It's been a busy few weeks!
On June 20th the girls, Rhett and I set out to fetch the rest of our boys from their week of scout camp near the Blue Ridge reservoir, northeast of Strawberry, AZ. They had an absolutely wonderful week. Brad won the All-Around-Scout award (a cool pocketknife) for being a great leader. Carter won the archery award against some much more experienced boys. The boys got bragging rights to swimming across the deepest lake in AZ (including a polar bear swim one of the mornings) as well as a canoe camping trip one of the nights. Fortunately for us they all took a shower before we arrived to pick them up. It made our long drive that day much more pleasant. We headed north through Winslow, Chinle, Monticello and Moab until we arrived at our destination -- the Burgess residence in Rifle, CO. It was a long day but the kids really did well.
Sunday the 21st was church and hanging out. That evening we took a walk with Mom and Dad K to find a place to take our family photos on Tuesday -- found a nice little spot down the road.
Monday the 22nd our missing family members --Alan and Jeff's families arrived and the reunion officially began. Chad showed everyone the 4-wheeling trails. I didn't get to go that day but I hear there was a lot of picking of dirt out of teeth and eyes and a lot of fun had too. A game of kickball finished off the activities for the day.
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Lazy Days of Summer
Alex, Brad and Carter are off at scout camp this week. Needless to say it's been a lot more girly around here lately. The girls are taking turns making meals and gratefully for them they've all seemed to inherit more of their Dad's love of and skill for cooking than their Mother's. Eve cooked up some delicious pancakes all by herself this morning and Lydia made a fantastic pasta dish tonight. Camille is great at getting the chicken nuggets in the oven and Sophie is always game for dessert...and for yogurt too. Sophie has a new word. I'm not quite sure what it is as the pronunciation seems to change each time she says it but the end result is always the same -- she wants yogurt. Rhett is taking the heavy dose of femininity in stride.
Little Women is a new favorite movie of the girls'. They've all chosen their character -- Lydia (Meg), Eve (Jo), Camille (Beth -- but we decided she couldn't die early), Sophie (Amy) and Mom (Marmee). Alex was cast as Father, with Brad as Mr. Brooks, Carter as Teddy and Rhett as Meg's baby boy. They also are becoming Jane Austen movie fans and tonight wanted to watch Secret Garden for our movie night.
We were sad to bid farewell to Uncle Lincoln and Aunt Summer this week but did enjoy swimming with the Stephensons after helping to load the moving truck. We also got to hit the town's splash pad, get icecream and play at McDonald's, have a movie night, have friends over to play and especially enjoyed hanging out with Grandma Matheson. Today and tomorrow we're hard at work getting everything packed for our trip to Aunt Erica's for a Kartchner family reunion. Hate is really not too strong of a word to describe my dislike for packing for family vacations. I have to keep reminding myself that it's really worth it!
Little Women is a new favorite movie of the girls'. They've all chosen their character -- Lydia (Meg), Eve (Jo), Camille (Beth -- but we decided she couldn't die early), Sophie (Amy) and Mom (Marmee). Alex was cast as Father, with Brad as Mr. Brooks, Carter as Teddy and Rhett as Meg's baby boy. They also are becoming Jane Austen movie fans and tonight wanted to watch Secret Garden for our movie night.
We were sad to bid farewell to Uncle Lincoln and Aunt Summer this week but did enjoy swimming with the Stephensons after helping to load the moving truck. We also got to hit the town's splash pad, get icecream and play at McDonald's, have a movie night, have friends over to play and especially enjoyed hanging out with Grandma Matheson. Today and tomorrow we're hard at work getting everything packed for our trip to Aunt Erica's for a Kartchner family reunion. Hate is really not too strong of a word to describe my dislike for packing for family vacations. I have to keep reminding myself that it's really worth it!
