Blog This!

Ali's First Rollercoaster!

2012-02-18T17:38:00.001-07:00

You can't see her. She's hiding behind Nate in the white hat (a little scared, me thinks.)

Where Alice Met Alice.

2012-02-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

We are at Disneyland for a surprise trip for the girls. Dave and Sydney came too, making the experience perfect. It's also Dave's first time here. He got a pin and everything.

I am so happy.

Our Perfectly White Trash Valentines Day

2012-02-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

This year the hubs planned the BEST VALENTINES EVER!

First, we went shooting. Nate looked hot. I didn't get a pic of myself as I only looked terrified.

We done did kill that zombie dead.

Then, a quaint dinner at our favorite diner...good ol' One Man Band.

I couldn't have asked for a better white trash Valentines. LOVE YOU, NATE!

Happy Happy Birthday Nate

2012-01-29T19:39:00.001-07:00

When I married this awesome man I had no idea how fantastic my life would be.

Nate is truly the best...and not just at looking hot in a mustache.

Goodbye Summer of 2011

2012-01-26T10:42:00.001-07:00

Now that winter has finally decided to visit, I am SO wishing it could be summer again.

Alas, all I can do is reminisce about the awesome summer we had in 2011.

It was a family-filled, fun-filled, sunny adventure.

Just looking at these pictures makes me feel warmer.

Grandpa Raynes' Cabin

2012-01-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

Up Hobble Creek Canyon, there is a magical place. It's Grandpa Raynes' cabin that he built with his BARE hands. No joke, kids. Grandpa built this towering cabin of awesomeness with NO POWER TOOLS! Of course, that means his 10 kids were his power tools. We all have such awesome memories of this place. Everytime I go up, I feel really close to my Dad and I have to sit and thank him for all the hours he spent with us up there.

Want some stories of the cabin? You asked for it. (Ask me later to expound on all of these...they are fantastic):

The infamous story of Derrick falling three stories to his death, only to have my Dad grab him like a super hero at the last moment.
The old abandoned bus that we claimed was haunted. Pretty sure it was haunted by the dirty hippies living in it.
The MANY hikes we took just wandering around the mountains, while Dad talked to us about life.
The million deer hunts. (My job was to sit in one place and throw rocks to scare out the deer. Now that I am older, I understand this to mean, "Just stay here and stop complaining about how you hate hunting so much.")
The many hours we all spent up there building the cabin, while taking breaks to go jump down the rockslide into the freezing water.

I really want my kids to have the same experiences with this place. Alice asks to go up there all the time--she understands its magic. I do too.

Thanks Dad! I am sure the first thing you wanted to do with your time was spend countless hours with your whining kids building a cabin by hand. But, what you really wanted to build was a fantastic childhood and eternal memories with your kids.

You really just had it all figured out, didn't you? Miss you everyday.

Go and Do Likewise

2011-12-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

Christmas was really hard this year. As all my siblings and I tried to put on a happy face for our kids, we felt keenly the gaping hole at the festivities.

As we were opening presents, we found to our surprise a gift for each of us from our mother. In her forethought, she had already bought a small gift for each of us. The tears flowed as we opened the small gifts. My mother had given us all the same thing: an emergency flint and steel starter.

A little in shock, we all thought of our mother's need to make sure we were prepared for anything that came our way. She gave us each year something to add to our emergency kit, and this year had been no different.

At our Christmas dinner, my brother Jon gave his thoughts on what this small present meant. To paraphrase: In life, we all need to keep a fire burning. Matches can start a fire, but if they get wet, they are useless. There is one sure way to get a fire started, and that is with flint and steel. He then likened this to the gospel. We cannot rely on the matches of life to always be there to start our fire, only the gospel with its constant fire made with flint and steel will be there through any storm.

