric turned it off. Kids slept just fine, but I think Eric and I had a more difficult time sleeping. We were both cold, so we brought Xela into sleep in our sleeping bag for heat. I was worried that the other three kids were cold, but in the morning they said they were fine. Nate and Neta shared a sleeping bag and we covered Graigry with blankets besides his sleeping bag and Aurora had an extra blanket in her sleeping bag.

It was a good place to crash without having to spring for a hotel room on the Sabbath. We went to church and then visited the Walkers across the lawn for a little while during lunch. We figured that if we were outside with space between us all, the virus couldn't as easily attack us.

We headed for Crystal River, Florida at about 5:30 Sunday evening. Eric and I tried to catch up on some sleep, but the kids could only be reverently, creatively quiet in a construction zone for so long. I let Eric sleep more than I did, figuring I could help keep the kids quiet while easing my need to know what they were doing in unfamiliar territory.

We drove through the night, Eric more than I. We stopped in Atlanta to see the temple.

Eric recieved his endowment in Atlanta before his mission. The gates were closed, so we tried a back way, which didn't get us any closer to the temple, but gave us a chance to get out and walk around and read our 34 verses before starting off for the longer leg of the trip. Eric took over driving in Atlanta as I was tired and was making some not so wise decisions while driving around the temple. Apparently, I can't complain about Eric's driving any more. There really wasn't anyone coming while I was sitting two lanes into the street, really.

We didn't stop for gas until after midnight, so it was Monday and we could make a commercial transaction (we did have to pay a toll on Sunday, which was unexpected, but it was to a machine, so does that make it better?). We got gas and then stopped at a rest stop to "sleep" for a little bit before I took over driving. We drove until about four o'clock and then stopped at a Waffle House for breakfast (and a VERY late dinner. I didn't plan very well and we just had snacks as kids got hungry.). It was very yummy food, more than we could eat, even after the kids did a really good job with their eggs, waffles, choice of bacon, sausage, ham and large glass of orange juice.

Good morning Monday!
First real meal since Saturday night.

We arrived in Crystal River at 7 am. Kids watched television while adults adjusted to a new day. Eric slept for a good portion of the day. At about ten, the kids went swimming.

Fun in the Sun on Spring Break

Floating fun tanning her tongue

Jumping and flipping at the deep end.

They stayed in the pool until after three o'clock, minus the lunch break. Everyone had pink cheeks and were exhausted at dinner. Uncle John woke me up around six for dinner. I took a little nap on a towel in my swimsuit (as evidenced by my pink back). I woke up and it hurt to unbend my elbows as I had my arms tucked into me. I changed back into clothes and moved onto a shaded lawn chair, where I fell asleep after reading a bit. I remember looking at the clock at about three and then I closed my eyes. I was probably asleep for over two hours.

Nate and Neta fell asleep watching tv after swimming was done. We woke them up for dinner around 6:30 and then Neta went back to sleep. Nate made it through half of scriptures and zonked. The three oldest, Eric, Aunt Diane and I watched "The Muppets" and went to bed after that.

Eric and I didn't get out of bed until almost eight. The three youngest we already up and watching Disney channel. It took a bit to get the oldest girls up, but soon we were all up and functioning. With breakfast done, I went on a jog with Xela and Graigry. We got back, the kids played a game,

A quick game of Sorry.

we helped Uncle John and Aunt Diane sort and split wood,

A ride to the wood pile with Aunt Diane

Nate the Great Helper

Graigry the Grand Wood Mover

Neta ready to help with great gloves.
We almost filled that wood box behind Nate.

Splitting, sorting, stacking.

then we had a quick lunch and went to see some Alpaca's. It was an Alpaca farm, Tall Pines Farm, that has, 29 alpacas (if I recall correctly). The kids got to feed them carrots and received kisses of gratitude from some of th alpacas in return. Here are a few photos from our visit.

The girlie Alpacas

Anxiously feeding Alpacas.
A few of them ate the carrots.

"Do I trust all these little hands?"

Kid crew in with the alpaca girlies.

Petting Anabelle

Anabelle thanking Neta with a kiss

Anabelle giving Nate a kiss.
He was excited to get FIVE kisses from the Alpacas.
Such a lady killer!

She sat down & just let the kids pet her

Visiting the guys.
Xela ready to feed Hero

Hero really liked the carrots

Kids didn't go in with the guys,
but they had fun feeding and watching them play
in the hose water.

The kids now want a pet alpaca. Nevermind that you have to have at least two because they are pack animals and that we have no place to put them. The Ratcliff's, who own the farm, were very sweet with the kids and the animals. Several of the animals were rescued and nutured back to full health.

