BACK UP or What Happened in March

                             March is party month at the Ostergar's. Kelly, Noah, and Lily all share birthdays
                             in the same week.  That is a lot of cake.  But this year was extra special for Lily.

                                    LILY TURNED 8!!!

And around these parts we think 8 is GREAT!

Silly Lily

This year Lily's Gran asked if she could plan a special birthday party for her.  All my sisters asked if they could hire her to do their next party because she did such a good job.  It was fun watching my mom plan and be excited and being so involved.  She seemed to be having just as much fun as the kids.  Thanks mom for creating a fun memory for Lily,

They played good old time party games.  Pin the tail on the rabbit. a treasure hunt and a craft made out of a wash cloth into a bunny etc.

My Grandma Hansen used to have "miniature" parties for my sisters when we turned 8.  She did one for Erica too.  This year it was not possible, so my mom carried on the tradition.

When I say miniature, I mean she made homemade mini hot dog and hamburger buns, mini cakes, fruit cut very small, little cookies, mini ice cream cones etc.

In our family, when we turn eight, we also can choose to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, by someone who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood. Lily choose her dad to baptize her. 

Lily's baptism day was made even more special by the fact that her best friend and cousin, Greta, would join her in the same special ordinance.  Greta went first and then stood at the top of the font and watched Lily be baptized.  They then held hands and stepped into the dressing room together.  You can gather from this picture they are very fond of each other.

I feel blessed that all my children have now taken on the covenant of baptism.  Ours can now be a forever family.

Summer Is Moving Along Quite Nicely

Lily and Lizzie

                                                                                                   "cuzzins"

Erica, Rose, Dave

Hazel, Lily, Greta

Lily and Jack swimming at Bonnie's

Grandpa with the teenagers

June 2010.

Erica:  E.F.Y., girls camp, drama camp

James:  E.F.Y., golf camp, scout camp

Noah:  dog sitting, tennis lessons,  piano lessons, scout camp

Lily:  swimming, tennis lessons, art classes, piano lessons

Dave:  scout camp, working hard

Kelly:  sleeping in, enjoying the rain

A Few Signs That Summer Is Upon Us

Local shaved ice stand open for business.

June calendar ready to go.

Elementary marquee

9th grade graduation party for Erica tonight @ Oly Jr.

Things I dislike about summer:  Keeping everyone fed, entertained, civil and healthy, the HEAT, being a chauffeur,  and  no air-conditioning.

Things I love about summer:  The 4th of July, fireworks, invitations to the neighborhood pool's, hanging out with friends at the pool, watermelon, out of town guests, cousins, BBQ's, corn on the cob, Wimbledon, ice water, remembering the pioneers, water fights, Gayle playing in her dirt all day, Farmer Markets, and sleeping in.

One of Those Days

I am having a dumb day.  I am feeling grumpy and deprived and and a little bugged.

I need a diet coke and to stay in my pajamas a few hours more.

These things usually just work themselves out.

I need to just GET OVER MYSELF.

Sorry Annie I know you are waiting.

Peace out.

To Read or Not To Read

This week it was my turn to host Book Club.  We have a small group, 8 members or so.  Since May is my most busy month of the year, I opted not to read a book.  Instead I wanted to have a night of poetry.

I asked everyone to bring their favorite poem or book of poems to share.  I told the group if they were brave enough, they could write a poem of their own.

I prepared (and made a trip to the bakery) some treats that I thought appropriate for poetry.

I had so much fun.  My sister, Alyson, came.  She is a poetry "expert" and it was so fun to hear her explain what makes a sonnet a sonnet. Pentameters and syllables. And personal insights into the famous poets, etc. She knows her stuff.  Especially the poets from England, which hold a special place in my heart.

Some of the gals brought very traditional poems and some brought some I was not even familiar with, some even morbid.  I loved it.  I love that poetry can express things that I cannot put into words. 

My favorite poet made a guest appearance.  I read one of his sonnets as my favorite.

I made up a jar full of nouns and had everyone write a Haiku about the word they picked.  Words like;  lemonade, blossoms, sunshine, shoes, ice cream.  Fun activity.  Remember Haiku?

5-7-5

The word I picked was flip flops.

Freedom for my toes

Fun, sand, sun, running freely

Favorite footwear

Don't Feel Sorry For the Boy

Melissa, Krissy, Brad, Kelly

Brad, Melissa, Krissy 2010

Brad is my only brother.

Brad survived his childhood surrounded by endless amounts of estrogen.  And I dare say, his dear wife, Gentry, was the beneficiary of his long suffering and patience with us girls.

I have observed Brad take on many roles in his life.  Roles like:  son, brother, friend, student, missionary, athlete, husband, father, business owner and architect.

Brad is really good at whatever role he is playing.  He is a genius, and I don't mean really really smart, I mean off the charts, photographic memory smart. He is always learning and growing in knowledge and truth.

Brad is a seeker of truth.  He can always back up what he believes with truth and knowledge.  He shares his knowledge.  But at the same time, he doesn't force it on anyone.  He reads and studies all sorts of subjects.  He has a passion for reading.  When he is not fulfilling his other roles, he can often times be found reading.  He reads late into the night on a regular basis.

Brad is good at helping others.  He is the go to man when you are painting, moving, working on your computer, need a fast trivia answer, or need an extra to make up your fore-some on the links.  He is definitely on my call a friend list if I ever go on that Millionaire show. 

Brad is fun to hang out with.  He has a  great laugh and sense of humor.

Brad in the SLC Marathon, April 2010.  He ran right by our street.

Brad is passionate, kind, fun, smart, dedicated, artistic, creative, capable!!

I love to watch Brad in his role of dad.  His kids are adorable and very endearing.   I love them to pieces. But, alas, they are not perfect.  It is nice to see a little opposition in his life.

He choose a pretty amazing woman to be his eternal companion.  I love Gentry and consider her to be a bonus sister that I inherited along the way.

Funny story about Brad.  When Brad got married, the photographer, took a pictures of him and all us sisters.  He had this picture on his desk at his work station, at the U, when he was in architectural school.

Someone asked him if that was a picture of all his wives (because he was Mormon).

Brad is a very hard worker.  But at the same time, has been very blessed.  So, don't feel sorry for the boy, there could be a lot worse fates, than growing up with 5 sisters.

Stay Tuned...

I have been a blog slacker.  I will return next week with the rest of my sibling tributes, spring and summer happenings, and all the news of the day.  Stay tuned.  Love to all.