Author: Stephen and Jodi

Chilly Sawtell TopWe went to Island Park last week – from Wednesday to Saturday! It was as much fun as we knew it would be. We were welcomed by Stephanie and her family and got to hang out with them Wednesday night.

Thursday, we met up with our new great friends, The Puzeys. We drove to the top of Sawtell in hopes of having a picnic and to hike around. The chill in the air deterred that idea pretty quickly. We did walk around a little and take a few pictures until we couldn’t stand it any longer! Everyone thought it was awesome that the ball on top of Sawtell looked like a giant soccer ball. (The Puzey’s are really good soccer players and fans) We decided to picnic back at the cabin, and had fun playing games and playing piano duets. It was a disappointment that all of the frogs went into hibernation since that was our selling point in inviting the Puzeys up to the cabin. Luckily ping pong was a big hit.
FOOD FOR THURSDAY: we ate a great lunch, cracked open the peanut m&ms, E L Fudge cookies, and other random treats. Had a spaghetti dinner and then made the famous caramel dip for apples and rolled into bed! Of course I brought my cocoa latte machine to crank out hot chocolate whenever our hearts desired it!

Friday we woke up and feasted on pancakes, eggs, and more hot chocolate. We drove to the cabin on the hill and had a picnic inside the cabin and played around up by the ski lift – it is such a fantastic view from there. We traveled back to the big cabin to make the next meal. (Do you see how much of our lives revolve around food? You really notice it at the cabin. It feels like you just cleaned up a meal or snack when it’s time to start another one) The Puzey’s brought a great activity for the kids to enjoy…we made cool shirts with permanent markers and rubbing alcohol. The kids thought they were great. We watched movies, played more games, sang songs, played more piano duets, told fun stories, and had a taffy pull!
FOOD FOR FRIDAY: above mentioned breakfast, a quick lunch, we were introduced to Puzey Grunt – we all loved it!, more hot chocolate, more m&ms, sweet tarts, chocolate cinnamon bears, and yes taffy – our favorite was rootbeer flavored!

Saturday we woke up to a snow covered ground, but the guys decided to go fishing over by the fish hatchery anyway. Lily and Mason thought it was cool – they don’t get to do that very often. On our way home the roads were so slick that a car and turned over on the side of the road!
FOOD FOR SATURDAY: Ate muffins and bacon! Casey was quite the bacon master – he rationed the bacon like I ration cheese! Diana got kicked out of the kitchen for helping too much. We made potato soup for lunch and also had cupcakes!

I don’t even need to explain the title anymore do I? I will be spending the next month trying to make up for one weekend worth of pleasantries, but I guess it was worth it!

With the Puzeys around everybody has a friend. The kids ages in our family match up to the kids ages in their family. I have so enjoyed getting to know Diana through daily morning runs. She is such a remarkable person – I learn a lot from her selfless example. It has also been so much fun to have a friend that loves music as much as I do.

Cabin Update: Stephen and Casey finished nailing all of the trim that was waiting to be done around the windows and a few doors (they just need to be stained now). Stephen also fixed the carpet at the top of the stairs and fixed the fan in the bathroom.

Comments:

Meg the Gem said…

My Mom was telling me that it was starting to snow up there. You can see Mt. Sawtell from my parent’s house, so it’s fun to get to see what it looks like there right now!

It hit me when I saw you’re cute family picture–I can’t believe all those bundles of coats are your kids!! Jodi!! It’s hard to believe that we have little tribes of our own!
Monday, October 13, 2008 12:11:27 AM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

It looks like a fun time at the cabins. It’s hard to imagine snow already. Way to brave the weather and have a fun time.
Monday, October 13, 2008 2:11:22 AM

Diana said…

Great fun and food was definitely had by all and I dare say that it was worth it. We will just have to run a little bit harder. But, I wouldn’t have wanted to have any less of those M&M’s. Thanks for the memories!
Monday, October 13, 2008 9:02:55 PM

Conference Weekend is always like drinking a tall glass of water when you are totally thirsty! We had a great time listening and watching conference and feel lucky that we are able to watch it from the comfort of our own home and in our pajamas too, our cups are now full!

We read a talk from the October Children’s Friend about a “Reverence Tent” last week. We decided to make one too – Stephen style. (The bigger the better.)

We also made and completed a project we’ve been wanting to add to our downstairs wall in between the Saturday sessions of conference.

Most of all it was just great to have a casual weekend just being together having our conference party and celebration.

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

Boy, that’s a good analogy. We had our cups filled also. We had it at our house on Sat. and had snacks and dinner in between sessions. It was good to hear words from our Prophet just for us today. We love the addition to your downstairs wall, it looks great, as does the family too.
Monday, October 06, 2008 3:08:32 PM

michelle said…

You guys are great. I love the tent and the wall. I also love the conference board. Great examples!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:29:40 AM

Amy Baldwin said…

Okay, I love the reference tent. I wish we had known about it when the kids were younger. They would have loved it. It would have made conference more fun and special to them.
Friday, October 10, 2008 12:25:04 PM

Mom Baldwin said…

What a great thing you did to help the kids enjoy Conference. Great memories were made for everyone. You are good parents. Your children are lucky to live in a home where they are always made to feel like they are important and included in all that you do. Carry on!
Saturday, October 11, 2008 1:53:18 PM

Olivia was in heavenI was home watching the kids tonight and thought I bet they would like to go on a field trip across the street to see the Potatoes being harvested. We all hopped in the van and drove over to Randy’s place where Derek was harvesting like crazy. Derek’s daughter gave the kids the royal treatment, she let them climb up the huge pile of spuds to the top and help her unload the trucks. Fun times for all.

Comments:

michelle said…

I am so amazed by all those potatoes. Something about the whole process of harvesting intrigues me. What lucky kids to be a part of it!
Friday, October 03, 2008 12:59:36 PM

Amy Baldwin said…

That is so crazy! Did they let you take some potatoes home? How fun to go across the street and have a field trip.
Friday, October 10, 2008 12:28:12 PM

Mom Baldwin said…

How fun for the kids!!! Potato harvest time is one of my most happiest memories. I wish I could be there so I could smell the potatoes and the great smell of the (dirt) earth. It’s so awesome! I’m glad you provided the kids with this great opportunity! You’re great parents!
Saturday, October 11, 2008 2:00:27 PM