Kids in boxes

Emma likes to be in the kitchen while I'm cooking. Sometimes (most of the time) it makes it very difficult to get things done. I grabbed an empty wipes box (we have lots of diaper and wipes boxes) and put her in there with some kitchen gadgets. She thought it was great. Naturally so did Doran. Lucky for him we have a lot of boxes so he got to play too.

Love that they had cup phones to talk to each other with. Now that Emma is getting older, the two of them interact more and it makes me happy.

Emma's first Meal

Emma jean ate a full meal today on her own. While she's been eating real food on her own for awhile, this is what I'm dubbing her first real full meal. I gave her lasagna and green beans.

She stopped eating after awhile and I was kind of surprised, I thought she would be going to town. She was watching me take a drink and immediately opened her mouth and made the sound "ah ah ah" She was thirsty! After I gave her a drink, Emma went back to eating. Such a big girl.

Fathers and Sons

Devin took Doran on his first Fathers and Sons camping trip this weekend. The weather was not very kind to them. It poured and they were soaked. They had a great time though and Doran has been talking about it.

Some highlights Doran has told me about since he's been home.

A boy fell in the fire and hurt his hand. Then a guy poured water on it and took him to the hospital. Doran was very worried about this boy. After church he told me that he didn't see the boy at church and he was worried. We called and checked up on him. The boy got a bandage and it should heal. That comforted Doran.

He really like riding in the canoe and paddling.

They got to eat breakfast in the car.

He was a hard worker. There was a service project involved in the morning. Saturday night, Doran told me he had to go find the guy at church and tell him he was a hard worker. I didn't know what he was talking about. However, when we got to church Steve Kent had a goodie for Doran for being a hard worker. Apparently he promised Doran a treat for being a hard worker. Doran doesn't forget anything.

They hung a stick up on the rope. Devin helped Doran attach a stick and a flower to the flag pole rope and pulled it up to the top. The flower died up there.

This is what Doran looked like when Devin walked in the door with him (he fell asleep on the way home), I couldn't help but take a picture.

Blue Friday date

Friday morning I told Doran we were going on a special blue friday date. All Morning he excitedly said, "Going date, date".

We headed down early and the date started with walking by the Issaquah train museum. Then, he got to play at the park. Once people started showing up for the rally we headed over.

Doran loved the Seahawk car and was very happy to see that even the firemen and firetruck came to the party.

We even met a cat named Richard Purrman and Sammy the Salmon of Issaquah.

Issaquah changed the city name to 12saquah foe the weekend and the rally was to celebrate that and raise the 12th Man flag at the city hall.

Doran want so sure about all of the chanting while we were there. But ever since then he randomly bursts out, "Sea-hawks,  Sea-hawks, Seahawks!"

They also gave out free skittles and window clings.

We finished off our date at McDonald's where they gave us Seahawks tatoos.

Trains, firetrucks, Skittles, Seahawks, McDonald's, and tatoos = perfect date for a 2 year old boy.

Dear Young Women: Thank you!

Devin and I moved to Issaquah on a Friday, a week later we were at a ward activity cleaning the church. I met two beautiful young women who I have been blessed to get to know these last few years.

For the last few years, I have had the opportunity to work with the Young Women (ages 12-18) in the church. I hope that everyone has an opportunity to serve with the youth, because it was a great experience. Demanding? Yes, but very rewarding. I was released today and I had this idea to write each of you a thank you letter, but realized I would never get around to it, so...

Dear Beautiful Young Women,

You have taught me so much over the last few years. You have made laugh and you have made me cry.

We've goofed off at parties: 

You let me be nerdy. I think we'll all agree that our Harry Potter party was one of the coolest things we've done. (minus the nasty tasting butter beer)

I chased you around, following potential creepers in the middle of now where, just to get a good picture of you rafting.

We've picked up garbage together,

But we've had a lot of great times too.

We woke up on early mornings to kidnap a new beehive. We talked in funny accents and laughed all the way.

We memorized the Family: A Proclamaiton to the World.

It has been so much fun watching you be together. You lift each other up and support one another.

You squealed like only beehives/miamaids can when you saw the announcement that I was having a baby! Every week, we talked about what size Doran was in my tummy.

You played the guessing game with me: boy or girl? You shared in my excitement when I found out it was a baby boy.

I was supposed to be your leader, but you were always there for me. You through me an awesome baby shower:

We've had a lot of lessons: on dating, missionary work, keeping commandments, and all things personal progress.


We became friends. That's what happens when you do a lot together.

We wore crazy sweaters?

And served in many capacities, including cleaning the temple.

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We split into 2 wards, I cried then too. Knowing I was leaving a lot of you in the other ward. But, I've loved seeing you at stake events and online. And, I've made a lot of new friends too.

And served with a lot of remarkable women.

Why do we always dress up?

We've stayed up late, and told funny stories. I may have spit wet marshmallows in your hair. Sorry...

We've spent a lot of time driving to and from, sometimes getting lost. Sometimes almost running out of gas, and sometimes just singing and talking about boys.

You've given me purpose. A reason to be better, a reason to live the gospel fully. You've taught me to be friends to everyone. You've taught me to reach out to others. You've been an example of faith, courage, and charity. You taught me to love.

I think this song is a perfect example of how I feel about you. You are a light on a hill...


Thank you for being beautiful Young Women.

Love,
Sister Hill