Adele aka "Kitty"

 Adele is in a phase (a long lasting one) where she is obsessed with  cats.  I vaguely remember Elise being this way too.  My girls haven't ever really been super into dolls or Barbies (unless removing all their heads, arms and legs counts, which I am saying doesn't).  They have been really interested in animals and would rather play with "animal dolls" aka littlest pets or stuffed animals.  Or just skip the doll thing all together and just BE an animal.  Good thing we have leotards, since leotards seem to be the animal-costume staple around here.  I regularly have to confiscate the leotards and put them back in the dress up box until they find their way back out and back on the body of this little kitty.  And somehow a couple of months ago, she managed to con one of us into getting the cat ears and tail out of the Halloween box for her.  (Guess what she was for Halloween).  Everyday is cat day around here, as you can see.

Easter 2013

Yeah, so I am a little late this year posting this.  We were actually a little late celebrating Easter too because we were out of town for Grandma J's funeral and didn't get home until the night before Easter.  We had been gone all weekend and didn't have time to dye eggs or anything.   Plus, Easter was super early this year.  We just didn't feel ready.  So I sent a text to the Easter bunny and told him that we weren't ready for him to come yet since we hadn't dyed eggs.  We dyed eggs Monday night and the Easter bunny came and brought baskets on Wednesday morning.  And then he left candy eggs in the yard on Sunday.  It is a good thing that the Easter bunny is flexible because we had a hard time this year getting it done. 

Dress

I have had  the pattern for this dress for a long time. I bought it when the patterns were on sale for a buck.   When I opened it up later I realized that it wasn't a super easy pattern and it had some tricky things that I hadn't done before.  So the pattern sat in my box for a couple of years. I finally decided to make it a learning experience and I gave it a try.  It still isn't done. I still have to put the zipper in it.  I am worried that it might be too big for Adele and maybe it won't fit her until next year. That would be a bummer.

Emilia's Bird Wonderland and MORE!

Our trip to Logan/Preston coincided with Emilia's 13th birthday so we did lots of extra fun things for her birthday.  One thing she really wanted to do was to check out the birds at the Willow Park.  They don't have a lot of animals and the animals that they do have are mostly birds.  We used to get kind of bored by all the birds there, but now with Emilia's recent love of birds it is the perfect birthday bird wonderland!  We saw (and identified using the bird book) lots of water fowl, pheasants, and a few tropical birds.  They have a little bird food machine that you put dimes into and food comes out.  We had a lot of fun feeding the fowl and even watching them fight over the food.   We got a big kick out of the parrot that said, "hello" over and over. 

We also saw some coyotes, bobcats and a couple of monkeys.  We even saw a monkey pull a worm from the ground and eat it.  The kids thought it was interesting.  All I have to say about it is, "bleck!".

A bunch of monkeys in front of the monkey cage

After the zoo we went to a Brazilian steakhouse called El Gaucho.  It was the typical churrascaria

The birthday peeps

Kent experienced on his mission to Brazil.  We enjoyed the feijoada and it was nice to be able to taste the authentic stuff again so I could compare it to the feijoada that I make.  Emilia just informed me that I forgot to talk about the chicken hearts and the cheese bread (I'm just gonna say THAT in English because I don't know how to spell it in Portuguese.)  Kent, Ian and Emilia were brave and ate chicken hearts.  Elise and Adele and I passed on that delicacy and stuck to the non-organ meats and the grilled pineapple.

After our fabulous lunch (which stuffed me to beyond my max, I might add, despite my intentions to NOT overeat), we hopped in the car and drove up to Blackfoot for a big double birthday bash for Emilia and her Grandpa.  He turned 72.  It is interesting to note that he also has another granddaughter who was born on his birthday (March 29) last year:  baby Margaret whose family was not able to make it to the party.  5 of Kent's 6 siblings were able to be there for the party and we had a great time eating, playing and talking (oh, and the brothers "discussing" politics, which is a usual occurrence when the family gets together).  That discussion is still going on by the way.  Now through texts and email.

More Bad News

We arrived home from our trip to Logan and Idaho on March 30.  That same day, the services for baby Link Hamilton were held.  About five minutes after pulling into our driveway, our neighbor across the street came over to tell us the shocking news that our neigbors' son Brent had died that afternoon.  Over the last few years I have developed a close friendship with his mother Virginia, and I was just sick about the news of her son's death. 

