Summer 2014: Week 10

M Today I was supposed to buy school supplies, but I didn't. We had a short lesson from Preach My Gospel and then played musical chairs. Of course that led to a dance party, which are always fun.

T Bought groceries and drove to Cheyenne to watch our niece. She's raised a sheep and was showing it. In between her events, there was a large window of time. We went to the fair exhibition hall and then watched a magician show.

Waiting for the magic to begin . . . .

We finished by watching our niece show her sheep one more time. Then, home for dinner and YM/YW.

W We went to Cheyenne again--a different niece showing a pig. She also showed twice. In between, we went to my mom's house for lunch and also walked through the bird barn (chickens, geese, turkeys & ducks) and the alpaca barn.

Some of our favorites were the albino turkeys, but I love the coloring on any chicken that's black and white. Our niece was 3rd place in her group for the weight and class of pig she had, which means she will get a nice price at the market on Saturday.

She sold her pig for $1300 . .. . . not shabby at all

Came home and spent the most of the evening outside with our good friends.

Appropriate that he's in the Super Hunt shirt

Nathan made my day when he repaired the lifts on the car door for me. They stopped working during scout camp and it's been very inconvenient to shop without being able to load into the back. It is an easy repair and fairly quick. If you have any questions, call the boss.

TH Running around town. Went to the middle school, post office, school supply shopping, back and forth from band camp & piano lessons. Really, the amount of driving I do is crazy. We were supposed to swim with friends, but the great big black cloud hanging overhead caused us to switch to Monopoly.

Our kids and 3 friends sat at the kitchen table for 2 hours playing. They could have continued but we had to leave. I took Bryn to the orthodontist and then Caitlin and Andrew to the dentist. No cavities! We spent the evening at home, except Andrew and Bryn went for a quick dip in the pool at 8:15 pm.

FR School shopping, summer band performance, and dinner in Cheyenne with my family . . . a great day.

SA More of school shopping, canning beans, working in the garden and getting ready for Sunday. I was released from my calling . . . . and got a new one.

SU My sister and her family came to stay two nights with us . . . more details on this in the next post.

I leave you with this really cute video of Ed in the chicken barn:

When did he get so big?
Why is this video on it's side . . . . ? I rotated it in my files, but I guess that didn't carry over.

Summer 2014: Week 9

This was another great week!

Monday was my b-day, and I asked Nathan to take the day off.

We went to Red Rocks, to show the kids. It is such a great structure and I don't know if there will be a concert I ever want to take all of them too. We spent about an hour looking around and in the museum. For fun I took pictures of the list of people who played at Red Rocks in 1975. Some I know, some I've only heard of.

Horribly blurry, I know but if you click the photo it will get big enough so you can read the names. Mom.

We went piano shopping and ate lunch at a nearby park. It was perfect weather. We made it home in time to take Caitlin to an appointment with the orthopaedic doctor. This time she got a removable cast and we'll go back in one week for another x-ray. It looks pretty good.

We ate the best grilled burgers of the summer, and finished last year's frozen peaches with ice cream for dessert.


Tuesday there was a LOT of rain. A nearby town got 4 inches in about 2 hours and had some severe flooding. We had a lot of water, too but not the flooding. Bryn went to a nursing home to do a talent show for YW. Tuesday night Nathan & Andrew worked on Cooking merit badge requirements. We canned 18 pints of black beans, but only 17 sealed.

Wednesday morning was the Lego Movie at the summer $1 movies. They had 3 sold out theaters! Our friends were able to save seats, we sat in the perfect row and used all of it except 2 seats. Later that afternoon, the BYU Idaho dancers gave some dance instruction to the 12-18 year olds, so I took our friend, his cousin, Andrew & Bryn. Their mom kept the other 3 at home with her little ones. It was fun to watch Andrew & Bryn get well outside their comfort zone. If I'd taken pictures, they would be banned, but I didn't have my camera. Later that evening, the dancers gave a free performance at a nearby high school. I took the girls on a date to watch them.

Thursday evening the girls and I had another date. Some friends were starring in Seussical, so we went to watch them. It was a great production & fun to know some of the cast. Andrew babysat for some boys in our ward so their mom could come, too, and I think he was happier to make money than attend.

Friday night we had a ward party at a park. Perfect weather, ultimate frisbee, and fun chatting with friends.

