Idaho Pictures

We have been gone for over a week now and are having such a fun time. We have been loving spending time with family, meeting cousins, and playing hard. I haven't been able to blog until now, so there are a ton of pictures. So, here is a quick rundown of our trip so far.

This wasn't actually on our trip, but I think it's a funny picture. Matthew actually found the doll, put it in the stroller, and then pushed it around the house for a long time.

Heading to Utah. The kids did really well, considering we were in the car for 14 hours. At our first stop we turned Matthew's car seat so it was forward facing and that helped a lot. 

We spent Friday through Sunday in Utah. It was fun to see all of our old hangouts and see how much Provo has changed in the last year. It was so weird going back. While there we were also able to see my Aunt Kathy and her family, and all of Jon's family that are in Utah. It was fun to visit everyone.

I took the kids to the Bean Museum at BYU. They had fun running around but didn't have the attention spans to look at anything. We left after 20 minutes and went to the park instead.

While at Matt and Nicki's house, we attempted to get pictures of the Farrell cousins.

What cute kiddos!

I decided last minute to drive up to Idaho Sunday night instead of Monday morning. We got to Idaho late Sunday night.

Monday we went to the Idaho Falls Temple visitor's center and then walked around the grounds.

I love this smile!

The kids have loved being able to play outside...and I really really want a backyard now.

Monday night we also had a fire in the fire pit in the backyard. Abby was our fire girl and kept it going.

Cute girls

More playing outside

And playing with cousins

and outside. These next few pictures are at Tautphaus Park. We were scouting out parks to play at during the family reunion and stayed and played at this one for awhile. It was so cool.

These two were so sweet. I just love it when little people try to interact.

Today I cut Abby's hair. I think I did a pretty good job.

Sorry some of these are out of order. I really wanted to get them up for Jon to see, so this was just a quickie. We are loving our time here and can't wait to see Jon again in a few days.

Happy Birthday Buddy!!!

I can't believe Matthew turned 1 today. This last year has really flown. He still seems like such a little baby to me...much more than Emma did at his age. He loves snuggling and cuddling and is such a momma's boy. We love him! Happy birthday buddy!



I wish I had better pictures to post, but all I have is what is on my camera.

My Mothers

This is a Jon Post:

As many of you know Sarah and the kids went out of town last Friday and will be visiting Utah/Idaho Friends and Family for the next 3 weeks. I will be flying out to join them for a few days the last week.

Because her and the children are gone, today in Sacrament meeting I actually got to listen to the talks, which were of course about Mothers. It got me to thinking about all the Mothers in my life and how thankful I am for them. So here's to you Mom's. Thank you for all you do for me, your love and nurture has made me a better man.

Without further adue (and in no particular order), here they are:

My Mother
Debbie Farrell

Mom, you will always be the ultimate definition of the word "Mother" to me. You have raised me up in light and truth and always given me the best you could. It didn't matter how late I would stay up trying to finish school projects, you would always be up with me. You were one of my best friends during my high school years, years when most teens estrange their parents. You have always been in touch with how I felt and were always there to talk. Thank you is a shallow expression compared to the gratitude I have for you.

The Mother of My Children
Sarah Farrell

One of my top priorities in looking for a spouse was that she wanted to be and would be a good Mother. It became very clear to me very early on in our courtship that Sarah had these qualities. Her patience and understanding are un-matched and her love for little children is boundless. Sarah gives so much of her time to others and is one of the most compasionate people I know. Her quiete personality and healing words have often been the bandages to not only my children's cuts a bruises but my own invisible wounds.

My Mother in Law
Annette Hiatt

Annette you are a gem of a mother in Law. In a world where mother in laws get a bad reputation you are a beacon of hope to the species! :) All joking aside, Annette you are a second mother to me and a blessing to mine and my children's lives. You are so incredibly talented and enthusiastic. Thank you for all you do. In a sea of kids and grandkids thank you for making time to visit and share with us your love.

GrandMother (Mom's side)
Reah Niblett

Grandma I have always loved your smile. Ever since I was a little kid you have made me feel warm and safe with the your joyful grin. You have always been a cool grandma and have never grown old at heart. I smile to think of the fun activities that you always plan for the grandkids and the lengths you go to, to make them happy. I thank you for the efforts you have gone to in preserving your history for posterity through the "Grandma remembers tapes" (I need to put those on CD, before tapes become completely obselete!) . I love you and Grandpa for all your sacrifice and love.

