Washington in 3 Days.

 We made a quick trip to Washington this past weekend. Beth was the sole Labit child to come with us and for one glorious weekend, she was an only child. 

She owned every minute of it.

 We spent a good amount of time at Grandpa's Ice Cream shop....

And when I put on my skirt Sunday morning and couldn't get the zipper up all the way, I knew it was probably too much time.

 The weather was so nice, that everyone thought they needed ice cream. The line was constant and sometimes out the door.

 Beth met her match in Mowgli, the newest Woolf family member.

He could take anything she dished out.

 Beth and Mallory made a valiant attempt to go kayaking.

However, the tide was not on their side.

We rented a sweet ride to cruise around in...

...and spent quality time with our wonderful family.

Thanks Mom and Dad and Kath and Mallory, 

for showing us a great time.

Now, back to real life.

The King of Pantomime is going to State.

After winning straight "Superiors" in the regional competition, 

Elijah is advancing to State.

We still have yet to see him perform so

we are just trusting that he is not making this up :)

Because seriously,

 if you were going to make up something awesome about yourself, 

would it really have anything to do with pantomiming?

Way to go Elijah!

Happy Birthday Zack.

Zack is a no-frills kind of guy. 

So here's a no-frills happy birthday wish.

We think you are an amazing guy and pretty much a miracle.

So glad you are part of our family.

Happy Birthday!

The Original Three.

Michaela came home this weekend to go to about 22 farewells. (Okay, just 2 but I believe she has at least 22 friends going on missions in the next little while...)

 

While she was home I learned something new.

Apparently, my oldest children have dubbed themselves,

 "The Original Three."

They were the ones born in Hawaii and that makes them originals.

Apparently Hannah and Will are the "Leftover Two."

Too funny.

It was SO fun to have Michaela home and just hear the chatter and laughter amongst ALL the kids, no matter which group 

they belong to .

I am blessed.

Another day, Another dance.

Late Thursday afternoon....

...this awesome dude was sitting on my kitchen table.

Are there giraffes growing out of his shoulders?
(But I especially like that Will tried to keep it real by putting a hole in the knee of his pants to match his own.)

You Might Not Know...

...that Elijah is King of Pantomime.  

You also might not know that he takes Drama at the illustrious Timpview High School and that he is fast becoming 

a Mr. Brower favorite (not necessarily an easy feat).

They are working on pantomiming this term. 

Elijah has won every challenge and

he will be going to Regionals to compete. 

(Most likely you didn't know that regional pantomime competitions exist...) 

Have I ever mentioned that 

there's almost nothing this kid can't do?

Two Weekend Tragedies...

Okay, "tragedies" may be too strong a word but nonetheless... 

 

1. Daughter number two was pulled over for the 3rd time. 
Not her fault and for the same reason each time-
a non-working tail light. 
She didn't have her license with her (again).
This time she was ticketed.
That tail light has been fixed over and over. 
We must have a wiring issue with our really abused teenager truck.
We also have  a "keep your license with you " issue.

2.My beloved Ipod, "Cranapple"  has gone missing.
Most likely at the Timpview lacrosse game on Friday. 
Curse that sport.
We have gone back twice to search-but no luck.
It's like a piece of me is gone.
Is that too dramatic?
If so, than I must be too attached 
because it feels as though it's true...
Conference, books, and podcasts have accompanied me on my daily runs, chores, and drives for years...
I feel a little lost.

I think I may have a date with Amazon in my future...

It's All About Kaitlyn.

 Today, March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, 

is Kaitlyn Cook's  Birthday.

And since I happened to be around in 

Honolulu, Hawaii  the day she was born, 

here is a little something from my sketchy memory.

She was born EARLY and therefore was TINY.

She was somewhere around 3 lbs. and had to reach 4 lbs.

 before she could leave the hospital. 

She looked like a little mouse-just cute as can be.

And because we moved from Hawaii shortly thereafter,

 that is all I remember about her babyhood.

Now we are lucky enough to have her teenhood right around us all the time here in Provo, Utah. 

Awesome.

And because Mom and Dad are back in Hawaii taking care of business, we celebrated at our house together today.

 

 For the birthday menu, she requested hamburgers 

and french fries...

...and pie instead of cake. (She was probably worried I'd attempt that Chocolate Wasted cake again...)

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn.

So "lucky" to have you here!

Two kids, Two goals, One sport.

We officially have two Lacrosse players in the family. 

It's kind of consuming our lives. 

Friday was Beth's game- 

Saturday, Elijah had two. 