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| Camille sporting a sour cream mustache and beard |
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| Eve -- her summertime look is a mumu and uncombed hair and she, as always, manages to look fabulous in it. |
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| Rhett is fascinated by his reflection in the mirror on his baby seat. |
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| Rhett and Eve |
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| Sophie multi-tasking -- enjoying her yogurt while keeping the sun at bay |
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| Rhett snuggling with big brother, Carter |
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| Rhett and Eve. He gives the best smiles and even a hint of a giggle too! |
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| Sophie, Camille, Lydia & Eve watching Little Women with Rhett. |
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Memorial Day 2015
We were in St. David for Memorial Day and went to the cemetery for program put on by the VFW. We took some flowers and flags to put on Uncle Jerry Tenney's grave. Carter and cousin Preston were holding them and the made the Benson newspaper. Here's the excerpt of Carter's claim to fame.
"Families could be seen throughout the cemetery in St. David, cleaning gravesites and paying their respects.
Carter Matheson and Preston Welker were two of the youngsters there. Both were in town visiting their grandparents, Paul and Sue Kartchner.
“It’s an important day,” said Carter. “We’re going to put flowers on Uncle Jerry’s grave because he served in the Army and it’s Memorial Day.”
After the cemetery we helped Grandma Sue move books out of the St. David stake family history library which is being renovated. Swimming in the pond and some horse riding finished off a wonderful day.
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| Carter and Brad pose by the headstone of Julia Martineau, daughter of one of our ancestors James Henry Martineau, who lived in St. David for only a year or two in the 1880's. Her grave was unmarked but a few years back the boys helped figure out where it was. Cousin Milo Kartchner made a headstone for it and this was the first time they got to see it. |
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| Grandpa Paul's parents' gravesite -- James and Lois Kartchner |
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| Checking out our Lofgreen heritage. Alex's grandma Ouida May Lofgreen Matheson is from St. David. |
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| Paying respects to Uncle Jerry Tenney. Preston, Brad, Gma Sue, Carter, Karina, Kurtis, Alex, Rhett, Uncle Glen, Marla, Grant, Julie. In front are Eve, Camille, Lydia and Bryce. |
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| Swimming in the pond -- Lydia, Carter, Eve and Audra |
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| Alex, Sophie, Eve. Sophie skinny-dipped and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are advantages to non-see through water. |
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| Brad and Preston man the paddle boat. In the front in the remains of a cottonwood tree chopped down by the beaver that thinks he owns the place. |
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| The non-swimmers |
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| Eve was cold after swimming so I told her to go stand in the sun. This is where she ended up. |
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| Camille could've ridden horses with Gpa Paul all day. |
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| Rhett and Gma Sue -- not sure if he was feeling left out from swimming or horseback riding |
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| Preston and Brad racing Gpa Paul and Camille. Paddle boats don't go very fast! |
Monday, June 1, 2015
Branding at the Box K
For Memorial Day weekend we went down to St. David to visit Grandma Sue and Grandpa Paul -- and Karina and Duane & Shirley's family too! We lucked out this time because the Welkers and Jeff & Kelsey and Phebe were also in town. On Saturday the kids took turns (due to a horse to rider ratio of 4:12) helping with round up and then we all met at the corral for branding. Brad and Carter both roped a calf and we all enjoyed Grandma Sue's chuck wagon lunch. Carter tried his first taste of Rocky Mountain Oysters. He wasn't too impressed. The best part of the day was that it was beautiful weather. Then after some 4-wheeling and pond canoeing we grilled hamburgers and had a couple of rousing games of knock-out. Just to keep up my reputation (tied for 4th grade Knock-out champion with Tim Bryce) I made sure to win one of them. The kids slept awesome that night. I think they were a little tired.
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| Sheldon, Jeff & Alex |
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| Eve |
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| Eve and Brad |
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| Preston, Brad, Carter, Eve and Sophie take a drink break -- hopefully they washed their hands first! |
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| Preston, Audra, Karina, Carter, Alex, Kurtis, Gpa Paul and Jeff |
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| Sheldon & Gpa Paul showing off their roping skills -- they're after the heifer that went through part of the chute rather than the gate to get away. If I can remember when that chute was new it might be time to replace it Dad : ) |
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| Brad |
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| Alex and his girls -- Sophie, Camille & Eve |
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| the girls picked some flowers for me. |
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| Cowgirl Camille |
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| Camille & Sophie at Gma Sue's chuck wagon. |
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| Eve takes Rhett on his first horse ride -- it was a very short one -- you have to work up to the big ones. |
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| Rhett and Gma Sue |
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| Carter roped one and Audra and Preston help him dally her in. |
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| Sophie tries on Dad's cowboy hat |
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| Alex took on grill duties while everyone else enjoyed a few games of Knock-Out. |
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| Sophie borrowed Mom's sweater and made a great audience |
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| Pepper, Grandpa Paul, Rhett and Lydia enjoying the Knock-Out game from the sidelines. |
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Mother's Day, Rhett's Day and Other Miscellaneous Happenings
Life is good and busy as usual here at The Matheson Fam headquarters in Queen Creek, AZ.