At my mother's funeral, Jon said (again to paraphrase): Tough times are an invitation to decide which side we'll stand on. We decide to either let the hard things consume us or we can give it to Christ, who is waiting to take our burden. What is the Raynes family without Joe and without Alice? When we ache for our parents, we choose to find comfort in Christ. This is the Raynes family.

So, the Raynes family motto this year, and my only New Year's Resolution is to follow the legacy my parents left, and "Go and Do Likewise".

Welcome Oliver!

2011-12-14T11:27:00.002-07:00

Danielle and Bryan had their adorable baby! They named him Oliver Bryan Kennedy. He was born on December 12th at 7:45pm, and weighed 8lbs 13 oz , 20 inches long.

I already love him so much! Congrats Kennedy Family!

Burdens Too Great

2011-11-15T20:17:00.001-07:00

When in my life the burden ahead is too great to bear

Those times of sorrow and self doubt

My legs give way, unable to support, and I fall to my knees

Surrounded by despair, I give the burden to only Him who comprehends and consoles

In that moment, a spark ignites spreading to a cleansing fire that consecrates the soul

And I am eternally grateful for burdens too great to bear

My Beloved Mother

2011-11-09T16:14:00.001-07:00

Alice Nielsen Raynes, age 63, passed away peacefully November 9, 2011, surrounded by her eternal family.

She was born March 31,1948, in Provo, Utah to Vernon C and Olive Nielsen; she was the oldest of eight children. Her childhood was happy and filled with love. She graduated from Granger High School; kind and fun, she was voted by her student body as the Lady Lancer.

While attending BYU, Alice met Joe, her Prince Charming—it was love at first sight. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 27, 1969. They have ten children, all redheads like their parents. Being a mother was central to Alice’s life. She was a constant example of Christ, especially evident in the nurturing of her family.

Life is all about choices, and Alice humbly made the right choices. Alice always chose kindness. If you have met Alice, you have felt the Savior’s love. She never said an unkind word about anyone. She loved others the way the Savior asked us to love—unconditionally and without reserve.

She chose to have ten children. They were born to a mother who cherished them and their differences, a mother who was constant in her love, guidance and example. All of her children know secretly that they are their mother's favorite. Her grandchildren also felt her never-ending love. She spent every moment she could with them, cuddling and "smell-kissing" them. Her home was always open and everyone felt welcomed and known by her. She was a mother to all.

Alice chose lifelong learning and had an amazing mind. She graduated from BYU with her Bachelor's Degree and used it every day in raising her children. She participated on the BYU Ballroom Dance Team, and could rumba and cha-cha like no other. She read voraciously, played and graciously won all trivia and word games. She was a master of the English and Spanish languages. She was an accomplished tailor and clothing designer. She sewed each of her daughters’ wedding dresses, each one custom made. She drafted designs for her homes, and Joe built them—for her.

Alice chose music as her talent and love. She played the piano, organ and cello with incredible aptitude and found great joy in music. As a teenager, she took organ lessons at Temple Square in the Assembly Hall. She instilled a love of music in her children, and was happiest when they were singing. She shared her talent by happily accompanying vocalists. There was always music playing in her head. Joe would often ask her what song was in her head and she would name the song and composer and hum him a few lines. Heaven will be richer because of her music.

Alice happily chose to serve; spending her days in constant service of others. She was a proud and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She magnified her every calling, serving as Relief Society President, temple worker, organist, and in a myriad of auxiliary positions at both the ward and stake level. She spent thirty years playing the organ weekly in the temple, offering peace through music.

Alice chose to follow Joe to the distant corners of the earth. Wherever he was, running water or no, Alice was by his side. When her eternal love and companion in life was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Alice chose optimism and faith. She led her family with her example of turning to Christ and finding strength in Him.

She chose to be humble. She chose to be loving. She chose to be charitable. And her children watched and learned. They know where to turn for peace because they watched their mother find it in Christ.

We choose now to honor her legacy by being happy, ever-serving and faithful.