Most of our day times this week were fairly lazy. That was intentional, because the pace picks up next week with appointments and shopping to get ready for school. Even though I say lazy--it isn't really. Everyone practices piano and has jobs to do--walking the dog or taking care of homes/yards while friends and neighbors are out of town. Band camp & piano lessons as well.

Saturday we planned to get up early, but that didn't happen. We worked on our finances & around the house.We watched BYU gymnastics as we made dinner. I let Ed fall asleep in my bed.

Sunday is fast Sunday and then another week!

(2 weeks of summer left).

Summer 2014: Week 8

This week band camp started. There may have been protest about needing to RIDE bikes there after the car rides to swim team every day since school let out.

This week was party week: Nathan's work party & the swim team party. Both fun & involved more swimming.

Also notable this week was our day in Cheyenne. We went for the pancake breakfast, which is part of Frontier Days. We stood in line for awhile with 10,000 of our closest friends to eat a free meal. It's pretty impressive that they host this event every year. It's very organized and was fun.

This is only part of the line . . . they keep you moving in lots of switchbacks so it doesn't feel as long.

Then, we went to a friend's house to watch the Thunderbirds.

They were not at Frontier Days last year due to budget cuts, so we decided it was worth it. Mostly it was cloudy, which delayed their start, but also made the weather very comfortable.

We met up with cousins there and ate popsicles while we waited. Then, back to Grandma's house for lunch and cousin time. We went to see the animals the cousins raise through FFA.

Andrew and I did some school clothes shopping online this year. We'll see how that works out when they arrive. Also, I am in denial about needing to do school supply shopping. It's so soon!

Saturday we had two fun outings. First, the longest bike ride our family has ever done. We rode between 9 and 10 miles on some of the lovely trails here. We left from home this time, but have discussed renting a trailer to take our bikes somewhere even more scenic. Someday. . . . It took awhile to get out of the house--checking every tire and helmet, but was a lot of fun. We will have to do this again. I have a photo but have been asked not to post it . . . email me if you want to see.

Then, in the afternoon, we went to the pool. Always more fun with Dad there.
While we were there, Caitlin broke her 5th bone while playing catch with a tiny football. The proximal phalanx of the left 5th finger. It's going to be just fine . . . . good thing we are friends with the ortho guys.

The sling is a little over the top for a broken pinkie finger, don't you agree?

Sunday was Nathan's birthday. He asked for cinnamon rolls for his treat. Caitlin was SO excited about that.
We are saving for something so the birthday gifts were minimal. BUT, the kids worked hard all day Friday to contribute to Nathan's gift from them, a pocketknife to replace the one TSA took last year. I knit him a reversible hat for his winter camp-outs with the Scouts.

Striped on one side

Grey on the other

So glad he's part of our lives!

Summer 2014: Week7

Our favorite scouts

Deer at the campsite

Rainbow . . . it rained a lot

This week was Scout camp . . . which meant boys, dirt and fun for Nathan.

For me it meant insomnia and quiet after bedtime. My best sleep this week was Saturday night when they were home.

The boys left early Monday morning (5 am meeting time at the church). They drove to the closest scout camp, Bendelatour. They had no cell phone reception, which was a blessing and a curse. Andrew was in Rifle, Archery, Environmental Science and Emergency Preparedness.
He finished all the requirements for them, and made headway on the cooking merit badge.

Monday we went to the orthodontist . . . Bryn is ready for the next phase. We hosted my brother, sister in law, and mom for the night.

Tuesday we had my mom here. She read and sewed and my kids love having her. We drove my mom to meet my brother & sister in law closer to the airport.

Wednesday I spoke to Nathan in the morning and we spent time with friends in the afternoon.

TH was the last day of swim team practice & piano lessons. Took my sewing machine to be repaired. Spent time with the same friends as Wednesday, one more day.

FR we were lazy all day, except for these parts: Picnic at park with friends for lunch, grocery shopping with 4 children, feeding the sister missionaries (our first garden zucchini!!), and working as a team to can 16 pints of chicken. All sealed & no breaks. My girls loved helping . . . in the past I've not let them touch the raw chicken, so they enjoyed that step.