Sunday, the 10th was Mother's Day. Alex and kids made a scrumptious breakfast and showered me with wonderful homemade cards, coupons for hugs and lots of chocolate -- all my dreams came true!
That afternoon we had Rhett's baby blessing at our home and then taco salad, brownie & icecream sundaes and a beautiful afternoon spent visiting with family.
This week was Spirit Week at Ben Franklin and Eve, Carter & Lydia made a spirited effort to participate. Tuesday, Camille had her friend Della over to play -- always a much anticipated event. That evening was Pack Meeting which I'm in charge of gratefully it went smoothly. Thursday Camille got her cavity filled. She's very brave with shots! Thursday evening was Brad's band concert. They played a couple of Disney themed medleys and did a fine job as usual. Afterwards we checked out Uncle Lincoln's classroom and left messages for him on the board. Friday evening we had our backyard neighbors, the Browns and a new family in the neighborhood, the Wirthlins, over for dinner. It was a rainy day and Carter had really, really, really wanted to have a fire and roast marshmallows but our wood pile was wet. He convinced Alex to get out the blow torch and they torched that wood until it decided to light on fire after all. The marshmallow roasting fest was a success! Today was the day to pick our peaches -- delicious!
Every so often a patient of Alex's expresses their gratitude for his dental services in an unusual way. This time it was rabbits. About a month ago we unexpectedly became the owners of two Holland Lops (gratefully both males!). The kids named the bigger one Tom and the little one Cookie. Cookie especially was a sweetie and would let any of the kids -- even Sophie -- snuggle him and carry him around for hours. The kids were even really good at feeding them. There was only one small problem -- rabbits wear fur coats and that doesn't mix well with 110 degree weather and I don't mix well with inside pets that I have to clean up after and that Alex is allergic to. Luckily, our next door neighbors came to my rescue this week and asked to buy them and invited the kids to come visit them any time. How's that for a win-win?!
A quick update on the kids:
Bradley: Winding down his first year of Junior High at ALA. He played piano last minute for his cousin Drew's baptism last Saturday. I was impressed with his willingness, sight-reading and poise. Completed projects this week in English (played the part of Rumplestiltskin in a little play his group produced) and Equine Sciences (designed a horse breeding facility which had the astronomical price tag of several billion dollars because they chose to use solid gold toilets in all the staff and visitor bathrooms).
Carter: Managing to escape major injury for the moment. A few weeks back the school called me saying they weren't sure what had happened (he couldn't talk) or what was wrong but that I should come pick him up. Turns out he'd been playing basketball at recess, went up to make a shot, and the kid who was blocking him accidentally hit him simultaneously on the head and in the stomach which knocked him to the ground. He landed on his jaw. Gratefully, Alex could do a quick x-ray to rule out fractures and then popped it back into place. Phew! He just started writing normally again the end of March after his nerve injury in November and I was not looking forward to a multi-month recovery period again. Carter also had his science fair on May 30 where he showcased his project of which kind of soda pop rotted teeth the quickest. I think Coke and Mt. Dew tied.
Lydia: Is interested in auditioning for the Phoenix Girls Chorus. Her friend Kambry Tutty invited her to their 'invite a friend' day a few weeks ago and Lydia really enjoyed it. her audition date is May 26th. She is growing tall! She turned 9 on April 21st. That night was the school Spring Sing. Uncle Lincoln had made her a cheesecake so we took it with us to the pre-concert picnic and shared it with the Shumways who were there that night as well. The next Saturday we had a birthday party with some of her friends. She made up the theme of "Ocean Bling" for the party. We decorated shells with glitter and had water games.
