HP ePrint "Happy Baby" Commercial Spot

Our kids couldn't stop laughing about this one.

Things that make me smile...

On March 5th we got to go to the BYU game against Wyoming.  We spent Friday night with Nate and Jordan and that was nice.   On the BYU campus we had tickets to go to the Carl Bloch exhibit.   That was really neat!!   We saw many of the original Carl Bloch paintings that were shipped over from Denmark from churches over there.  (He has painted many of the classic pictures of Christ, many of which are on the front of the Ensign or LDS church manuals.)  Viewing these life-size originals almost made me feel like I was in the presence of the Savior.  It was a neat experience.
       We all really enjoyed the BYU game.  The kids enjoyed cheering for the team and taking part in all the excitement.  This is the first live game we have ever been to as a family (besides Bear River highschool games).  It was even more fun that they won, too!

On Saturday March 12th, Aaron and his dad took Erika and Kyle fishing at Locomotive springs.  It is a spring fed lake that the fish and game stocks pretty regularly.   The spring is warm enough that it never freezes over in the winter.  It was worth the 1 hr drive because the kids had such a good time.  They caught fish non-stop.  Here they are in the backyard displaying their catch (at least the ones they decided to keep.)  They had a blast!

Sunday morning, Erika woke up feeling sick.  Actually, she had started feeling sick the night before but we thought she had just been carsick from the drive to Locomotive springs.  But, the next morning we realized she had the flu.  She had thrown up a few times and decided to make herself a "bed" in the hall by the bathroom.  A little while later, Heidi pulled up a pillow and blanket and decided to keep her sister company.   She adores her sister and loves to be by her.

This last week, Aaron took Kyle out practice on his bike.  He is still a little rusty at riding without training wheels.  He did pretty well!!   We are so proud of him.   We are excited to get out and enjoy the warmer weather.   My kids just make me smile-  They keep us busy, but it is such a good kind of busy.

Recipe: Marshmallow Taffy

Marshmallow Taffy  (A yummy treat!)

Ingredients:

2 1/2 C marshmallow creme (1 lg bottle)                                 1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 C corn syrup                                                                   1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 C sugar                                                                            could add salted peanuts
1/4 C butter (melt beforehand)                                                 or dip in chocolate

Butter a 9X13 pan and set it aside.  Put marshmallow creme into a bowl and have it ready.  In 2 qt saucepan combine corn syrup and sugar, stir constantly on high with wooden spoon until mixture comes to a boil.   If sugar crystals develop on side of pan, wash down with a wet pastry brush.    Cook to 260 (soft crack stage).
    Remove from heat and let stand for 3 min.  Without scraping sides of pan, pour into marshmallow creme and stir.    Stir in butter, vanilla, and salt.  (and nuts if desired).
    Pour into prepared pan.   Let stand at room temp until firm (about 5 hours).  Cut and wrap.   ENJOY!

A visit to Rexburg

The weekend of February 18-19th we went up to Rexburg to visit Aaron's grandparents.  Aaron's grandpa  has cancer and we don't know how much longer he will be around.  He was at a care center recovering from a recent fall.   It was so good to visit with him and grandma!!   They hadn't seen Jared yet, so we had a good reunion.  We love his grandparents so much.  Aaron's aunt Renee and uncle Randy let us stay at their house, for which we are so grateful!

The kids had fun trying out Grandpa's electric recliner

After the visit with grandpa, we took a trip down memory lane and Ryan showed us around the BYU-Idaho campus, where he currently attends.   They have made many improvements since we went to school there over a decade ago.   It was fun for me to think back on my college days,  the fun single life but also the stress of studying and hard work.   We had a lot of fun times there.   Aaron and I remembered our season of dating and courtship.  Part of me kind-of wished  I could go back, just for one day, and re-live that time of my life.  But, I am also glad to have moved on to where I am now.  I wouldn't trade places.   I am grateful for my experiences then that have influenced my life now.

After our tour around campus,  we got to take the kids swimming at the hotel where Aaron's parents were staying.  Anytime they can get in the water, they have a lot of fun.  

Jared's first time swimming- he's still unsure about it.

Jared Laughing

This video was taken back on December 5th, 

but I wanted to show it because it is so fun to watch Jared laughing!!  

February Fun

Going for laundry basket rides.  Who needs Lagoon?
 Jared's not so sure about this.   (Erika was pulling)

I just thought I'd post a few pictures from this last month of the kids.  Where it has been so cold outside, they have had to get a little creative with their fun.  (You can only play out in the snow so long!)  We have made a snowman and a snow cave, and played on the playground equipment (in the snow).  We have had fun up at the cabin twice, snowmobiling and sledding.   

I could not believe how much snow there was up at Strawberry!!
(This was actually on New Year's Day)

This morning before church,  the kids decided they wanted to put on a "play" for me and Aaron of "The Billy Goats Gruff".  They made masks out of paper and each had parts- the trolls and goats.  Heidi got to be the "little troll".  It was so adorable!!   

Come on, little guy!!  You need to strengthen those muscles!!

My sweet Jared

We celebrated Aaron's birthday this last week.  The kids were happy to help him blow out his candles!  

Erika the bookworm

The other night, I walked into Erika's room and I found her exactly like this:  

     She is a very deep sleeper so she didn't even wake up when I took the picture.   (And I know she was sleeping- I could hear her snoring!)  I showed it to her the next morning and she laughed.  Erika LOVES to read!   Often at night I will go downstairs to her room and make her turn out the light and go to bed because she is so into her book.  She has set a goal to read the Book of Mormon before she is baptized in July.  She is already in Alma, so  I think she will make it without too much pressure.  There have been a few nights when it has been late and I have said, "You don't need to read it tonight..." but she is adamant that she has to read her chapter in the scriptures.  We are reading it with her, of course, to help her understand it, but she also likes to sneak in a bit on her own.  I have been amazed at her ability to understand the meaning of things.   I am thankful for her example to me and hope I can teach her something.  Sometimes you wonder if you were sent here to teach them or if it is the other way around.