Weekend Guests

Elaine, Ben and their cute kids came to visit this weekend on their way to California for spring break. It was a very fun treat for us. We might have even convinced them that country life is a good life (especially if they were our neighbors!)

They got in Friday night around 10 pm (I don't know the time for sure b/c I fell asleep waiting for them. This getting old thing is hard!)


The cousins reunited early Saturday morning. Notice the ultra cute bed head.

We hung out and visited until it was time to go to the temple. Grandpa Ken was being sealed to his parents that evening. Ben and Elaine came over to Boise with us so they could watch the kids while we were in the temple then we all went out to eat after wards. It was such a special experience in the temple. This was a moment Grandpa had been waiting for his whole life. The spirit was so sweet and so pure. What a blessing to have moments when the veil is thin.

{Donkey basketball was also happening in Vale at the same time. Kurt's RPM team is the undefeated champion 2 years in a row. Sadly they lost so the winning streak is over. Maybe next year team RPM.}

Sunday Elaine and Ben made us a delicious dinner after church. {I'm not sure how the guests ended up treating the hosts. Just another tribute to Elaine's amazing generosity.)

Under pressure Elaine was using the construction utensils that Spencer got for his birthday from Grandma Richards. Elaine is such a good sport!


Ethan has gotten so BIG!




The very silly Richards' cousins


And even sillier girls!


It was such a gorgeous day that we went on a creation walk. ALL the Farnsworths were passed out {it might have had something to do with the fact they didn't realize it was the spring ahead time change and the Harry Potter marathon they had Saturday night. Just a wild guess.} I didn't have the heart to wake them.


This kid is currently cheesin' out any time you look at her. Soooo adorable!


Daddy's Diva




Our scientist. He brought along a journal so he could log all his findings complete with diagrams. Documenting the badger hole.

Waking the hibernating red ants was the best finding of the day. {this is why I love my camera!}




Don't worry we did come back to spend the evening with our guests! We all adore Ethan.




Thanks for a wonderful weekend. I'm ready for summer! :D

Bull Sale

Tuesday was Bill and Cindy's annual Bull Sale. It went well. By far the best year they've had. Bill was even smiling after wards! :D I'm really happy for them. Their hard work is starting to paid off.

Austin didn't go to school so he could help at the bull sale. He helped pack things out, clean up trash and deliver papers. And of course there was also some time for playing. ;) It was cute to see him captivated once the sale began.






A cold cowboy sportin the new coats.


Ladies workin' in "the office."


Marti had to take over Traci's job when Madison came down with a fever during the sale. Marti did a great job to jump in and get it done.

Important Guys behind the scenes





The action inside.


Good day with my boy. I asked Austin if we could count it for our mommy date this month. He said, "Yes, but it was really a daddy date too. Let's call it a PLUS date!"

Spring Concert

Austin had his Spring Concert Tuesday night after the Bull Sale. They divide up the school so half performs at the Christmas concert and the other half at the Spring Concert. K-2 and the 6th grade choir each performed 2 songs. We were done in 45 minutes! It was great. Austin sang well and was quite handsome if I say so myself. ;)

Secret Agent Super is FOUR!!!

The word around the house today is, "I can't believe he's four. I can't believe he's four!" repeated FOUR times all day long!

I wasn't even the one who started it. Promise. It was Austin {which I think is so cute.}

I know I've said it before but this kid is so irresistible! Fun and funny. Kind and cuddly. Smart and witty. And handsome!

First hours together


3 months


First grass experience at 6 months


Christmas streaker in London


1st Birthday!


Favorite bug at 18 months


2 years old


3 years old

[I can't believe how emotional this little trip through memory made me. My baby is growing up right before my eyes. What a little man he's become.]

And TODAY...4 YEARS!
It was fun to have his preschool day fall on his birthday and since I'm the teacher I planned the lesson around him (aahhh the perks for the teacher's kid!) We were Math Secret Agents and everyone got their own magnifying glass. Not much more detail needs to be given!



Spencer's best buddy Braxton spent the day at our house and all was right in Spencer's world. He loves that kid. Just before Austin got home from school I let him open one present - the movie "G-Force." {Which was the original birthday party that he wanted. I felt like Secret Agents was slightly more dignified.}

When dad came home from work we had our family party.

The kids sat down on the couch and introduced ourselves as their instructors for their of secret agent training.

Agent Rude and Agent Dried Up (scary!)

They were each presented with their secret agent badges and Agent names.

from left to right: Secret Agent CROW (as in Rooster), S.A. SUPER (no explanation needed!), S.A. HOSPITAL (her initials are ER as in location and super TV series!), S.A. POSSUM (term of endearment nickname from his father and he won't have to play possum with his amazing agent skills!)

Each agent was I.D.ed and given a MISSION log.


Then the training began! The first task was to decode a secret message. Each agent had their own message. The birthday boy's was fitting. He did really well to figure it out.


The second task (and a family favorite!) was a test of strength and skill to navigate through lasers.







After completing their training the S.A. were handed a T.O.P S.E.C.R.E.T envelop containing their mission. {Stop the evil Romano and find the suitcase before he did!}

The first assignment took them to Canada (the living room), then Japan (bathroom), and then Mexico (play room), followed by Russia (freezer) where they just barely escaped the evil Romano.


{check out S.A. Hospital's sweet attempts to stop the evil Romano.}

After some searching deep in the jungles of the Congo they Secret Agents completed their mission when the suitcase was once again in the right hands.


The suitcase was full of S.A. SUPER's presents which he then opened. And finally much, much too late we had cake (not even ice cream.) So the cake didn't turn out exactly like the vision I had in my head...


Clarification: S.A. SUPER is holding a magnifying glass. There was also 4 secret items hidden in the cake (the "tumors" as S.A. Rude so fondly called them!) that the glass was "magnifying."





Happy 4th Birthday Secret Agent SUPER!

Family Service Project

Preschool Family Service Project part 2.

We met at the Veteran's Advocate Center in Ontario at 10 am. They were all prepared with the boxes set out and the kids formed a line to get the items and put them in the box they were packing. And then immediately back in line for another load. We got those boxes really full.

We had 20 kids and 11 adults attend. I was pleased with the turn out. The older siblings of the preschoolers were a great help. And it was so perfect to have Jacq and her family there packing the box for their dad.

They had punch and cookies for the kids after wards and a little bag of Army goodies. They were so thoughtful and so excited to have us come and do service. Their sincerity was touching.

Service is such a important lesson that I want all children (young and old) to learn. You can't help but feel pure joy when serving sincerely.

Thank you Tiffany for being my photographer! I really appreciate it.


The assembly line.


A full box ready to ship.


The Albert's with their box for Lance (minus Johanna plus a cousin.)


Group shot. Everyone's willingness to jump in and serve is another pure joy. Serving in numbers makes it all the better. We have a great community.

We Suck!

Pressure gauges that is. Kurt had one in his pick-up and Austin has been playing with it all week on the way to school. Somehow it made it in the house last night so the rest of us took turns seeing how much air we could suck out of the vacuum. Emma impressed us all achieving a higher "score" than mom coming in second to dad. She excitedly declared, "I suck the most!" Kurt is buying everyone pressure gauges for Christmas. We're a family of dorks!

Meanwhile the week really has kind of _____________ for Rooster and I. The coughs have progressed and worsen and my sinuses are on the verge of exploding every minute. I only post this b/c we have been blessed with a very, very good winter in regards to our health. Sept/Oct Rooster had constant ear infections and the whole pneumonia thing but other than that we have been healthy. I am so grateful. Night and day over last winter. But here's to hoping this current junk will clear out soon.