SAT morning the boys called around 9 am. They were coming home! We put the last 8 jars of chicken in. Andrew showered and got ready for a baseball game. I dropped him off for his ride to the game and went to the temple, a friend went for the first time. Nathan took the chicken off the heat, fed the kids lunch and went to the game. After dinner, we went to see the Secret Garden--a choral version. Our friend played Collin--the main reason we went. Late night . . . . but worth it.

SUN I subbed in Bryn's Sunday School class and learned that 12 & 13 year olds are different from who I normally teach. She also said that she didn't want me to be her regular teacher . . .

Summer is flying now!

Summer 2014: Week 6

Andrew had two baseball games, W and TH. On Wednesday he struck out once and walked twice. TH afternoon, he got contacts. TH night he struck out once and hit two singles. One of those was an RBI, and once he came in. What a miracle! I feel bad for not catching it earlier, but better late than never. The video below is the first hit. The second was even stronger. So proud of him for sticking it out so long without contacts.

Friday morning, Andrew hung out an extra long time at the swimming pool. He brought UNO cards and a friend brought doughnuts--a little party to celebrate the end of the season. There was plenty of goofing off, too. But no one slipped and cracked their head open, so we are thankful for that.

This week Bryn had volleyball camp at a local rec center. This meant she went to swimming from 7:15 until 8:30 and got out of the pool to go to the gym. For this week only she changed age groups and ability levels. She really felt the difference in the workout.

For me, it meant additional driving. On TH, I drove over 100 miles getting everyone to their events. Summer is no joke when you are a mother with lots of children.

Caitlin's big fun was Go-Kart camp.

She signed up last summer but we had to cancel due to broken bones. A friend went with her and after 2 hours, they'd learned all about driving go Karts. Not really surprising that the girls were outnumbered: 3 girls and about 10 boys. Caitlin also had an Activity days party at the swimming pool.

TH night my brother and his wife came to town. They are considering a move to the west and we were fortunate enough to have them stay the night. Fun to chat and catch up. We will host them one more night next week on their way home.

FR night we went to Denver to look at a couple of pianos & ate dinner. In typical CO fashion, there were afternoon thunderstorms as we were driving. Saturday was a get ready for Scout Camp kind of day.

Sunday I will teach Gospel Doctrine. Nathan is scheduled to set up chairs before church, help with a deacon's quorum presidency meeting after and a scout committee meeting in the late afternoon.

Only 5 more weeks!
The school emailed me a reminder about the early release that's happening the first two weeks of school since the K-8 buildings don't have great air conditioning (or none at all).

Hunt Family Reunion: 2014

Big Bear Cabin, Bear Lake (found on VRBO.com) with the Hunts flag collection. They are very patriotic, you know.

TH afternoon we spent picking up food. We used Sam's club click and pull feature. It was awesome. If you are hosting a lot of people and want to speed up the shopping, its a great way to go. We got to the cabin around 5 or 5:30, and Tara, Nathan and I made dinner. It was Chicken Hoagie Sandwiches--which were a big hit. Probably our most successful menu . . .it's the recipe people asked for.
Then a few minutes to talk about the schedule. After Hot Potato and Musical chairs, we went to bed early.

FR morning we met for photos. Apparently the traffic was poor due to parades, so we started a big late b/c our photographer could not get through. Don't have her photos back yet but hope to share them soon.
After photos, we changed clothes and put some red white and blue in our hair. Boys started building their forts for the fireworks competition.We also made giant bubbles--which was a lot of fun.

 

 

 

Nancy's traditional flag cake

Friday afternoon we went to the beach. We were able to rent a water trampoline. The big kids just loved it. Hunts brought 2 canoes--and people rode out and back from the trampoline all afternoon. Great fun. We left a little early to get a head start on dinner:
Jalapeno Cheddar Turkey Burgers

Fireworks battles

We only did our own fireworks. Pretty sure we were driving home when the big ones went off. Chad knows someone who uses simple fireworks to create a battle. They use cereal boxes, etc. to build a fort. Then you are partnered up with someone for your battle. You are given a bag of fireworks similar to the person who you are fighting against. There are some plastic animals inside. The winner is the one with animals left standing after the fireworks have all gone out. It was pretty cool, but all of Andrew's animals melted when his fort caught fire.