Alice Nielsen Raynes is preceded in death (by only 10 months) by her adoring husband Joseph Lincoln Raynes, and her parents, Vernon C and Olive Nielsen. She is survived by her ten children: Janelle (Nathan) Gerber, Michelle, Denise (Paul) Pitcher, Alison (Marshall) Smith, Melanee, Stefanie (Nate) Farnsworth, Jonathan (Daniela), Danielle (Bryan) Kennedy, Derrick (Alexa), David (Sydney), and 17 & 8/9 grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Ruth (Tom) Rich, Chad (Karen) Nielsen, James (Giana) Nielsen, Kathleen Nielsen, John (Gayla) Nielsen, Lillian (Sterling) Clark, and Jocelyn (Michael) Goldberg.

Alice Raynes Funeral Information

2011-11-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

Public viewings will be held on Friday, November 11, 2011, at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home (646 E 800 N, Orem) from 6-8:00 pm; and on Saturday, November 12, at the Orem Utah Cascade Stake Center (481 E Center St, Orem) from 11:00 am-12:30 pm.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, at the Orem Utah Cascade Stake Center (481 E Center St, Orem) starting at 1:00 pm Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery (1520 N 800 E) directly following the service.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.walkerfamilymortuary.com

My Sweet Mother

2011-11-08T20:35:00.002-07:00

My angel Mother, Alice Raynes, suffered a heart attack and went into a coma. Despite the amazing efforts of my family, EMT's, doctors and nurses; it was discovered from an MRI that the cognitive areas of her brain were deprived of oxygen too long. Even if she were to wake from her coma, which is unlikely, she wouldn't be the Mom we all know and love. According to my Mom's wishes, her assisted breathing will be removed on Wednesday. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Kennedy's EPIC Halloween Party

2011-11-01T11:11:00.002-06:00

Every year, these crazy kids, throw an amazing Halloween Party. But, I gots to say, this year was EPIC. Thanks for the amazing party, Kennedy's!

This whole post is just pictures of the amazing food. It's ok to be jealous...very jealous.

Adventures in Halloweening

2011-10-31T23:05:00.000-06:00

Halloween Half Marathon

2011-10-29T15:20:00.001-06:00

Nate did a half marathon today. The girls and I were so proud of our panda papa.

Stringtown Express

2011-10-27T19:09:00.000-06:00

If you are in Utah Valley you have to go to the Stringtown Express (Google it ).

Its a free haunted train ride and it was awesome!

Alice said it was so scary it scared her hiccups away.

Hee Haw's

2011-10-26T09:35:00.000-06:00

We did the annual pumpkin patch thing and LOVED it!

This picture looks oddly like Mary riding her donkey to Jerusalem...I am just sayin'.

Crazy hair much?

Look harder....they are in the headlights. VERY realistic.

What a gorgeous night!

My daring Mimi going down the slide alone.

Mom terrified of said slide.

Super daring Beebo going head first. (They get the daringness from their father....OBVIOUSLY!)

Heber Creeper Haunted Train Ride!

2011-10-25T11:04:00.001-06:00

This past weekend we went on the Heber Creeper Haunted Train Ride!

I gots to admit, there was some SERIOUS Farnsworth fun happening.

The girls were so brave pretending they weren't scared, but who wouldn't be scared by a life size hobbit/werewolf/hobo/whatever thingy?

The next day Alice fessed up and told us she was scared. Just another notch in my awesome parenting belt!

Cascade Springs

2011-10-24T05:30:00.000-06:00

We had to take advantage of the last rays of sunshine Utah will give us until May, so we went to Cascade Springs on Saturday and soaked up some Vitamin D.

These fruzzins love each other so much! It makes my job so easy!

Jon showing all the kidlets the fish in the Springs. I was TERRIFIED of Mimi falling in...TERRIFIED.

Needless to say...these are my kids. Always a show. Always a show.