I attended his funeral services yesterday.  It was beautiful but heartbreaking.

Here is part of his obituary.

“Livin’ the Dream"

Larry Brent Naegle was born to Larry and Virginia Naegle, on August 5th, 1979 and returned home to our Heavenly Father, on March 30th, 2013.

“Brent” as he preferred to be called, graduated from Cedar High, earned his Eagle Scout and served four years in the United States Navy. While he was home on leave, he met Richelle Wirthlin, the love of his life. They were married for thirteen years and have two wonderful boys, Kenny and Nathan, who are the center of their lives. Brent graduated with Honors from SUU, with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

He was a manager at the Wal-Mart Distribution center, where he had worked for ten years. He was known for his upbeat spirit and can do attitude. He always had an uplifting word, for those around him and was loved and respected by all. When asked how he was doing, he would frequently respond with, “Just livin’ the dream!”

Brent was a very active and outgoing person. He volunteered as a Scout Master, with the Boy Scouts, for ten years. He was always willing to go the extra mile, to make sure that every boy was included.

Brent was always up for an adventure and eager to experience life. He enjoyed rock crawling in his jeep, and loved canyoneering, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Hunting, Archery, Running, Zip Lining, Rollerblading, Camping, Skydiving, Poker, Chess and Shooting.

Most people look at the glass as either half empty or half full. Brent’s glass was always over flowing. He was always seen with a smile on his face and offering words of encouragement. His positive attitude and energy for life were infectious.

Brent is survived by his wife, Richelle Naegle; his sons, Kenny and Nathan; his parents, Larry and Virginia Naegle and his sisters, Christine Prisbrey (Kody), Lisa Michaelis (Jeremy) and MaryAnn Naegle.

More Logan Fun

There is a park about 3 blocks from where we used to live.  I went there with the kids in tow all the time.  The park is at the bottom of a hill and I used to have to get my double stroller and 2 (or 3) kids down a huge cement staircase.  Or walk all the way around which added at least 5-10 minutes to the walk.  When we were in Logan we went for a walk from our house, around the temple and down the hill to the park.  It surprised me that the stairs were gone.  It looked like they had been gone for awhile.  So we walked down the hill without the stairs, and found these huge steel pipes at the bottom.

Ugghhhhh!  Can't do underdoggies with big kids!

Ian and Adele found a new friend and convinced her to push them on the tire swing.

And this is what happens when you swing too much on the tire swing.

  Kent snapped this picture from the van in the parking lot of the restaurant where we were going to eat  Adele thought she was going to barf so we got out of the car for some fresh air and a safe barf zone.  We had to bag our plan to go to the Firehouse Pizzaria and stopped at Subway and grabbed some sandwiches and ate them in our hotel room.  Within the about an hour, and no barfing, Adele felt fine, ate her food and was ready to go swimming in the pool.

Logan Nostalgia

We attended Kent's grandma's funeral last week in Preston, Idaho.  We decided to spend a couple of nights in Logan since it's the closest city to Preston and we wanted to have a chance to visit our old stomping ground.  We went to Bear Lake about 4 years ago and drove through Logan but we didn't really stop anywhere except Gossner's cheese factory.  This time we stopped and looked around and really took a trip down memory lane.  I am a pretty nostalgic person.  I have many fond memories of the past times in my life.  Logan is a place for me that holds lots of memories and lots of good times.  A lot happened in this little white house.  We lived here for only 3 years but at the time that seemed like a LONG time.  It was a long time in our newly married lives.  We brought two new babies home to this house.  I feel like this is where we kind of became a "real family".

Our house in 2005

Our old house now.

The house doesn't look too different.  It actually looks better.  The front yard looks well kept.  The back yard looked kind of junky.  The people who moved in after us cut down the big horse chestnut tree.  It was a beautiful old tree so it is kind of sad.  But those dang horse chestnuts were a pain so it isn't surprising.

Fountain at Logan Temple

In front of our old house

The familiar sight of the Logan temple.  The temple was about 1 block away from us and we could see  it up on the hill when we stood on our front porch.

