Fantastic Farrells

While Michael was in Atlanta for a few days presenting at a conference, the kids and I broke away from the monotony of February to visit our favorite people in the world - the Farrells! 

It was the most perfect, refreshing trip! The Farrells live on several acres of beautiful mountain up the canyon just outside of Pocatello. Their little winter wonderland is pretty magical! The best part was seeing these cute kids together again. They've all grown up a lot in the past few years, but seeing them play you'd think no time had passed at all. I'm so glad they're all still best friends! 

Tabby and Lenora

Eliza and Abe

Hazel and Rose

The Farrells built an ice skating rink in their backyard. How cool it that!?! The kids were in heaven. 

And once they were cold everyone warmed up in the hot tub. 

Cute Asher let Conrad help him cook breakfast in the morning. My boys were in awe of Asher and think he's the coolest person ever.

On our second day the kids dressed up as Greek gods and goddesses and enjoyed a feast.

But I'm not sure who had more fun on this trip, the kids or Heather and I. It was SO good to spend time with her again! I'd forgotten just how wonderful she is and how much fun we have together. We talked, laughed, sewed, and enjoyed every minute of our time together. One night she taught me how to create black-out poetry which was so much fun!

Our trip was over far too soon. On our way home we drove by the beginnings of what will be the Pocatello temple. We are so blessed to have these Fantastic Farrells in our lives. And, now that we're closer we hope to see them much more often.

Our Fab Five

I might be biased, but I think these cute kids are the best. Here's a bit of what they've been up to lately...

Hazel: 

While I was in Colorado for the weekend, Michael came down with the flu. He was super sick. Hazel stepped up in a big way that weekend and really helped out. She's such a great helper. 

Because we drove back from Colorado on Lenora's birthday, Hazel volunteered to make her cake so we could celebrate as soon as I got home. Lenora requested a unicorn cake with a real horn. Hazel made homemade fondant for the horn and hair. One more base layer of frosting and it would have been perfect. As it was, it tasted amazing, and Lenora loved it!

Hazel has really enjoyed the bow and arrow she got for Christmas. She's getting really good too!

Her hair is getting so long and it's beautiful!

Wouldn't she have been an amazing Women's Suffragist!?! 

We're working hard to get the basement so poor Hazel doesn't have to share a room with the little boys anymore. We stopped at Ikea to pick up what will become a built in closet for her. I'm not sure what I was thinking picking it up when I had all 5 kids with me! Luckily, I'm a great packer and Hazel was a great helper getting it all loaded in.

Eliza: 

Sweet Eliza is always one for a good hat. She loves this new fuzzy one from Jamie! 

Eliza recently decided she wanted me to cut her hair short. She hasn't had more than a little trim in about 4 years. In fact, she was always resisting haircuts and only let me trim off the tiniest bit for so long. I was shocked she wanted it cut so much (her friend Lilia may or may not have just cut off her hair too. Maybe Eliza was inspired by her??) I think she looks adorable! 

Eliza is a goof-ball! She's also always up for a snuggle.

She has been working really hard at her gymnastics. Recently she mastered a back bend! She also did a pull-over on the bars the other night without any spot. She's making great progress! 

Lenora: 

Lenora is also a goof-ball! She recently had her long birthday post, but here are a few more fun pictures of this cutie. 

Brooklyn and Lenora at the zoo

Lenora recently learned how to pump the swing herself. She was in one of her rare loud, silly moods that day and made up this adorable song. She barely lets us hear her sing most of the time, so I was thrilled she let me film this. Such a big girl! 

Orson: 

Mr. Orson is as cute as can be. He kills me every week at church.  Someone gave us the red suit jacket, and he loves it so much! 

He is curious and always so cute to show me his discoveries.

(Not pictured)Recently he came running home from a walk with a fake, white flower. He was so excited to find a flower for me in the snow. He even put it in water for me. It's been "blooming" on my kitchen window-sill for several weeks now! Ladies, he's going to be a keeper!

Conrad is still his wild, crazy, adorable self. He loves to pretend he's Santa. He brought me a book for "Miss-mas" the other morning. He also makes fake beards and says, "I Dan-ta. Ho, ho, ho!" 

The kids made him in to "toga baby!"

No matter the weather, he loves to be outside!

He moved on from the purple baby to this yellow baby when Grandma brought him at Christmas. "Yellow baby" belonged to Michael when he was a kid. Now Conrad is loving on him. On Sunday, he brought yellow baby to church with us and insisted on sharing the sacrament with him. Such a good daddy! 

And the best for last, Conrad would rather watch videos of trains on YouTube over a cartoon. He LOVES watching train videos!