Community Days Parade and Bishop Youth Discussion

Saturday morning everyone was up early. The girls were so excited they got dressed before I even got out of bed! They were ready to go to the parade right then. Aaron and the boys headed out around 6:15 in the Yukon to pick up the doughnuts. I had the girls help me clean up their room and got myself ready and tried to think of everything I needed to bring with me to the parade. Unlike past years it was a cooler and windy day with rain in the forecast. I actually thought the weather was perfect.

They started serving breakfast at 6:00 am, but I didn't want to go that early. I planned to be there around 8:00 am. We left a little later than I had planned, but it all worked out. We parked halfway between our parade spot and the breakfast. Michelle had fallen asleep, so I put her carrier in the stroller and we walked over to the park. We got breakfast, and saw Tish and Bryawna helping in the kitchen. There was pancakes, sausage, and eggs, plus a drink (coffee, milk or apple juice). Melanie only wanted pancakes. Amy got pancakes and sausage. I had all three - I had to get my money's worth, right? We ate and Aaron arrived just as we finished up. We walked back to the car and the Yukon, and exchanged a few things. I got the blanket and diaper bag out, and things for the girls to do. Aaron and the boys were already walking the parade route. There weren't nearly as many people on the route as normal that early. We had our pick. As we waited to cross the street I saw the float all ready to go. Shannon was taking pictures, so I took a few as well.

We set up two chairs and set out a blanket. Michelle woke up. I wanted to go back to the Yukon for something (I can't remember what). So I left Amy with the stuff and took Michelle and Melanie with me. As we came back we saw a huge trailer exit the parade drop off and scraped up the side of a pick up truck that was waiting to go in. The driver honked, but it was too late. The drovers of the trailer and the truck in front of us stopped and talked to the lady (I'm assuming exchanged insurance info) and then they drove on, to park the trailer at the end of the parade route. The driver of the truck (not the trailer) was Pres. L* of our new stake presidency.

Aaron and the boys came back up and passed us. After an hour they had only sold 10 boxes (we bought 50). They continued on for a bit but then left the doughnuts and Timothy with me while Aaron dropped David off at the middle school. The middle school band marches in the parade and they meet at the middle school to get their instruments and ride the bus to the parade drop off. While Aaron was gone Timothy sold one box of doughnuts. When Aaron got back, they headed out again. About 45 minutes before the parade started, the sidewalks were finally starting to fill up. Victoria, Andy and Leo joined us to watch the parade. Andy and Leo walked around for a bit. Melanie had to go to the bathroom, so I handed Michelle over to Victoria and took Melanie across the street to the use the bathroom at the store. There was a short line, and she made it just fine.

We chatted for a bit before the parade, and then Aaron and Timothy came back completely sold out! We should have bought more doughnuts! Next time we will! We are thinking about selling at the 4th of July parade - there are a lot more people at that parade. So Aaron and Timothy got to enjoy the parade with us. Aaron got Michelle to sleep, so I held a sleeping baby for most of the parade.

I always love the flag and the veterans at the beginning of the parade

 City Royalty float

 There is Madelyn, Katie and Aryn!

 Madelyn is Queen!

 I loved all of the beautiful flowers!

 There is the middle school band

 David is at the back

 Amy's friends were in this dance group

 Lexi is on this float

 Pres L*'s daughter is on this float

 The kids always love these little cars

 Leo is enjoying them from afar (don't you love his conductor's cap?)

 Endless tractors

 The local farmers passed out Jazz apples - yum!!!

 preschool on parade

 This huge farm appliance was hauling this train full of kids and adults alike

 More tractors

 and horses at the end

After the parade we packed up and walked over to the Yukon. We put the chairs and blanket and stroller away. David walked over from the middle school (where the bus had dropped them off). Aaron went home, and I took the kids over to the carnival. I don't think anyone was really in the mood for staying. I had $20 so they all got something to eat. No Filipino food, so I didn't eat. They had corn dogs, hots dogs and onion rings. Then we just went home. Michelle hit a milestone - she didn't cry the whole way home, and didn't fall asleep either. She happily played in her carseat and didn't fall asleep - we may survive the road trip to Utah after all!

I got Melanie down for a nap, and I ran one last box of doughnuts over to someone who reserved a dozen. Aaron did a few things around the house, but then had to run some errands and visit people. I picked more than a handful of strawberries. I couldn't find my scale, but it was about 2 cups of strawberries.

That afternoon Timothy was doing his screen time, and Michelle was interested in what he was doing. I watched as she pulled herself to her knees

and then pulled herself up to stand. Previously she had only done that on things shorter than herself.

That afternoon it started to rain. The missionaries had borrowed our canopy for a booth at the carnival, so they had to take it down in the rain. It was pretty wet when they brought it back. Aaron was almost back. So they waited outside for a minute or two, and then they set it up in the garage to let it dry. Then they joined us for dinner. I can't remember what we served. After they had left we just sat in the living room and let the kids play. Then Aaron took a picture of the two of us. We don't do that nearly often enough!

Aaron made a banana roll for part of his Bishop Youth Discussion for the next day. He would need to make three total, but I didn't have enough eggs for that. So after all the kids were in bed, and Michelle was asleep, I ran to the store - by myself! I only got eggs, and something else small - can't remember what. It was weird to be out completely by myself! I saw Kristen Y* at the checkstand. It was good to see her and chat for a couple minutes. Then it was home again and that's about it.

Sunday morning was typical - Aaron left for early meetings. The rest of us had breakfast and got ready for church. Once again Michelle didn't cry on the way to church - yay! Church was great. I don't remember everything that happened. But I do remember that I had no girls to teach that day :( Bryawna wasn't there, and Alexis went home early. Taylor also didn't stay. So after opening exercises, I put away my stuff, and got to sit in on the Relief Society class. Aaron stayed for Bishop Youth Council. At first I was trying to figure out why David wasn't staying and then I remembered that he was 14 and no longer the Deacon's Quorum President!

That afternoon I finally got Melanie to let me record her singing Gethsemane. It's not as professional or perfectly on key at the adorable one circling you tube, but I thought it was cute, and at times hilarious! Enjoy!


Amy tried to keep her in tune, and Timothy reminded them of what part came next. Amy's comment was - "Why is my voice so low? I sound like a boy!"

Then we had dinner and got the house ready for people to come over. Aaron demonstrated how to make a banana roll for Bishop Youth Discussion.

It was a discussion about media choices. Trust me, he worked the banana rolls in nicely. Then we enjoyed the banana rolls and ice cream. Then it was time to get ready for bed. Another weekend in the books.