Once we got back "home" the kids got in their suits and spent two hours in the pool. Daddy and I got in and played a little keep away with the oldest two girls. Xela and I were on a team and Ro and Eric were on a team. Eric looks like he was in a fight with a three clawed cat, but I don't remember scratching him.

They are currently playing the Wii. We'll have dinner and then earlier bedtime as tomorrow we'll be getting up early for SEA WORLD! Last time, due to bad weather and postponed shows, Eric talked to the customer relations people and they gave us free tickets if we came back within one year. The year is almost up, so we're redeeming the tickets. Should be a fun day for the family of seven in their yellow caps and shirts.

Crazy week

Working from home on Monday and Friday and working at the law firm Tuesday through Thursday is pretty busy. Add to that relief society calling, having to catch up on the house (not much really gets cleaned when I'm not here) and other "stay at home" jobs, finding time to blog just doesn't happen as often as I would like. I would love to stay caught up on everything all the time, but that is not my life and I need to accept that fact and deal with it. Instead of doing in detail events, I think I'm going to do more photo album style as that is quicker. When I am home, and not doing paid for work, I don't get to the computer.
Today is Sunday and Eric is at church doing clerk stuff, so the computer is free. Thought I'd take advantage of the kids happily playing and a free computer to do a little catch up. I should probably take a nap, but who has time for naps when there is so much to do that doesn't get done other days of the week.

This last week has been CrAzY!! There wasn't a single free night, and I have pictures to prove it.

Monday: For FHE, we went to Nate's kindergarten Spring concert. He told us they could wear jeans, which has always been a no go, so we told him to get in Sunday clothes and we would take jeans. We got to the school and he was right. They were able to wear jeans because they were doing a vacation-farm theme.

In the second row!!
He must be taller than the average Scott.

The Happy Farmer Boy
leaving the stage.

Tuesday: We had our first Relief Society activity for this year. I was so thankful to have people that I could trust to put it all together. I had a small part, but for the most part was able to just show up. I was home for maybe an hour after work before I had to leave for that.

Wednesday, I pulled into the driveway and got into the other car just in time to go to Graigry and Aurora's Spring concerts. Graigry's concert started at six. The songs were all sung in Spanish which was new this year and I thought it was more fun for the kids and the crowd.

They sang Old McDonald.
Graigry was a duck and did
a good Donald Duck "quack" in the microphone.

Not in the front row!
'That's always impressive

Aurora's concert started at seven. It was very similar to the performance Xela did last year. The fifth grade does some American States based songs as that is the topic of study for fifth grade.  She did a good job.

She loves to sing!
Kind of looks like, with the kid next to her,
they are getting ready to hit the prom.

Thursday: I got home from work, ate something quickly, and then piled kids in the car at 5:50 so we could get Xela to her performance by 6:10 and Graigry to cubs by 6:30. Xela's was a band concert; she plays the clarinet and does a good job.

Xela is sitting next to her best friend, Piper Kelly.
In most bands/symphonies I've seen,
That's first chair, which means she's the BEST!

We got to stay for the other two band concerts as Xela couldn't leave. The high school ensemble (there are only 15 people) was pretty good for as small as they are. Kids were ready to leave when it was over though.

Friday was Xela's 12th birthday. She got to wear a special "birthday" shirt in Spanish class and we had a cookout with Dunahee's for dinner. Aurora was taken to a birthday party that same night. Dunahee's were picked up by Bishop and Sister Scott (michelle is in the hospital and Matt has been staying with her) around 8:30. We opened presents and then I took Nate and Neta to Robinsons for the night; picked up Aurora from her party and took her Robinsons for the night so that Eric, Xela and I could go on the youth temple trip EARLY Saturday. Bishop interviewed her Friday night so that she would be able to go on her first temple trip within 24 hours of turning twelve.

Brownies and sherbet!
(I forgot to take a picture of her with the cake
before the candles were blown out. Oopps!)

Cookout for dinner.
It was warm enough for brats,
chips and kool aid outside with friends.

Xela opening hair bands
with other loot to the side.

Xela opening a present from
Gma Hibbert.

Saturday: We had to be at the church by 5 am as the session started at eight o'clock. I was glad that we didn't have to drive. I'd been staying up doing some of the scanning work from 9 to 11 most nights and I was tired (as if getting up at four am isn't enough). It was a good session. I did the towels so that I could watch Xela be baptized. Eric did some of the baptizing and was able to baptize Xela. It was a good thing to see. She is such a good kid.

I love to see the temple;
I did baptisms there today.

I can't believe she is twelve though. Six short years and she will be off to college. Time goes by far too fast.

Sunday is church at nine am. We had a good lesson on sustaining our leaders taught by Ann Larsen. I'm glad she is one of our teachers. She brings the spirit into the class and helps us learn that way instead of just reading the manual.