Tragedy

Here is an excerpt of the obituary of my friend's baby.  It is heartbreaking and we grieve their loss with them.  I wasn't able to make it to his services because I was in Idaho for Grandma Jepsen's funeral.  I wish I could have been there.  I held this baby and pinched his wonderful chubby cheeks just days before his passing.  I can hardly believe he is gone, and my heart breaks for his family. 

Our sweet, precious baby boy, Linkin Dallin Hamilton, born on November 7, 2012, passed away in his sleep on March 26, 2013 and returned to the arms of a loving Savior and family who preceded him. In his short time on earth, he touched many lives - both in his home town and across the country in Philadelphia, where he had surgery when he was one month old. 

Link is the beloved son of Heidi and Jason Hamilton.  He is survived by three adoring sisters - McKinley, Ireland and Kezia. 

Link was such a blessing in the lives of all who knew him.  His smiles and laughs will be sorely missed and leave a large hole in our family!  We are so thankful for an understanding of eternal families and rejoice in the knowledge that we will be with our baby boy again one day.

Clara Jepsen

Kent's grandmother passed away last week and we attended her services on Thursday.  Here is her obituary.

Clara C. Jepsen, 93, of Mink Creek, Idaho, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2013, at her home. She was born Oct. 15, 1919, in Mink Creek, Idaho, the daughter of Martin Christensen and Lula Christina Egley Christensen. Clara graduated from Oneida Academy.

Clara suffered the loss of her first husband, Garth Woodward, after one year of marriage. On Oct. 16, 1941, she married Elias Jepsen in the Logan LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 1991.

She lived her lifetime in the Mink Creek area where she worked side by side with her husband on the family farm.

Clara was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served as Relief Society and Young Women president, chorister, compassionate service leader and served as an ordinance worker in the Logan LDS Temple for eight years.

She was a beautiful seamstress, sewing her children’s clothing while they grew up and was an avid quilter. Her greatest joy and love came from nurturing, loving and caring for her children and family.

She is survived by her children, Darrel Jepsen of Spokane, Wash., Eileen of Blackfoot, Kaydawn of Blackfoot, Sannette of Kaysville, Utah, Debra Lee of Preston, Idaho; 28 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Garth Woodward and Elias Jepsen, daughter, Deanna Larson and son-in-law, Jim Cole.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon, Thursday, March 28, 2013, at the Mink Creek LDS Chapel, 7316 N. Capitol Hill Rd., Preston, Idaho.

Kent's whole family!  We haven't gotten a pic like this forever.

Adele and two of her cute cousins, Hallie and Lucy

Thirty-seven

 Happy birthday to me!  I turned 37 this year. I am no longer in my mid thirties, but in my "late thirties".  It seems that 40 is just around the corner. I really can't believe that.  When I was in 6th grade my teacher turned 40 and we had a surprise "over the hill" for her.  She seemed so old.  It is amazing how our perspective changes.  How we get older and feel old, but then again we feel like 37 is still so young!  (I can't be getting OLD!)  Emilia felt the same way when she turned 13.  I guess time is just always ticking and we feel old as we age because we have never been THAT old before.

I had a fun birthday, with lots of fun birthday wishes and surprise birthday visitors and gifts.  Birthdays are still fun when you are older because you get to hear from people you don't keep in touch with a lot and know that people remember you.  It was a good birthday, even if I am old.

Smart

After explaining to Adele about how new skin grows under old skin and then old skin falls off:

Adele:  You're smart mom!

Me:  Thanks

Adele:  But Dad's smarter.
Me:   Oh sure!

Adele:  What's 100+100?

Me:  200
Adele:  See!  You're smart!  But Dad's smarter.

Snow Day

We have pretty much been getting storm after storm.  And then it dips into below freezing temps.  And then it warms up and melts.  We haven't even had a chance to go sledding this winter, which is very unfortunate for the kiddos because they keep asking.  We did have a pretty good storm the other day that gave us some snow but didn't freeze our  buns off too much so the kids actually went out and played for awhile.

Dress

I have been sewing again!  I just need to put a ribbon on it for a tie. This fabric is a thin corduroy and it makes a really cute dress! I  can't wait til Sunday so she can wear it to church!