One of my favorite fall memories for sure.

Halloween Birthday Party

2011-10-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Samantha's birthday party was an epic event. Everyone got dressed up in their Halloween costumes: Beebo was Arial, the Vampire Mermaid, and Mimi was Contemplative Cinderella.

My question is this: Why is Cinderella so sad?

Awesome games were had. And then we posed some more.

Deep thoughts by Cinderella...

Tinkerbell and Cinderella after a hard day of partying.

Thanks for the awesome party, Neasy and Samantha!

SIX at SoJo!

2011-10-15T13:56:00.000-06:00

SIX sponsored the SoJo 5k, Half Marathon, and Marathon last Saturday and we came and volunteered!

Sydney, Dave, Danielle, and Bryan all came and helped out. We brought the kidlets and if you look closely, you'll see Danielle babysitting them in the background. We really had so much fun.

Thanks so much for all your help!

P.S. I realize this is probably how I'll spend my Saturdays for the next five years. I am so excited! (Not being sarcastic).

My Birthday Sister Dinner!

2011-10-13T20:37:00.000-06:00

Jealous?

Thanks for the fun night sissies!

Can't have a birthday without the Biebs!

2011-10-12T11:16:00.000-06:00

Thanks for all the Birthday wishes! I feel like a Facebook celebrity.

And a special thanks to Rachel for the stellar decorations!

I LOVE her use of inflections. I could watch this all day...

2011-10-05T14:06:00.001-06:00

I need Two to last forever!

2011-10-03T20:18:00.000-06:00

NEED!

Planking.

2011-09-30T18:11:00.000-06:00

It WOULD be chilly with no skin on!

2011-09-30T06:13:00.000-06:00

Holt's BBQ!

2011-09-24T10:11:00.000-06:00

Brandy had us over for a super fun BBQ with the Thompson's. There is nothing more fun than getting together with friends you've had since Elementary school.

We ended the night with delish smores. Thanks for the great time!

A Gift from Dad

2011-09-21T14:54:00.001-06:00

We found this flower the other day and no one knew where it came from.
We think my dad planted it for us last year after his diagnosis. A sweet reminder that he's still with us.

Cupcakes!

2011-09-18T08:10:00.000-06:00

My kids and I have the same crafty skills... we just keep on adding to it until its a steaming pile of...cute?

Hair Cutting Day!

2011-09-17T13:59:00.000-06:00

Thanks for the great cuts, Lindi!

Scera Rules!

2011-09-17T11:28:00.000-06:00

Danielle's school had the best party. We took the girls and they partied till they dropped.

Bragging Video's!

2011-09-15T19:18:00.000-06:00

Mimi singing her primary songs.

Beebo reciting a Turtle Poem from Preschool.

Now, this is really just bragging. But, I can't help it! I love my crazy haired, smart, sweet girls!

Weekend with the Wilson's

2011-09-12T06:17:00.000-06:00

We ate. We swam. We cried when it was over.
Here's to many more fun vacations together!

The only way to travel...

2011-09-09T18:39:00.000-06:00

Off to St. George!

2011-09-09T17:25:00.000-06:00

We are on our way to the Red Rock Relay and to hang with the Wilson's. We love road trips!

The weekend in videos...

2011-09-06T08:57:00.003-06:00

It rocked like this:

There were moments like this:

But, it was mostly like this:

It couldn't have been awesomer.

Williams Arizona?

2011-09-05T20:15:00.002-06:00

Ever heard of this place? Me neither. But it is awesome! It's pretty much a whole city dedicated to keeping the wild west alive.
The people were so nice there that I wished the apocalypse would come so we could form a makeshift family and wait out the earthquakes and firestorms together.
Great choice Ian and Shaina! Also,good work on Abby. She is perfect.

The oh so Grand Canyon!

2011-09-05T20:06:00.000-06:00

This place is beautiful and my hands are sweating just looking at the pictures. I might have developed a fear of heights.

