With an IV on her fingers and Beads in her Ears

 A week ago Faith put two beads from one of her necklaces in her ears (one in each ear).  They were too deep into her ear for us to get them out despite Doug's great ideas involving a vacuum cleaner.  After three doctor appointments with two different doctors and a lot of water, poking and prodding, the ENT doctor decided we should just sedate her to get them out.  The boys told Faith she was going to get her ears cut off to get them out.  Spencer asked if this procedure would make her quieter.  It didn't. I got to spend 5 1/2 hours with Faith at the hospital today so they could get the beads out of her hears.  Most of that time was waiting in the waiting room.  I had to wear the surgical garb so I could go into the operating theatre with her (they don't call it the operating room, it's the operating theatre).

 Walking into the theatre.  Faith didn't have to change into a hospital gown, and she wore her sneakers the whole time.

Two icy poles, two cups of ice cream and one bowl of jello later, they released Faith back into the world.  I hope she's learned her lesson :)  

CCC Rep

 Today we went to the boys' school for their leadership assembly to see James get his leadership badge. His class voted James to be the class CCC Rep.  We were glad to go and excited to see him get his pin, but after the assembly we had to go into the office and ask, "What the heck is a CCC Rep.?"  I guess he  attends meetings and gets his class excited about the fundraisers for charity and community.  James is on the stage, second row, second from the left.

 James is sixth from left.

 Getting his pin.

 Proudly wearing his pin.

 Waiting for school to get over in the sand pit.

Camping--Relief Society Style

 On a dirt road with lots of holes, we trekked our way into this beautiful little valley close to Canberra for Relief Society camp tonight.

 We stayed at a place called Caloola Farm in this building.   We hung out and ate in this big common room.

 After dinner Friday night we played get to know you games and Relief Society BINGO.

 Bedrooms like this ran along three sides of the common room.  We didn't spend much time in here...

 because I had to teach these ladies how to play Shang Hi Rummey.  Shanae, me, Wendy, Hermarnee and Tara were the last ones standing going to bed after 2:00 am.

 Saturday morning we had yoga, breakfast and four different classes to rotate through.  We ended with a little service project and testimony meeting.  Me and Shanae.

Wendy, Cath and Margaret.

What a fun weekend!  I think every stake should do this.

BOM Party

 And it came to pass that after many nights of gnashing our teeth and frustration, tears and screaming, we finished the Book of Mormon. It's not the first time we have finished reading it, but it is no easy thing around here with our little girls to get spiritual things accomplished.   We told the kids we'd have a par-tay to celebrate and here it is.  

Our menu

Pad AbinaThai (Pad Thai)

Rod of Iron Chicken

Waters of Mormon

Swords of Laban

Fruit of the Tree of Life

Trees of Life

 Angel Moroni Food Cake

King Benjamin's Tower o' Cupcakes

 We decorated with pictures from the Book of Mormon, invited two families over from our ward,  and played Book of Mormon Bingo and Book of Mormon Catch Phrase.  I love how Faith plays Catch Phrase.  She makes up her own things to say, something like, "It's in your head," and then we guess Brain and she says, "YES!"  She also did clues for toe nail polish and then Brain was used a few times.

A great family home evening for us and we are working our way through the Book of Mormon again.  Wonder how long it will take this time.

On the Court

 Here's the player.

 Here's the fans.

 And here's to James having a great season.  They don't win a lot (only once), but James plays hard and scores more points than anyone else on his team.

 Four more games and then we're moving on to rugby.

If it's Free...

 I have this thing about free.  If it's free, I'm there.  I found out about a free little carnival in a neighboring suburb, so of course we had to go.  It turned out to be a great way to spend our afternoon.

 There were free rides, free snow cones, free fairy floss (cotton candy), free balloon animals, etc.  

 The most popular ride was the this jeep ride.  I had to wait in line for the kids for a long time.

You can't beat free!

Pool Party

 The boys got to hang out at the ambassador's pool at the pool party for tweens tonight. 

Spencer said the water was way too cold.

 The girls have to pose in front of this sign every time we go lately.