New Bikes

I was riding Miya's bike around because she wasn't so sure about the bigger bike.

Sweet Lyla barely going over the bump on the new bigger bike.

Cannon was super excited about the bigger bike and was all over the ramps.

This is just how Miya felt about her new bike...she has since changed her mind.

I have been working at giving the kids a little more freedom and now let them ride around the park without me. They all have to stick together and they can't stop and play while I am not with them, but this is still pretty huge since we live in a not so great neighborhood. I have even let Miya walk home from school with her friends and she is pretty excited about that new development.

Scouts

 

Cub Scouts is one of those things that I am learning to love and Cannon is in his second year. I was just called as the Cub Master and have no idea what I am doing, but I am really excited about it. We have been deep into basketball and missed most of the last few months of scouts, but Cannon was able to be at his Blue & Gold banquet last month. They did a cute skit and he was excited about being there. I had to take the girls to basketball games since Phil was staying for Bishop duties he got some pictures of Cannon getting some awards, but I am not sure which ones. Brother Watts is the new Committee Chair and is doing a great job with the boys. Things should be pretty fun these next few months until the summer break.

Cabin

I have looked everywhere for the before picture of the outside of the cabin, but can't find one of the front to compare. The door to the cabin was on the side and we moved it to face the water and added the stairs and the overhang for the porch. Plus the top window is new since we finished off the loft space and made two bedrooms. I love how it all turned out. We cleaned up the black top and put another coat this last fall. We are gearing up for painting the house as soon as we have warm enough weather this spring. So fun to get things done.

I finally found a few pictures of the outside of the cabin at different stages of work while I was listening to General Conference this morning.



The day we cut out the new door.

We got the new window in for the bedroom upstairs.

Getting the stairs and small porch started and working on getting primer on the house.

We had a few hours here and there to work on projects so it took a few days to get all the primer done.

 

Change

Phil got called to be the Bishop of our ward last week. With this change comes a release for me from Relief Society President. I was asked today how I felt about everything and honestly I have mixed feelings. I am excited for Phil and our family. I am excited for the new president and all that she will do for the ward, but I feel like I imagine a missionary feels when they are getting transferred. I worry about the sisters and all their needs and really want to make sure that they are taken care of. Also it is super humbling in the church to always be replaceable. I know that is how it works and that just when you get comfortable in a calling you can plan on getting a different one. I am excited to see where I will be able to serve next and hope I can take those things I learned from this calling and grow and develop in new ways in the next area of service. Phil was busy this last week with callings for Relief Society and our Young Men and Young Women Presidents (they are married) are moving next week. I am hoping once he gets these changes made things will slow down a little and we can find a new balance at home.

Labor Day Camping

We went camping with the Phillips' out at Mt. Rainier over Labor Day. The weather was fantastic and we had the best time. We swam in the river (even Rachel in her clothes), we jumped from the rock into the river, Miya and Phil jumped from the cliff from about 40 feet into the river, we ate great camping food, played cards by campfire light/lanterns, went hiking and enjoyed being together.

 Gathering wood from other campsites because we couldn't fit any in our car after getting all our camping gear and kids. Then went for a little walk with the kids before the Phillips' arrived that afternoon.