The Farewell-a-thon

The only thing worse than having your kids leave home is having the good-bye go on for days. Last week was happy/sad/exhausting/too fast.

It started last Friday when Grandma, Grandpa and Gus (who is for some odd reason not in this picture) flew down for Edge's farewell. It's always great to have them in town.  Grandma is a sport and spent one entire afternoon reading books to Ivy and painting her fingernails all sorts of glittery colors. 

The Nelson's also came from Washington.  Mike is one of the missionaries who taught me the discussions (and I betcha after being introduced like that a thousand times on Sunday he hopes to never hear himself described that way again.Sorry).  It was so fun to have them here and get to catch up a little bit.

On Sunday Edge gave his farewell talk, while his parents sobbed in the congregation, then massive amounts of brownies were consumed at our house.  By me. Everyone else ate the pasta salad.

~

Edge's friends spent the weekend letting him know how much they're going to miss him.

Then yesterday morning we took him to the airport where they ripped out part of my heart and put it on a plane.

When he landed in Salt Lake, Mark, Grace,Gus(who did make it into this picture), and the grandparents (who traveled at the speed of light to get from here to there) picked him up and delivered him to the MTC for us.

We're proud of Edge and his decision to go on a mission. We know that he's doing what he should be doing and he's 100% confident in his choice, but we sure are going to miss that kid like crazy.

We have set up a separate blog to keep track of Edge while he's in Columbia baptising the masses.

Elder Lunt goes to Columbia

 

Is this too much?

The blog "make-over".  Is it over the top? Ivy helped me so, you know.....

Is it too bright? Do your eyes hurt when you try to read it?

Happy Birthday Rachel!!

We hope you have the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!!

We can't wait to see you.

If this doesn't make you want to come for a visit I don't know what will

A few days ago Ivy talked Sylvan into (FINALLY) taking her to Target to spend some of her birthday money. After all, she's had it for a whole week and we haven't even taken her shopping, it's like we don't even care if she has good birthday memories. (Imagine a big dramatic sigh right there) And if you think she's putting that $25.00 into a retirement fund you are crazy!

The thing she wanted most to buy was the one thing her mom won't buy her because "It's a waste of money!" (Imagine that said with a sneer)

I have to tell you I was a little afraid, because the list of things I won't buy her because they are waste of money has way more than one thing on it. It's actually a pretty long list.

When they got home she was so happy, she told me how she had seen the Edward Barbie and how she almost bought one because he's sparkly and pale and he looks pretty cool and also there was this make your own lipgloss kit but in the end she went with these~

Because and I quote~"You NEVER buy me fake nails and I wanted some just like Aunt Misty's"

I'm going to have to look a little closer at Aunt Misty's nails, I had NO IDEA she was rocking the Hello Kitty manicure.  After she put them on she told me she wonders if Misty has a hard time getting dressed, because it's really hard to pull up your pants when you are wearing nails.  I told her she should ask Misty if she has any tips for dressing while wearing fancy nails.

When mom was here a few weeks ago she spent some time trying to buy the affections of our children, it's clear from her purchases that she could care less about owning my affection.

For example~

Our boys are now the proud owners of season 1 of UltraMan. A Japanese program that reminds me of a bad Godzilla movie (I know!), broken down into 20 episodes (yep 20!). Do you have any idea how long it takes to watch 20 episodes? Hint~ a really long time.

They're all pretty similar.  There's a group of Japanese men, who seem to always be wearing helmets (maybe it's a cultural thing).

 When out of nowhere comes a really big fire breathing monster.

"Don't worry! UltraMan is here!!"

 UltraMan defeats the pointy beast and all is right with the world. There is clapping and jumping up and down from the helmeted men who are always standing nearby to watch the battle.

Over and over for 20 half hours.

Thanks mom!!

As I end this post I'd like to share this; while Nate was cleaning his room last week he found his poetry portfolio (among other things). Here is a poem written by Nate......for a grade.

Limerick

There was a man who was named Batman

He liked to hit people with a frying a pan

He once saw a kid named Bill

He told him to write his will

And said "I'm going to beat you with this pan"

As you can imagine, we are very proud. 

The Little Brothers

Happy Birthday Eric and Scott.

I tried to find some embarrassing pictures to post but I must have used them all last year.

We love you guys!

19

Happy Birthday Edge!

Edge is such a great kid (man?). 

We're really going to miss him when he leaves...

IN TWO WEEKS!!!

Happy Birthday Ivy!

10 Years Old!!

I can't believe it. 

Only 20 more years til she can start dating.