No Work. No Outside Play.

This morning we woke up to some more snow...

No Work.  No Outside Play.  Today.

Digging Holes in Idaho

Digging. 

One of the Kear Kid's favorite past times.  In New Mexico, they used to dig holes all the time, because there wasn't anything else to do in our sandy yard.  They managed to find a nice patch of good ol' Idaho dirt and couldn't resist the urge.

 "Look Mom, I'm a 'working man' cause I have dirt on my clothes!"

The "working man" hard at work.

She was making it look a lot harder than it really was.

Look at that nicely shaped hole of Carter's.

Carter is a true hole digger!  We need to get him digging holes to plant some fruit trees.

Mason used all his energy hopping up and down on his shovel.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said in his book Way to Be!, "the north wind made the Vikings.  Likewise, only through labor do nations become stronger, cities more attractive, families more tightly knit, and lives more robust.  There is no substitute under the heavens for good, old-fashioned work."

Live in Hope

After listening to General Conference, I felt inspired to start a little book of all my favorites.  It will include favorite scriptures, quotes and hymns.  I hope to fill it up quickly and keep it near me so I can refer to it often.  With the world being full of negative thoughts and wickedness, I can use this little book of "hope" to keep my mind focused on what is most important to me.  It will keep me focused and steadfast on my goal of returning home to my Father in Heaven.  I know He loves me and desires for me to return back to His presence.  This is my truest desire!

Hex Bug Races

This week at ToyTown Tuesday, we did Hex Bug Races.  Did I mention that my mom works at ToyTown and every week they have something fun for the kids?  Well, there you have it.

Hex Bugs are scary little motorized cockroach looking things and they kind of freaked me out.  The guy on the right of the picture is Lance.  He works at ToyTown and you better watch out because he is always pestering the customers.  He will throw the flying-monkeys or hit you with the air gun.  Anyway,  he had to jump in the picture with us because, well just because he wanted to and there was no convincing him otherwise.

 Some pretty intense races, I guess.

 Riley was pretty intrigued by them and I think Carter's bug won.  Not by any effort of Carter's.  The bugs just bounce around the race track until they finally make their way to the finish line.  I really have no idea how they work, but there was a picture moment to take advantage of.

 There is Riley's sister Madelyn, she is so cute.

 Chloe is wishing her bug would pick up the pace...I think that's what she is thinking.

 Mason can't wait for the taffy at the end of the race, and that big yellow bucket thing is the air gun I was mentioning earlier.  It is just sitting there waiting for Lance to go bully some more customers.  :)



General Conference April 2011

We have had another wonderful weekend listening to General Conference.  I love this "Spiritual Feast" every 6 months.  I can always feel myself getting spiritually drained as General Conference draws near and am so grateful to have this time to reflect on my life and literally have my spirit re-energized.  I am ready to re-evaluate life, make necessary changes and push forward for another 6 months. 

I am so grateful that our children love conference as well, and can stay pretty well-behaved for all 4 sessions.  It is fun to see them look at the screen and call out the Apostle's and Prophet's names because they recognize them.  I had a tender moment this weekend while observing our children.  I had a feeling that amidst all the things we aren't doing and teaching, this is one thing that we have instilled in our children at a young age.  They all love conference and anxiously await it every spring and fall.  We still have some wiggles and giggles, but we are striving to do what Heavenly Father wants us to do.  For this, I am humbled.

 Mason and Chloe saw their dad wear a white shirt and tie for the Sunday sessions, so they got dressed up as well.  Sometimes it is scary how much they watch and follow our examples.  Carter went with Matt again to the Priesthood Session, which has been their tradition for the past few years.  Carter is only 9 but he loves to listen and feel the spirit with his dad.  Who doesn't love a little one-on-one time with dad? 

  Of course candy is always involved.  This time we didn't have very many treats, but we did play this game where you can eat the candy after the speaker says the words.  The game was pretty short-lived and eventually all the candy ended up in little baggies for the kids to eat at their own leisure.  But when the treats were gone, they were gone. 

I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know He lives and loves each and every one of us.  I have many notes to reflect on and I can't wait to read and study each of the talks for the next 6 months.  Press Forward Saints!

Josie's Nails

I don't know how early little girls are supposed to become "fancy," but this little Josie has started early!  She has been fancy for a while now, but today, she was extra-fancy.  She found Chloe's Valentine Stickers and decided to put them on like Press-On nails. 

Isn't that fancy? 

 She can strike up a conversation anywhere with those fancy nails!!

 Great Job!  Way to Go Josie!  Bravo!

 We hope you never stop being fancy!  Love you Josie Girl!

Yo-Yo!

Recently, at the kids elementary school, there was a special assembly where someone came and performed using a yo-yo.  The kids of course loved it and all needed to get one.  They were selling the NED ones at the school and since Memaw works at Toy Town, we bought one there...it wasn't NED.  For weeks, ok maybe only days, Carter begged and begged for a NED yo-yo holder.  Finally, in a very weak moment, I gave in and bought him one.  There were only 2 left, just in time!  Carter has become quite talented with it.  He usually picks up on things pretty fast, once he overcomes the initial "I Can't Do It!"  meltdown.  I must admit that he gets his yo-yo-ing abilities from his Dad, because I don't have any of those skills.

 This picture makes me think of the old western movies where they are ready for a gunfight and we are all anxiously waiting to see who will be the first to draw their gun.  Only this time, I am anxious to see what trick Carter has learned today.