Update on the new stage

The water is down.

Elder Smith and I just poured and finished this 51/2 yards today.

Tomorrow we will pour 12 1/2 yards.

Marty loves this kind of work!!

Finishing the floor in the hall

Marty is FINALLY working on the house again!! YEA!!!!!!!

Nauvoo, Illinois Junior Prom 2008

If your looking for Amber, don't. Amber and Bryce served refreshments at prom because they are both still 15. Amber still has a couple of weeks before her 16th birthday.

So Ambers date was the chocolate fountain but she took pictures of her friends. There was 6 couples that hung out together and they had dinner on Mom and Dad's deck by the fountain to be romantic after a day fun and games.

They are such a fun bunch of kids!!

Grantsville, Utah Prom 2008

Sage went to prom with Zachary Scott. It sounds like they had a great time. They went with 10 other couples. They went to a place in Salt Lake where you can play laser tag, bowl, play arcade games, roller skate etc. They ate dinner at one of the boys home.
Then they went to promanade. I never
Sage had cute high heels but opted for black sneakers at the actual dance. So cool!!! I never think of that when I get dressed up. She's so smart. I am getting so excited for graduation It's just around the corner!

My Crazy Kid

This year Amber is in Photography at school. The other day the kids went out and took some action shots that I thought were hilarious.

I just thought I would share.

When it Rains it Pours.

Marty has been working on the new stage for "Sunset by the Mississippi" they moved it from the old site up to the old "City of Joseph" stage. But it looks like the Mississippi followed them. Marty was actualy pouring concrete yesterday when the sky opened up and it POURED. It lasted about 15 minutes but it came down so hard and fast you couldnt see and it left about a 3 foot puddle right where Marty was working.
Marty just kept right on working. He got a pump and started pumping out water and finished his concrete. He had to quit and go help some sister missionaries who's basement apartment had flooded. Then back to work. He finished cleaning up his tools at about 9:00pm.
Today the sun is out but it is a little chilly. I don't think we have had this much rain since we moved here, but my bushes and trees love it and so far Marty's basement hasn't even gotten damp. His form-a-drain foundation is amazing. Our sump pup has been working overtime these past few weeks.

Lacey is a WINNER!!

Lacey just called from Carthage. She just won first place in the 800 with a time of 2:28:88 pretty good for a 6th grader. Ant she took first at the high jump clearing 4'2". On Monday in Liberty she did just as well with a 1st place win in the 800. She is really good and we are just sad that we can't make it to all of her meets.

Earthquake

If you haven't already heared.
WE HAD AN EARTHQUAKE
I woke up to a call from Barbara (Marty's mom in Utah) wanting to know if we were all ok. Honestly I didn't even know it had happened. Later that day though we felt an aftershock during Primary Presidency meeting. It was so faint I thought Bentley was scratching and thumping the floor wiggling the table a bit. My friend Melissa was up early and felt the original quake but didn't know what it was until she heard about the quake earlier.


This is from our local News WGEM:

Strong Earthquake Rocks Midwest
WEST SALEM, Ill. - It's not a region where people are accustomed to being awakened by an earthquake. A 5.2 magnitude tremor shook parts of Illinois and Indiana early today, and was felt as far away as Milwaukee and Des Moines. There are no reports of injuries or major damage from the quake, which appears to be among the strongest ever recorded in the region. A resident of Philo, Illinois, south of Champaign, says the house was shaking and the windows were rattling. And he says for central Illinois, it was "a big deal." The U.S. Geological Survey says this morning's quake happened in a region known as the Illinois basin-Ozark dome, which does not usually get quakes. The biggest on record, a 5.4, happened in 1968.

Marty Steen the Concrete King!

Marty has been pouring concrete for the past few weeks with Elder Dale Hancock. (Elder Hancock abandoned him last week (sob)when his mission ended, Marty will finish the job with Elder Smith a new elder from Arizona) They have poured 85 yards and have that many more again that still needs done. But that will have to wait until he finish working up at the new "Sunset by the Mississippi" stage. They are moving up to the old "City of Joseph" site. (in front of our church) They are pouring a stage for the dancers there. Marty really like working with concrete and so he looks forward to work everyday.

OOPS HE DID IT AGAIN!

Marty backed the bobcat into the side of the building but Elder Hancock and Marty came up with a solution that works for everyone. The temple needed an outside access to this building and the damage needed to be repaired so they are going to put a door there. It will fix everything there will be no reminder of the accident much to Marty's relief. (the Lord works in mysterious ways and I think He likes Marty)

Lacey in the News!!

Look what happens when I leave!!

I'm not sure if they grew up or grew crazy. lol It seems they missed me though. Marty said that Amber went in to "mom in training" mode and woke everyone fro scriptures and prayer and kept the house clean and the laundry done.
One of Lacey's teachers told me she was glad I was home because Lacey swears they didn't eat the whole time I was gone. She said this with a wink and a grin.
I have noticed that since I got home they have become completely dependant on me for everything. lol It's like they have never been taught to do anything for themselves. Ha ha ha oh well I'll give them a week and then it's time to crack the whip.

Train Ride Home

Mom and I took the train home. It was relaxing and fun. It was such a fun trip. I think I am ready to get back home to life.

We were actually laughing at ourselves so hard I think we were driving everyone crazy. I don't know how the kids get such cute pictures of themselves but we felt silly.

talking to Marty

Eating in the lounge car

Jared & Casi's

After the FHE we went over to see what Jared had done on his house. We hung out for a while and watched the kids play. It was a lot of fun. The kids are so funny!

Gabby

Corbin

Malory and Lily

Grandpa's 90th Birthday FHE

As usual we had our after conference get together "Family Home Evening" with whatever family is in town. This year was special though because it is Grandpa's 90th birthday this month so we held it at Uncle Roys church instead of his home.
Tracy made one of her awesome quilts. It had pictures of them their kids and spouses and their grandkids and spouses and children. It was amazing and they loved it.

Mom took an old journal of Grandpa's typed it up and added pictures, we made a timeline of his life and how it fit into history. Aunt Dee Dee did a slideshow that was running all throughout the night.
It was a lot of fun. We got to see people we hadn't seen in years.

Crazy at the Collings

After conference Dinner at Steve and Tracy's

Jared Casi and Lily

Jessica and Sage

TJ and Peter the life of the party

Jessica and Tracy

Erick Tera and scarey TJ

ooooh scarey!!

Steve and Peter
Erin and Quincy
Tricia and Lee
Bump and Jared