Sunset on the 4th

Saturday morning was not so early--we had some open time for games and more bubbles. Made sandwiches for lunch, ate Raspberry Shakes in Garden City and then headed to the beach. One of the best things we did was get the phone number for the shake place. We called in our order at 10am. They made them, stuck them in the freezer and all we had to do was pay them when we arrived. The line for the beach was even worse than on the 4th. This day we'd rented a boat that pulled a banana sled behind it. Each person got to go on the boat and I think everyone had a chance to get on the sled . . . which was fun, too.
We came home to Pork Carnitas.

After dinner was a group meeting. We called it SST (story, skit, or talent). Each family got 10 minutes to have the stage. Nathan told a story about one of his inspiring early ID ancestors, Josiah Call, that he remembered hearing as a child at a family reunion.

Eddie really wanted to have a dance party with glowsticks in the dark. My three youngest and two of the Seattle Hunts shared this bunk room. We had a short dance party on Saturday night.

Then, a meeting to de-brief the reunion. Some stayed up to pack, others to make a model Stephen had brought, some went to bed.

Sunday morning was a scramble to get out in time for 9 am church. We did it with minutes to spare. All 26 of us were able to sit on 3 rows far back in the gym. Joining our sacrament meeting was Elder Quentin L. Cook, whose family owned land at the back of the church property. The bishop estimated 1000 to 1100 people in that meeting. Pretty cool.
He said that the gospel changes hearts, and a changed heart can become a broken heart, and a broken heart is healed by Christ, which can be a turned heart--turned to others. I hope my kids remember hearing him & feeling the Spirit in that giant sacrament meeting.

Although my photos are few, it was a great weekend. 26 people is a lot to take care of and things went almost as smoothly as possible--a little better planning could have improved a few details. It will be nice to not be in charge next time! It's a lot of work, but worth it.

Summer 2014: Week 5

This week was a blur . . . putting together final details for Nathan's family reunion.

26 people.
One big house.
Lots of fun.

Nathan and I worked to prep lots of the food. We cooked Carnitas (remember how last time we suggested having parts catered or purchased?)
and grilled chicken. LOTS OF IT. Formed 36 turkey burger sliders.
Questioned why we didn't delegate more.
Remembered it's cause we like the details to be ours.

Nathan took scouts cycling and Bryn had a church activity cooking.
(There are differences between men and women).

I shopped for all the last minute things:
Simple dawn
Hair ties
Adam's peanut butter
and knitted while sitting in the orthodontist's office.

Remembered that last week I wrote a poem (which is dedicated to Caitlin):

Hustle your bustle,
Or my muscle
Will
Hustle your bustle.

This week I bought Andrew a shirt from the men's department at Target. It fits!
I predict that in a year he'll be taller than me. Not ready for that, but it's coming.

Nathan had Wednesday off. We tried to get out early, but ended up leaving just before noon. We hadn't really packed, and that can slow you down.

We drove across WY and watched "How to Train Your Dragon."  We have two secret with movies in the car.
#1 Redbox
#2 We save them for the late afternoon before dinner when everyone's a little cranky about having been in the car so long.

We stopped in Kemmerer, WY, which does not have a lot of options, but enough. We chose a local diner, Adimiah's, and should have all eaten Mexican food, because it was obvious our server's native language was not English. We didn't, but it was great food. We got to Bear Lake around 7pm, which was early enough to drive up the hill to check out our cabin and get one shake so we could see which size was best.

7:00 PM, Weds

 I really love Bear Lake. It's so big and changes colors throughout the day.
We drove to Logan and got to our hotel late. Fell asleep even later.
 The next morning we found this hiding behind the blackout curtains.

 And this on the bed. It was the only moment in the hotel room he sat still.

 My mom's sister lives outside of Logan, so we went to visit. It happened to be time for the fresh peas, so we ate several handfuls. So good. Wished you were there, Mom.

 My uncle's hobby is precious stones. He had the girls pan for some--which they found and brought home. They were in heaven. When we left, Caitlin asked, "Mom, can I be his apprentice?"

 While they looked for rocks, I had my aunt take me to my grandparents' grave site. Sure love them.

 When we stopped at Aggie Ice Cream, we were not surprised at all to run into two of Nathan's brothers--getting ice cream before lunch. It was a treat to meet up with them.

The rest of week 5 is in the next post--about the reunion.
One of our friends in the ward has 8 children and they had a reunion here. So we let one of their daughters' families stay at our house. In exchange, they watered our garden for us. So great.


Week 5 down, 6 to go.