We had a wonderful General Conference weekend, and it started off with new bikes for the kids. Sarah inherited Nick’s old one, and was super happy with that, although we did give her the option of a brand new one as well. The other kids went in batches down to the local bike store with Chris to pick out and test drive their new bikes. Several of them also got new helmets. Then Chris drove down later to load them all up into the car and bring them home. The kids were so excited! (I bet the store owner was as well. haha)
They spent the rest of the day outside, riding them around, and then came inside for baths and dinner, before Conference started. Thanks to Conference Bingo and a couple bags of Easter M&M’s, we were able to watch the entire session as a family pretty much undisturbed. And the kids are finally old enough to start recognizing some of the apostles by face alone. That was a fun discovery.
Sunday morning we watched the Priesthood session so that Chris and Nick could stay home and still have time to grill with us before Nick had to go to orchestra practice. That is one G.C. tradition we just can’t do without. It was perfect weather for it, as well. The kids had fun riding their new bikes over, while Chris drove over with all the food and fire supplies.
The first thing they did was run over to check out the swamp. And no one fell in, which is always an added bonus! I unpacked all the food and dishes, while Chris said “Me make fire!” haha
We were happy that no one else had the same idea we did. It’s always more fun when we have the place to ourselves, and the kids can play all their favorite silly games with no onlookers.
Sarah was given the camera and took this photo of us.
It really is a gorgeous spot, and so close to home as well.
Thanks to Amanda we had real graham crackers to make s’mores with.
mmhhmmm, gooey chocolatey yumminess!
Of course, Chris and I always get stuck roasting the marshmallows for the kids. The fire is usually too hot to stand close to, or they don’t want to accidentally burn their marshmallows. We do an exceptionally fine job! 🙂
After our fun lunch, we went over to the new church in Bonstetten for Nick’s orchestra practice. We hung around for a while, exploring all the rooms and trying to figure out what they would be used for. And since I have no problem telling embarrassing stories about myself, here is another one for you.
We asked if all the plumbing was working, and when we told it was, I went ahead and used the facilities. Well, yes, the plumbing functioned just fine, unfortunately there was no toilet paper! I panicked a little, because it is a big building and I didn’t know if Chris would hear me calling me or not. But hurray! he did, and came to my rescue with a pack of tissues that is always in his pocket. Whew! 🙂
That afternoon and evening we watched another session and a half, dipping into the supply of gummi bears I always have on hand, since the M&M’s were slowly being consumed. Bingo isn’t any fun if you don’t have something to cover your squares with, you know. And would you believe it, the kids were sad when we said it was too late to watch anymore and we had to turn it off! How did we get so lucky?