April, May and June Miscellaneous

APRIL FOOL’S DAY – We are big time into Stranger Things these days so Emily thought it would be SO funny to switch heads on one of our family pictures.  Good one, Emily!!  We kept it up for the whole month.

TYING TIES –  I walked in on Luke helping Matthew learn how to tie his own tie on Sunday morning.  Love it!

EARLY MORNING HIKE  

Dad took the boys over near School of the Woods to hike early one morning before school to finish one of Luke’s cub scout requirements.  They had so much fun.

YW FUNDRAISER – For our camp fundraiser we made Mother’s Day brunch boxes complete with croissants from La Baguette, fruit bowls, orange juice and chocolates.  We gathered at the Waguespack’s home to put them together and wait for Dad’s to come pick them up.  Dad ended up buying one for me and all three of his daughters.  : )

GARDEN of the GODS – Fun to spend the morning hiking in Garden of the Gods.  Beautiful day!

SPORTS DAY – Chinnook Trail Elementary School – Cole, Ian, Matthew, Ian and Cade

CUB SCOUTS -  Luke and Matt having fun with friends at a Pack Meeting.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL – As soon as the boys got home they were in their bathing suits and playing outside.  They did water balloons with the Egberts, jumped on the trampoline and then sat on the chairs to dry off. : )  Love these boys.  Love summer!!!

PARK DAY WITH FRIENDS – For Trey Neilson’s birthday we met at Fox Run Park and enjoyed a beautiful morning.  Here the kids are lined up ready for a airplane race.

POOL TIME – So many fun afternoons and evenings at the Cordera pool. Especially loved it when we could be there with friends.  Love the Theurer family!!

RIDING – these boys will spent their whole summer riding bikes throughout the neighborhood.  I love it!

GOLFING with DAD – So fun for Luke, Matt and Katie to be golfing with Dad – Fort Carson Golf Course.

SLEEPING BAGS AND SCRIPTURES  --  Not sure what could be so appealing about sleeping on the hard carpet, but these boys love a chance to sleep in their sleeping bags together (a well used gift from Grandma Johnson.)  A party for sure!  Love that they are reading the Book of Mormon.

PARTY for DAYLEE – Katie hosted a surprise party for Daylee.  So many good friends over to hang out. : )

TEMPLE TRIP – A trip up to the Denver Temple with the Cordera youth to do Baptisms.  So fun to have all three of the girls there… and Dad too.

TRIPLE DATE – Katie, Daylee and Brookelyn asked out these cute boys for a fun triple date… One of the last dates in Colorado before heading to BYU for the summer.

GOLFING with a SNAKE! – Yuck!

KATIE PACKING UP – Lots of Katie’s friends (and her Dad) have gotten emotional walking into her room to see things getting all packed up for the last couple of weeks.  (Not Megan though as she’ll finally be getting her own room.)   So excited for you Katie!!

Fathers Day and Katie’s last Sunday

It turned out that Katie’s last Sunday before heading off to college was on Father’s Day.   So we celebrated them both!  : )

Our Annual Father’s Day Questions…

FATHER’S DAY QUESTIONS

1.What does Dad do at work?

• Matthew says… Look at bones and help people go back to life.
• Luke say…  He’s an X-ray doctor (what is that called again?) and he looks at X-rays and he looks at people’s broken bones (well sometimes they aren’t broken).
• Megan says… He looks at pictures of bones and checks to see if there is anything wrong with them. And he works out.
• Emily says…He is a Radiologist and looks at people’s bones on the computer and uses big Radiology words to tell what’s wrong with it… something like subclavical but that’s not it.  It was something with a lot of syllables that totally sounds made up.
• Katie says… He is a Radiologist. He works in a dark room but he sometimes talks to people. He is over the Mammo Department.
• Ryan says…Well, lots of people ask me that question and this is what I tell them: Babai im është një radiolog, një mjek që shikon skanime të kockave dhe të pjeseve të tjera të trupit të një personi, të dallojë se çfarë problemi ka.

2. What does Dad do at home?

• Matthew says… He comes home and says ‘hi guys’ and he eats dinner and then tickles me when I’m in bed, and then watches a movie with Mom.
• Luke say… He edits videos for home videos, and he sometimes is looking at his mission journal.  Sometimes he plays board games with us and eats dinner with us.  Oh he sleeps too.
• Megan says… He’s on his computer typing about his mission or he’s on his spreadsheets.  He’s always doing something on his computer.  And he likes to play board games.
• Emily says… He likes to play games and watch movies – except for were not watching movies right now.  He likes to talk with his family.
• Katie says… He watches movies, plays games, does spreadsheets, helps me and Ryan with college stuff, makes videos, types out his mission and blogs.
• Ryan says…He works on videos of family trips and blogs of his mission, and he shows his love for his children and wife by spending quality time with them.