Guitar Lessons from Pop

2011-09-04T21:51:00.000-06:00

Guitar Lessons from Pop

Farnsworth Jam Session

2011-09-04T20:11:00.000-06:00

My favorite part of any Farnsworth family party is the jam session ...oh, and the delicious food. Can't forget the food.

Ah, Fredonia.

2011-09-03T12:12:00.000-06:00

Halfway to Flagstaff means we have to stop at the creepy western wear store.

I just want to marry her...

2011-08-25T06:49:00.001-06:00

When I was growing up, I was a voracious reader; I loved sitting in my house and jumping into new worlds. but more important, I loved meeting new people. reading was a way to make friends or enemies, a way to discover how all these different people exist in the world and to rub shoulders with them. The ability to feel as if you’ve met someone, as if that person exists in flesh and blood and that you relate to them somehow, makes you feel a lot less lonely. and it also makes you feel very brave.

- Amy Poehler

Family 5K

2011-08-17T07:27:00.003-06:00

This picture is so awesome for so many reasons. I snort laugh every time I look at it.

Thanks Mel for getting us all together for this super fun 5k!

Almost a DECADE!

2011-08-16T08:12:00.000-06:00

It's been nine years since I married this man, and I still get all nervous, hoping I am cool enough to be his wife.

I love you so much, Nate. You make me the happiest person on the planet. Thanks for being the most AMAZING Husband and Father. The girls and I definitely know how good we got it!

Bye Ashlee!

2011-08-15T07:57:00.001-06:00

I am so excited for your next adventure in Washington DC! I will miss our lunches and the girls will miss their reading buddy, but I hope you have the BEST time being all smart and political. Love you!

Mesa Verde Ruins

2011-08-14T11:38:00.023-06:00

We all hopped in the car and headed out to Mesa Verde to see what we could see.

(Alice isn't crying here, she is just smiling her "BIGGEST smile EVER!")

Nate, of course, did all the heavy lifting.

While I sat back and enjoyed the view.

It was so nice to get away and just enjoy my little family. My baby girls are so perfect. Nate and I the whole trip kept commenting on how lucky we are to be the parents to these two amazing, funny, and sweet girls.

While we were hiking in the ruins, Alice told an elderly gentlemen that "this is where the Lamanites used to live." He smiled and laughed, then looked at me to explain. Me being the awesome missionsary that I am, just laughed and pretended that I didn't understand.

I really hope my kids don't learn by example...

In Moab, halfway there!

2011-08-13T13:10:00.000-06:00

We're on our way to Mesa Verde! We made a pitstop in Moab so we can soak up the hippiness.

They finished just before midnight! Perfect.

2011-08-13T00:02:00.000-06:00

Moonlight Half Marathon!

2011-08-12T23:43:00.001-06:00

Alec and Nate rocked it!

Two for Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point

2011-08-09T20:59:00.000-06:00

We had the best time tonight with the Kennedy's! We hit up the Dinosaur museum then the girls had a dance off at the Deli. SUCH A FUN NIGHT!

Denise makes my kids eat healthy ...

2011-08-07T12:27:00.001-06:00

Hallelujah!

View from my office...

2011-08-04T12:07:00.002-06:00

“Writing is 90 percent procrastination: reading magazines, eating cereal out of the box, watching infomercials.”— Paul Rudnick

As a writer, I feel confident to say this is SO TRUE! I usually spend my days staring out at this view, then quickly finishing my projects so I can go home.

It really is the life--the spoiled life of a writer.

I. Am. Super. Mom.

2011-07-25T15:47:00.000-06:00

After a long day of playing with fruzzins at the cabin and in the irrigation, this is the thanks I get.

To Private or Not?

2011-07-22T18:30:00.000-06:00

So, I think I will make this blog private. I am just a bit creeped out that my biznass is out there for anyone to see.

