One of the things Logan said before we got married was that he would always bring me home for hunting season because he knew it was something I loved doing so much. So far he has kept that promise. I have always loved hunting with my dad and count it as a time to have good conversations and some good laughs with him and my sisters.
This year when Logan brought me home though, I think he was a little nervous because I am 33 weeks pregnant. My dad, uncle Josh, sister Leisha (who is 32 weeks pregnant), and I all had late season doe permits. Needless to say, Leisha and I went despite being very pregnant!
Leisha doesn't look very pregnant because she is wearing black, but she is just as pregnant as me. ;)
My dad was extra careful to make sure Leisha and I didn't hike to much and told us to take it slow. When we got home, my mom asked if we had run after any deer. I told her I couldn't really run but I sure had waddled quickly when trying to get a good shot!
I always thought I was a good shot because of previous experiences dropping an animal after only one or two shots... but my pride was badly bruised this year because I shot a few rounds before wounding this doe. Yikes! I blame it on being pregnant. ;)
We filled all four of our tags and got them all to fit on my dad's hitch hauler. Josh brought his two kids (Eliza 7, Justin 5) for the first time and they had a blast.
Although Logan isn't super into hunting, I am grateful he supports my hobbies. He took good care of Elsy who had a fever and bad cough while I went out. I can't wait until Elsy is old enough to go hunting with Grandpa and Mommy. I hope she can appreciate being out in the quiet and see the beauty of God's creations the way my dad taught me to.
After moving last December, the first Ward activity we went to was the Christmas party. We were absolutly blown away at how amazing it was. The theme was the Polar Express, complete with immaculate decorations, breakfast for dinner, and an awesome program. Logan recalled us saying to each other that we NEVER wanted to help with the Christmas party after seeing how much work went in. So when this last July we were asked to be on the Christmas party committee we were a little nervous. Planning meetings began that August! Somehow we got put in charge of the program (probably Logan and his amazing skills had something to do with it).
The committee decided on the theme "The Spirit of Christmas Stepped In Through My Door". Everything was based around the book "The Spirit of Christmas" by Nancy Tillman. In a nutshell, the book is about the Spirit of Christmas coming to a girl's home to help her try and feel the spirit of Christmas by showing her all kinds of fun and traditional things. The girl just doesn't quite feel it throughout the book until the Spirit reminds her the real reason of Christmas is the Christ child and love.
After months of planning, the party last weekend! It was a major success with about 300 people showing up for the festivities. I ran around taking pictures at the beginning to help get a feel for how wonderful it all was.
Pre-party decorating! We weren't there for much of this but they did an excellent job.
I may or may not have already eaten the mint for this place setting....
There were ten long tables complete with chair covers, chargers, centerpieces, and goblets. I wish I had taken a picture showing just how many tables... but there was a ladder still up for the chandelier and I didn't want it in the picture. :P
We wanted it to feel cozy and warm like you stepped into a house. There were Christmas trees, one large chandelier in the middle and two more on each end. On the walls were fake windows showing a starry night. Because we were in charge of the program we ended up making a film (surprise surprise) so Logan made a fireplace to be shown on the big screen during the party part.
I WISH I had taken a better picture of the chandelier! It had rhinestones on it! I love sparkles....
A tradition in our Ward is a giving tree. Every Christmas they put this tree in the foyer and instead of ornaments there are papers with specific items for people to donate (for example, women's shoe size 7, or Lego toy). Then everyone brings their gift to the party and puts it under the tree. This was just the beginning but at the end it was full! Behind it was a banner to sign and be sent to one of the missionaries in our ward.
And of course, in the very center was this nativity. Because our whole message was the reason behind Christmas is Christ.
Mr. And Mrs. Clause favored us with their presence! They even had a chalkboard to list the naughty and nice. Both sides were very full by the end of the evening. They passed out "Elf Kisses" to all the children (baggies of Hershey kisses the Activity Days girls put together).
There were plenty of crafts for the kiddos!
And, oh my goodness, the food was delicious! We had rolls, salad, ham and ham sauce, twice baked potatoes, corn, and for dessert cookies and milk. I ate two of those yummy potatoes! And I'm not going to say how many cookies.... Elsy just didn't finish hers... And I'm pregnant, right?
I wish I had taken a picture of all the people who helped! But there were just to many. I was only able to snap a picture of a few of our kitchen crew carving the hams.
And of course, Cameron and McKenna who watched Elsy the whole time while I was running around doing costumes and Logan was adjusting sound and whatnots. (I see you Elsy, stealing that mint!). And Cameron helped Logan a lot to with filming and getting the screen put up.
So for the program Logan made a video with the help of lots of members of our ward. We had a woman read the book as a narrator and then had an actor acting it out with a CG orb acting as the Spirit of Christmas. After each fun tradition that was listed off we had either a live performance or a short video. Here is a snap of the youth doing their Jinggle Bells dance.
And all the cub scouts were dressed as toy soldiers and they marched out to give candy canes to the audience.
