chocolate art day

 

This morning started early for all of us. Doug and Truman caught the redeye flight from Los Angeles last night.  Carter and I left the house at 5:15 am to retrieve them. Our first stop was Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, one of the few places that are open for business that time of day!

The boys played catch in the yard, while Courtney and I shopped until we finally found a left-handed mitt for her so that she could join them. Most of the day, however, was spent on the lake.

Then we had an early dinner and went back to Orlando to

Farris and Foster’s Famously Fun Chocolate Factory.

 

First it was hats and aprons on…then it was time for a little instruction.

Truman knew straightaway that the first thing he wanted to make was a chocolate covered twinkie.

Courtney decided to make several kinds of chocolate cups.

Carter  embellished  his vanilla wafer as it is moved along the conveyor belt.

Of course, the sample tray was a huge hit. Among Carter’s choices, he tried out a chocolate covered potato chip, which he thought was pretty great.

Truman ate chocolate covered oreo cookies and, of course  chocolate covered twinkies.

They all sampled quite a few!

 

 

Even Courtney, who kept the busiest with her chocolate masterpieces.

 

 

Carter made a chocolate caramel cup, and Truman went for the traditional peanut butter.

   

There were hundreds of options and the kids each ended up with about of dozen of their choice.

    

 

Even Papa got into the “art” and made himself some chocolate covered marshmallows and chocolate covered strawberries.

 

 

 

 

 

We left with their take-home boxes to enjoy the rest of the week!

sunday morning

I could hear them downstairs talking, then alternately laughing and giggling. What kind of game are they playing that is producing those happy sounds, I wondered? Followed by, I hope they are at least ready for church. They weren’t…and they were immediately forgiven.

Carter was reading Carter Clips 2007, the blogs printed into the book.

 

 

 

 

Courtney was reading Carter Clips 2008. They were sharing their favorite parts with each other.

 

 

It’s all the joy a Nanamoo blogger could ever hope for.

across the country tonight…

Truman is on his way with Papa!

to and from georgia

I drove half way to Charlotte, North Carolina  today and then turned around and drove home. The good news is that I drove home with two thirds of the attendees of grandkid camp. After we had dinner in Jacksonville, I gave the kids the opportunity to get home sooner or go to the beach for a little while. Not surprisingly, they took the beach option. It was the perfect driving break for me, watching them play as the sun set this evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we did arrive at the house, Courtney looked at me and smiled and said, “I love being at the Birdhouse!” She and Carter then had a conversation trying to figure out how many times they have been here over the years. I think they decided on 45.

field trip

Today, Elliot and Papa went to the Mission Trails Regional Park for the  kindergarten field trip. 

They saw snakes and rat nests and went on a hike. Elliot and Papa both liked the movie they watched and learned new and interesting facts.

What a great school day for both of them!

practicing spanish

I need to do a blog soon about my Spanish tutor from the SMTC (Senior Missionary Training Center). She has been my task master since January checking up on me three times a week. Today during our lesson she apologized because a volunteer was supposed to join our conversation so that I could “meet” and “teach” someone new, but it didn’t work out. I told my teacher not to worry because many mornings during seminary I meet with my friend from our ward who is from Puerto Rico.

Although we don’t normally do so, this morning I practiced my homework tasks. Most days we just chat about this and that and when I start to lose the drift of the conversation she throws out a few words in English and we carry on. I am so grateful for Frances, her time and her help to me.

My Spanish teacher was genuinely pleased that I have this opportunity that I had not previously told her about. She said something alluding to the fact that I had already completed my hour of homework early in the day. Really? I was shocked. An hour of homework? I was pretty surprised, which I guess I didn’t hide very well, although I did not say, you mean the first hour of the three or four that I have to put in everyday to be ready for you?

I have dropped almost everything from my life to accommodate my Spanish lessons and my move. These past few months have been incredible, incredible meaning different, but in a good way.

At the end of my lesson today, my teacher spent quite a few minutes telling me how encouraged she is with my progress and saying other nice things that made me feel great. She then gave the closing prayer. She prays very  specifically and I love it because she asks Heavenly Father for special blessings for me and I feel them powerfully in my life.

Can I just say how grateful I am for a  teacher that is teaching me how to be a missionary and a friend that is teaching me how to talk about our families and that activities of our days. It’s the best!

california boys

Doug is  in California this week.

The Evans boys immediately had him bowling and playing catch and wrestling and throwing balls at each other. It is a boys experience through and through when you visit. 

He is also spending time visiting the relatives.  It will be at least another three years  before he makes his way to California again.  Since his parents are not in good health,  I can't imagine what those goodbye's are going to be like for him.  But I know that they are happy they raised a son who is devoting the next three years of his life to missionary work in Argentina. 

papa and elliot

karla and brianna

Karla has been so sad ever since she found out about our mission to Argentina. Brianna has been busy this year, as all high school girls seem to be, with schoolwork and various extra-curricular activities. However, they scheduled the last three days of spring break to hang out together. They chatted and went to a block party on Friday night, met up with GG and Aunt Jennifer and her girls and went out on a pontoon on Saturday and went to church together on Sunday. Karla holds a special place in all of our hearts.

serious workers

The big trees in the yard haven’t been trimmed back for a few years.  Of course, we want everything at the house to be prepared to last while we are away. A small group of guys from church came over this morning and set to work. Here they are pausing for lunch. I think it is the only time they stopped all day. We are so grateful for Ray, Peter, Sam, Duck and Benny. Those  guys are awesome!

property managers

There are many things to think about and prepare for as we get ready for our mission. It is a huge blessing to have trustworthy friends.

Thank you Melody and Chris!

We enjoyed the beautiful weather and a great meal together this evening.

youth temple trip

Doug and I went with the youth tonight to the Orlando Temple. I witnessed Brianna being confirmed by Doug for deceased ancestors. She is beautiful, and it was a wonderful beautiful experience.

12 new eagles in the nest

It was a night for honoring twelve Eagle Scout recipients.

It was a night for recognizing five Duty to God recipients.

It was night for remembering an amazing adventure at Philmont last summer,

including the swap box and the cry, “Hike on.”

 

 

 

 

 

It was a good night for my dear husband, who has put his heart and soul into the lives of these young men and others like them for the the past ten years.

five years

1, 166 posts

Happy Birthday dear Blog 

 

a revelatory experience

 

 

 

President Hall invited Doug and I to join with the Orlando Mission for a conference today with Elder Bednar.

 

 

 

The missionaries gathered in the cultural hall before the meeting began to have pictures taken in the zone groups with Elder Bednar. Then he shook the hand of each and every missionary.

We feel so blessed to have been in the presence of an apostle as he helped us to increase our faith and capacity for learning. Elder Bednar facilitated a beautiful experience for me personally today.

clues for the theme of grandkid camp

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Clue #5

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Welcome

Courtney, Carter and Truman 

to

Birdhouse Studio

for