Visiting a Farm, Going Bowling and Flying Kites

On the way to Idaho, we stopped off to visit some friends of Sara's. They have a farm that the kids were so excited to check out. They were able to milk cows, feed the chickens and climb on the hay. Ms A and her cousins had a wonderful time.

Checking out the pigs and goats

Having fun on the hay

One of Grandma Valerie's tradition with her grand-kids is bowling. It was Ms A's second time, she did a great job and even bowled a couple of strikes and spares. She was jumping ALL OVER THE PLACE when all the pins were knocked down.

Resting between the frames

We were so excited on the second day of our trip when we discovered the wind and weather perfect for flying a kite. We found the perfect park with little trees, flat ground and tons of space for three or five kites to fly. Once we got the kites in the air, a lady from the local paper came over to take pictures and get names. (The kids were so excited at the prospect of being in grandma's paper, but only Ms E's picture made it.)

I love her stance in this one.

I love her serious face in this picture.

Utah Here We Come

Since we were a short three hours away, Ms A, my mom and I went to Utah to visit family and friends.
It was perfect timing for us to meet Reed's newest niece, Ms B. We were so excited to meet and hold Laura and Russ's newest little one. CONGRATS Laura, Russ and family!

We had a great time staying with Stephanie, Reed's oldest sister. Ms A loved playing with her cousins. They introduced us to their library and amazing Rec Center. {next time we'll have to aim for the summer time and bring our swimsuits to play in their pool.}

I was also able to have dinner with three of my childhood friends, Shanna, Janae and Tonya. We met sweet Mr X who is almost three months old. Ms A loved rocking him in his carrier. She was so attentive and caring. Thank you ladies for the wonderful evening! It was fabulous catching up!!

We visited the Salt Lake Temple grounds. Ms A was excited when the sister missionaries turned on the English version of the narrative of Jesus Christ.

April 2011
Always a water girl, Ms A had to dip her hand into the various water features around the temple just like she did when she was 16 months old.
August 2006

The HIGHLIGHT of our trip was being able to visit with my dear, sweet friend, Caitriona, and her husband, Tim. I met Caitriona fifteen years ago when she came to New Hampshire on work visa from Ireland. She saw a commercial for The Book Of Mormon and wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ. Over the next several weeks my missionary companion and I taught her Christ's gospel, her heart was touched and she decided to be baptized. The next day she flew back to Ireland and we have not seen each other since {we've kept in touch via letters, email, Skype and now Facebook. (I love technology!)}

Caitriona is an amazing person who I have been so blessed to be a part of her life. I love hearing how she find answers to problems through reading the scriptures, attending the temple or receiving a Priesthood blessing. She reminds me every time we talk of the joy found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tim, Caitriona, Ms A, Grandma Valerie and Heather

It was wonderful to walk around the temple grounds and pick up **right** where we left off 15 years ago. My heart smiled as she caught me up with the things she's been doing, her testimony and about her dear husband, Tim {so happy she found such a kind gentleman to be sealed to in the temple.} Love you Caitriona! I am so happy we were able to get together!!! I can't wait to see you and Tim again and meet your little one!

To Grandma Valerie House We Go!

Sara and her children invited Ms A and I to join them during Spring Break and a trip to Idaho. We had a wonderful time with her, her children and my mom. We stopped off in La Grande to stay with Sara's friends, the Huntsmans. {Thank you for the hospitality and warm beds Huntsman family!} We also stopped off and visited my dad and each of my mom's siblings.
Here's a view of our drive. Sara and I enjoyed the beautiful clouds with the snow.

Grandma Valerie had an "Un-Birthday" Party ready for us when we arrived. The children were thrilled to see the balloons, presents and decorations.

Sara and I wanted to introduced our children to a restaurant our grandparents took us to for dollar pancakes and a wonderful variety of syrups, Smitty's. Ms A was excited to try out **EACH** flavor of syrup on her dollar pancake's. :) It was fun to relive those memories and share them with a new group of grandchildren.

The night before Sara and her children left, we had a short Easter Egg Hunt.

Ms A mentioned to her grandma that she wants to go to Hawaii, a bit later grandma gave her a hula skirt, lei and lei bracelets. She was so pleased, she gave an instant hula dance.

Sara and her children left on Saturday, but Ms A and I stayed for another week. On Tuesday, we woke up to two inches of wet, compact-able snow. Ms A was ecstatic to build a snow girl and get buried in the snow.

Pinch Proof

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

Ms A loves to ask "What holiday is next, mommy?" So when it was time for St Patrick's Day, she was very excited to finally wear her St Patrick's socks. (last year they were a little big and who wants to wear BIG socks?!?) I scoured the internet looking for a cute idea for clothes to wear and I came across this. I {{LOVE}} the saying. Ms A and I went out to purchase the paint, glitter and tee-shirt. My dear friend, Lisa, gave me some of her stash of freezer paper and we were ready to create. (Thanks L!!)

After my Silhouette finished cutting out the template, we had a little "girl" time, we painted and sprinkled *glitter* all over the image. {What girl doesn't LOVE GLITTER?!?} Ms A giggled and loved every creative moment. I tried not to control the painting, :) We had a great time together. Sadly, no pictures of the process, but here are a couple pictures of the final product.


In my search for fun St Patrick's Day clothing, I found this and knew we had to try it out. Instead of pistachio pudding or Oreo pudding, I chose cheesecake pudding and colored it green. I also used peanut butter cups in gold wrapping instead of the Dove and Oreo goodies. Ms A and I assembled it after school today.

Showing off dessert.

Enjoying a Little Spring

Ms A and I went to pick up our house plans and decided to swing by the Portland Temple to walk the grounds and see the pretty flowers. (The temple always has beautiful colors and grounds.) While we were there, we enjoyed the company of two duck swimming in the water feature and seeing a "grandma" bride. Ms A was thrilled with both! We also shared some giggles when the pictures had Ms A growing a temple spire or a water fountain out of her head. She also had to touch the water (a normal {NEED}). Here are a few pictures from our day.

Pretty Flowers

Being Silly

Ducks!!

February Fun

Some of our adventures in February.

Valentine Waffles

Ms A's class had a fun Valentine's Party where they played a game with Oreo Cookies. There goal of the of the game was to get the Oreo cookies from their forehead to their mouth without using anything but their face muscles.

When Ms A and Reed came home, they had some Valentine Goodies. YUM!!

A couple of days later we woke up to snow! Ms A asked if she could play in it, but it melted before playing could occur. When Ms A came home, we had hail! Ms A had a fun time checking out the hail after the storm.
Yesterday Intel had a Winter Celebration at the Memorial Coliseum. They invited all of there full time employees and their family -- LOTS OF PEOPLE!! We had a great time and Ms A was able to experience ICE SKATING for her FIRST TIME! (Thanks Jen and Garry) She had a BLAST!!

Intel INSIDE
A week later, Reed and Ms A went skating at another rink. Not bad for her second time.