Classic Quote From the Past Week

Teancum: "I think Dad is so lucky to have married you." Mom: "Why?" T: "Because you're the best mom I've ever seen."

It's only a special quote because it was out of the blue, without any prompting from Daddy. :)

Why Do These Things Happen All At Once?

Doesn't it seem like when one things goes wrong, pretty soon lots of things go wrong? For instance, we had a 2" screw in our tire after we got home from Rock Creek's pioneer celebration. We were able to travel safely to Utah for our August temple trip, but while I was in Costco, James pulled the screw out and the tire deflated. James and Ian changed to the spare tire. Luckily Les Schwaab (sp?) patched the tire for only $12, and within 45 minutes. That doesn't happen in Lander! Then yesterday our van's sliding door wouldn't open. We don't know what happened and we were discouraged thinking it would cost lots more money to fix. James had been trying to change the oil and the filter that he bought didn't fit, and he couldn't find any in town that were the right one. Luckily today he was able to 1) find the right filter and finish changing the oil, and 2) fix the van's sliding door.

Then this morning my disc printer quit on me, right in the middle of a project that I'm doing for a lady that Mrs. Campbell referred to me. James spent a lot of time trying to fix it, but to no avail. Now, I know I use my printers 100 x's more than they were intended to be used, but seriously, I expect them to work as hard as I do -- not to fall apart! I haven't fallen apart yet (although I sure felt like it this morning when I was so close to being finished with my project and something silly like a broken printer had to throw off my groove!). I checked online and they have discontinued my printer (of course), as well as the newer model that uses the same ink cartridges (of course), so I ordered a refurbished one (I hope I don't regret that!) of my same model. It won't be here until Aug 11 and this couple is going to Alaska for a big reunion with friends (hence the purpose for the movie) on Aug 8th. I prayed about it, and would you believe that later in the afternoon when I turned the printer on it suddenly was working again! I have no idea what "fixed" it, but I was able to print all of the discs that this couple needed. Then when I tried to print the cover, it broke again. I tried sending it to the other computer, but the file was too big for my old computer to handle, and I still haven't figured out how to network my other printer on to this computer (it's even older than my disc printer). Once again I started praying. I turned the printer off and back on a couple times, and miraculously it started printing the page. I was able to print the covers for the dvd cases and I have the project all finished and ready to be picked up. At first when the printer started working again, I thought, "oh no! I wish I hadn't ordered that new printer!" Then when it broke again I realized that Heavenly Father had provided a miracle for me in order to finish this project and that the printer could not be relied upon to work when I needed it to. I will probably keep it on hand for parts for the new printer (as if I would know how to exchange them anyway, but maybe James would).

These things together with my blog suddenly being unuseable for pictures, I've been wondering why these things pile up together? I am scared of what might break next! At least James is able to fix most car-related things. And we were sure blessed to be able to fix our tire in Bountiful rather than in Lander because I'm sure it was much faster & less expensive.

By the way, James did say I could have his blog. I just haven't gotten around to "taking over" yet. I've been working on many other things. I missed writing my happy thoughts this week, and maybe that's why everything is breaking down! :) So I'll put a couple classic quotes from last week here:

Teancum: "I don't know what this stuff is. It's like burping juice or something."

Teancum: "Rebecca, act like puppies!" I had given Lizzie the last package of fruit snacks and T and Rebecca both wanted some. I said they could have some if she decided to share them. Lizzie was being pretty stingy with them, but once Teancum figured out how to turn it in to a game, she was all for feeding her "puppies." :)

Wordless Wednesday - Guess Who!

The Rescue

While Cameron was painting the shed, Teancum somehow climbed to the other side of the river and couldn't get back. Cameron took a break from painting to rescue Teancum. I thought this was rather inventive. Or, I guess he could have just walked across the river and carried Teancum back over. But this was more fun.

Snugglebug's Birthday

I think Teancum was happy with his birthday party. His birthday was Wednesday and he invited all of his school and primary class. Mostly girls came, which is fine because Teancum is a Ladies' Man. After all of the kids were home from soccer, baseball, and scouts, we had his family party.

Happy Birthday Snugglebug!

My little Teancum can always melt my heart. James says that I definitely give him preferential treatment. Well, he is my littlest boy... And he is just so cute...

Teancum has brought me indescribable joy over the years. He's also sparked lots of interesting conversations because of his unique name. I'm sure you can imagine the reactions we've received over the years when we explain where his name came from. Once I mention the words "Book of Mormon," the subject is changed immediately. I went in to detail with our eye doctor one time, telling him about how Teancum used to sneak into the enemy's camp and kill their king. He looked rather shocked, wondering why we'd name our sweet little boy after such a violent person. Hmmm, I guess I didn't do such a great job explaining it because that certainly isn't how I consider Teancum. I think Teancum will one day be a mighty warrior just like his name-sake.

His middle name is Cory, after my little brother Cory who was still-born 25 years ago. Teancum truly has names to be proud of. And I sure am proud of him. He is excelling in school. He is kind to everyone, especially the ladies. He hates everything I cook, except for my bread. He is so incredibly sweet to his little sisters -- the best big brother any girl could ever ask for.

Oh, how I love this little boy!

Happy 7th Birthday, Snugglebug!

A Poke in the Eye

A few nights ago, Teancum and Rebecca were playing and he accidentally poked her in the eye with a comb. She cried for a minute but they seemed fine. Teancum felt really bad about it. The next morning it looked like it was bleeding and as the day went on, it got worse. So after our preschool field trip to the airport (which I was in charge of, so I couldn't skip it) I took her to the eye doctor. He said that her eye was not damaged, but that it will probably continue to get more red before it gets better. It will not affect her vision.