BUT, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that my peeps read this blog, so PLEASE send me your email address before August 1st if you want an invite.

Nail Painting Party!

2011-07-18T20:27:00.000-06:00

We also had a sorting hat...

2011-07-10T20:10:00.001-06:00

Griffindore!

Harry Potter Dinner!

2011-07-10T17:23:00.002-06:00

Bryan and Danielle Kennedy came up with the fun idea and made the ENTIRE dinner. I drank so much butterbeer, I think I am officially a drunk.

Thanks for the fun night!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T17:51:00.001-06:00

It's SIX Time!

2011-06-22T15:20:00.003-06:00

Some super cool stuff is happening at SIX Nutrition.

Head over to the SIX page and see what all the fuss is about! Go ahead, "Like" it. You know you want to.

They haven't launched yet, but if you want to check it out, go to SIX Nutrition on Facebook and "Like" the page. That way you'll always be in the loop.

My Dad Once Told Me...

2011-06-21T14:14:00.006-06:00

"Whatever hole left when I am gone, the Atonement of Christ will fill it.
You will not miss out because I am gone. Look to Christ".

I am doing that today, Dad. Love you, miss you, and Happy Birthday!

Orem Summerfest!

2011-06-17T17:29:00.000-06:00

Orem Summerfest is my FAVORITE summer activity. Don't ask me why...it must remind me of childhood or something deep like that.

I was that awesome mom who let her kids run in the street for candy, even when HUGE firetrucks were barreling down the street. Yea, I was that mom.

Amazing Race Video Submission

2011-06-09T12:48:00.000-06:00

Once upon a time, (pre-kids) my sibs and I thought we should get on the Amazing Race. So, we made this awesome video. I can't help but laugh until I pee everytime I see it.

I just DON'T know why we weren't picked!

Just some more dirty pictures.

2011-06-05T20:59:00.000-06:00

I like my man dirty.

2011-06-05T17:07:00.000-06:00

Dirty Dash!

2011-06-04T18:39:00.000-06:00

These group of crazy kids did the Dirty Dash today up at Soldier Hollow.

Melanee put it all together and the team was named Shelly's Fan Club.

It looked SO fun, I think I'll do it next year!

Rock Hunting

2011-05-30T14:00:00.000-06:00

Nothing better than stopping at a hippy rock shop on your way out of Zion's NP.

We followed the sun.

2011-05-30T09:46:00.000-06:00

We just couldn't take the cold anymore so we took an imprompu trip to sunny St George for Memorial Day.

4th Birthday Letter to Alice

2011-05-28T06:53:00.004-06:00

You, my dear, are AWESOME!

You keep me young and happy, and not just because you make me role-play as the misguided mermaid while you play the hero princess, but because of your enthusiasm for life and your sweet, sensitive heart.

You love your little sister so much and are doing a good job at showing her the ropes. Yes, sometimes you are a bit rough with her, but that will only teach her that fruit snacks are meant to be shared, but shoes are NOT meant to be shared.

You make me proud every single day to be your mother. You are smart, kind, tough, and loving. You are innately cooler than me, so sometimes I show you off to my friends so they think I am cool too. Thanks for that.

You are going to do some amazing things in your life and I am so glad to be a part of it. Now, go pick up those fruit snacks you dropped and share your shoes with your sister.

Love you forever and ever and miles and millions of miles.
Your Momma.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

2011-05-27T20:29:00.005-06:00

All of us siblings spent the day today bombarding my mom with love, attention, flowers and food. Maybe it was too much, but we just want her to know how much we love her, how much we miss Dad, and that she will never be alone on her anniversary.

What is this thing that men call death,
This quiet passing in the night?
'Tis not the end, but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.

O God, touch thou my aching heart,
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change,
With recompense for vict'ry won.
The gift of him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.

- Gordon B. Hinckley

Alice's Birthday Week!