3. What does Dad like to watch on TV?

• Matthew says… Scary movies, Weird movies like learning about being healthy
• Luke say…  He likes to watch BYU football games and basketball games, CUBS baseball games.  He watches love movies with Mom and he watches Series of Unfortunate Events with us as a family.
• Megan says… He doesn’t watch a lot of TV right now but he likes to watch a Spanish show, and Series of Unfortunate Events and Stranger Things I think.
• Emily says…The Spanish show,  I don’t know.
• Katie says…   Spanish soap operas… and scary movies.
• Ryan says…Sports. He also likes to watch movies and tv shows with his family.

4. What does Dad do after you go to bed?

• Matthew says…How am I supposed to know?
• Luke says…   He tucks us in usually.  He stays up late and either edits pictures or watches a show with Mom. And I think he’s on his computer all night until 1:00am.
• Megan says… Watches a show or is still on his laptop.
• Emily says…  He…these are hard questions… I keep wanting to say ‘watch movies’ but does he? Even though we’re off movies?  Oh, he writes his mission journal all the time.
• Katie says… Watches shows with mom or listens to podcasts, or runs on the treadmill.
• Ryan says…When I go to bed at 10:30 my time, it is 2:30 your time, so probably lots. He comes home from work, (goes golfing on the way if there is time), and gives his wife a hug. After that, I am not sure.

5. What does Dad like to eat?  What would he make if he had to make dinner for himself?

• Matthew says…Rice and curry sauce.
• Luke say…  He likes pancakes with tons of fruit.  Pasta and Spaghetti.  He likes Salad I think.  Well, ya he does.  He likes corn for some reason.  And all the healthy food.  He does like ice cream and all the unhealthy food too but doesn’t eat it that often – like all of us.   He would make… does he know how to make macaroni?  Maybe he would make pancakes since I think he knows how to make that. Probably he would go to the store and get some pizza from Costco.
• Megan says…He likes all food pretty much.  He’d probably just eat beans, cheese, salsa and chips if he had to make it himself.
• Emily says… He would make that rice and curry sauce.  He wouldn’t make it he would just heat it up.  He likes anything that mom makes – probably anything at all.
• Katie says…  He likes to eat homemade lasagna and vegetarian meals and organic strawberries. If he had to make something for himself he would probably do rice and some of the Thai sauce since he has that for lunch everyday.
• Ryan says…I have no clue. I should probably know more of these answers. He might put a pizza in the oven, or on special request make Christmas Breakfast.

6. What does Dad do at church?

• Matthew says… He bears his testimony.  He gives talks about missions. 
• Luke say…   Sometimes he’s at work during church, but sometimes he’s there at church.  He listens to talks in Sacrament Meeting and then after that when I’m in primary, I have NO idea.  I think he’s a good teacher and leader or something like that.  I have no idea.
• Megan says… Sometimes he’s not at church, but he goes to the men’s class for men. Elders Quorum.
• Emily says…He serves people and his bears his testimony and he’s a good example.  He just got called to be something…  Darn it. Something in the Stake.   ??
• Katie says…  He sits with Mom and puts his legs out in front of him in the second row.  He bears his testimony.  He is the Stake Sunday School counselor to Dave Norton.
• Ryan says…He ministers. He bears his testimony and is sensitive of other's needs.

7. Does Dad like to clean the house?

• Matthew says… No. All he cares about is his wife, his kids and fixing people’s bodies.
• Luke says…  I don’t think that he likes to but maybe sometimes he likes to do it because at the end he gets to kiss Mom or something.  He does it just to help the house get clean even though he probably doesn’t like it, because no one likes it.
• Megan says… No. Probably not. He’s not used to it.  He does it with a good attitude but he probably doesn’t like it.
• Emily says… No.  No one likes to clean the house.
• Katie says… No. That’s all I’m going to say.
• Ryan says…Maybe not. But he loves his wife, so he does anyway. He enjoys taking care of big projects in the garage or the lawn, painting, or moving furniture, because of the satisfaction of having it done and the new organized space ready for use.

8. Who does Dad love?

• Matthew says…His family.  His cousins. His whole family.
• Luke say…  He loves mom A LOT.  His kids: Ryan, Katie, Emily, Megan, Luke Matt.  His parents, his nephews and nieces and his siblings and everyone except for the bad people like Satan.
• Megan says…He loves his wife, and his kids and his parents and his sisters and the Christoffersons and all his close friends.
• Emily says… Dad loves his family and his siblings and his parents and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and all of his friends.
• Katie says…  Me. And everyone in his family – mostly Mom.
• Ryan says… don't have to guess for this question. He loves the Lord. He loves his dad. He loves his mom. He loves his wife and kids. He loves me. He shows it.

9.  If Dad could do anything he wanted on a Saturday afternoon what would it be?

• Matthew says…Go golfing with Katie, me and Luke.
• Luke say…  He might go on the tramp with us, or play soccer with his friends, or go to the park with some friends, or maybe he’d try to stay home and get stuff done on his mission journal since he had time.  He would tickle us too.  Did you write the tickling part?
• Megan says…Probably play a board game or watch home videos or research what food is good for you.
• Emily says… Go golfing with his kids or spend time with his family playing games.
• Katie says…  Go to Europe.  He usually just wants to get stuff done that he has to do.
• Ryan says…Dad would take the family out for dinner and have friends over for board games and a BYU game.

