Jake’s 10th Birthday

Jake turned 10 on Wednesday. This is from our family celebration on his birthday. We put ten candles in the pan right after if came out of the oven…and they promptly melted. So, after a minute of cooling we sang with one candle and ate wax-infused brownies!

The weekend before his birthday he had a party with his friends. We were going to play sports outside, but it rained, so we moved the party to the church gym.

I set up a garbage can at the far end of the gym and told the kids that anyone who hit the wiffle ball into it would get everything that was left in the prize bag. Well, Jake was the last batter, and after bouncing off of two walls, it went into the can.

Ice cream and gluten-free brownies at the party.

Spring Break

After a cold winter, the weather was beautiful this week, and we enjoyed spending a lot of time outside. There is a brief window in the Spring and Fall in Oklahoma when it’s not too hot, not too cold, not too humid, and the bugs aren’t out yet.

The park was fantastic, but I think it will be even better when everything turns green.

To keep some order, we tried to have a daily schedule for the kids to follow. This is the bottom panel of our pantry door. They did pretty good with it, although Jake was the only one to make it by the time to earn a prize.

Back on Track

*Track season has started, and these pictures are from Abbie’s first home meet on March 7th.*

This is Abbie’s friend Tori. They both do pole vaulting, and finished 1st (Tori) and 2nd (Abbie) at the meet.

Carter happened to walk by during the track meet at the high school.

Abbie does the 100m and 300m hurdles. You can watch one of her races here: https://youtu.be/TbEGxwFHyQ4

Abbie’s 13th Birthday!

It has become a tradition for Grandma Romney to bring Abbie’s cousins Stacey and Paige up from Texas to celebrate her birthday. This has been happening for several years now, and Stacey’s brother Scott came along to see Carter this time. On Saturday, Abbie had a birthday party with four friends and the two cousins.

This is the birthday gang from left to right: Tori Pham, who has been Abbie’s best friend for several years. Next is Brooklyn, who is a friend from school and 7th grade choir mate. Then Abbie, and Stacey, then Kara, another choir mate (Stacey and Kara are on opposite ends of the 13 year-old growth chart. Next is Ariana, our neighbor across the street and finally Paige. They did a photo scavenger hunt at Arrowhead Mall in Muskogee, the town between Tahlequah and Tulsa. Like many of America’s malls, it is a failing mall, with many empty storefronts. There is a famous song that was released in 1969 called “Okie From Muskogee” by Merle Haggard. It was a counter anti-Vietnam War song (yes, double negative). In case you missed it, or were born way after it came out, you can listen to it here https://youtu.be/68cbjlLFl4U.

Life and Death, and Games

Last night was game night at the Knights, our neighbors across the street and a couple of houses to the north. We have known them for most of the time we have lived in Tahlequah and they have been good friends. Joe Knight is in the red shirt seated below the whiteboard. Jake spends most of his time with their son, Logan. Brooke says I shouldn’t brag, so I won’t tell you that my team won the 3 hour trivia game.

So, I really like toothpaste with the large flip-top cap. Last time we bought toothpaste at Costco, we bought a brand that had the small screw-on cap. So….years later (possibly an exageration, but maybe not) we finally ran out of that kind and I got a new tube with the cap I like. On a side, but related note, I went to the orthodontist this week because I have noticed a space opening up between my front teeth. He said that my lower teeth have shifted slightly and that has caused one upper tooth to move out when I bite. The ironic thing is that I have a permanent retainer on my bottom teeth. The orthodontist said that unless every tooth is bonded, they can still move. So, after 30 years, I’m considering braces again, but for only six months this time.

These images are from the centerpieces at the funeral meal of a member of our ward who died on Valentines Day and I conducted his funeral on Thursday. He taught at NSU, was a Saints fan, and had cows. He looked a little like Santa Claus and I mentioned in my talk that one time around Christmas, a little girl in the ward went up to him and whispered, “I want a puppy.”

These roses are on our kitchen table with our backyard in the background. They were about a week old in the picture and look just as good today, three days later. We are looking foward to green grass and flowers blooming. I just noticed the tulips starting to emerge yesterday. The Bermuda grass here turns brown earlier and greens later than the cool grass varieties.

Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson

Brooke started substitute teaching at Heritage Elementary, where Jake goes to school. She worked Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday this week, and taught 4th and 5th grade.

Brooke and I have been swimming laps a couple of days a week at the NSU pool for the last few months. Brooke is a really good swimmer and can swim 1500 yards in about 40 minutes without taking a break. I do 500 yards in about 20 minutes and am exhausted.

This is our self-reliance personal finance class that we have been attending on Thursday evenings. The couple furthest away are Wayne and Linda Loftin. He is a retired Methodist minister and they have been taking the discussions and attending our ward the last few months. I asked them if they would facilitate the course, and they have been fantastic.

A new restaurant opened up in Tahlequah this month and Brooke and I tried is last night for date night. It is a soup, salad, and sandwich regional chain called Newks. We enjoyed it, and are delighted to have a healthier eating option in the area.

Brakes, Back, and Baptisms

Our week ended on a high note as we were able to do baptisms for the dead in the Dallas Temple with a new convert and his wife and mother-in-law. Brooke watched the baby while we were in the baptistry. Notice my slightly awkward posture.