The Gila Valley

Oh, what a weekend. I love when you can say "I told you so." Even though I never did I really wanted to. We (the Ricedorffs) and the Platts all went down to the Gila Valley Temple Open House. Afterward the Platts wanted to go camping but I wanted to get a hotel. I was talked into going camping and was really on board once the decision was made. But alas no camping was done since when we got to the campsite there was snow on the ground. Now I enjoy camping with the best of them but when it comes to cold I am a wimp. So we drove down the mountain a little ways and found a nice spot to start a fire, roast some hot dogs, make smores, get smokey and then it was on to a hotel, where the kids and the adults had so much fun. It was a great weekend and I am glad it turned out how it did. Sometimes the best plans can go awry but it is what you do when this happens that counts. I think we did pretty good and I hope my kids all appreciate that you can go with the flow (this coming from the biggest planner ever, I guess Ryan has rubbed off on me more than I know.)

Highlights

Walking through the temple. I hope my children learned something and maybe I actually taught them a lesson or two. The temple is beautiful (of course) and I can't wait for the Gilbert and Phoenix temples to be built.

Telling the kids they WILL come what may and love it even if it kills them. (Dang it)
Inappropriate comments while roasting hot dogs around the camp fire. Karrie said we could not blog about them.

Ryan saying that the scout law says that when the sun goes down the temperature drops 20 degrees. It was already 45 degrees so I was not looking forward to waking up in 25 degree weather.

Party in the hotel room, with all of the junk food from the camp out. Watching the kids jump from bed to bed and then crashing all at the same time. When you are tired you are tired.

Jack's favorite was fake calling his girlfriend.

Swimming in the indoor pool, jumping on the rafts, and sitting in the hot tub.

Getting exercise by going down the elevator then running up the stairs.

Jay's favorite, how he liked seeing forever and ever in the temple. I showed him the mirrors in the sealing room.

Ryan telling us he makes the best smores as he was burning the marsh mellows and the melting the chocolate too much.

"Oh my gosh carrots" from the tin foil dinner Karrie made.

Ryan's favorite, wrestling with the kids.

Going to the Red Knolls and seeing where Jeremy blew up a hole. It was not as much fun as I would have liked because I was petrified that the kids would fall in a hole or off a cliff. Jay felt this same way because he never let go of my hand and when he did he held tight to Jeremy's hand (look at the picture of Jeremy and the kids.)

Kate's stash of food in the AC control in the hotel. I guess when you are the third child you think someone will steal your food so you need to hide it.

Jack calling 911 (actually a low light). He dialed the number and thought it wouldn't work since the phone was not plugged in, it works

Dyan's favorite, being with my family and laughing and realizing that you can have fun even when things don't go as planned.

Church

I am trying to teach my children how to act at church but since they are 2, 4, and 7 it doesn't always go over too well. Like today for instance. It is the opening prayer (we only made it that far in reverence) and I am holding Kate and Jay is sitting next to me. Kate's arms are folded and she is being pretty good and I am thinking wow this is great. Next thing I hear though is not the prayer but Kate telling Jay to fold his arms and then seeing that my eyes were opened telling on Jay to me. It was all that I could do not to bust up laughing right there. After the prayer Ryan asked what happened so I told him and he starts to laugh. Needless to say the rest of sacrament meeting was spent trying to keep our kids focused and listening because they had seen their parents not acting right. I did get something out of the meeting though and that is that my bishop and stake president are wonderful men and truly called of God. I am glad that they lead my ward and stake and I will be a better example to my children.

Look up, look down, look at someone

Look up, look down, look at someone. This is a game we play often. It is the easiest game and the kids all love it. I laugh every time we play cause we end up looking at the person for what seems like a minute when it is only about ten seconds but even then that is too long. All you have to to is look up, look down, then look at someone in the circle. If you are looking at someone who is looking at you then you are both out. But if you are looking at someone and that person is looking at someone else then you are in. The last person not looking at someone is the winner. Simple easy and full of entertainment. I love that my family is easy to please. In fact I just love my family. I am blessed to have them all so close. Even Mark who is in Snowflake is only a three hour drive away. I love it.
I am also reading "Catching Fire" and loving it. I can't believe I am posting when I really want to be reading. If you get a chance the "Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire" are great just know you have to wait until August to find out what happens.

Mother of the Year

For all of you out there, there is no longer need for worry. I am no longer in the running for Mother of the Year. I know I was in a close race for first, but I failed. What did I do? I forgot to be the Tooth Fairy. Jack lost his 5th tooth yesterday and I forgot to take the tooth and give him money. I forgot this even after he had reminded me. Thankfully the tooth fairy was able to come while we were at church. It was also helpful that we have seen the movie "The Tooth Fairy" so I just played it off like it was a new tooth fairy and that he was happy he wouldn't have to shrink himself or use any other props like the Rock had to. I think it worked out nice. Maybe I am back in the running for Mother of the Year.

two good reads

Two books that I have read since "Team of Rivals," "The Hunger Games" and "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." Both are totally different from each other. I enjoyed both immensely and was sucked into them enough that I ignored my family. Thankfully they were easy reads and I read them quick.
"The Hunger Games is very graphic and gory and a series book with only two written so far. The third and I think final book is due out August 24, 2010. I have reserved the second book at the library but hopefully will find another copy before so I can know what happens.
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" was great. I think it is my favorite of the two. It is a series of letters written to different people. It gave a little history of the island of Guernsey and the people there during the German Occupation of WW2. I love fiction books with history in them. I feel like I am getting some truth with a great story.
If you are looking for something to read I would recommend either of these two books. But know that you will be sucked in and your family, life, house and whatever else will be ignored until you are done.

Birthday/Easter/March Madness

I have no idea how to fix my pictures. When ever I do I erase them and then I get mad so I am leaving them in this order and someday I will figure it out till then oh well. Here is a copy of my birthday card my FIL Jack made for me. The front is a picture of a houseboat named "Lady Dyan" and it is at Lake Powell. The inside is a poem he wrote just for me. I am grateful to my FIL Jack because he is so generous and giving. I see it everyday in Ryan. I know he was taught well by his dad. Thank you Jack for making this great card and teaching your son so well.

Easter was great. I love that my kids went swimming on Saturday and then colored Easter eggs. It was great to get up and watch conference. I wanted to get a picture of my three kids together but I didn't so here they are separately in their swimming suits. No, the pool is not heated. I think they are crazy but they had fun. Thank you to our Savior for dying for us and then being resurrected. I am grateful for the atonement in my life and for the many chances and opportunities I get to repent. I loved conference and the positive messages from it. I love listening to our prophet.

Now for my March madness update. I hope you all watched the game. Butler made it to the finals and almost won. Just when I thought Duke was going to pull away and go out ahead big time Butler would come up big. In fact that last shot from half court almost went in. It was a great game and I know I can only do better on my bracket next year. I will do more research instead of eeny meeny miney mo. Or maybe I will just pick the team with the better color scheme.