Here is the video:
I wish I could have sat and watched it but I didn't get the chance until the end. It was so much fun! And Logan did a spectacular job putting everything together. At the end, after the narration ends about the Savior being born, Logan faded the video into some clips of the LDS Bible videos of the nativity. We all sang Silent Night as the videos played. It was really powerful and it felt so peaceful in there with our wonderful ward family.
And of course, I was to busy to get a picture of our family. :( But Elsy had fun running around eating rolls and sucking on an battery powered candle.
Two weeks ago my grandpa, VerNon Merkley, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's and heart failure. It has been a very special time for our family and I thought I would share some of my experiences.
My mom, Elsy, and Grandpa. Elsy really did have a good time, she just doesn't smile for pictures.
On the Friday before Grandpa passed away I got a text from my mom saying his condition (which had been rapidly declining) had gotten even worse. I called and talked with her and when I got off the phone I felt very strongly that I should go home to help my mom with some of the things she was trying to get done and also see my grandpa for what could possibly be the last time. My cousin David was also getting married that weekend. I called Logan and he said I should go (he had a scout camp out and couldn't come). I immedieatly packed my bags, loaded Elsy in the car, and away we went.
I got home 10 minutes before a family prayer was going to be held at the nursing home my grandpa was staying at. I am so glad I made it in time because that was the last time I got to see him while he was still alive. I arrived with my sister Leisha who is also pregnant. My grandma gave us both a big hug and commented how special it is to see the two different stages of life right next to each other. Two new loved ones arriving and one beloved departing.
My Grandpa died early the next morning, November 15th. Something that I am so grateful for as a Christian is knowing that when we die it is not the end. The first thing I remember hearing as I walked into my Grandma's house, the day Grandpa died, was her laugh. She was laughing as I walked through her front door. I realized although she was sad, she had faith. Faith that she would see her husband again and that they were married for time and all eternity. She knew, as I knew, that Grandpa was restored to a sound mind and was no longer suffering from the ailments that claimed him at the end of his life. She could laugh because even though she was sad, she had hope. There were many tears shed that weekend but also many laughs as we remembered Grandpa's life.
That same day I went to my cousin David's wedding in the Columbia River Temple. What an amazing experience that was in and of itself but to witness a marrige on the same day my Grandpa passed away was something really special to me. In our church we believe when you are sealed by proper priesthood authoritiy, within the temple, you will be together with your spouse not only in this life but in the eternities to come. Families are literally forever.
Seeing David kneel accross the alter from his beautiful bride and get sealed to her was special. It reminded me of the covenants Logan and I made in that same room a little over three years ago. And I couldn't help imagine my grandparens when they were just starting off, doing the same thing. Here was a young couple making the same covenants and promises my grandparens had made.
The beginning and end of two different earthly marriages happened that day. But it wasn't the end of an eternal marriage. I am so grateful I was there to witness these events. My testimony of eternal marriage was strengthened so much more. When I came home I told Logan how glad I was to be there and experience them both in such contrast.
We were able to go back the next weekend for Grandpa's funeral. So many people gathered to pay tribute to such a wonderful man.
In the sealing room of the temple there are two mirrors on opposite walls. They face each other to form an eternal reflection. Traditionally, after a couple is married, the sealer asks the couple to look into the mirrors as a symbol of their future together. The sealer at David's wedding (who happenend to be my other grandpa) asked the couple to look into the mirrors and reflect on all those who came before them and then had them turn around and look at the other mirror and reflect on the posterity that was to come as a result of their marriage. Seeing all the family that came to Grandpa's memorial service showed just how big an effect one marriage can have on this earth. I am grateful that when I look back in the mirrors I can see my grandparents who helped pave the way to where I am today. They give me hope for when I look forward in the mirrors. Their example helps show me what I can do to lay a foundation for my children and future posterity.
My latest quiet book page was a cokoo clock. Elsy absolutly loves the cokoo clock at my parents house. Whenever she sees her Grandpa Volmer she says "Cokoo!". It might mean she thinks he is cokoo. But it also might mean that she just wants to see the cokoo clock and my dad is kind enough to change the hands just for her to jump and dance around excitedly.
I had already wanted to do a clock with rotating hands to practice telling time. I just added the cokoo bird because I knew Elsy would like it.
I made this page from scratch using some other pages I liked on Pinterest as starting points. To make the numbers I simply cut out numbers I printed from the computer and then stitched around them, removing the papers after. I really hate making button holes. And I didn't have red thread for the button holes either which was a bummer but I didn't want to go the store again. So, we have white button holes. :P
Okay guys, my little girl is officially a year and a half and she is just to cute to handle. I just have to share her adorableness with you. Here are just a few snippets of the last few months.
She didn't do that great at her 18 month check up last week but I just couldn't get over how big she was sitting there on the counter. She loved the fish tank in the waiting room and that was about it. However since then she has continued to tell me for several days about her shot, how she got her ears and diaper checked, and of course talks non stop about the fish. Mostly this includes a lot of pointing, caveman grunts, and various other sounds but with me being her mother I guess I understand.