10. What does Dad like about being a Dad?

• Matthew says… Tickling me and Luke
• Luke say… That he gets to kiss Mom.  That he gets to be kind of mostly in charge I guess.  He likes to have kids because he loves kids and he’s good with babies and he loves his kids.
• Megan says… He likes his kids and that he can play and teach them games.  And that he can do sports with them and teach them to love sports, and teach them stuff.
• Emily says…  He likes teaching his kids and showing them things that he loves like golfing and skiing.
• Katie says…  Tickling kids, having a beautiful family, being in charge, EVERYTHING.
• Ryan says…I don't know. I bet he loves having so many kids and that he can do so many different fun things with each one. He must love showing them the things he loves, especially when they love it too. He must like having a positive influence on some of God's choicest spirits. I am so grateful that I have him as a dad. I have learned so much from him over the years. His joyful spirit and funny comments and love of family are contagious and make everyone smile.

11.  What does Dad need more practice at?

• Matthew says… More cheering for football games.  Don’t you think he’s loud enough? He’s loud but he doesn’t do it enough.
• Luke say…  I’m not sure.  He’s really good at a lot of things.   Oh, I got one… Video games and editing pictures like Mom and building lego. Oh and cooking.
• Megan says… Just making dinner in general.
• Emily says… Nothing.  Well, everyone needs practice at everything.
• Katie says…  Speaking quietly.
• Ryan says…He better practice ping-pong and billiard, because I am ready to play him.

Katie and the Family History Center

For the past year or two Katie, Maggie and Emily have been volunteering at the Family History Center every Thursday night.  June 14th was her last day and to celebrate Brother Atkinson arranged for a party to honor her service.  Chris and the kids and I came as well and heard them talk about their appreciation for Katie’s willingness to come and bring others to serve with her.  It was a neat to see how much they loved having her there.

Katie ended up writing one of the BYU application essay’s about Family History…

How have you become aware of a significant need in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked towards meeting that need.

Brother Atkinson is a 60 year old family history worker, Sunday school teacher, and now a friend. This is how I met him: Family History has been a huge focus in our stake for the past few years, especially since we went on Trek in 2014. We all brought a name of an ancestor who was a pioneer and "trekked" for them. I was Mary Rennie Laird, a pioneer woman who joined the church at age 16 and was among Scotland’s first converts. She endured many trials but remained faithful and it is because of stories like this that I fell in love with family history. The general authorities and our stake presidency have been asking us to find names and learn how to use familyhistory.org. We had several firesides and lessons about it, however, the majority of members had a desire but "didn't know where to begin" or "never got around to it"... including me. Our stake was in need of people to become more familiar with doing family history so they could teach others. All of the priests and laurels in my ward were called as Temple and Family History Consultants. I decided to do what I could to fill that role. I started volunteering at our stake Family History Center every Thursday evening. I help patrons find names and navigate familysearch.org, organize microfische, clean computers, scan photos, run the story booth, and even wear a name tag. I also have a lot of time to work on my own family history and learn new things. I brought my little sister, Emily, and neighbor, Maggie, along too and they love it. I met Brother Atkinson because he is the youth family history consultant and he trained us. He has no family and loves having a connection with us. Now every time he teaches a lesson in church or talks to someone with me in the room, he brags about how I was the first youth in his ward to come volunteer and how I brought two more volunteers. It can be embarrassing but it feels good to be his pride and joy. My service in the family history center has helped others, but taught me the most.  It has taught me how to love others--my coworkers, patrons, and especially my ancestors. It has taught me that you must dedicate time to learn a new skill. It has taught me how to find names for the temple. A few weeks ago, my sister and I found 101 names in one night. I love knowing I am doing something to help my family after all they have done for me. I am so grateful that my ancestors found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and raised their kids so that I could be born into the gospel and have these truths to live my life by.

Emily and Megan’s Pirate and Harry Potter Camps

The girls put a lot of hard work into their Pirate and Harry Potters summer camps this year – and really enjoyed it!  Such a good way to earn Girls Camp and EFY money.

PIRATE CAMP

• Boys and girls ages 3-6
• Tuesday June 12, Wednesday, June 13, and Thursday June 14
• 9:00 – 12:00 each day
• Cost of the camp $45 (including snacks)

HARRY POTTER CAMP

• Boys and girls ages 7-10  (Especially fun that Luke and Matt could be a part of this camp!)
• Tuesday June 12, Wednesday, June 13, and Thursday June 14
• 1:00 – 4:00 each day
• Cost of the camp $45 (including snacks)

The Harry Pottery Camp was amazingly successful.  So many kids signed up and we had to say no to a few in the end because it was just too full.  They made owls, got their letters from Hogwarts, played relays and games in their ‘houses’, did Harry Potter puzzles and word games, made a Hogwarts Bingo board, make potions, played pin the scar on Harry,  played Quidditch on the ping pong table and so much more.  So crazy!! But the girls did such a great job and in the end earned SO much money.