Hiking, Music, Skiing, Awards

Life still moves on, even in a pandemic!  I had a leadership training one Saturday with Elder Rasband and others.  It was a terrific meeting. I also loved hearing that the First Presidency and the Twelve have made a room in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building a temporary temple room as the Salt Lake Temple is undergoing major renovations.

Lee and I went on a ski date to Snowshoe mid-March.  The snow was really slushy.  When we first arrived I didn't think I'd last long because of the awful snow.  And some of the runs were really icy as well.  But I got the hang of it and we stayed for awhile.  We drove the Suburban just in case of bad roads, but we should have just driven our car.  

We ate lunch at the Boathouse.  Sadly the fries were cold.  SO sad.  I only ate a couple.  Ugh. 

While we were eating lunch we noticed a huge line forming at the nearby ski lift.  We were there for about 45 mintues and we saw people stuck on the ski lift in the air.  Thankfully another was near-by that we walked to--about 3 blocks away? First we started out at Silver Creek, then skied at Snowshoe. 

Shanna having fun with hairbands.

For St. Patrick's Day we didn't do much except have friends over and make sugar cookies.  Well, I baked them and the kids had fun decorating them.  Another friend, Missy, came over that evening and had dinner with us. 

Our friends Eva and Xavier are meeting with the missionaries to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We've enjoyed meeting with them. 

When my kids turn 12 they start doing their own laundry.  I know they capable of washing laundry earlier, but that's just a benchmark we started with Clark and kept going. I know I was doing laundry in elementary school!  Elden's hiding somewhere!

We had a fun family celebration night.  I put together a slideshow of pictures from 2020 and we handed out awards to each child.  

Some nifty clouds.

Clark and I have been working on his mission papers!  He's almost ready to turn them all in! He needed a missionary photo. 

We ventured out one afternoon for a couple hikes. Xavier tagged along.  First Bear Fence then Stoney Man Overlook. 

Even Lee gets tired around here sometimes. 

At an afternoon football game the band director held a "senor's night" honoring the marching band seniors.  Can't believe this part of his life is at a close for Clark!

Elden's Birthday Week! 12!

 Elden has been looking forward to his birthday for a LONG time.  He was sooo excited about it coming!  Here he is on Sunday.  His birthday was on a Thursday.

Before we head too far in, we saw our nephew Spencer in the Southern College of Optometry Alumni magazine.  Way to go on getting a scholarship! He's in his first year of school there. 

Not really part of his birthday, but kind of sort of, we went to Valley Jump with a lot of friends on Tuesday.  It's so crazy that the social gathering limits are 10 people inside, 25 people outside.  But at Valley Jump there were TONS of people!  Very odd. 

Lee and I walked around and had fun watching the kids. 

No one was injured and we had a great time!

Now on to the big day! 

Elden requested Nesquik and croissant breakfast sandwiches for breakfast. 

He opened his cards from Grandma and Grandpa Bartholomew and Grandma and Grandpa Robertson in the morning.

He also loved opening his package from Aunt Amy.  She's so sweet to send my kids gifts for their birthdays!

Thursday morning Elden, Shanna and I did some errands in Harrisonburg.  During the afternoon I took some time to do some Easter packages for two of my nieces. 

Elden had fun with Kaden, Liam and Michael and siblings on his birthday.  He played with friends, we had dinner together, then enjoyed the party!  The party ended with dessert and a game of Cops & Robbers. 

Donut cake for the win!

Hope you had a fun birthday Elden!  We sure love you!

Lately we've been working on President Nelson's challege to find the blessings in the scriptures promised to covenant Isreal.  We've been writing them down on some cardstock on the wall.  When the kids write them down they get a piece of candy.  We haven't been as good at sharing these blessings with others. But we have talked about them a few times at dinner.

What a great week!  We look forward to the many good things to come in your life Elden.  We are so proud of you as you reverently pass the sacrament, are a good friend to everyone in the family, and always open the door for your mom!  We love you!