Installed!

After Spencer finished his Eagle project paperwork, we got an email from the museum letting us know they had installed the drums Spencer gave to them. We were so excited! I went into Phoenix the next day to take pictures. They did such a super job! The mirror on the wall ties it together and is just genius. The drums are suspended a little bit off the ground which gives great sound. The staff came over to give me a little show while I was there (Nancy Stice, the one kneeling, is the Director of Exhibits and the one who made all of this possible for Spencer).

Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

We had our Stake 11 year old girls Activity Day a couple of weeks ago and it turned out really neat. The theme of "Clean Hands and a Pure Heart" was so much fun!

While the girls were arriving, they gathered to make these super adorable flower rings. Aren't they cute?

I started off the day teaching about King Benjamin and how he served his people "with his own hands."

Jeremy was such a hero to step in at the last minute and play King Benjamin!

The class rotations were really awesome. First was a class on journals and testimony.

The girls read testimonies from the prophets in the Book of Mormon and then got to make a journal and write their testimony in it.

The next class was a "Safe Hands" class where they learned about internet and media safety.

Then they were taught about personal safety and learned some sweet self-defense moves!

In the "Learning Hands" class, the girls learned how to conduct music.

Each of them made a pretty conducting baton to take home and use in Family Home Evening.

I loved the "Serving Hands" class where the girls cleaned different areas of the church. It sure was sparkly when they were through!

Each ward was assigned to bring items for school kits, which the girls assembled at the activity.

Next, we gathered for a table manners class and learned the proper way to set a table. The girls were able to practice this by setting their own places.

Their moms were then invited to join the girls for a special luncheon, speaker, and video of "His Hands." What a treat!

Each girl was given one of these very cool hand soaps to remind them to use their hands for good every day. It was a successful day!

First Day of School (kind of)

I forgot to take pictures the first day of school! Finally I decided that we could fudge a little and take them on Isaac's first day of preschool. Spencer and Noah are attending Taylor Junior High, Jacob is still at Franklin East Elementary, and Isaac is going to Miss Cheri's Cute as a Bug Preschool. I'm so excited for all of them!

Happy Anniversary

I told Jeremy I didn't want anything for our anniversary, but he came up with the perfect gift. He knew he couldn't give me chocolate (I've started the Wellness Challenge again) so he gave me a fruit bouquet! Oooh, yum! I'm glad I sneaked some before we went out to dinner, because by the time we got home Jacob and Isaac had nearly picked it clean. Jeremy took me to Cafe Rio since we had never been there before, and then he got to pick the movie this year (last year was "Julie and Julia"). I think he picked "Salt" so that I would sit closer and squeeze his hand tight! Happy Anniversary Honey.

The MIM

The Musical Instrument Museum opened in Phoenix not too long ago, so on our annual back-to-school overnighter at Chaparral Suites in Scottsdale, we decided to go see what the MIM was all about. Boy, were we amazed. We enjoyed ourselves so thoroughly that three hours went by before we could blink! You put headphones on and as you approach the exhibit for each country, the music that is playing on the video screen starts playing in your ear. I think I read somewhere that they have over 3,000 instruments from every country around the world. That makes it the biggest and most diverse collection of its kind. It was especially cool to see the instruments from Peru and New Zealand since we have personal connections there! After your tour of the museum, you get to go in the "hands-on" room and try out some really unique instruments. Believe me, the boys were in heaven. I can't gush enough about this museum!