Goodbye Little Farmers ~ Preschool Graduation 2020

 This past week was officially the end of Kesslyn's Little Farmer's Preschool! (Although she hasn't gone for the last 2 months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.)

 Her sister Kambriella and her cousin Maddy helped make these posters for her to "decorate" our car for her drive-through preschool graduation. :)

 We saw her teacher Miss Whitney (mask/no mask) who gave her a certificate for Farm Camp Friday graduation...

  ...and her teacher Miss Shayla who was with her throughout the rest of the week.

 Miss Shayla told Kesslyn that she was her very favorite student and that she missed her so much! (And then she remembered that her own son was in the class and said that HE was her favorite, and then her. But only because he has to be. ;)

 Lucky for Kesslyn, Grandma Panter was here visiting us and got to go with us and see where Kesslyn had her preschool! Kesslyn was so happy to have her there. :)

 Being on the farm for preschool was such a treat for Kesslyn! Out of all of the places she ever got to go, and all of the preschools that my children went to, I was so happy that her and Kambriella got to experience a little bit of life and learning on the farm!

 I had so much fun as a kid visiting my grandpa's farm when I was little, and I really think it adds a depth and level of fun and learning to childhood that can only be gained through those experiences. So I'm SO happy that she had that opportunity!

 Thank you Little Farmers for all of the farm adventures! We love you an will miss you forever!!!

Cousin Time

 What do you do when your cousin comes to stay for a week??

You build forts in your bedroom and play all day and into the night, that's what you do!

 And then your brothers do the same thing...

 ...while the baby sister tries to take over the fort bringing roaring dinosaur toys to try and scare you out. :) That's just one thing you do when your cousin comes to stay for a week. :)

Lollipuff Cotton Candy Family Night

 Last night for family night we took our family to a Lollipuff Cotton Candy porch party! It was a company that makes flavored animal shapes out of their cotton candy and it was such a fun treat. Not only were the kids excited about their treat, but they were excited to see their friends too!

Kesslyn and Greta hugged for almost a minute straight before they ever moved. ;) It was the first time they have seen each other since the pandemic. It was so fun to see. :)

Kesslyn had an owl shaped cotton candy, Kambriella had a bunny, and Madyson had a narwhal. They were cute AND tasty! 

 Carew invited Kara to join our family and of course she did. ;)

We had fun introducing her to some of our neighborhood friends and seeing people we hadn't seen in a very long time! Including some newly returned missionary friends.

 Aren't these cotton candy so fun and cute?? :)

Dallin and Gavin both had an octopus, Carew had a penguin, and Kara had a pineapple. It was a fun (and yummy) family night!

 Thanks Lollipuff! :)

An Adams Canyon Adventure

 This weekend we went on an adventure to Adams Canyon in Farmington. 

It was about a 4 mile round trip hike that was kind of "unplanned", which meant we were a little unprepared, but nonetheless we had a blast!

 We hiked through sand and water and we had even picked up our cousin Maddy (who was wearing her school boots)...(and we had no water)...but we knew at any minute we could turn around and go home and we would be just fine. But the drive to make it to the end (where we had heard of a beautiful waterfall) kept us moving up the mountain.

 I personally feel right at home in the mountains and so I wanted to stay there all day. I even carried Kesslyn lots of the time when her feet were feeling tired.

 We always have so much fun exploring in the woods, and it is so beautiful. Everywhere you look it's like a new view, and a scene from a painting or a movie...

 I always love watching the kids brave the river, walking on the logs and rocks trying not to get wet...

 I also love how exploring in the wilderness helps build confidence in those more timid, and helps to overcome some fears...

 The views and waterfalls were breathtaking, and when we finally made it to the top, Dallin earned himself $20 for going into the freezing cold waterfall. :)

  

 We even found a spot in the creek where the water was coming straight out of a natural filter in the mountain and we all took a drink from the fresh water stream. It was very cold and satisfying and made our little adventure that much more adventurous!

 At the end of our hike as we were leaving the coverage of the canyon walls, we stopped for a picture of the beautiful view and Kesslyn said, "Mom, can I take the picture of you and dad?

I laughed and said "Sure!" ~ Thus, the above photo credit to Kesslyn. :)

 Then I took one of her and her daddy and then we headed to the car, out for drinks and ice cream, and then back home.

I LOVE the beautiful world that has been created for us to use and enjoy, and each time we spend time out there I feel that much more love and gratitude for everything good in my life. Those sweet gifts from Heavenly Father.

Thank you for a wonderful Saturday adventure with my awesome family.

We are so blessed!

Feeling Like Home

 We have lived in our new house for 7 months now and I am still working my way through the house and each  room trying to get things unpacked, rearranged, and decorated to make it feel like "home. It is slowly coming together, and beginning to feel like it's "ours." 

One thing that I have added that I LOVE is my new weekly menu board! It helps me to be organized in planning out weekly meals, which is helping me with one of my personal goals that I set with the kids when the new youth program rolled out, and that was to have more dinners around the table at home during the week. (At least 4 times a week to be exact!;) But thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are crushing that goal!!! ;) We are eating family dinner around the table almost every night of the week! (With the exception of a date night that I take with Clint.) I love the council from our leaders that teach us about the importance of that special time together gathered around the dinner table. Because we all know that a whole lot more than just eating happens when we are all together there...like laughing, catching up from our day, and the strengthening of relationships ~ along with the comfort of some yummy food. :)

The front room is becoming a cozy place to gather and talk, and especially at night when it's time to end the day with scripture and prayer. Although it ALWAYS takes us forever to finally HAVE the prayer, I don't think I would have it any other way. It seems like everyone just wants to keep talking and being together almost as if they know that as soon as the prayer is said, then the fun has to end and we all go to bed. (Although there are days where the bed can't come fast enough for me! :) 

Yes there is teasing and fighting at times too, but I know all in all, we LOVE being together. 

Our family LOVES each other. 

And I love that so much.

He Just Knows

 What I love about Dallin is that he always makes me laugh, and not because he's trying to, but just because that is who he is. He is a funny kid. :)

 After running for Student Body Officer for the RHS class of 2021, making it into the top 10, but not the top 5, Dallin has decided to run for the Senior Class Officer instead. 

He is a natural born leader and will do good no matter what he does. I know this because I have seen him in action right here at home, and I think that is where it counts the most.

 Dallin decided to "reinact" Hot Rod's "quiet place" scene, and that will be his video. I'm not certain what exactly people will think when they see his silly video, but one thing is for sure...Dallin has my vote! He's on the right side and is certain that he will be happy serving and loving people no matter where it is that Heavenly Father needs him. 

I love that strength about Dallin. He just knows.

And he is awesome. :)

Squeals of Laughter

 Last night we were gathering everyone outside around the fire pit for Family Home Evening, when I heard all kinds of squeals of laughter coming from the other side of the yard...

 Kambriella and Kesslyn were standing over by the air conditioner getting a kick out of the wind that was blowing so hard. It was like she was twirling her princess dress, without even having to get dizzy!!! ;)

I love the sweet innocence and laughter of  little children.

They make life so fun! :)