Easter Pictures

The Many Tracks of Russell

Russell spends lots of his time everyday making train tracks and cities. Each day is different, and he usually does it all himself. He also uses each track piece that we have.

Here and there

Well, like the rest of you, we have been lacking for anything of note to happen around here. I'm not complaining, though.

I would have included a picture of the Wood kids and our ragamuffins in the tub, but Owen wasn't modest at all.

We all look funny, but this is the best picture we got.

 We went to the temple on Saturday. We did the initiatory for the families names that we have, so it worked out great. Russell and Meghan did fairly well coming along and then just having to wait around for Ben and I. We went to Ikea after we were done.


I got bit by the spring cleaning bug and organized our food cupboards. I also combined duplicate spice containers, one of which was this container of cloves. I think it was from my last trip to the original Amish store.

One day I made some play food for the kiddos to play with. It worked really well for the first two days, but since then has just been a big mess maker. 

We will be back to just the three of us at home everyday. It'll be nice to have my old life back, but sad to see the extra money go.

Primary Teacher In-service

When my primary presidency was called, the president felt very strongly that we also had stewardship over the teachers. She wanted to do something for them each month to let them know that we were thinking of them and their calling to teach but also to make sure they knew we appreciate them.

For April, the president felt strongly that we needed to do something about asking questions (something the Bishop had been teaching about in Ward Council), and I had been thinking about it, too. I came up with the following idea after reading this article from the Ensign and pondering over this section of Teaching, No Greater Call in preparation for our teacher in-service.

I have had this idea floating around in my head for several months. I told the president I would make April's handout.

I also have a little page describing each type of question and how they contribute to understanding. I'm going to put them on a little bookmark for each teacher.

School Pictures

I have finally decided that I am going to scan all of the old pictures I have so that we have a digital copy of them. I figured the school pictures would be easiest to upload since there are fewest of them.

I definitely had some awkward years, but I think I have some pretty cute years, too.

Boys Camping Trip

This blog post is long long long overdue. Ben, Preston, and Preston's friend went on a camp out back in the day. We looked at the pictures, and Emily and Preston said they never saw them. So here are a bunch of pictures that I have no idea what they are.

The boys camped at Temperance River State Park, and also visited Gooseberry Falls. Ben loved it! He has talked about taking us there ever since then.

I think they also went hiking to the highest point in Minnesota. Does that sound right?

Medical paraphernalia

I promise this will be the last post that has to do with my surgery. You can just check me out in person this summer at the family reunion.

When Meghan was born, we didn't come home with any cool things. I was kind of bummed about it. I figured surgery would be the same. I got the typical hospital socks, which fit no one ever, but I did get two things that really are super duper.

#1.

A pill crusher. I am not a good pill swallower. Imagine trying to swallow big tylenols and big stool softeners after having surgery on my neck. Impossible! Luckily, the nurse let me keep it.

#2.

At one point several hours after surgery, I had to get up to use the bathroom. I was a little bit dizzy/nauseous as I sat up. The nurse rushed out of the room while Ben grabbed the barf tub. She came back in waving this stick into my face. It has a bunch of essential oils in it (like peppermint, ginger, lavender, etc.) I'm not sure if it helped with the queasiness, but it did catch my attention. And, then Ben and I couldn't get enough of it. I told Ben right off that it was coming home with us. I've wondered if it would help with morning sickness, so if any of you need it I might be willing to send it to you to try it out. Extra bonus points because it is manufactured for a company in Enterprise, AL. That is where I had district meetings for 9 months.