Playing with the Birds

Last week my sister and her amazing husband (last name of Bird) had the assignment to go to Youth Conference with their Stake. Only catch, they have 6 adorable children who would NOT be going with them! So I became the mother of 10 for a little while!!! (Alison and Eric, of course are married and on their own, Charly (18), Jon (16), Braden (13), Dallin (11), Austun (9), Ryan (7), Makayla (4), and Adilynne (2)). It was a great time!!!

With three of the boys in year-round school, Jon at work, Charly doing her thing, and Braden enjoying time with friends, I spent a lot of time enjoying little girls!

This is their favorite 'paper doll' - it's a cut-out pic of Charly!

You can tell they enjoy life! And so much fun to be, according to Adilynne, 'Ant Dee'- or according to Makayla, 'Ant DeeDan' or 'Ant DeeDandy' when she gets talking fast! Ha, ha! I'll take

it

any day...

Favorite part, being followed everywhere I go! For some reason my own teenage kids just don't do that any more... They also do not lay on the floor outside the bathroom door waving their little fingers under the door and giggling while saying, 'see Ant Dee's shoes!' I am so blessed to have a sister who trusts me to care for her kids! Thanks, Ardis!

It's Play Time!

My playmates!

This pic was taken in Oct. 2010 (notice the pumpkin) but I love it!

Summertime, when I don't have a job (yes, teachers are blessed to have summers 'off', but off means non-paid...), means time to play with my kids! What a great blessing in my life!

The last week, Jon and Char and I watched all seven Harry Potter vids in preparation for the last installment. Char was able to score us some tickets early in the day Thursday (thanks so much ADC!) so I would not have to try to stay awake past midnight. (Yes, I am no longer a teenager!) Jon and I completely enjoyed the film! She-who-must-not-be named was miserable that 'it didn't follow the book'. But it was great to have this experience together none-the-less! Now we all just want to re-read the books...

Then Friday brought Stake Lagoon Day! (for any non-LDS, that simply means we were able to get discount passes through our church.) It was so much fun to spend the day with Char (and run into Jon with his friends from time to time)! Plus we were able to ride the rides with many wonderful neighborhood friends! A-once-in-a-lifetime great day! I especially loved it when an 11 year old neighbor said: 'Sister Troff, are you really going to go on the roller coaster too?!' Of course! And Char and I rode that old rickety roller coaster several times in the very back!!! What could be better?!

Saturday, fun times at a neighbor's house with lots of friends and many I consider 'family'. I am so blessed to have so many in my life who are willing to open their hearts to me!

I can't wait for many more summer adventures to come... guess I'd better make sure to plan some more!

Of cars, cows, ties, and other summer things...

So the morning after Eric and Alison's beautiful wedding, I received a phone call...

Charly's car is gone. (It took me a while to even be able to post this pic). The best part, Charly did not get hurt (except for a few acid burns from the airbags- but they are healed now.) She is still without a car, she still flinches when I drive on a regular basis, but she was so protected in an accident that could have resulted in so much worse. I am so grateful for the blessing of her safety!

We love Chick-fil-a! Anyone who missed out (or chose not to participate) in Cow Appreciation Day, missed some of the best memories of the summer. Just look at these adorable faces and tell me I'm wrong. (I especially loved the non-stop 'mooing' from our little neighbor boy! As Tabitha put it so aptly, I just have to quote her: "I just love this kid!") I am so blessed to be able to play with my kids!

I'm working on a summer project (mostly because I love a challenge, but also because I have a really hard time saying 'no' to my daughter!) It's a 'quilt' made up entirely of neckties! (more of a throw, really, as it will not have any batting or backing...) Our dear friend and neighbor, Ella, is an amazingly talented quilter, and Charly saw some of her work when we celebrated Ella's birthday. Charly really wanted me to make her a wedding ring quilt- but I soon convinced her that I would NOT be doing that- so then Charly decided I should make a tie quilt. Now I could have opened the ties and used the material in several ways, but Ella suggested that I embroider the edges together- and me not knowing exactly what that should look like, I let my imagination take over (that and the fact that I also had a broken sewing machine...) and dusted off my Young Women's years- all those hours spent in homemaking type activities- knitting, crocheting, embroidery- all those skills I never quite mastered, have rarely used, but have been great to know when I need them! So, now I think I have enough ties- or at least a couple of other people have promised me enough ties- I have figured out a pattern, I have figured out a stitch to use, I have dusted off my boxes of thread, and have spent- I don't want to count how many- hours stitching and arranging and- well- I'm almost halfway done! It is unique if nothing else- but I have to admit, I kind of like it! I am so blessed to have had such wonderfully talented women like my grandmother and mother who have taught me the skills and the love necessary to create such things for the people I love! Love you, Charly!

Last thing, happy birthday today to someone who will always mean a lot to me!

Lesson from a Rose Bush

This pic is a rose bush I was given by my good friend, Jeanie, seven years ago when I purchased my home. Last fall was not kind to my rosebush; I had to cut it down to the roots this spring- thought it had died. However, as you can see, after the harsh pruning, it is the most beautiful it has ever been!

John 15:1-5:

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Something new to remember from my Heavenly Father...

'Grandma Sue's' Party!

I am so very blessed to have Sue in my life! She throws the best 4th of July party anyone (no matter their age) could ever wish to experience! Plus, how great is it that after one of these amazing days, my daughter posts on FB: 'pretty sure I have the best family ever!' Wow! So glad she feels this way.

Sue's party:

The day starts out with setting up the backyard... (and Grandpa made pancakes- Yum!)

Then, just after lunchtime, we assemble for the best water fight/ water wonderland ever! Complete with Grandma Sue in the middle of the action!

After several hours of fun, we move on to a delicious barbecue- always too much good food for even such a large crowd.

Finally, we gather in the driveway for poppers, tank wars and fireworks. Now, when I say tank wars, I really mean tank wars where every child has his/her own BOX of tanks and the battle ends up as a mini bonfire at the end of the drive. Nothing quite like watching my 1 year old great niece jumping up and down in delight for over 5 minutes! So much fun and nobody got hurt! Perfect day!