GrandMother (Dad's Side)
Trudy Hadley

Grandma I miss you. Your zest for life and your joy in your family will always be the way I remember you. You never stopped running it seams, your energy was boundless. I remember when you would come and visit and we would just get in the car and drive. We drove all over the East Coast, exploring Maine, New York, Massachusetts, and many other places. Your home was a workshop, filled with treasures: handcrafted dolls, blankets, croqueted items, and paintings. Your talents were inspiring. You gave so much in your life and got very little in return. I know that where you are you continue to give, you are an exemplar of service and charity.

Great GrandMothers
I have three great GrandMothers still living! They are each amazing people and I have been so grateful to have had the chance to meet and know them. They each continue to be vibrant and amazingly sharp.

Granny (my Great GrandMother : my Mom's Dad's Mom)

Grandpa Niblett, Me, Mom with Emma, and Granny


Grandma Farrell (my Great GrandMother: my Dad's Dad's Mom)

Dad and Grandma Farrell at Grandpa Farrell's Funeral (her son).


Grandma Martin ( My Great GrandMother: My Dad's Mom's Mom)

Me with Emma, My Dad, and Grandma Martin

I only know of my Mother's Mom's Mom through the history that my Grandma Niblett has recorded. I am grateful that she has given me the memories of her mother so that I could know her too. She had a difficult life. Her name was Myra LongHurst.

Loaded Waste Bins, Matthew's Birthday, and Other Randomness

This is going to be a quick, scattered post. We are leaving town tomorrow and I really need to be packing, but I wanted to get these pictures up before I leave for 3 weeks.

We watched Jon's little sisters this weekend. On Saturday they wanted to make a movie so we put together a rock band called Loaded Waste Bins, and they made a music video.

Emma came up to me after they got her dressed and said, "Mommy, I'm a rockstar!"

The whole band

Matthew was supposed to be at the keyboard but he just didn't have the attention span for it.

Melinda rockin' out

And our lead singer Jenny, who also came up with the band nameIt was a fun movie making afternoon. I wish I could post the video because it's hilarious.

Sunday we celebrated Matthew's birthday. It's not until next week but we wanted to celebrate before we left, since Jon won't be with us on Matthew's actual birthday.

This was the cake Jon and I made. I love how it turned out and it was so easy to do.

He REALLY wanted the cake
Emma blew out his candle for him
And he dug right in.What a mess!

After cake we had a pinata.

Emma knew where the hole was and kept sticking her hand in and yelling, "Look, there's candy in it!"Happy (almost) birthday Matthew! I can't believe he's (almost) one.

Saturday night Jenny really wanted to have a bonfire, so we borrowed a fire pit, roasted marshmallows, and Jon told scary stories.

Now for the "Other Randomness"...

When it's too cold to swim, we call our pool a puddle and splash in it.

We built Woody and his horse Bullseye (from Toy Story)

Pretty good, huh?

Saturday...or maybe this was the Saturday before last...we took Emma to the Lowe's build and grow clinic again, where they made hang gliders. She loved it again, especially wearing the huge goggles and her apron.

Playing at the mall playground. This little guy LOVES slides.

Friday we went out on a little date. We had been planning on playing croquet and then going bowling. We got to the park and it was freezing so we hurried and played croquet and then went to the bowling alley, where we found out you can't just pay for a game...you have to rent a lane for an hour...and that was just too expensive. So, we headed to Barnes and Noble and got hot chocolate and looked around. I love bookstores. I could spend all day there and never get bored. I just wish we had a little money tree and I could actually buy all the fun books I want. Anyway, to finish off our date, we picked up the game Boggle and a movie and headed home.

KMart has these shopping carts with tv's in them. Sometimes when we're really bored we go shopping there just to let the kids ride in it. It's great.

Emma has gotten really funny lately. She loves striking up conversations with adults everywhere we go and will talk to them about everything. We had to go get an oil change yesterday and while we waited we went and got some lunch and went to the store. We were at KFC and I was about to order, when Emma stood up in the stroller and yelled nicely to the cashier, "I want chicken and soda!" Then she just stared at him waiting for his response...but he was a little speechless.
Then we went to the store. I let Emma get a candy bracelet. We were in line and it was almost our turn. Emma walked up to the counter, set the bracelet down, looked at the cashier and said loudly, "Can I pay for this so I can eat it?"

Maybe you had to be there, but it was really funny. She cracks me up.

Anyway, I should get to packing...so much to do before tomorrow!