Gone Fishin'

Aunt Jenny called and took the three oldest to dinner and a movie. Prompted by Jen’s spontaneity, I took the next two youngest to a $1 movie down the street. Poor David had been shafted, twice. What’s a boy gonna do?

(They really caught one in the creek, right around the corner!)

Ems First Day

Emeron started Kindergarten this year. He has been soo excited, but on the first day….his excitement turned to anxiety. As we were getting out of the car, I overheard Ems say to Nan, “I’m really nervous, Anna.” Anna tried to assure him by saying something along the lines of how fun kindergarten is and that he’ll love it. Abby chimed in and reached over and put her arm around Emeron and said, “if you need anything, you just tell your teacher to get your sister Abby in the sixth grade!” :) I love it.

Here he is giving the principle fives, (too nervous to make eye contact?)

Jacob was looking a little forlorn on the first day and I asked him about it and he said, “I’m missin’ Ems.”

And then he broke out in a grin and said “naw, I’m kiddin’, I can play with David.” ;)

It's Great To Be Eight

Last Sunday, Anna was with her primary class talking with the First Counselor to the Bishop about the upcoming dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain LDS Temple. When she learned that one not only had to be at least 8 years old, but also a baptized member of the church to attend the said dedication, she was heartbroken. The counselor told us when he shared that info with the class, her eyes welled with tears and she was visibly disappointed. Anna was turning eight the next day, but her baptism wasn’t scheduled for another 3 weeks. The bishop contacted Geoff and they shared a few words and then Geoff gathered me and our amazing primary president over to say…. ‘What if we were to bump up Anna’s baptism to this Saturday, making it possible for her to attend the Temple dedication?’ And so we did. :)

Anna was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And she also was able to attend the Temple Dedication with Geoff, me and her two older siblings. The faith that Anna showed in her desire to be baptized touched our family, the bishopric, the primary presidency, her primary teacher, good friends and family and it was an absolutely beautiful day! We are so proud of you, Annalyn. We love you very much!! You shine inside and out!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Ahh, David is growing up fast! He wants to be like the big kids now and do the things they do....

David thinks he can brush his teeth all by himself now.....he holds the toothbrush in his mouth and bounces his knees. :)

When we say our prayers we teach the kids to bow their heads. So David is following suit, only instead of bowing his head, he makes a sad face......we're sure he will eventually get it that when we bow our heads we are showing reverence, not sadness! :)

Annalyn Had A Birthday

Let me share a little about Annalyn for you – in honor of her EIGHTH birthday!

1) Anna is all girl – she loves everything girly. But she is not afraid to hold a snake or grasshopper or bug.
2) She genuinely loves helping others, especially her younger brothers.
3) She likes to collect 'little things'. She has a lot of little things.
4) She is a musician at heart – a true Suzuki ear! She can teach herself primary songs on the piano just by ear (and she doesn’t even take the piano). She enjoys playing the violin and with each new song she learns she adds another to her ‘favorite’ list.
5) Anna loves to read. It has been so sweet to see her reading her scriptures before bed, unprompted.
6) She is the most ticklish, giggly, easy to get a smile out of girl ever! Even when she is grouchy.
7) Speaking of ticklish, you oughta hear this girl laugh! It’s the kind of laugh that makes you laugh!
8) Anna likes having the last word….she has her own unique routine of goodnights and goodbyes.

We love you so much Nan!! Happy Happy Birthday! :)

Jacob Is Four

This sweet face is FOUR years old now. Jacob really is sunshine in our souls! Here are Four Fabulous Facts about our Jakes:

one) He is absolutely, uniquely happy -- and it is contagious!!

two) He is amiable and because of that characteristic, seems to get away with more than the others…..

three) “Is it dinner time?” is a phrase I often hear. This little guy loves to eat! Just yesterday I asked Jacob not to just snatch food from David, because it really was starting to upset him. Jacob replied, “well, Mom, my tummy was hungry!”

four) He always calls it like he sees it. And that makes for some fun quotes! :)

Grandpa Farrell's Fishing Boat

Geoff took the boys out in the ole' boat for a little early morning fishing.

Jacob was just a little upset about having to wear a 'girly' life vest. But he got over it!


Deciding who gets to 'do the controls' first....

Youngest first....

Farrell didn't want to mess with such nonsense, he went straight to fishing.

They left with a cooler full of fish, sunburned faces, and another memory of fishing in Grandpa's old boat. Everyone caught two, but Emeron had the prize!

For The Hickmans

Our Staycation

We went for a staycation this summer to Snowbird Resort. We had ourselves a day full-o-fun on the zip-rider, alpine slide, bungee trampoline, rock-wall, bull-rider, bouncy things and a tram ride to the top of the mountain.








Now, what are these two boys up to?


The tram ride was exhilarating for some and a little unnerving for others. The view at the top was worth it all!










Fighting for a turn on the telescope.


Jacob looking at the….sky?


Emeron soaking in the majestic beauty.