We've finally gotten some visitors, now that we've settled in a bit! And were able to visit beautiful Chico Hot Springs.
My parents came up first over their Fall Break. It worked out really well because the kids didn't have school either for most of the days they were here because of the Teacher Convention going on. Emma made a sign to welcome them! They got here Friday afternoon and the kids were SO excited! Friday evening, we just hung out, went to the tailgate party and football game for a while and enjoyed lots of hugs and happiness!
Saturday, we slept in and made omelets and toast for breakfast. Then we went to Callahan's last soccer game, they were so happy they were here to see that. Cal had a great season and loved it! We went to the grocery store after that, took them on a tour of the town (which took about 5 minutes, lol!), walked to the school and played volleyball, read books, had homemade pizza and made a little graveyard craft. My parents volunteered to babysit (thank you!!) so we could go on a date so we went to see the Magificent 7, which was great!
On Sunday, Grandma & Grandpa were able to be at the Primary Program, which was so neat! They've never been able to attend any of our Primary Programs because of distance. So they timed this trip right. The theme for the program was "I Know the Scriptures are True". I loved how a sweet Primary girl in our Primary opened up with "I Feel My Savior's Love" and the Spirit was so very strong! Our kids did great! Lucy got a little nervous, but ended up doing it. "I can gain my own testimony of the scriptures through prayer." Cal said "Jesus Christ was chosen to be our Savior. Because of this, I know He is the perfect example for me to follow." Emma wrote a talk and shared what the scriptures mean to her. She said that "It is said if you want to talk to God, pray. If you want God to talk to you, open the scriptures and read. Whether by the voice of my servants or my own voice, it is the same. (D&C 1:38). The scriptures are how Heavenly Father talks to us. When I was little my Dad went on a business trip. I was really missing him. We prayed and memorized the scripture from Phillipians 4:18 'I can do all things from Christ which strengtheneth me.' After that, I was brave and felt much better." Emma also wrote a little talk on the Holy Ghost. "The Holy Ghost helps me. One time when the Spirit helped me was when we moved. I was sad and missing my old friends. But then I prayed and the Holy Ghost helped comfort me and I knew that this was where we were supposed to be." The kids also rocked the songs they sang. There were 22 kids in this branch, which is the biggest it's ever been, I guess. These kids are so sweet and their testimonies are sweet and beautiful! I was able to stand next to them and help them get to the stand, or help if they blanked out. I also was able to give the closing prayer. I was moved to tears and cried to Heavenly Father in thanks for these little ones and to bless and strengthen these sweet children in these days. After the program, we had an ice-cream party for the kids in the garage, which is our "cultural hall", haha! We also played some fun games to get to know each other better and get the wiggles out. Cov wanted to join the Primary kids rather than go to nursery and didn't want ice cream but loved the JD lawn mower and didn't want to get off!
That afternoon, we went on a nature scavenger hunt and walk/bike ride. We played games and talked and the kids did funny dances. Cov tried to imitate different animals and we were just cracking up!
Monday, the kids went to school so we helped them get off. Emma was so excited about Grandma & Grandpa, she even forgot to do some homework (which she never does)! Then, we went for a walk around the neighborhood, took Cov to the park to play and went to the library. We joined the kids at school for "the best school lunch ever". The food here is more fresh and homemade, like back in the day. The kids were all just too excited to get out to play at recess so they ate fast, but Cov enjoyed it! He stuck his fingers up through the cracks in the lunchroom tables to "try to scare the girls" he told us. They cracked up over it and were gushing over him. Future flirt! Then we visited Dave and work and got a tour of the hospital. Some of his co-workers sent him balloons, treats, and cards for Boss's day that day, so that was nice. We put Cov down for bed and my mom and I worked on Halloween costumes, while my dad raked pine needles and leaves and other projects around the house. The older kids got home and Grandma Di gave them piano lessons while I made dinner and cleaned a bit. Then we made Halloween painted sugar cookies, a tradition we loved growing up and our kids love now. Grandpa Scott helped Covey do a family night lesson, which was on lessons learned from parents. At the end, they asked some questions to us. "
What’s your favorite part of being a parent? What’s the hardest part? What makes you happy? What’s the most important thing you do every day?How does the gospel help you be a better parent? What’s the last thing you do every day?" They were interesting to think about and answer. I also thought about how my parents would answer (but it was getting really late and we needed to get the kids to bed.) I love them and am thankful for all they taught me!