2011-05-22T18:11:00.001-06:00

We started celebrating Alice's birthday early with the awesomest birthday cake EVER! Made with love by Auntie Alexa.

Chocolate is the cure.

2011-05-20T17:05:00.001-06:00

Scarlet is super sick today with a fever of 103.3. What is the cure? Chocolate.

Easter 2011

2011-05-18T06:10:00.004-06:00

I realize I did not post any Easter pictures this year. BOO.

Well, the girls were adorable, and the Easter bunny came, and we basked in the real reason for Easter. Can't get any better than that.

Oh, and Syd took more cute pictures, here.

The Fountain of Youth and St. Augustine

2011-05-17T06:41:00.018-06:00

I am gonna play a bit of catch-up this week.

Now get ready for lots of pictures and some witty phrases (hopefully).

If it wasn't blogged, it didn't happen.

Before we left Florida, we went to The Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine and it was AWESOME. That little hippy town is now among my favorite places. I did want to walk around and tell all the young, dirty hippies to go back to school and stop wasting their lives making hemp necklaces. Harsh?

St. Augustine is the oldest town in the United States. And they have this old ~~princess tower~~ fort, that the girls LOVED. They pretty much thought they were living their own fairytale. In fact, I have a video of Scarlet looking out lovingly to the horizon and singing Ariel's song, then getting mad at me for filming her special moment. Check out the video here.

Alice also became a cannon expert. Click here to watch her copy the weird guys who re-enact this stuff for fun.

Mimi was just plain tuckered out.

Us drinking the magic Fountain of Youth water. It tasted like dirt. But, I like the taste of dirt.

Our Moab Weekend

2011-05-16T12:38:00.002-06:00

We had the BEST time this weekend in Moab with Dave, Syd and Mel.

Look at this perfect family!! Can I keep them forever? Oh, right! I can. Good.

We just basked in the sun, hiked, bouldered, and pretended to be hippies. It was a good time.

I Have Been Dreaming of Houses

2011-05-14T11:43:00.000-06:00

If you know my Dad, you know he was a builder. A builder of dreams, family, testimony, and houses.

Lately, I have been dreaming of houses.
Gorgeous, elaborate houses. Houses with waterfalls in them and glass floors. Houses so amazing, they can't be real.

In all my dreams, I know these homes were built for me by my Dad.

These dreams are my Dad's way of telling me he is still building for me.
He is just building for me now on the other side.

A Letter to my Baby Scarlet

2011-05-10T06:55:00.005-06:00

*Warning. This baby is so cute, you might go off your birth control meds. Or really, any meds.

(disclaimer: DO NOT go off any meds)

Dear Princess Scarlet,

I CANNOT believe that you are two. Please, PLEASE for the love of everything stop growing now.

You are the funniest, sweetest, sassiest little girl on the planet and I don't want that to ever end. Every time I see you, I cannot believe that my lady parts made you. (Nate helped too).

For some reason, my sentimental button is off today, so I can't write about how much just seeing you learn something new, like a sassy new catch-phrase, or a devil-angel grin, makes me cry a little bit and want to squeeze you until you scratch me. But just know that your Mom loves you more that words can say, and I intend to spoil you rotten for the rest of your life and then for the eternities after that.

Love you!

Happy 90th Birthday Aunt Hulda!

2011-05-07T14:49:00.001-06:00

My Hipster Family

2011-05-06T20:13:00.000-06:00

We are at a rooftop concert in the downtowns of Provo.
Can it get anymore hipster?

Fun with Daddy.

2011-05-06T14:37:00.000-06:00

I don't even think they miss me.

Happy Cinco de Mustache!

2011-05-05T16:06:00.001-06:00

We celebrated at Lone Star Taco. Best taco's in Utah!

Happy Birthday Princess Scarlet!

2011-04-28T20:04:00.002-06:00

Daddy's Home!!

2011-04-26T15:24:00.000-06:00

Farnsworth Girl Fruzzins!

