"Country" Cousins?

Last weekend our family happily welcomed 2 of our cousins who would be spending the weekend with us while their family trekked to "Not-So-Sunny-St.George" for a baseball tournament. Laken, age 11, fits right in our largest gap of Reed and Coleman, and Cael, age 2, fits the spot of "the little brother we all wished for". So for the weekend I was the mother of 7...just like my mom permanently was..well minus twins! I guess she'll never have any of her offspring who can really identify!!
Anyway...the kids all did great and had a fun weekend together. They like to give all the little people who come a taste of our mini-farm life. Kaycee is coaxing Cael to help check the chicken eggs! I think he settled for holding the basket.

The weather perked up Saturday afternoon so they decided to take a field trip to our neighboring dairy farm. The were eagerly greeted by the residents there.

This guy wanted a little lovin from Janey I guess!

It's always an adventure to visit the dairy...especially during a February thaw...there aren't any flies, but the smell, sloppy ground and mud can make up for it!

Funny how animals and kids seem to go hand in hand for smiles and good times...well mostly good times. This video clip shows Cael's "other" reaction to life on the farm.

"Eww...That's Gross!"

Love is in the air...

Valentines Day...what a great holiday! Especially for girls! I love the flowers Jug brings me every year!

I love the sweet notes from my kids...and we even have a pretty good time making all the class valentines! No boxes this year for us though...lucky us!

And I LOVE the tradition Jug has of bringing home all of his girls flowers too! Valentines is a sweet holiday...maybe it should come twice a year!

Another Conversation with Abbie

With Jug being back at the office, Abbie and I are getting LOTS of quality one-on-one time. It's a good thing...I've always enjoyed having conversations with my children and hearing what's on their mind. I haven't always been good about documenting them...but I am trying to do better. I thought this recent discussion on last week's primary lesson was definitely noteworthy!

Abbie: Mom, did you know last time in my primary class...not my singing primary class...but the other one, we 'watchded' a movie?
Me: Really?
Abbie: Yep, and it was about the guy Joseph Smith and the Secret Grove.
Me: Wow. How did you like it?
Abbie: It was really cool, and did you know that before Heavenly Father and Jesus showed up, Satan showed up before them?
Me: I know...that would have been kind of scary huh?
Abbie: Yes, because Satan is super mean and I don't like him.
Me: Uh Huh...then getting cut off...
Abbie: And so anyway...that is a very special place the secret grove is.
Me: You are right...and did you know Abbie, that I have been there?
Abbie: YOU HAVE?! When?
Me: When I went to New York last summer with Daddy and Reed. It is a very special place, and it is very pretty.
Abbie: Sigh...Alright then...I guess I will change my plans. So this year for my birthday, FIRST we will go to Chuck E. Cheese's, SECOND we will go to the Secret Grove and THEN we will go to Cael's House. Don'tcha think that sounds like a good plan?

I actually did think it sounded like a pretty good plan!