Both of them scored the first goal. 
And Timpview victories all the way around.

Nicely done. 

Lacrosse on a Tuesday.

After Friday's amazing victory, hopes were high 

for the second game of the season. 

Actually, not that high- the competing team took State last year....

...and today, they soundly defeated Timpview.

But, in the immortal words of Kelly Clarkson:

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger..." 

 Right?

Sunday Food, Sunday Family.

My sister Kathleen came to visit from Washington state. 

She has 3 kids attending college in the valley 

and popped in for the weekend. 

We were happy to add her to the Sunday dinner mix. 

She managed to attend both my ward and Angie's- 

where Angie gave a most excellent talk.

Everybody rearranged their church schedules so that we could spend the day together before she headed back.

It was worth it.  

Kath and Lindsey...

Janis brought Root Beer and dry ice...

Which one looks happier about their picture being taken?

 Kyle and his favorite uncle Steve....


And here are the desserts that I couldn't partake of...

Janis's chocolate dipped Oreo's

And Kathleen's Mississippi Mud.

But I did make those gluten free Peanut Butter cookies

They were truly fabulous.

Life is good.

Thanks for the visit Kath.

We love you.

Things worth blogging about though I have no pictures...

1. Beth had her first Lacrosse game of the season. They won. She scored a goal and has been on a high ever since. If I had a nickel for every time she has said "I just love Lacrosse so much!" in the last 24 hours....

2. Elijah had his first Lacrosse game ever. They won. He didn't log a whole lot of playing time, being brand new to the sport, but made an amazing interception.

3. Beth and I spent 5 hours shopping for MORP. We purchased items to complement her flapper dress (The Great Gatsby was the theme) and groceries for the dinner being cooked by the girls. Unfortunately, we neglected to bring the dress on our expedition, and nothing matched. Thus, we headed out again to return and repurchase. She and I were somehow able to remain friends despite hitting our maximum stress index.

4. Michael went on his annual trip to St. George with the Provo High girls softball team as the official stats man at their tournament. This job always leaves us scratching our heads as he has no ties nor allegiance to Provo High, just a good friend who happens to be the coach.

5. I am almost one week gluten free and I am hating every minute of it. I am not sure how long I can last. And though they make plenty of gluten free bread products, the calories are double and triple normal wheat based products. Oddly, I miss Wheat Thins the most. 

6. Will ate an entire bag of Crystal Light sugar free candy. A couple of hours later, he doubled over in aspertame stomach cramps. Don't fall for that sugar-free is healthier business! Also, who eats an entire bag in one sitting? Unless we are talking chocolate, I just don't get it.


7. Grandma Tomi is living with the Cook kids while their parents are in Hawaii taking care of business. Our basement feels empty and cold while she is gone (not just a metaphor-it's cold because I shut all the heater vents).

8. And finally, daylight savings begins tonight and I am just putting it out there that I don't do this "spring forward" thing very well. I barely get enough sleep as it is, and losing an hour just about kills me. So, tread softly this week, by next Sunday I should be fine.

Have a wonderful Sabbath.

Today, Rand Paul is my Hero.

Sen. Rand Paul staged an incredible 12 plus hour filibuster to block President Barack Obama’s CIA nominee John Brennan, but mainly to bring attention to potential drone strikes against Americans in the U.S.

Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ted Cruz all give me a reason to believe in my country again.

On A Monday...

 ...three little girls came to play-

(love, love, love them)...

 ...we made a pie for an anonymous FHE knock and run...

...and Harry Styles came to live with us.

Not bad for a day's work.

Another Sunday, Another Dinner.

Fast Sundays make Sunday dinners just a little more intense :) 

You know, that whole edgy starvation thing keeps the kids just one moment away from losing it. Actually, I jest. I am ridiculously proud of my kids' efforts in fasting. They almost always fast a full 24 hours, and have done so since they turned 8. 

Anyways, to break the fast, Michael made a delicious coconut curry, and we had a veggie platter that went on for miles!(Or so it seemed, thanks Grandma!) 

It was great to spend some quality time with the Cook kids. Last summer of the whole clan living together seems like a distant memory...well, maybe not so distant, but definitely a memory.

Good times :)

 

And today I about ate my weight in these. 
Like I need a reason, but for the next 30 days I am going gluten free to see if it might have an effect on my arthritis pain...we have a little history of gluten intolerance in my family, so it's worth a shot. 

I was super worried about not having my cookie fix every Sunday until I found these:

 Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies-gluten free.

Super simple recipe, great testimonial.

 

If I can have cookies, the rest is cake (so to speak).