Flowers in the Cold

All I can say is,"Can you believe that I get to have these beautiful flowers growing in my house when it's cold outside?" Yes, they really brightened my day. 

Poor Man's Lazer Tag

Kyle and Anna have been checking Ebay for months because they are pooling their money to buy Laser tag guns and vests/equipment at an affordable price. But every time it gets close to closing time the bid runs too high.

So, instead Kyle came up with a great idea. Since we already had two Nerf dart guns, he used his money to buy more Nerf guns and Velcro darts. Then they put on shirts that the darts would stick to and Laser tag in the light it was. It actually worked even better outside because the wind was blowing and you could shoot it high enough that it would sail like a kite, kind of. So, now they want more darts and maybe vests that the Velcro can stick to better. These are pictures of the first battle.

I am Buying a Horse!

Sunday morning Natalie proclaimed that she was going to buy a horse. Now I tried not to dash her hopes because you never know by some slim chance she might save her money for the next 20 years and buy a horse. Then on the other hand this could be a whim, so we said," OK."Her first plan was to find some gold. I think she got this idea because Jeff's Dad told us a story of a guy who found a big nougat in the desert with his metal detector. So, there could be gold in our back yard. " Hey isn't that a gold necklace you have on Mom. Could I have it?" During sacrament meeting she drew a picture of her next idea. It was a yard sale. She said, "I needed to draw a picture of this so I don't forget to do it." I told her that I couldn't help her this week because it is the play. Speaking of the play, it is Thursday the 22nd and your kids would love it. It's at White Pine Charter School at 6:00pm and 7:15pm if anyone was wondering.

So today she asked me if she could do it. She gathered 4 items that were of value to her and sold them on the corner in about 30 minutes. I was very surprised, I think kids were just wanting to buy because it was there. Some gave her the item back after buying and said keep the change. Kids are funny. So $2.50 later and with the $1.50 that Kris gave her, we are well on our way. We have all been trying to tempt her to go for something a little less expensive like a hermit crab with a horse on the shell, but so far she's still buying a horse.

Who makes the best blond?

When you picture a blond I'm pretty sure this wig comes to mind. This wig has been kicking around for a while, so we thought we'd see who looks the most natural. Can you believe those curls, Marilyn Monroe or Miss Piggy? Who has your vote?

Katelyn or Natalie?

 Mom, Olivia or Kristen?

You've Gotta Be Kidding!

After Spring Break, the kids went back to school like normal and then that night We were watching a movie for family night and I looked out the window and the flakes were falling like it was Christmas. I didn't think that much of it because this happens. It's Idaho. Then the next morning Jeff went to pick up Kate's friend who lives in the foothills and they couldn't make it. Then he woke me to inform me that all the schools were closed and we were having the dreamed of Snow Day. I say it's about time. We had some fun!

 

 

Easter Conference

Growing up in California, my experience with Conference was our family loading into the Vista Cruiser Station Wagon and driving to our Stake Center in Fresno which was 60 minutes away to watch conference. It was pretty fun because we got to go to McDonalds in between sessions on Saturday. But on Sunday it was sack lunches. Then our stake got changed, so we went to Merced which was 30 minutes away. I was older, so I remember the girls shopping while the boys went to priesthood. During conference my Dad had us take notes. Then after conference he'd quiz us by asking questions and giving treats for the answers. It did help me pay attention. While at BYU, I actually got to see the prophet in the Tabernacle and we sang "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet," as Spencer W. Kimball walked in. Dates to conference was really a common thing. I also remember hearing rumors every conference that the mission age was going to change for girls to 19 instead of 21. These rumors were from good sources, you know my brothers, bishops, stake presidents, wife's, dogs, owner. I kept hoping. It never happened. Then on my mission I really learned to love conference.

So when I got married, I wanted to make conference special to our kids. We got serious when Kate was about 6 and Anna 4. I made copies of pages from the Friend to make packets for them to work on. This one session was not broadcast on TV for some reason, so we had to listen to it. We were sitting around the table in the Fox Hollow house and Katelyn was trying to take notes like Jeff and I. She kept saying things like, "How do you spell Jesus, how do you spell family, how do you spell, love, temple? " The Spirit was so strong, I thought, " Life doesn't get any better than this."Since then the kids also do bingo when they want to take a break from notes or packets. The reason they like to take notes is because I give better treats to note takers. The little kids write key words and check them off every time they hear one. Then ,like my Dad I ask questions about the talks and give gum. It is pretty much a party, but it's our party. This has been years in the making and it has been hard sometimes, but so worth it.  I really love conference, and I think my kids do too.

Kyle's favorite quote was "Two people can do anything if one of them is the Lord" Neal L. Anderson

 Jeff's was "No matter how tattered, I am still worth 20 dollars." Deiter F. Uchdorf 
"True love must involve permanence" Jeffrey R. Holland 

 













Mary's was "Women of the church, It is not for you to be led by the world, but to lead the world with everything that is edifying and virtuous. Home is the most important place to prepare the youth to be successful in everything." M. Russell Ballard

Anna's was, "Our hands become His hands, our eyes His eyes, our hearts, His heart." Deiter F. Uchtdorf










 Kate liked, "Be a simply devoted Saint." Richard G. Scott 

"Even though you have a giant battle ahead, never loose your faith." Thomas S. Monson

Second Chances Prom

The prom for me was really all about the dress and getting ready.  I mean I had fun, but for my friends and I getting together to get ready was pretty fun. Then you spend the night in an uncomfortable dress dancing with the same person.  It's

great if you like that person, but not great if you don't. 

Either way getting asked to the prom by your favorite person in the whole world, now that sounds fun.  I'm pretty sure my kids did my hair and makeup.  I'm not really into that part anymore.  Then I put on the dress that my date gave me and and away we went.  I would still like to go for a little more comfort, but the prom with Jeff is a dream come true. 

Easter Dresses

This year Easter dresses for Natalie and Olivia were provided by Kohls. Jeff actually picked them out and did a fine job I must say. I unintentionally bought some fabric to make skirts because JoAnns had a good sale on their prints. So I did make Anna's skirt, but not for Easter. I only have 4 more skirts to go. Why do I do this? I'm not that great of a seamstress, too uninterested in details. Skirts that are long enough and cheap are hard to come by, so I had to do it.

Easter this year will be Conference and we can't wait.

 

Aberdeen

Have you ever been to Aberdeen? Well, I hadn't. In fact I have never been to any of those towns between Blackfoot and toward Twin Falls except Pingree where an old College roommate lived. It is a really nice town. We ate at the Home Town Kitchen ( I think that was the name). It was this classy old fashioned looking place that served delicious food. Although they had a sign that said, " This is not a fast food restaurant, but reminiscent of the old days when quality of food was more important than speed."(that was the gist) I know this because we read it over and over wishing our shakes to be done, and fast was not on the menu.
Anyway, our reason for being there was Annalisa'a volleyball tournament. They came in fourth out of 8 teams. She did great! She has been setting on her team and it has been fun to watch her bloom and be confident. She also served 10 serves in a row to bring her team from 11 to 21 and they ended up winning. She has a really nice team of girls and one of her school friends, Julia is on the team.