A little while before John's dad passed away, these absolutely wonderful people came for a visit. Their presence makes me realize that Oregon was not just a good dream but an awesome reality. Now that we have lived away from there for over two years, Oregon seems like an alternate reality. When people from Oregon come to visit it is like my two worlds collide. These people are welcome to crash my Utah reality anytime. They are the Minetto's, Or more lovingly referred to as our Oregon family. Literally my kids thought of the parents(Jan and Steve) as grandparents, and the kids(Kaitlyn and Tyler) as awesome uncles and aunts...if not that, well awesome babysitters!!! Kaitlyn is here at Provo to go to the Y(we don't hold it against her) And everyone dropped in to say hello. It was such a fun night. It made me miss my Oregon home, and long for a time when we got to see these and so many more amazing people more often. We promised to consider Oregon when John is done with residency, but truth is we would go back in a heart beat! Here is a shout out to all of those who touched our lives in Oregon. We love you and are so glad for the many amazing relationships created there!!!
I wanted to include this pic. Mark, John's brother made it possible. It is our last Farr family picture, taken last August at our family reunion. One brother was missing because of running his girlfriend back to Rockland, but Mark made it possible for all of us to be contained in this one picture. It is so priceless to us. No family has changed in growth yet, although it will in time. We were planning on taking a new family picture at John's brothers farewell. Things changed. Take family pics whenever you can, you never know what lies ahead and how much you will regret chances lost. When our family was up in Rockland in January visiting John's parents, the Spirit told me to take a picture of each of my kids with John's dad. I ignored the prompting, and as we were leaving I told John I had forgotten to do it. He said, "It's okay. It's not like he is going to die." And he didn't for another 8 months. I never did take those pictures. I can't believe I missed that opportunity. I am glad I have countless others for my kids to remember him by. Take pictures people.
The Monday after John's dad passed we wanted to go ride his horses...technically now our horses. We thought we would go honor him in that way. My own dad joined us to ride for a bit. I am glad I got a few pictures of it. Wish I had some of Ken on the horses but I don't. To many things I can think of like that, but you have to focus on what you do have.
This is right after grandparents day. It was the Friday of John's dad's viewing. My amazing mother-in-Love, came for it too, but left right after, so I didn't get her picture. Micah felt like the queen of the world having grandparents from both sides there. I am so grateful to live in Utah for that reason. Noah missed out on that with his grandparent days, I am glad Micah got this opportunity. I am in awe of Kerry and her desire to be there for Micah. We love her so much!
John's best man, Matt Willey, from our wedding happened to be in town that week, and we got to see him and his cute family. We love them. They are full of life and goodness. We technically are family since John's sister married Matt's brother, but even if we weren't the extended Willey family would still treat us like it. They always invite us to family functions. We love spending time with them. We love our Willey's.
Jill came for her yearly visit to see the Lyu's, and I got to take some pictures for them again this year. It is always a joy to see her. She adores her adopted family.
And then there was DeeKen's birthday. OI! What a crazy birthday this year. But thanks to a wonderful Aunt and Uncle DeeKen didn't feel the sting of Josie being sick with the flu, or Dad having to work on his Birthday. McKell and Joel took him to Chuckie Cheese and he was in Heaven!!!
He had always been a little afraid of the actual Chucky character, but allowed this pic to be taken!
Thank you SUPER HEROS! We love you so much!!!
Although Josie was not fully recovered, we decided to go ahead and have family come over for cake and ice cream on Sunday, the day following his birthday. DeeKen loved his cakeS that his Grandma Hyde made along with having his cousins over.
The day following that, Monday, I turned a little ward play group into a birthday party for Dee.
He had a great time, with some of his cute little friends. Yes, I do think he likes girls better than boys! Addy's(the one in green) mom told me that lots of her conversations with Addy started making a lot more sense when she realized that Deeken's name was DeeKen(Deacon) and that Addy was talking about him and not just one of the deaons in her brothers preisthood quorm.His preschool teacher call him the little casanova, because all the little girls seem to like him most of the boys. Don't worry ALL you moms who have your eyes set on this little man for your little girl, I am sure when he is older he will have his eyes set on her too. Hee hee!
