Summer 2011 New Hampshire visit

This spring, my father and stepmom were released from their mission.  They headed back up to Berlin and rented from my stepbrother's girlfriend.  In June, I went back home to New Hampshire to spend time with them and some of my siblings.  During my visit there was a pool birthday party for both my father and my niece because their birthdays are a matter of a couple of days apart.  We also took the opportunity for a quick family snapshot.  The one above is with my father.  Unfortunately, one brother and a sister were not in attendance.  It is a rarity for all of us to get together, so it is nice when at least four of us get together for family events.  

Trip to Kirtland

Well, so it's been a long time since our last post. Life has been really crazy and hectic around here with so many projects, our callings, and so on.
We finally had the opportunity to breathe a moment and relax back in Palmyra, New York with a detour trip to Kirtland. We flew in August 30th to Rochester, NY. My father and stepmom are serving a facilities management mission in Palmyra and got special permission to take us to Kirtland for a couple of days to see all of the sites there and the surrounding areas. We left the next morning for Ohio.
We first went to the temple (we were advised to do that first and so glad we did) and then we went on the Church's historical sites tour. Such a difference in the Spirit apart from a fee we had to pay to take a tour of the temple...still interesting to see where things took place over 170 years ago.
The most impressive place that I felt was the room above the Newel K. Whitney Store. It was one of the places where Christ appeared and where Joseph received the revelation on the Word of Wisdom.
The next day we went to the John Johnson Farm about 30 minutes away and glad we went. It was on his front steps that Joseph taught the next morning after being tarred and feathered. We went to an Amish restaurant for lunch - that was fun.
I will try to post more from our visit to Palmyra later.

Snow for a day

Texas is known for its warmer weather where we live. El Nino supposedly has touched us this season causing many much-needed rainstorms and colder temperatures. We have had several occasions when the Canadian air has pushed its chill down here. The lowest temp we have recorded was at the end of December at 7.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
More recently, on February 23rd, it had been predicted that we were to have snow flurries. Many were skeptical if they would actually come and stay.
Fortunately, I awoke to snow falling that morning. It was so beautiful. I have missed it so much seeing how I grew up with snow practically everywhere I have lived - New Hampshire, Utah and Idaho.
Our neighbors ceased the moment and built a snowman. Moo didn't know what to really think of it - he wanted to eat it but was hesitant. And he didn't really like walking in it either. Jared, of course, took advantage of making snowballs only to attempt to hit me (I was faster at moving once I got nailed off-guard).
I had been secretly desiring for snow this winter and I guess my wish came true!

The Fruits of Our Labors

I love to eat fruit. The first spring here in our house we decided to start a fruit orchard. We planted apples, pears, plums, peaches and figs. These last two years were very hot and dry and then this winter was very wet but cold. (The lowest measured was 7 degrees F). Long story short some of our trees did not make it. So we replaced them and added a few more. Now we have two appples (Gala and Mollies Delicious), one pear (kieffer) , two plums (Methly and Morris), two peaches (Flordaking and Harvester) and two figs (Texas Ever-bearing). I had some practice pruning them yesterday which turned out well for my first time. I hope to keep the trees tall enough so the deer don't get them and short enough so I can. Future trees on our list are: Paw Paw, Persimmon, Pomegranate and Apricots. We are also trying our luck with thornless blackberries and grapes.

One little, two little, three little chickies...

While running some errands a couple of Saturdays ago, we picked up these three, new little chicks. Two of them are Americanas (Jared is hoping for blue eggs this time around) and the black one is a Jersey Giant. We thought she was pretty but we shall see how she fairs in the hot weather this summer. They all seem to be the latest "hot item" to watch in the house with two curious cats.
It is amazing to see how fast they grow up too. A lot of their striped-like feathers are coming in on their wings. The black one has not changed much however.
We hope when they are big enough that the other four will adapt well to them.

Happy 30th, Jared!

Recently, we went to Arizona to visit one of Jared's sisters and her family for Christmas. On the following Sunday Jared turned the big 3-0! He picked out the pineapple-flavored cake mix which I made. Nicole "whipped" up some yummy cream cheese frosting and I got to try my hand at writing on the cake (not so lovely) while Joshua and Hannah helped decorate the cake with M&Ms and Hotwheels cars. They were great little helpers and did a wonderful job!

Family Picture 2009

Merry Christmas, ya'll. We took this in our backyard again. It always seems to be the best backdrop. And I cannot believe it is December so soon again!
Just a quick update. Our fall garden has officially died. After two hard frosts (lower than 32 degrees), the only things still alive are: cabbage, onions, and carrots. We managed to keep many things alive before the first hard frost so we were able to harvest some green beans just in time for Thanksgiving. Jared managed to save a few spaghetti squashes. I was hoping for a butternut to be ready in time for Christmas but they all died. So sad...a great loss with all our tomatoes and pepper plants that perished. Well, there is always next year. It could be a great year with all the rain we have received and continue to be blessed with!
Moo has improved in strides (compared to when we got him). He loves to play. What a free spirit he is! Run, run, run! He has learned how to fetch sticks then proceeds to chew on them. And when Dad comes home it is outdoor play time! Of course, he is still my siamese twin practically. He is the official protector of Mum. He barks and growls if someone is coming to the door.
The cats are still frisky and chubby. Kitty needs to go on a diet. I have been trying to feed her a lot less but it is difficult with another cat in the house. Jared managed to get a mysterious gift at a Christmas party we went to and it ends up that it is none other than a cat toy! They were not too amused with it however.
Jared's work is going well - steady and surely. We figure we are simply so blessed just to have employed in such a turbulent time. And he still is very busy with his present calling as Elders Quorum President. I have stayed quite busy as Relief Society Secretary. What a joy it has been to serve so many and to be side-by-side with such wonderful sisters!
Anyhow, we hope you all have a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year blessed with good health, peace, happiness, and true joy!