I like it so much more with the ribbon on it!  

Feeding Frenzy

Dark Eyed Junco

I have blogged before about how much Emilia loves birds.  Anyway, about a year ago Emilia started checking out bird identification books from the library and ever since then she is the resident ornithologist around here.  Last semester at school she was in a wood shop class and she had a woodworking kit.  After the class had ended she took all the leftover pieces from the kit and made a fancy bird feeder (or two!)  Now that we feed the birds it is like we have a couple dozen of the world's easiest pets.  You feed them.  The end.  Well, it's not the end actually because we get to watch them all the time and we really enjoy it.  In the spring when the snow melts I might have a different song to sing if I find mountains of bird poo everywhere, but I guess that is what a hose is for right?

These are dark eyed juncos feasting on the food we put out.  We have one favorite junco that only has one leg and we call him "Peg-leg Pete."  We get a lot of Eurasian collared doves  (which we have lovingly nicknamed Eurasian collared meatball sandwiches).  Every now and then we will see pine siskin or a pinion jay.  We are all getting pretty good at identifying birds.  Someday if we go on Jeopardy we will have a HUGE advantage in the "Birds of North America" category.

Love

Happy Valentine's Day!  For breakfast I made pink Valentine pancakes and we had pink milk.

And for dinner we had a dinner by candlelight.  I love all my special Valentines!

Pinewood Derby

Since Ian is 8 now he gets to participate in all the fun scout stuff including the pinewood derby.  Kent has to make it count since Ian is the only boy scout we are going to have around here.   Ian came home with the kit and they went straight to work perfecting that car.  They researched, they sculpted, sanded and drilled holes into the car and filled it with weights (in the appropriate places of course).  Then they painted and decorated it with some awesome flames and red rhinestones for tail lights.  It was super cool.

What is cuter than a cub scout in their scout shirt and neckerchief?  Nothing, that's what.

Ian's car won the first 2 races and then was eliminated in the 3rd.  Awesome job boys!

Misc. Cincinnati

The weather right before I got to Ohio was warm.  After I left it was warm.  While I was there it was pretty cold and wet.  Here's a pic of D&M's backyard.  SO pretty. Most people don't have fences in the 'burbs where they live so its just lots of green yards all connected.  On the deck is a plate of birdseed that the birds didn't eat.  I saw a couple of cardinals flying through the air the first couple of days I was there so I wanted to put some birdseed out to see if they would come and I could get a closer look and a picture for Emilia.  The birdseed just sat there.  No birds came to eat it.  There's even a picture of a cardinal on the birdseed so I hoped the food would attract them.  I guess since there is no snow it isn't as hard to find food as it is back at my house!

The girls were pretending to be asleep in the back of the car . These cute cousins had a fun time playing together.

More cousin pix

And here's Drew makin pots and bowls and stuff.  He bought a kiln and a pottery wheel and he  loves to pot!  He has some cool stuff!  He said he will send me a vase or something if I make him some PJ bottoms.  Gotta get on that!

Cincinnati Museum

 One of the days I was in Ohio we drove downtown and went to the Cincinnati museum.  On the way we accidentally went the wrong way and went into Kentucky for a few minutes. I hate it when I accidentally go to other states...  (Add Kentucky to the list of states I have been!)  I had to take a picture of the sign to show that we went there.

The drive to the museum was really interesting.   You kind of get used to the landmarks where you live and the way things look and it was really fun to see some different scenery and to see a city that has been there a long long time.  I was especially interested in the old brick buildings they had all over the place.  They look like apartment buildings in old movies.  The architecture of lots of the buildings was really interesting to me.

The Cincinnati Museum is the coolest building.  It's in an old Union station that was built in the late 1800s.  Trains used to drive right through the building.

There are amazing murals on both sides of the interior that show the development of industry in Cincinnati.

Picture inside the museum

Inside the museum there are actually three museums plus a bunch of other special visiting exhibits.  We went to the Historical Cincinnati Museum and the Children's Museum but had to skip the Natural History and Science part because we ran out of time.

Playing in the water

Pumping gas

I took a picture of the old Proctor and Gamble factory in the  Historical Cincinnati section of the museum because  Drew works for P&G

Here we are on a replica of an old steam ship