We had to eat our donuts out in the van. The place wouldn't let me bring them in. But the kids didn't mind eating them in the car.
We finally got past DeeKen's birthday and I got to take some pictures of this handsome fellow. We love Kimball. Such a good guy to have around.
Here is another blast from our Oregon past. These guys happened to be in town, and we got to snap a few pics of them. These parents are very special people, and have two VERY special spirits in their home.
We are quite smitten in this family with Alli. I think Noah just adored her once he heard her read. She was 2. She is Amazing!
I got to take some pictures of this beautiful family. They make me smile and laugh. I wish I had as much talent as this woman has in her little finger. I guess I will just have to settle for being friends, and benefiting from her talent. Thanks Mangums!
This little girl makes me wish my daughter could take harp(hint hint Maryann...I will pay in 1013). Anyway, these were so fun to take. She has the cutest name too, McKentri. Love it.
I have this nasty habit of not clearing my SIM card before I start taking new pics. Well, that was the case with this, I took a lot of pics, and then needed to hurry and erase a lot. I forgot to look what I was erasing, and pretty soon there was only one pic left of the fun run. Oh well! Better that then some family pics, I could never take again or something. Noah and Micah and DeeKen and Josie all technically participated in the fun run, but only Noah and Micah were trying to earn money for their school while they got some good exercise in. It reminds me of this, it was only a few years ago, but seems like forever now. Time is going fast!
This puzzle is the result of hours of watching conference with my kids. Grandma took the initative to quietly entertain them. I LOVED Conference. It was so awesome! Can't wait to review the Ensign.
What a cute family? She is such a kind friend to me, and he is a well, kind of diligent home teacher!?! I am sure she could let her husband know if we needed anything! Thank You Hacketts for letting me take your pics!
Noah is now a bobcat or wolf, or something. I really don't remember, we just do the stuff with him and sign it off, and smile big when he pins stuff on us. I am so happy he is enjoying scouts. My dad loves that he loves it. John is not an EAGLE, and that is a tradition of my dad's I know he would like to carry on. When my dad's mom contracted polio on a Friday night and was near dying by Sunday, a nurse wrote down her last requests. One was for her boys to become an Eagle Scout. It is important to my family.
This is me on my first girl's weekend without my kids 10, 20, 1,000 miles within reach. I went to Texas with my mom for my nieces baptism. Eliza had the unfortunate luck of being born during hunting season, and I got the fortunate honor of going in my father's place. My mom pointed out to me that all of us kids were born in the spring and there was good reason for that.I had a great time in Texas. It wasn't really a girl's only weekend though. Which was fine, my brother has cute boys that kept me entertained. When they didn't, I enjoyed the shopping and lots of book reading.
It was super fun, but I was very happy to see my family again. Which is always good to know. That you would miss them I mean. Cuz there are CRAZY days in my life, when getting OUT sounds really nice. It's good to know it wouldn't last long, I would miss the crazy!
Eliza's baptism was great. Unexpectantly, Amy Hyde was asked to say the closing prayer. It was very unexpected, and it took me a minute to realize who Amy Hyde was. So happy for Eliza to take the next step on her journey of becoming a disciple of Christ. Makes you grateful for a knowledge of the RESTORED gospel.
Well, I may get to add a few pics later of John's youngest brother's mission farewell. What a stalwart young man. Leaving for two years right after your father passed away three weeks earlier. He must KNOW who he is going to serve. Love that Kid!
John and I also got to go to the cabin this last weekend with his two sisters and their families. I always enjoy being around them. Love them so much. Especially love what good hard workers they are when it comes to cooking and clean up. They are truly Kerry's daughters when it comes to that. I love them, love her. I am so thankful for my in-loves.
and that is a wrap for now. Things are always happening in this house, hopefully I will be back soon!