Eve: Continues to be a jump-roper extraordinaire. She is really good at it and I admire her stick-with-it attitude when it comes to trying new tricks. Today she threw a birthday party for Camille. We all got invitations that said "Partty for Camille. Serpris. Bring presents. There will be musicse, dancing. Have fun!" The shindig was in the girls' room and we had a great time dancing and opening presents. She's an awesome big sister and sure made Camille feel special.
Camille: Really didn't have a birthday this week -- she'll have to wait for December for that -- but she is really growing up. She got a chart in Primary this last Sunday that has several boxes that she could check off each time she helped me so she's been begging for opportunities to help and almost has it full. She continues to entertain herself for hours playing make-believe. Then there's all those other hours when she wants me to entertain her. I'm trying to find the balance between taking time just for her and inviting her come join me in my work.
Sophie: We are all calling her Camille on accident these days. We went through all the girls clothes and handed stuff down that didn't fit. Between her wearing Camille's old clothes and the fact that she doesn't want to be the baby any more she doesn't look or act like the Sophie we used to know. The new, grown-up version is pretty sweet too -- and still sucks her thumb!
Rhett: Figured out how to smile in April. It's an incredibly cute smile. He's way past newborn sized clothes and busting out of some of his 0-3month outfits. He also caught his first cold and discovered that there's more to life than milk and sleep and smiling. He's not a big fan of the stuffy nose but is weathering it well. We are so grateful for our sweet little Rhett boy!
Sunday, the 10th was Mother's Day. Alex and kids made a scrumptious breakfast and showered me with wonderful homemade cards, coupons for hugs and lots of chocolate -- all my dreams came true!
That afternoon we had Rhett's baby blessing at our home and then taco salad, brownie & icecream sundaes and a beautiful afternoon spent visiting with family.
This week was Spirit Week at Ben Franklin and Eve, Carter & Lydia made a spirited effort to participate. Tuesday, Camille had her friend Della over to play -- always a much anticipated event. That evening was Pack Meeting which I'm in charge of gratefully it went smoothly. Thursday Camille got her cavity filled. She's very brave with shots! Thursday evening was Brad's band concert. They played a couple of Disney themed medleys and did a fine job as usual. Afterwards we checked out Uncle Lincoln's classroom and left messages for him on the board. Friday evening we had our backyard neighbors, the Browns and a new family in the neighborhood, the Wirthlins, over for dinner. It was a rainy day and Carter had really, really, really wanted to have a fire and roast marshmallows but our wood pile was wet. He convinced Alex to get out the blow torch and they torched that wood until it decided to light on fire after all. The marshmallow roasting fest was a success! Today was the day to pick our peaches -- delicious!
Every so often a patient of Alex's expresses their gratitude for his dental services in an unusual way. This time it was rabbits. About a month ago we unexpectedly became the owners of two Holland Lops (gratefully both males!). The kids named the bigger one Tom and the little one Cookie. Cookie especially was a sweetie and would let any of the kids -- even Sophie -- snuggle him and carry him around for hours. The kids were even really good at feeding them. There was only one small problem -- rabbits wear fur coats and that doesn't mix well with 110 degree weather and I don't mix well with inside pets that I have to clean up after and that Alex is allergic to. Luckily, our next door neighbors came to my rescue this week and asked to buy them and invited the kids to come visit them any time. How's that for a win-win?!
A quick update on the kids:
Bradley: Winding down his first year of Junior High at ALA. He played piano last minute for his cousin Drew's baptism last Saturday. I was impressed with his willingness, sight-reading and poise. Completed projects this week in English (played the part of Rumplestiltskin in a little play his group produced) and Equine Sciences (designed a horse breeding facility which had the astronomical price tag of several billion dollars because they chose to use solid gold toilets in all the staff and visitor bathrooms).
Carter: Managing to escape major injury for the moment. A few weeks back the school called me saying they weren't sure what had happened (he couldn't talk) or what was wrong but that I should come pick him up. Turns out he'd been playing basketball at recess, went up to make a shot, and the kid who was blocking him accidentally hit him simultaneously on the head and in the stomach which knocked him to the ground. He landed on his jaw. Gratefully, Alex could do a quick x-ray to rule out fractures and then popped it back into place. Phew! He just started writing normally again the end of March after his nerve injury in November and I was not looking forward to a multi-month recovery period again. Carter also had his science fair on May 30 where he showcased his project of which kind of soda pop rotted teeth the quickest. I think Coke and Mt. Dew tied.
