Cabin and snow fun!

Richard got to be Super Dad this weekend and took the three older kids on a snowmobile trip. We go to the Jensens cabin every year and snowmobile in for an overnighter and lots of fun in the snow. I felt very strongly about not going this year because I just didn't want to deal with Kate in that situation. There will be plenty of other years for Kate and me, but the kids sure didn't want to miss it. They had a lot of fun and the weather was gorgeous! Thanks, Richard for taking the kids- and thanks Jensens for the fun times!
















You may recognize the scenery from the temple video. Yes, this is the "lone and dreary world". And that's a beaver dam in the background.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Strawberry

Would you look at the size of this monster! Maybe it doesn't deserve to be blogged about, but it is pretty exceptional. It's basically 3 strawberries all grown together. And that's my hand, not one of my kids! Well anyway, I guess I bought that particular box because of this one freak of nature. So, apparently it does deserve to be blogged about. I can't wait to eat it!

Grandmas beautiful funeral

Grandma Helens funeral was on Saturday and it was a beautiful day. It is rare for any of us to attend a funeral in which we don't feel that it is either too soon or too tragic. Grandma lived a long life and was ready to move on to the next and it was a celebration of her life. The weather was lovely, and the funeral itself was a wonderful tribute to her with beautiful music as well.
















Kate did pretty well, considering it was such a long day. Of course, Daddy can always make her smile.



































Daniel wrote Grandma a darling letter that he placed on her casket. It said: Dear Granma Helin. I hop you're haveing a good time with God. I love you.

Nothin' like a good cup of soup!

Tonight after dinner Daniel and Emma played "kitchen" together very nicely. They made a batch of "soup" but dumped it down the sink because Emma said it was so gross, it made her tummy hurt. So a few minutes later Daniel came up to announce that they had a new batch ready for taste testing. He said it would be pretty good, with all the new ingredients- carrots, tic tacs and fruit snacks. Mmmmm! So we all had to try it and it tasted just like it sounds. Richard said, "I think it needs a few more tic tacs, guys." So a few minutes later, the new and improved soup was ready to try. Wow, it was really tic tacky! Richard asked, "Daniel, how exactly did you crush up those tic tacs?" And even though Richard already knew the answer, Daniel said, "I chewed 'em up and spit 'em in the soup." Awesome.

My favorite moment of the day

While I was downstairs on the computer, my loving husband came down to bid me farewell for the day. He gently and affectionately swooped down and gave me a sweet kiss. He said, "You gotta admit, that was smooth." I smiled as he turned to leave and promptly tripped up the stairs.

Yeah, baby. Smooth.

Grandma Helen

Richards Grandma Helen passed away on Saturday. She was 98 years old and we will miss her greatly. She lived a long life and we are so priveleged to have been a part of it and to have known this great lady. She was independant as can be right up until December, driving, cooking and climbing a steep flight of stairs every day to her bedroom. We know that she is happy as can be right now, reunited with those who have gone before her. She's been a widow for almost thirty years! We will miss her happy face, her delicious food, stopping to say hi when we ride the horses, her ever full cookie jar and her beautiful spirit. What a wonderful woman and example she was to all of us!