Happy Easter from Idaho

Do you like our "new" Easter outfits? It has been a great day here with a little sunshine, but I don't know if it is cold or not--been inside watching conference all day. Grandpa and Jo came for dinner between sessions--he couldn't chew the meat (it was kind of tough) and Jo couldn't eat the pie! Oh well, at least they came to enjoy the time with us. We are glad to be able to have some company once in a while.
We apologize for putting Pedro on the answering machine. His Spanish was a little better than ours or was he really speaking in English?
Conference was the greatest. Don't we all have a lot to live up to. If we just put our lives more in focus with the Savior, all things are possible--even being good parents and grandparents!!!
It was fun for me (Grandpa) to be with most of you for a spell last week. Laurie, when I see you again I hope you can play me a couple of tunes on your piano and have Hyrum eating mashed potatoes, so that when he comes to Idaho we can spoil him on real "spuds." Janie, the bread turned out awesome. It was the best bread mom has ever made! We are looking into opening a Yogurt Vibes franchise here in Idaho Falls, so be ready when you come up this way. Amy, I was so impressed with your family reading the Book of Mormon each morning....keep up the good work! Seriously, if you need us to start saving money for a fund to keep Dallon in pants that are long enough, let us know. Doug, I don't know how you do it! With all of the extras living at your house and the mold trying to push you out...hang in there! We would be happy to come when you need to "move back in" but we can talk about that later this week. Darin, I am anxious to see your legs in a couple of weeks when you have worn your new birthday shorts for a while!
It was a fun Spring Break for me even though the weather did not cooperate. We love you all and look forward to seeing you. With the good weather coming, we will have to come to Utah more often and play together. We love you all and wish you all the very best. Mom and Dad

Cheek to cheek...

Hello all--from the sunny state of Arizona! I don't know who designed the Cabbage Patch dolls, but REALLY????
I just thought I would take a moment to update you all on our "exciting" lives here in AZ...not alot going except beautiful weather and the intoxicating smell of orange blossoms :) It is heavenly!!
Tessa is a busy body--in to everything...except her own toys of course! She loves to play outside and always wants to go to the park. She has officially learned my least favorite word of all time "swinging?"--and just recently learned to say "Zip it!"....thanks to me. Lots of "TUDE"--but we were expecting at least a little. She's hilarious!
Christopher is our rock star! He loves to rock out--playing Rock Band with Kelly and the others. He's quite the little dancer--and LOVES to run, jump, and tackle. He's learning about reverence--hmmmmmmm....and can't wait for the water in the pool to be warm enough for a dip!
Carter is doing really well in school--just has a problem with talking too much--surprise, surprise! He is also enjoying playing flag football--and the coach just put him in as the starting quarterback for every game. He's doing really well and LOVES it--of course, it's time spent with dad and his best buddies. He's getting tall and growing up way too fast!
Kenna is all about sparkles, jewelry, and karaoke! She is in a gymnastics class right now and really loves it. She has finally mastered her splits and is working on her bridge and back walk-over (what?). She cracks me up with her fun fashion sense--which is basically that anything goes. She can't wait to come for Kousin's Kamp and talks about it all the time!
Kelly is keeping up with all that's going on! He's enjoying school, loves serving with our Bishop, and is plowing through things at work. He tries to be at Carter's football practice, wrestle with Chris, listen to Kenna's stories, and tickle Tess--and has no choice but to listen to me yak--because I do it whether he's listening or not :).
And I am doing GREAT! I just ran a 4.6 mile "mom's race" this morning and ran the entire distance in 50 minutes...a huge accomplishment for me--it's the farthest I've ever run and my mile was just over 10 minutes. I can't believe I did it--but there are pictures to prove it! Girl's Camp is coming along really well. It is interesting to watch the Lord's hand in the planning and preparation. I work with a neat group of women. I am also working of the US Census right now and it's been quite the learning experience and I have definitely come away with a greater appreciation for my life and how blessed I am.
I do have one goal though--I am going to try to be better at staying in touch with all of you! I am not so good at it--and have no great excuses! If I can worry about getting my visiting teaching done each month, surely I can make time to see how you all are doing--after all--family counts most...right!? I love you all and can't wait to hear how you are doing!