Septemer 30, 2011

I was walking with a friend several years ago. She shared with me how their mom always made conference weekend special. She said they would watch morning conference in their pajamas and their mom would always prepare each person's favorite treat or snack. They would have new notebooks and markers to use. She remembers looking forward to conference all year.

Since that conversation, I have tried to make conference weekend more fun for the family. Some years I do a lot more than others. Some years (like this year) I have things planned that we never even get around to. But it really has made a difference.  I find myself looking forward to the first weekend of October and April.

This is what each person picked for their treat:
Darren: Beef jerky
Sonja: Pretzel M&M's
E1: Lime tortilla chips
E2: Gummy Peachy rings
E3: 7 Layer Bean Dip
N: Gummy Bears

It worked out that I didn't have to make hardly anything this year... just the bean dip. I haven't felt well since the game Friday night. I seriously got way to into the game. After one play I whoo-hoo'd so hard I actually felt something kinda pop inside my chest and I felt faint and started seeing stars. Yes I know this is extreme. I want to clarify I am not an out of control fan. But I do take my responsibility as a supporting viewer very seriously :). But anyway, my voice is gone and I've felt wiped out. I'm sure most of it is NOT game related.

I did make these yummy sandwiches for lunch.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/rwop-finalist-sassy-tailgate-sandwiches/detail.aspx

We had them with pickle spears. This is a great recipe to feed a crowd that can be made well in advance. I used honey baked ham and swiss rather than the cheese in the recipe. I also doubled it so we could have it for dinner too :)


After conference we stumbled acrossed a show called "A 5000 day project: TWO BROTHERS".

http://byutv.org/watch/152c381b-b220-481a-869a-b077b9aa5354

We watched it together as a family. It ended up having a BYU football connection so even Nathan got into it. It was really worth the time to watch. As a Family and Human Development major in college I remember reading about studies that follow people over their life time.

Below is a bio from a website about the project:
In the unique new documentary series The 5,000 Days Project, director Rick Stevenson sets off to present an authentic depiction of growth and growing up from the perspective of over 100 different kids through 10 years of their lives. Stevenson not only shows their highlights and joys but also their struggles and heartaches in coming to know who they are and what they stand for. This daunting project finds its first success in the completion of 'Two Brothers', the story of Sam and Luke Nelson and their struggle to find love for each other and themselves.

The scope of this project is remarkable: in addition to simply telling the story of two maturing young boys, the film also allows viewers to watch the candid development of 10 years in the matter of an hour and a half. Stevenson’s interviews are honest presentations of what the boys actually feel and how those feelings alter from childhood to young adulthood, including their struggles with brotherhood, depression, peer pressure, forgiveness and growth in their Mormon faith. As a Protestant Christian, Stevenson got a front-seat view of the oft-misunderstood LDS religion, and the result is a compelling, eye-opening account of growing up in America today.

Here is some footage Darren shot of E2 dancing at some of our local football games. I should have specified to him that I wanted the dances each on their own SEPERATE file :).
It has been fun to watch her perform. It has brought back a lot of memories of my own drill days including just how hard it is to dance on grass!! And now everytime a football player spits on the grass I think to myself, "PLEASE don't do that :)". HA.

September 5 - September 11, 2010

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N's First Days of School (two years of preschool - 2nd grade)

To play the slideshow, first click on the large green "PLAY" arrow and then the smaller "Play" arrow that will appear under the pictures.

E3's First Days of School (pre-school to 5th grade)

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E2's First Days of School (Preschool to 8th Grade)

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E1's First Days of School (preschool to 11th grade)

Click the green play and then the PLAY button on the bottom to start the slideshow.