Avocado Lover

Whoever knew that my 3 year old would love avocados? Allie eats them like an orange and she even tries to eat them peel and all. I used to be able to save all the avocados for myself but now I am lucky to even get a bite! I don't mind feeding them to her - she definitely need the calories more than me! This child also loves mushrooms and tomatoes. I hope she continues to love the vegetable family and doesn't get tainted by her brother and sisters views!

My kids at Easter

Emergency Evacuation

A few weeks ago I was asked to participate in a 5th Sunday lesson with my family. Of course I agreed but I was not told any information. Well yesterday as we were on our way to Twin to go out to eat with our son Zach for his birthday we got a call that we were to evacuate our house and we only had 10 minutes. Alan negotiated with the caller that we would evacuate when we returned after all it was Zach's 16th birthday we were trying to celebrate. Upon our return and after singing happy birthday and having dessert we told the kids that we had 10 minutes to gather our stuff and leave. Alan told the kids that the house was going to be flooded and we needed to get out quickly. Abby started bawling and began to panic. (Way to go dad!) He was quick to reassure her that it was only a drill. We started racing around the house to gather things in a frenzy. I do have 72 hour food packets in a box downstairs underneath a few things along with our wind up radio, emergency blankets, 100 hour candles and our tin cups. Mind you they were not in any backpacks and not even together but at least I knew where they were! I gathered them along with a few blankets and pillows. We were also asked to bring our swimming suits and to meet at the Gaver's house. We were told that we were going to be gone 24 hours. Well, we didn't think that we were seriously going to be gone 24 hours so we didn't bring medicine or toothbrushes or water (really not sure why we didn't bring water). When we got to the Gaver's we were told to get in our swimming suits and go for a swim with our children and then we were directed to beds to sleep in. Alan left after everyone had gone to bed and got my antibiotics. He said he felt like a teenage kid sneaking out of the house after everyone had gone to bed!
We spent the night and after a full breakfast the next morning and after another swim we were able to go home.
Lesson's to be Learned
1-Have a plan
2-Have everything located in one spot
3-Include toiletries, medicine, first aid kits
4-Have a backpack with everything included for each person
5-Extra pair of clothes

Yes, it was a bit of an inconvenience but it was a valuable experience one that we hope to learn from and improve upon. Other people were asked to go without power for 24 hours, go without water for 24 hours, cook only from your food storage for a week and of course the emergency evacuation.
With the rising wheat prices (driving up flour purchases) and the impending trucker's strike I went to Ridley's after the YW broadcast and bought 75 pounds of flour and sugar along with 3 cases of water. Melissa was a bit embarrassed especially as the lady at the check-out asked me if I do a lot of baking, but I am here to tell you it takes a lot to feed my family of eight!

Zach's 16th Birthday

It hardly seems possible that I have a son that is old enough to date now! Zach spent his birthday with his family and has plans to have a get together with a few friends next weekend. He opened his gifts the night before his birthday anticipating a full schedule the next day with track and school. He got some clothes, shoes, a movie, guitar heroes III, motorcycle riding pants,and other things. He has had fun strumming the guitar and advancing in his skill level. I tried it once while the kids were in school and after so many missed notes the song ends. I tried to get through a song four times with no luck. It was hard! I either hit the notes too soon or not soon enough. After he got home from track Alan and I took him out to eat and then we came home for dessert. We were then evacuated from our house. I will tell you that experience in another entry!!! Happy Birthday to my favorite son!!!!!!

Easter Fun

We had a great Easter this year. I went to a ward party the week before without Melissa and Alan. (They were at a volleyball tournament in SLC) It was so nice to go to an activity and actually be able to spend time with my kids, eat and leave when it was over. I do not miss being the Activities Chairman at all!!!!
The Easter bunny visited our house last Saturday and brought lots of yummy goodies for everyone. I swear the kids had most of their candy gone by the next day.
Sunday morning actually went smooth, and maybe it was because Alan was home until 8:00 a.m. We went to church and the girls wore their new Easter dresses and Zach was sporting new shoes and a white shirt. He is very particular about his white shirts let me tell you. They can't be too baggy and the sleeves have to meet at the end of his shoulders or we have some major drama. The girls looked so pretty in their new dresses. They all got their hair cut except for Melissa and Allie (Melissa got her hair cut Monday).
After church we had a few hours before we were to leave for Jeremy and Amber's house. We talked to the kids about the resurrection and the atonement and how it applies to us. It was real nice Clark!
We got together late Sunday afternoon with all my siblings and their children for a feast and egg hunt in Murtaugh. It was fun and the kids left with more candy and a full belly. Zach even hunted for eggs this year. He was searching for the $5 egg which MaKayla found. He had fun trying though. This is the first year I didn't have to help one of my children gather eggs. Weird! I did help Lukie gather eggs though. It was nice to visit with my family. They are GREAT!

Alan Turns 39!

Alan's birthday was a low key affair this year. I had some weird stomach virus and didn't feel too great so I wasn't able to do my usual breakfast in bed and such... He claims it was a great birthday anyway. He spent a few hours at work and then he hung out with us at home. We are usually able to go on a picnic for his birthday but the weather was COLD this year. He is in his 40th year you know!!!!

Hubby Tag!

I was tagged by my brother in law Steve and I am tagging Emily because I know of no one else who has a blog!

What is his name? Alan Cannon Leavitt
How long have you been married? 17 years and 4 months
How long did you date? 3 years (mission included in there)
When was your first kiss? In his parents house
How old is he? 38
Who eats more? Him
Who said I love you first? He did at our senior prom
Who is taller? Me (I've got him by a 1/2 inch!)
Who sings better? He can really sing out when he wants
Whose temper is worse? That would be me. It takes a lot to rattle Alan's cage
Who does the laundry? I do
Who does the dishes? I would say that I do the most dishes but he helps out when able
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does
Who mows the lawn? Pretty even steven there!
Who pays the bills? Alan - what would we do without bill pay!
Who cooks dinner? That would be me, but he can do pancakes, waffles and scrambled eggs!
Who drives when you are together? Usually he does I get tired driving to Twin Falls
Who is more stubborn? Probably me again. It is that Palmer side that comes out every now and again
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Alan
Whose parents do you see the most? Mine, his are serving a mission in Chile right now!
Who proposed? He did in front of the Logan temple
Who has more friends? Well he is my best friend so he probably does since he is the Bishop
Who has more siblings? 6 kids in both
Who wears the pants in the family? I would like to think that we share them, but he might beg to differ
What is his favorite meal? Anything I cook!
What does he enjoy doing in his spare time? Surfing the internet and finding deals!
What is one of his good qualities? He is such a good father and treats me like his queen.
What do you love about him? What is there not to love about him?!!!!!