Lydia: Is interested in auditioning for the Phoenix Girls Chorus. Her friend Kambry Tutty invited her to their 'invite a friend' day a few weeks ago and Lydia really enjoyed it. her audition date is May 26th. She is growing tall! She turned 9 on April 21st. That night was the school Spring Sing. Uncle Lincoln had made her a cheesecake so we took it with us to the pre-concert picnic and shared it with the Shumways who were there that night as well. The next Saturday we had a birthday party with some of her friends. She made up the theme of "Ocean Bling" for the party. We decorated shells with glitter and had water games.
Eve: Continues to be a jump-roper extraordinaire. She is really good at it and I admire her stick-with-it attitude when it comes to trying new tricks. Today she threw a birthday party for Camille. We all got invitations that said "Partty for Camille. Serpris. Bring presents. There will be musicse, dancing. Have fun!" The shindig was in the girls' room and we had a great time dancing and opening presents. She's an awesome big sister and sure made Camille feel special.
Camille: Really didn't have a birthday this week -- she'll have to wait for December for that -- but she is really growing up. She got a chart in Primary this last Sunday that has several boxes that she could check off each time she helped me so she's been begging for opportunities to help and almost has it full. She continues to entertain herself for hours playing make-believe. Then there's all those other hours when she wants me to entertain her. I'm trying to find the balance between taking time just for her and inviting her come join me in my work.
Sophie: We are all calling her Camille on accident these days. We went through all the girls clothes and handed stuff down that didn't fit. Between her wearing Camille's old clothes and the fact that she doesn't want to be the baby any more she doesn't look or act like the Sophie we used to know. The new, grown-up version is pretty sweet too -- and still sucks her thumb!
Rhett: Figured out how to smile in April. It's an incredibly cute smile. He's way past newborn sized clothes and busting out of some of his 0-3month outfits. He also caught his first cold and discovered that there's more to life than milk and sleep and smiling. He's not a big fan of the stuffy nose but is weathering it well. We are so grateful for our sweet little Rhett boy!
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| Eve, Carter and Lydia attempting to be nerds on Nerd day. They're all so cool I'm not sure they were able to pull it off. |
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| Camille and Cookie |
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| Eve and Cookie |
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| Julie, Rhett, Alex |
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| Kelsey, Athena and her boyfriend Keng |
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| Liz, Gma Matheson, Peter, Gma Sue, Anna, Jean-Luc, Bradley |
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| Carter |
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| Rhett and Gpa Paul hanging out |
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| Rhett feeling a little overwhelmed at all the growing he's got in front of him to catch up to cousin Jean-Luc |
Monday, March 17, 2014
Birthday and Spring Break
To finish off the kid's Spirit Week . . . Carter really got into Denim Day. He created a top hat, tie and denim handkerchief combo that got him a second place ranking for the whole school. He was a football player for Sports Day and for Mismatch Day he wore a swimsuit, snow boots, swimming goggles and mittens.
Friday the 7th was my birthday. My Mom surprised me with a quick visit and tulips. We went to the Gilbert Temple and then out to eat at Kneaders. Then it was back to business with a trip to Costco to replace Alex's phone. It was still malfunctioning from getting wet at the cultural celebration. The good news is that the new phone will hopefully no longer send out random text messages in Chinese to all our family and friends. Alex got tickets to the Queen Creek rodeo for that night and we had a good time. Alex's Mom sent me a sweet note which I really appreciated. I am very blessed in the Mom department.
Saturday the 8th we got to have both our Mulleneaux and Stephenson cousins spend the day. It looked like a good time was had by all. They even helped eat my birthday cake. Carter made a special cake just for me.
The next week was the kid's Spring Break. The first few days we hung around here and did projects and played with friends and cousins. On Thursday we headed down to St. David. The kids asked to stop off at the Casa Grande ruins since we drive by them on our way. It was a fun visit and they all earned their Junior Ranger badges.
