gifts

Karlee, we, did an exchange program in March.  Paula stayed with us for two weeks, but the students were in Texas for three weeks.  June of 2014 Karlee will be going to her house in Winterburg, Germany for three weeks.  Paula, and her parents, were so brave to send her daughter so very far away to stay with strangers.  I'm so glad she came here first.  It won't be quite as scary to send Karlee to stay with a friend.

I wanted her to remember her stay with us so I made her a pillow. On the back I stitched the words, "A family in Texas loves you The Shuldberg's".

 

 

 

 

I also made some dishtowels for her mom.  The blue flowers, on the right, are forget me nots.

While she was here we went to Billy Bob's and learned to line dance then walked around the Stockyards for a bit.  We went shopping one afternoon then went to see the movie "Croods".  Her last night here we took her out for BBQ then walked around downtown. 

After she had been here a week or so, I asked her what the strangest thing Americans do.  Without hesitation she said breakfast.  After she said that I realized how true she was.  When we have been in Europe breakfast is so simple and plain.  It's one of the things I miss most when were away from home.

Overall it was a good experience.  If we are offered to have an exchange student in our home we would do it again. And again.

no more bingo

We have been doing some sort of conference bingo for over 13 years.  This past conference the boys weren't into it.  It wasn't active enough or they felt they didn't get enough candy.  This past weekend I mentioned to the family that we needed to do something new.

 I asked for suggestions and Carson suggested tally marks.  I liked it.  The boys were nervous that it wouldn't work, and it would be confusing.  All morning they hoped we would do bingo after all.  When I explained how it worked they didn't believe it would work.  When they had 5 tally marks they would earn 3 or 4 little candies (M&Ms, jelly beans, robin eggs).  For 10 tally marks they would earn a chocolate crunch egg.  The boys would hold up either the 5 or 10 puzzle piece to help us know what they earned, in hopes to cut down on talking, then mark them off with a red marker so they would know it was used. 

As conference began some of us would holler out the words that were being said since they weren't use to the new list of words.  There were times they couldn't mark the words quick enough since they were coming at them so fast.  About two talks into conference Mason give me a thumbs up.  All was good.

With them actively listening for the list of words they were listening to the talks.  It was great to hear their reaction as they were listening to President Monson talk, how at 8 years old he had started a fire with his friend.  I'm sure they'll hear this talk in Primary to help them learn the importance of being obedient. 

space derby

Mason waiting for the paint to dry.  This is our first time any of us have been involved in a space derby race.  We're not sure what to expect.

 Mason is pinning on me the mother's Webelos pin. He just earned his Webelos patch!  Wahoo!! Way to go Mason!  He'll be 11 at the end of May.  We only have till then for him to earn his Arrow of Light. 

 Mason and Milo winding their propeller. 

 Mason's first race... Below Dylan is displaying the winner.  Mason won!

 This one is Brian Gray's.  Very realistic.

This one is Theron's.  These are a couple of my favorites.  It was a fun night.  Mason won most of his races.  Over all it was a success!  I'm sure this will put in the rotation to do every other year.  ;)

Easter morning

 

I'm not sure Bailee is awake yet.

 

 I think Carson is happy with what's in his basket.

The egg hunt was more difficult than years past.  The Easter Bunny found new spots to hide the eggs.  Some very creative spots. 

Easter fun

Saturday was a fun filled day. We decorated eggs,

 

 

 

and cookies.  Karlee did most of them.  She is super creative.

 

 We had a Ward Easter Egg Hunt Breakfast.  There was a great turnout.  The pancakes were yummy too!
These two were trying to be funny and make a squishy face.  I took the picture before they could.

 Karlee helping out with the face painting.  I think her and Lexi did most of the painting.

Carson decorating his bag for the egg hunt.  Mason was with us too.  He's good and avoiding the camera I guess.

 These three are such good friends.  Every time I saw them together I got sad.  His friends are moving.  :-(  Both of their dads are medical students.  I hope we can stay in touch.  

no school fun

Last Friday the kids had a day off school.  It was a built in bad weather day.  I love having a mild winter.  I took the kids to Urban Air with a few friends.

 Most of Carson's jumps into the foam pit was head first.  ;0) I did get one good picture of him below.

Ethan and Mason cooling off by the fan. 

The friends that came were Colton, Ethan, and Emma.  Ethan is in Mason's class, Emma in Carson's class, and Colton right in the middle (3rd grade).

my kids

I've got lots to catch up on but first I want to show off a couple of cuties. 
Adam it 3 1/2 years old and Harley, we're starting to call her Retta because we don't know if there saying Harley or Karlee, is 3 months old.  They are such a pleasure. 

Last night when it was time for Adam to go home, as I was carrying him out to the car, he said he wished he was my boy.  I sure love that little boy!  I told him he was my boy, and Mama's and Crae's, and Poppy's.  I don't think that was what he wanted to hear.

a new friend

The day we got home from our trip our exchange student arrived.  Her name is Paula and she is from Germany.  She is very sweet and super quiet.  I'm sure we scare her.  With this program Karlee will go to her house in June of 2014.  This is a picture of Paula's first day at a Texas school.  (It was taken after school.  I forgot before school.) 

Wednesday morning I made German Pancakes for breakfast.  They are mostly eggs and and they puff up as they bake.  Brian asked Paula if they looked familiar and told her the name.  She laughed and had never had them before.  After school, that same day, she told me she would make real German Pancakes for us in the morning.    

 

They were huge, first of all, a little sweeter too.  We sprinkled a generous amount of sugar and Cinnamon over the top and dug in.  They were very good.  She called them funnel __________, the second name was very German I can't even pretend to spell it. (I think it means cake.)  I asked her for the recipe.  I hope to make it sometime.

birthday wishes

This was taken in Vatican City.  We just had a group photo taken and for some reason Brian decided to be in the front row on his knees. I guess he was tired of not being seen. :0)  So I was making a little fun of him, he had a hard time getting up. 

I guess his age is starting to show.  Today is his 45th birthday. Happy birthday Bri!!!  I hope you know how much I love you. 

It's going to a regular day.  He's at work, but we do have a lunch date planned.  Home cooked dinner, probably lasagna (one of his favs), and death by chocolate cake!  I think that might be every ones fav.

Happy birthday!  I love you!!  Always and forever!

23 years

The 9th was also our anniversary, 23 years!! It just happened to be the start of an amazing trip.  We went to Rome and Athens on a school trip with Bailee and other students from her high school.  Pictures to come. ;-)