That night she rocked it at the ward Trunk or Treat even though she had owie shots. She quickly learned how to grab candy and say "Thank you! Bye bye!" And put her candy in the bucket. She was Princess Peach while Logan and I were Mario and Luigi.
Elsy has started to become interested in what I am doing at the counter. This day I found a stool and let her 'help' me cook a pumpkin roll. She is so picky with textures and wouldn't try the filling but loved emptying the drawers.
For play group a couple weeks ago we went to the pumpkin patch. It had been raining a lot so she got to wear her rain boots. This was the first time she got to try them out and she discovered how to stomp in puddles. Needless to say, she loves stomping in puddles now. (No, she doesn't smile for pictures)
For date night we got Jamba. And I have nothing to say about this picture besides look at her little fat cheeks!!
The last couple months have been full of boo boos and owies but Elsy still manages to smile through the hard times. Sometimes I think the reason we can't remember those first few years is because we are mostly in pain the whole time (teething, sore muscles, trips and spills, and everything else). Elsy is such a trooper and is usually up and at 'em again quite quickly.
I love my little girl! She is growing up to fast. She is in nursery, is starting to say 'no,' and no longer likes to be rocked and sung to before bed. :( Today she actually fell asleep before I finished singing the one song she will let me sing her (You'll Be In My Heart from Tarzan....she begs for it and just says 'Tarzan' over and over if I try to sing another). I got to just hold her and snuggle her. She is such a blessing in our family and we couldn't be happier.
Here are the quiet book pages I finished this weekend. My mom had a page like this to help practice with buttons and I used to just love the flowers so I had to put a page just like it in my own book.
Just pick some wild flowers and put them in a vase!
I had a terrible time with the button holes! I haven't done them in so long and I messed one of the flowers up pretty bad. But its not tooooooo noticable. I was so pleased with the way it all turned out in the end. :)
Logan actually helped on this page by cutting out the vase. I was having a really hard time trying to make it look symmetrical and I thought he did a mighty fine job.
Elsy's two favorite books right now are "Pinkalicious" and "Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes". Both books are basically about, well, cupcakes. So after reading those books over and over Elsy has begun asking me for "caaaa-ca" a lot and doing her little "more" sign.
Basically she wants cupcakes. I don't want cupcakes in my house right now. I have been trying hard to eat healthier this pregnancy in hopes of having a smaller baby (Elsy was just under 11lbs and the docs say next time is a C-section if I'm measuring big at all). But when she started finding pictures of cupcakes in her other books and bringing them to me, I knew it was inevitable. So, today we made "caaaa-cas".
Elsy enjoyed putting the paper cups in the tin and putting sprinkles on the cupcakes... one sprinkle at a time. She is so cute.
I ate a little batter but haven't had a single cupcake....yet.
Mud galore (thank you Seattle) but we cracked out the rain boots and all was well. (Except for me because I had none. :( But don't worry, I went shoe shopping that night!)
Elsy is so curious and loved pointing to the crows. She even hugged a few pumpkins.
We ended up going to Fred Meyer after this and buying our pumpkins there instead. We are cheapos but we loved the experience none the less. :P
We were recently invited to a friends house to help press some apple cider. We all had a blast, especially Elsy. Of course, I forgot to crack the camera out until the very end but I still snapped a few pictures.
There were about six of these big buckets of apples and we would put them into the dark blue bucket to soak before cutting them and then putting them in the press. Elsy spent nearly an hour running back and forth between apple bins and throwing apples into the water. I didn't even have to show her how.
She was soaked, but who cares? She couldn't have been happier.
Logan worked the press while I cut apples. We got some yummy cider out of the deal. I realized on the way home Logan hadn't known we were pressing the apples. I laughed and laughed because I realized I had said, "The Heywoods invited us over for Family Home Evening to drink homemade apple cider." After saying he wished he had worn some boots he mentioned how much better things taste and feel when you have worked hard for them. I think that can be something that we can apply to many areas of our lives.
Despite the lack of boots, we all had a ton of fun. :)
Something my mom and grandma made for their children was a quiet book. Us kids were only allowed to play with it at church. I loved playing with that book growing up so I decided to make one for Elsy and the future kiddos. I have been working on it on and off for months and am still not as close to being finished as I want to.
I was going to share the whole book when it was finished but I'm to excited about these pages I have already made to wait. So here is the page I just finished this week. The Mailbox Page!
For this page I just followed a pattern from a really great quiet book blog I found.
Inside the box is a pocket to hold all the mail and the flag rotates. (Thanks grandma for the grommets and grommet punch!)
I knew I wanted one of the pages in the book to have holidays so I decided to make each "letter" be for a different holiday or event. I did Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, and a birthday card.
Fun, right? Elsy already loves carrying the envelopes around and opening the snaps. Hopefully they won't get lost before they make it to the church pew!
