Return to Topaz Mountain

Topaz Mountain is this amazing place for hounds of all ages (rock hounds, that is) to hike around and find real crystal topaz of all sorts and sizes in the sand and rock. It really is a pretty sight and fun for the kids to see the ground glimmer and sparkle in the sun. We spent the day searching for topaz and thoroughly enjoyed the time spent together. At the end of the day, we not only came home with our newfound-treasures, but 4 newfound-lizards as well!

Easter Sabbath

Easter Festivities

It’s a learned talent…. quick hands to pick up, sharp eyes for searching out. As soon as David had opened his eyes from his nap, his mother had him outside, enthusiastically prodding him on to pick up the eggs and put them in his basket. A little bit of a shock for David, I’m sure. He eventually got the hang of it. I probably should have let him stretch from his nap first….. :)

Spring Break 2009

Here are a couple of pictures from last week when the kids were out of school. It was literally spring ‘break’ -- there were broken trees and downed power lines all over our neighborhood. The irony is that school is back in session today, and it is 70 degrees outside with blue skies. Aaah, the beauty of Spring! Here are two pictures of our back yard.

Handsome. Smart. Cool.

Emeron has new eyeglasses!! He has had them for a couple of weeks now and really has been so good with them -- he's only lost them, and then found them, twice! :)

A Day With Ems

Ems and I had a special day.... After a (looonng) appointment with a Pediatric Ophthalmologist, we spent the day touring. First we went to lunch at the Garden Restaurant. Emeron was impressed with the little balls of butter and exclaimed, "look! little butter balls!" after which we both cracked up because that is what we often call his little baby brother. :) He ordered 'chicken nuggets', we all know that the fine restaurants have 'nuggets'. I ordered some extravagant Asian salad, which was not only delicious, but beautiful. Following lunch, we toured all over Temple Square, Joseph Smith Memorial Building and the Conference Center. Emeron led the way -- anywhere he wanted to go, we went. It was fun to see Ems' excitement when he recognized the 'big room' as one of the places he visited while watching General Conference this last weekend.

The Influence of a Good Book

Farrell found a book that really caught his attention. Holes by Louis Sachar. He started reading it one night and come the next morning, the influence of the book hit him…. he started digging his own hole.

He shoveled and hurled and heaved and hoed and finally took a break when it was about 3 feet deep. (This was when a few of his siblings took the opportunity to test out the depth.) After a big drink, he continued digging and digging -- he stopped at approximately 5 feet.