So there is my week in review. Tomorrow the silhouette goes into the mechanic for an oil change and to "make sure" it will be able to get us to Florida and back over Spring Break. We have free tickets to Sea World that expire April 1 so it's now or never. We went last year and had a wonderful time before facing unemployment. I"m hoping this trip will help us strengthen our family relationships and bond, something that we desperately need right now.

2011 Catch Up

Here are some random photos that I was getting off my phone, that I don't think I've included in anything here. Most are from 2011, I believe. I had to take advantage of Eric not being on the computer to update the blog. If I don't do it now, I'll be two years behind before much longer.

These are in no particular order.

Neta's First Hair Cut

Ready and waiting for the
drop cloth.

The stylist had Neta get out of the chair
at one point because the hair
was too long & Neta too short for the chair.

A piece of hair to keep.
It's been with her since she was born.
First hair cuts are always fun.

Didn't take much off;
enough to make a difference though.

Eric has taken her for another hair cut since this one. Her hair is still long and beautiful. It will be brown before much longer though.

Neighborhood Clean Ups

Summer and Fall RMS10 clean ups
are just part of the Scott routine.

Xela in the background
Nate in the front
shoveling leaves & dirt out of curbs.

Graigry and Neta sweeping the streets.

Eric got a water collector
that got FILTHY with algae.
Eric wanted it to get cleaned out
so it could have some better water for the
neighborhood garden.
Graigry & Ro volunteered to get in
and get to work.

There's a peek inside.
NASTY!
But they had fun & got it clean.

Summer Sandman

Nate, Graigry and Neta
had fun playing in the sand.
We spent the summer fixing up a new rental.
The kids were great at keeping busy.

Summer Sparkle

Love the dirty face!

Storehouse Helper

Neta helping daddy at the Bishop storehouse.

Reward for a good deed.
Chocolate milk after the storehouse.
Yummy!

Fun Floor

Clean and clear bamboo floors
can provide some entertainment.

There are a few photos off my phone; a fun stroll down memory lane.

Christmas Day 2011

SO, I started this post months ago and obviously never posted it. I must have put in the text and waited for the computer with the pictures. Now that it's MARCH and the computer is free, let me update you on the 2011 Scott Christmas. (Talk about being behind schedule. Sheesh!)

This Christmas was unexpectedly a prosperous one, as far as gifts go. I bought a few gifts here and their for the kids, family from Florida sent a box of presents for the kids and then we received a couple from Bishop and Betty Scott as well as the granparents and Neil.

I tried to get the wrapping done before Christmas Eve as neither Eric nor I wanted to stay up late for presents. I got the majority done on Christmas Eve's Eve while Eric was out with the big girls and the little kids stayed home and we found a movie on television. I think we were in bed between 10 and 11.

Here is a picture of the tree on Christmas Eve.

With Christmas being on a Sunday, and us having church at one o'clock, we decided that we would open presents before church. It took a lot longer than Eric or I thought. We started around nine and didn't get done and presents headed to their destinations until around 11. Then there was get showered (parents), get dressed and get going by 12:45. We made it.

Here are photos of Christmas morning with a few insights with them.

A fluffy sock mustache

Awaiting magnetic creations

Graigry's favorite animal:
CHEETAH!

New Sunday Shoes
(from Xela; Ro always asked to use them.)

Books to add to Xela's
expanding collection

Sping and Pick
Eric blindfolded & spun each kid ...

...then they got to pick a present.
Whose ever name was on the present,
got to open it.

Pretty princess
in a new Christmas dress

Nate the Great
in a new suit.

One box for five kids turns into a....

PILLOW FIGHT!!!

Snug and bugs in blankets

Five little monkeys
with their stuffed animals
and stockings.

After seeing how much fun Nate and Neta had playing with my Mandy and Mikey dolls, the ones I played with when I was 8 - 10ish, I decided that I would see if I could find the Becky and Jenny dolls and give those to the girls for Christmas. I still had all my clothes for them and I've been saving them for when the girls were old enough to take care of them. Neta is a little young, but I wanted her to be a part of something with her big sisters. I asked Amy to make some clothes for the dolls so there would be enough clothes to share and help eliminate any fighting. Amy sent some great outfits. Sister Bettie Scott also made each doll a dress, which was absolutely wonderful. There has been no fighting and many outfits for sleep, school and fun.

I can't believe I don't have a picture of them opening those particular gifts. I must have been too caught up in the moment to capture it on film. Dork! It was special for me to give something that I played with as a girl to my oldest girl. Maybe Mandy will survive another 15-20 years. Then she'd really be a collector's item (I can't believe I'm old enough to have played with something that is now a collector's item).

Christmas was a good time. After church, we spent the day building legos, dressing dolls and enjoying some unstructured family time. That doesn't happen very often.