Tuesday, typical start to the day. We got packed up mostly and went and had lunch with Dave at the hospital. Then we headed towards Billings, my parents going with us. They wanted to stay there for the night and we were too, before going to Chico Hot Springs during the Billings Clinic CEO retreat. They offered again to watch the kids so we could go to the temple. So we checked in our hotel, went and got tacos at Cafe Rio, and then left quickly. The kids had a blast and went swimming in the pool and loved the slide/climbing thing they had there, watched movies and had licorice/popcorn with the grandparents. It was kind of a stressful night and Dave wasn't sure if we'd make it. I prayed on the way over that he'd have a great experience at the temple that night. We made it, and Dave saw his mission president! He called him our by his full name, and President Peterson turned towards him and smiling huge called out "Elder Ryerse!" They are from WY but he and his wife drive up to serve once a week in the temple. He told Dave we needed to catch up and so he left but said we'd talk after. Sister Peterson came in before as we were waiting too and was so happy to see us. Dave was so happy, they are amazing people who Dave loves dearly! The session was wonderful, the temple beautiful, and we were able to do some work for family members. After, the Peterson's came and grabbed us and told us they were taking us to Wendy's (The W Club) and dinner was on them. We had eaten, but they told us we had to have Frosty's then. It was such a great time getting to know them better. They are so sweet and strong! We caught up, the last time we saw them was about 9 years ago. We talked about what we knew about the other Elders we keep in touch with, what we're doing now, life, the Gospel. It was a total tender mercy! While we were gone, the kids and Grandma Di & Grandpa Scott went swimming and enjoyed the water slide, then had popcorn and licorice and a movie in the hotel room. Right when we got back, they crashed hard.
We are so thankful Grandma & Grandpa Stoddard came to see us, we miss them. They also really liked Scobey and were happy we were in such a great place with a great community. Someone was telling me "They must love your kids a lot to make that long trip to see you!" Yep, they do, they certainly do! It is about 13 hours from here to there, and we are so thankful they made that ride!
The next morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel, went to get a few things at the store for our Halloween costumes then we headed out to Chico Hot Springs. It was a pretty drive to get there with all of the fall leaves! The Hot Springs were so fun, a very rustic feel. The kids loved it! The afternoon, we got all set up, went to explore around the resort. We went to dinner and then we went to the hot springs that night when Daddy was done. It was warm and felt so good! Thursday, Dave had more training all day, so the kids and I went swimming again then to Livingston to visit some of the historical spots down there. We went to the Train Depot and the Sacajewea Park. Cal loved the Skate Park where we watched too. We had so much fun that day. It was a little chilly, but it's so nice to just relax and have fun together. They did pretty well most of the time behaving themselves. :)
The last day there, we went swimming again for the last time. We met a great LDS family who had four kids from Billings whose Dad works as a surgeon for Billings Clinic...she told us to bring our kids to their house to hang out so Dave and I could go to the temple next time we're that way, so that was way nice. Then the kids got really good at playing horseshoes, hiking around the area and getting a little prize at the gift shop. Lucy said "Thanks, Dad! For letting us go swimming four times in four days!" It was cute! They loved it! Dave brought us all yummy caramel apples too. We ate lunch as we drove on to Billings, made a Costco run, grabbed some Little Ceasars to eat in the car, and came home. It was a nice little getaway and great training and networking for Dave.
We came home about an hour before our second visitors to Scobey made it, Uncle Jeff & Aunt Shirley! She is from Canada and they were just there for a couple weeks for Canadian Thanksgiving. So they broke up the trip to stay with us. We were so happy to see them again! We showed them around the house and talked a bit and then went to bed, as it was late!
Saturday, we slept in, made pancakes with local choke cherry syrup and sausages for breakfast. Then we played around and visited all morning. Emma and Shirley went on a walk to the store and around town a bit. We decorated our car for the Branch trunk-or-treat we were doing. We did "Witches Book Mobile" and made it look like a "witch" was reading a book and had a bunch of other Halloween books by it. It was cute and we got a bunch of votes for that and the kid's costumes. Shirley wasn't feeling very well. But we got some EmergenC in her and she started doing a lot better. Emma and Shirley went for a walk while I finished Cov's costume. Then we went to the Branch Barn Dance/Chili-Cook Off/Trunk or Treat. They had a big bon fire, chili (everyone loved our white chili we made) and sides, games in the barns, cute decorations, a trunk-or-treat and a dance in the barn. Too much fun!
Sunday, we woke up and got ready for church. Jeff & Shirley weren't used to driving that far but said they really enjoyed the branch and the people there. We ate some snacks and enjoyed the view and chatting on the drive home. That afternoon, we went on a walk, played on the playground at the kid's school, drove around town, the kids played with their aunt and uncle and we made some dinner. We all went to bed early that night, exhausted from a fun and long week.
We got up and had breakfast burritos and sent them on their way. They did the drive home in one day and got there in one piece. It was so great having them! I'm glad it's kind of on the way for them so we could break up their trip and have them stay with us. They're so great and we had a wonderful weekend with them here.