When Teancum got home from school and saw her eye he started to cry. He felt sooooo bad! Thank goodness he loves his sister! I assured him that her eye would be fine soon. She has been very self-conscious about it, and even at the Hairspray play asked me if people could see her eye. I told her that it was too dark for them to see it and not to worry. It doesn't help that her brothers keep talking about how gross it looks and Micah said, "it makes my eyes hurt just looking at it!" It makes my eyes hurt too, but don't tell Rebecca that...

The Grand Performance of Robinson Cruesoe

I was pretty unimpressed with the 3 o'clock show, but the 7 o'clock show was quite a bit better. James and I didn't like the script or music as well in this show as in some of the others (we still sing "Pumpkin Pie" from a couple years ago around our house, but there weren't any catchy songs like that in this one, although I did like the one the Tribe sang). The high school definitely needs to get a sound system because I was on the 4th row for both shows and could barely hear the speaking and music, so I imagine the show was mostly silent to those sitting in the back. But as always, it was impressive that the kids could memorize their parts in just a week and pull off a show that was more than an hour long.

Jamey was in the "Very Scary Frowny Faced Tribe." Teancum was a chameleon. He got to be the one who they sing about in the song that is black in between 2 yellows. He's the chameleon that ends up with the black tummy in the song.

Jamey is the one with the yellow hair the second from the right in the front.

Teancum has the black tummy.

All the Chameleons

All the cast
Sorry that the videos are sometimes shaky -- Rebecca kept pulling on my arm.

Here is a video of Jamey's first song with the Frowny Faced Tribe.


Here is the first song the Chameleons sang. Teancum is the one who ends up with the black tummy.


Another song by Jamey's tribe. Jamey is the second from the right in the front.


Jamey's speaking part. Second from the end: "That's disgusting!"




The Chameleon Hula Dance -- Teancum has the blue skirt.


Here's a few seconds of the finale (I was running out of space on my memory card!)


Here is the introduction of Cameron as an Assistant Director. In the first play they just stood there dutifully and were good. In the second one, they decided they wanted to act so they put make-up on each other looking like they were beat up and then decided to punch each other in front of the audience. This was prompted by the fact that certain cast members were kicking their legs while they were waiting to go on stage and Cameron complained that he had lots of bruises because of it. I guess they were trying to make the most of it, and Cameron was happy, even if the audience didn't understand the story behind their playful punches.


And this was the photo shoot after the last performance (until my camera ran out of memory). We aren't allowed to take flash photos during the play, so they have a photo call afterwards.

It was an exhausting week, but well worth it. The kids are excited to try out in the fall. I told the twins that if I am able to trust them when I'm not with them, then I will let them try out in the fall. I'm sure Cameron will want to be an assistant director again. Micah is hoping to get a lead role. Rebecca is excited because she'll be in kindergarten so she'll be eligible to try out too. What a great experience for kids!

The Missoula News

The note saying that kids who had been in the previous play wouldn't get to try out unless needed must have deterred lots of people from coming, because only 15 kids showed up who were in the Mermaid play. They let them join the other kids on the stage from the very beginning. Lucky for Cameron! Too bad Micah didn't come!

69 kids tried out, a much lower number than I've ever seen at these try-outs. In the end, every single one of them was given a part. I don't know if they really had that many parts or if they added some somehow (although they already have the costumes for all of them, so I guess they really had that many parts) but I don't remember there being that many kids accepted in to the plays in the past.

I was really nervous for Jamey because even though he was doing great the whole time, he kept being looked over whenever they were moving kids around and choosing who would receive parts. I have seen 6 of these auditions now so I've sort of figured out how they work. They have the kids that they want sit down and then they move them over to the end of the line. They pulled the boy right next to Jamey and put him over on the end where he would get one of the main parts, but they left Jamey. I was sad for Jamey, but he was happy. I was sure that he wasn't going to get to be in the play AGAIN but then at the end of auditions they announced that everybody would get to be in the play. Thank goodness! Jamey FINALLY gets to be in the play, and he's having so much fun so far!

Teancum was being very silly the whole time, so I didn't think he'd get to be in it. He was very cute and expressive, though, and maybe they liked that. Teancum is in the blue & red striped shirt. Here is a video of how he kept acting when it was his turn to say something:



Here is part of Cameron's tryouts. They had to show that they could dance, I guess. Cameron wanted to be an assistant director, but he still had to try out with everybody else. He is on the far left.

This is part of Jamey's tryouts. He always spoke very clearly and loudly and had a big smile. I don't know why they always overlook him. Jamey is the one in the turquoise "Marlins" shirt.


Here is some more of Cameron's tryouts:


Here's more of Jamey's tryouts:



Here are some funny Teancum movies:


I guess they wanted to be sure the kids could follow directions:


And here is Teancum being accepted into the play. She sure had a hard time pronouncing his name!



Here is Jamey being accepted into the play:



And here is Cameron getting to be an Assistant Director:


I really think that if Micah had gone, he would have gotten the lead or one of the main parts. He is OK about it, though, even though one of his basketball games got moved to next week anyway, so he would have only had to miss 1 basketball game. It probably bothers me more than it bothers him. There's always next fall! And he can keep working on his Theater Merit Badge too.

Teancum's Christmas Party

Teancum had a fun class Christmas party yesterday. They decorated cookies, made a reindeer treat to hang in the yard, created blankest for the class Grandmas, and played a reindeer & santa game that they all enjoyed. Then they ate lots of good food.




Teancum is Santa Clause trying to catch the reindeer in this movie: