Weekend in the Bend Sunshine

We spent from Friday to Tuesday in Bend. It was a beautiful sunny weekend.
Jeanette was so generous to let us stay with her. We had a ton of fun. Jeanette got to take care of some horses and cows for a friend who was out of town so on two different days we got to visit this gorgeous property and see the animals and jump on their trampoline.
We went to the High Desert Museum. It had an outdoor pioneer home and shop and mill. There were old fashioned kids games that we all had a ton of fun with. The kids got to try drilling with an old fashioned drill and got to dig with small shovels into little wheelbarrows. They could have stayed there all day. They had so much fun. I loved the gorgeous sunshine, the stick games, the people in costume and the wonderful animals and plants.

Jake says he loved going to the skate park, having fun with my cousins, going hiking, and watching TV.

Eirik: today we are coming back from Bend. We were there for spring break. While we were in Bend we did some really awesome things. 
1. We went to the skate park. Me and Jake and Joren had a lot of fun there.
2. We also played baseball. Aunt Jeanette, me, Jake, Joren and my mom played baseball at the same park where we skated.
3. We went to a gift shop at this awesome museum.
4. We saw a pioneer exhibit.

Teig at 3 1/2

Did you know that my heart gives me lots of kisses before bed. And I'll give you a million kisses before bed.
I will give you a giant pet squid but I will tell the squid not to spin its tentacles around because I love you. And I will make you a robostick. Did you know that my star wars blanket is powerful and can turn into a dragon? Also my pet crocodile can help you. He can speak English and play with me because he can clap and scratch me like Scratchclaw. It doesn't hurt me because I'm on Julie-X-C-Strong mode. Joren goes on strong mode which means he can break through our fists.
I love my skinny jeans and my Detroit Tigers clothes. They are a tank top and shorts.

(I (mom)peeled them off him after he wore them night and day for 5 days. I hid them on the washer. Within one hour he found them and put them back on.)
Since christmas Teig has been singing the tune of Jolly Old St Nicholas, without realizing it, with all made up words. Our favorite is when he sings "I don't know what I'm gonna say. I don't know what I'm gonna say. I don't know what I'm gonna say...." it's become a family song because he sings it so often.
Also I will tell you one more question. I will give you a pet whale. I also have a pet named Scratchclaw. He does bad fings like hides stuff and sneaks candy. At night he stays up and plays wif his toys. He petects me from all the scary monsters.
Mom, if Scratchclaw rips the sink in half, don't worry, I will tape it back together with the blue tape Joren gave me because he didn't want it anymore.
I wuv you mom. I only want the star wars blanket on me, but I owey wike the scratchy side on me. Also I rowwy, rowwy, rowwy rowwy, ROWWY, want to do it mysef!
I know, I know.. Goodnight sweet Teig. I love you too!

Eiriks baptism!

Today was Eiriks baptism!
It was an amazing experience. Our family and friends packed the primary room. There was standing room only.
I remember when Eirik was blessed at how overwhelmed I felt by the power of all the worthy priesthood holders surrounding Eirik for his blessing. It was the same today. The strength within that circle of men combined to bless and call down the power of God in behalf of our son was incredible. Paul gave Eirik a wonderful blessing. The spirit was present in abundance. I wish there was a better way I knew to describe how it feels to feel the Holy Ghost. I guess I'll just say that the room felt like it was glowing and swelling with energy and warmth. My parents and Patty and John all shared their testimonies in their talks. Patty shared that when she was 7 and she was in a big car accident she remembered being very hurt and going to the hospital and crying and crying until she could not cry anymore. Finally her father came into the room and gave her a priesthood blessing. She said she stopped crying and felt a great comfort. She said a spirit came over her and she could feel herself healing. She also bore witness that when she and John work in the temple the veil is very thin and they witness beautiful things.
My dad shared a story too. He said that Eirik was lucky to have parents who care so much about him. He said that without the Holy Ghost who knows what might have happened the day that I swallowed a penny as a baby and was not breathing. My dad did not know what to do but the spirit prompted him to lift me up by the feet and smack my back. When he did the penny came out. It was really cool to have the grandparents give joint talks because we got to hear all their testimonies. Eirik gave a great testimony too.
Men in the confirmation circle: Paul, Ben Aanderud, Grandpa Rallison, David Law, John Clifford, Dave Friedman, John Falk, Cory (Emily's husband,) Danny Falk, Steve Rallison. Bishop Chandler conducted and he was fantastic.

Roller coaster

Yesterday morning i thought I was pregnant and I thought we were buying a farmhouse on the river. By evening, I was not pregnant and we decided not to buy the house on the river. What a roller coaster day! What a stressful week!

Eiriks 8th birthday

For Eirik, his 8th birthday could not come fast enough. The waiting has been excruciating for him. His expectations have been high and especially this week he has been under a lot of pressure. Turning 8 brings a lot of firsts. We have been preparing for his baptism. We have been making his first science project. He has Tae quan do belt testing this week. We bought all his scout stuff to become a cub scout. He finally got his pocketknife he has dreamed of for years. He has also been getting a lot of homework and his reading challenge has been demanding. It's exciting to see him grow up and shoulder all of these new reaponsibilities with grace and eagerness. Tonight we threw him a friend party. It was a blast. He had 8 guests, Jeffrey, Ian, Ben, Nate, Evan, Mary and his brothers. When they got here we gave them nets to catch frogs in our pond. Then we made leather mystery braided bracelets and we gave them their goodie bags. We made a campfire on the back porch and roasted hot dogs and s'mores. Then we gave them glow sticks and took them on a night hike. It was a gorgeous warm night, the only night of the week without rain. We saw crocus blooming on our walk. We always call them Eiriks flower because I told them they were blooming in our yard for the first time the day I brought him home from the hospital. After the hike we sang to eirik and he blew out candles and we had bites of key lime pie bars and opened presents. Then they went tot the tent to watch a movie in the tent with sleeping bags. It was 10 pm when all the boys went home and I snuggled Eirik to sleep in the tent. He felt very brave sleeping out there by himself. He said it was a perfect birthday party. He is wonderful. I am so proud of my Eirik.