Two Week Entry Ending 10/26/2009

We’ve had a fairly normal two weeks, for us anyway. Saturday the 17th we braved Macey’s grocery store’s ten year anniversary. They had those big air filled things for the kids. They enjoyed going through the obstacle course, sliding down a big slide, and bouncing around in a bounce house. Then they got 10 cent ice cream cones while I stood in line to check out. We were gone for a little over an hour which was a good amount of time to get some shopping done, have some fun, and get back to the chores waiting for us at home.

Sunday the 18th we went to Jarl’s grandparents to celebrate Grandpa Jacobson’s birthday. We raked up all the leaves in their backyard and then played in them. We do this every year. They have lots and lots of leaves so it’s lots and lots of fun. Kaley even enjoyed it after she got over how weird they felt.

Then Monday the 19th, Jarl, Kaley, and I went to the Winco Foods grand opening at 1:00 in the afternoon (Jarl was home sick) after dropping the kids off at school. There were sooooo many people. Jarl had to go scour the parking lot for a shopping cart. We stood in line for almost 15 minutes to checkout. But it was worth it because we got a gallon of yummy chocolate milk for $2 (cheapest chocolate milk I think we’ve ever bought) and bought some other good deals. After braving that we rewarded ourselves with lunch from Five Guys Burgers and Fries for the first time. It was really, really good.

Yesterday we had Stake Conference. Jarl got to sing in the choir because they had the people who had sung in the temple dedication and cornerstone choirs sing two songs they sang at the temple. There were two youth speakers. One talked about her experiences serving at the open house and the other talked about her participation in the celebration. It was neat to see how these experiences strengthened them and to reflect on my own experiences with the building, open house, and dedication of my temple. Now I just need to make time to go.

Sunday night we gathered at my parents to celebrate the five birthdays my family has in October. It was good to see everyone. We haven’t all been together since the night before Michael left on his mission. My dad barbequed chicken and pork without any seasoning or marinade (surprise). Aaron pounded Jon Schmidt out on the piano until we begged him to stop because it was already loud enough without the piano going. The kids mauled Angelisa and captured her and put her in the desk room (the joys of being the favorite aunt). Kaley tried her hardest to play with Banjo the dog while all the adults tried to keep her away. JD kept saying “Chee” (his version of cheese) every time he saw a camera. Jarl and Matt traded ideas on how to make the kids giggle and scream. Jarl put the kids on the floor one at a time and told them that he wouldn’t tickle them unless they moved. He assured them that he’d get really close but wouldn’t do it unless they moved. He accused Ashlyn, who was being extremely serious during this game, of moving her head. She vehemently denied it by shaking her head no resulting in her getting tickled and us all laughing. Jarl fed most of his ice cream cone to Kaley who loved it and couldn’t get enough. And Makayla and everyone else tried on her toy high heel shoes she got for her birthday. All in all we had a great time.