Friday was a fun day with various and sundry ranch and cousin activities. Karina, Brad and I hauled a cow over to cousin Tim Wilson's while Carter and Grandpa Paul worked in the front yard. The girls loved riding horses and playing with Duane & Shirley's kids. In the afternoon Alex, Brad and Carter headed out to the ranch with Grandpa and Karina and I got to visit with a high school friend, Wendy Gooding. That evening we went wading in the river with Duane and Shirley's bunch, Karina and Grandma and Grandpa. Let's make that, the kids waded in the river. It was overcast, windy and the water was downright chilly and personally, I enjoyed just watching. Jeff and Kelsey came down Friday night and it was fun to see them. Sophie made the history books by taking her first steps. She did two one-step routines from the cupboard to Mom but decided that that was more than enough.
Saturday, Alex had a nasty stomach bug that had him down and out all day. Gratefully, he felt well enough to travel home by evening. The boys alternated between reading Grandma Sue's Redwall books and helping fill gardening containers and digging a trench for a new water hookup for the garden. Uncle Devon, Aunt DeeDee and our brand new baby cousin Clay came by. Clay was voted absolutely adorable. In the afternoon Aunt Karina took all the kids fishing. No fish caught but lots of fun had by all.
Friday the 7th was my birthday. My Mom surprised me with a quick visit and tulips. We went to the Gilbert Temple and then out to eat at Kneaders. Then it was back to business with a trip to Costco to replace Alex's phone. It was still malfunctioning from getting wet at the cultural celebration. The good news is that the new phone will hopefully no longer send out random text messages in Chinese to all our family and friends. Alex got tickets to the Queen Creek rodeo for that night and we had a good time. Alex's Mom sent me a sweet note which I really appreciated. I am very blessed in the Mom department.
Saturday the 8th we got to have both our Mulleneaux and Stephenson cousins spend the day. It looked like a good time was had by all. They even helped eat my birthday cake. Carter made a special cake just for me.
The next week was the kid's Spring Break. The first few days we hung around here and did projects and played with friends and cousins. On Thursday we headed down to St. David. The kids asked to stop off at the Casa Grande ruins since we drive by them on our way. It was a fun visit and they all earned their Junior Ranger badges.
Friday was a fun day with various and sundry ranch and cousin activities. Karina, Brad and I hauled a cow over to cousin Tim Wilson's while Carter and Grandpa Paul worked in the front yard. The girls loved riding horses and playing with Duane & Shirley's kids. In the afternoon Alex, Brad and Carter headed out to the ranch with Grandpa and Karina and I got to visit with a high school friend, Wendy Gooding. That evening we went wading in the river with Duane and Shirley's bunch, Karina and Grandma and Grandpa. Let's make that, the kids waded in the river. It was overcast, windy and the water was downright chilly and personally, I enjoyed just watching. Jeff and Kelsey came down Friday night and it was fun to see them. Sophie made the history books by taking her first steps. She did two one-step routines from the cupboard to Mom but decided that that was more than enough.
Saturday, Alex had a nasty stomach bug that had him down and out all day. Gratefully, he felt well enough to travel home by evening. The boys alternated between reading Grandma Sue's Redwall books and helping fill gardening containers and digging a trench for a new water hookup for the garden. Uncle Devon, Aunt DeeDee and our brand new baby cousin Clay came by. Clay was voted absolutely adorable. In the afternoon Aunt Karina took all the kids fishing. No fish caught but lots of fun had by all.
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| Carter in his denim attire. |
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| Brad and Sophie had some fun with the camera. We discovered that Sophie has a pointed callus on her left thumb from due to her exclusive affinity for it. Maybe she's Alex's long wished for Lefty. |
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| My birthday tulips. The kids were fascinated with how much water they consumed each day. |
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| The Mesa Temple replica birthday cake Carter made for me. |
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| Mulleneaux and Stephenson cousins helping to celebrate. |
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| Carter, Alex, Sophie, Eve, Lydia, Brad, Camille at Casa Grande ruins. |
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| Camille and Eve liked the pint-sized doorways at Casa Grande. |
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| Camille, Alex & Sophie on Deacon. Deacon was a little on the frisky side and Sophie wasn't so keen on the trotting. |
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| Camille, Clay, Brad, Sophie. |
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| Sophie found Clay fascinating. She made sure to give him motherly pats and try to pick him up. |
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