2011-04-24T17:53:00.001-06:00

Happy Easter!

Lita and Cousins in Town!

2011-04-22T11:39:00.000-06:00

This baby is so sicky...

2011-04-21T09:34:00.000-06:00

And I am breaking about 100 mommy rules with that pencil in her mouth.

We miss you, Nate!

2011-04-19T09:48:00.001-06:00

Until you get home, we are keeping ourselves busy with basketball and fruzzins!

Life is just better when it's warm outside.

2011-04-16T13:57:00.000-06:00

Family is where its at, yo.

2011-04-13T13:48:00.000-06:00

Once again I have thrown my back out. It seems everytime I move cross country this happens.
Am I stressed by this? No, cause I have the best family ever. Within minutes of hurting, Danielle was to the rescue babysitting my kids and booking me a therapy appointment.
I
LOVE
BEING
HOME.

Spring has FINALLY sprung!

2011-04-11T13:47:00.001-06:00

And we celebrated with a picnic in the park.

Incandescently perfect.

I call this one the cousin cuddle.

2011-04-10T22:29:00.000-06:00

Oh! You didn't hear?

2011-04-05T15:46:00.002-06:00

Yes. I AM moving back to Utah!

Who? The whole Farnsworth family.
What? Yea, it's true!
Where? To Utah!
When? Tomorrow.
Why? We have our reasons. But mostly, ever since my Dad passed away, we have really felt like it was time to move home.
How? I am flying out tomorrow and Nate is coming later this month with all our stuff.

I just need to take a moment and let my friends out here know how much I love them and how hard it is to leave. We really have been welcomed here and have made friends that we will never forget!

For reals, this past year has just felt like one big vacation. I have done NOTHING except play at the beach, go to Disney World and just hang with my little family. I am so grateful for the amazing time we had out here. Our family is so close and we are so blessed.

Now, how about a picture montage of the BEST VACATION EVER! Just click the link below.

https://picasaweb.google.com/nate.farnsworth/Florida?authkey=Gv1sRgCNSd2L_Ch-PcQg

Poop or Chocolate?

2011-03-31T16:14:00.003-06:00

I knew I had played the "Poop or Chocolate" game one too many times today when I found Mimi pooping in my shoe. Potty training experiment OVER.

On a completely unrelated note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my amazing Mom, Alice. She is a saint who played the "Poop or Chocolate" game with ten kids. We all feel so lucky to be raised by such a perfect, kind, smart, lovely, and patient woman. I LOVE YOU!

Wicked Awesome!

2011-03-30T06:09:00.002-06:00

I totally forgot about this film Nate made when he was at BYU! It was all made using a Super 8 Camera, and features the amazing Romney brothers and my bro, Jon. It is a remake of the Mexican Standoff in the Good, Bad and the Ugly.

I think Nate got an A+++++++++++.

Shark Fishing

2011-03-24T20:20:00.001-06:00

Nate took Alice on a Daddy-Daughter date shark fishing tonight.

My kids have no hope but to turn out awesome for having such a perfect Daddy.

I am so in love with this man, it hurts. Like actual pain hurts.

Beach With Buds

2011-03-23T12:00:00.001-06:00

We spent the whole day at the beach with awesome friends.
Lucky lucky us!

Manatee Watch

2011-03-20T17:12:00.000-06:00

We spotted a bunch! Oh, the gentle sea cow.

(Thanks for the awesome blanket, Jen! We take it on all our adventures.)

Gator Huntin'

2011-03-20T16:02:00.000-06:00

We saw one! My first florida gator in the wild.Totally freaked me out.

A Tea Party

2011-03-19T14:01:00.001-06:00

Alice had a tea party for her gymnastics coach, miss Nicole. She loved every second. I might have teared up a bit seeing her be such a big girl.

Lady and the Tramp

2011-03-18T17:51:00.000-06:00

We just had to.