Crowe's Nest Farm

It's Spring Break here and we just got back from a visit to Crowe's Nest Farm! It is a learning farm in nearby Manor, TX where they do field trips and stuff to the kids about agriculture and animals. The kids LOVED it! Connor liked the big red barn. Most of the animals are "rescued" animals and they have quite a variety...even prairie dogs, vultures, llamas, a reptile and bug room, turtles, etc.
We got to see how they milk a cow (with machines) and they talked about where the milk goes before you can drink it. The baby cow was just outside the door bawling for his mom.

And of course in Texas what is a farm without Longhorns. Zach kept making the University of Texas longhorn hand sign every time we passed them.

We got to go on a "hay ride."

Zach thought it was so cool when the ostriches started running alongside the wagon (they were going to get fed so they all came running).

Connor was in heaven because I let him do the whole thing without the stroller (until lunch). But he loves to take off running and not hold my hand, so he did a lot of tantrums on the ground. He's got to learn sometime! By the last five minutes or so he finally resigned himself to holding my hand and it was much better. I felt a little bad for the older kids that we couldn't stop longer to see all of the animals...oh well. Such a sweet face that's hard to resist.

Jacob with the llamas and emus

This was the tunnel to the "Fairie Wood." I think it's based on a children's book or something. Connor loved this tunnel and would run back and forth underneath.

Zach waves at any animal he passes...I just think it's so sweet.

Savannah was AMAZED at the size of this pig. She just stood there staring at it. If you don't know Savannah well she loves pigs...they're one of her favorite animals (because they're usually pink of course).

We finished up with a picnic lunch. Connor was asleep about a minute after we got in the car. It was a very fun morning with friends at the farm. We'll definitely be going back!

Little Iron Man

This is an update for Connor's journal. A couple of weeks ago when he was sick Connor had to get blood work done to see what kind of infection he had. They figured that out at the doctor's office that day, but a few days later they called to tell me he was anemic. They had us come back in to get more blood to re-test his iron levels. Yep, he's anemic. So now every morning he gets liquid Zyrtec for allergies and iron drops. How do I get him to take both of these things without spitting it all out (the child who is the pickiest eater in the world and hates the taste of anything new)? I sneak up behind him, lean over really quick, jam it into the side of his mouth and squirt...if I stick it in far enough he has to swallow before he can spit. Then I wait a minute and sneak up again to do the other one. So far it's been pretty successful.

The Meanest Mom

I found an awesome Mom Blog. If you're a mom go to:

http://www.themeanestmom.blogspot.com/

Thanks Karl!!! You fixed my blogger problem...that was easy enough.

Rainy day

To start off I'd like to congratulate Dallin's sister Stephanie and her husband Dave. They had a baby girl yesterday and we're so excited for them! They named her Allison...not sure of the spelling. We can't wait to see her!

Today is very cold and drizzly. Savannah, Connor and I were supposed to go visit a farm this morning, but that got postponed. Instead we went shopping at SuperTarget (my favorite store I think) and the scout store. Jacob was so excited to try this on when he got home from school. This picture is for Grandma. Connor can't say Jacob, but he calls him "Ub" or "Ubs." Luckily Jacob thinks it's cute and loves it.


Connor LOVES puzzles lately. He also loves the ABCs and counting. He has been bringing me these numbers one by one throughout the day proudly saying what it is. His counting sounds something like this..."unnn, eeuw, eeeee, fours, fives, iiii, enen, eight, nine, en!" Zach was being a nice brother and actually helping him get them in the right spot. I brought out the camera and Connor said "eeeeeeeeese!"

Youth Conference Weekend

This past weekend was our stake's youth conference. I had been sick during the week (caught what Connor had) but was finally feeling better by Friday thankfully. It started with registration, a fireside and a dance on Friday evening (another leader went to that one). I attended ALL day Saturday. I left my house at 7:15am and got home at 11:00pm. I did get to come home for one hour in the middle to take a shower and say hi to my family for 10 minutes.

It was an ARMY theme...Always Righteous Mormon Youth. In the morning we split up for various service projects. I was with a group that went to the Humane Society. We moved furniture, did yard work, swept, mopped, etc. Then we came back for lunch. After that was 6 rotations of "Boot Camp." I got to participate in an obstacle course since they needed an extra person. For part of it you had to put your nose to a baseball bat, spin around 8 times, then run down a long white line. I thought I was completely up and following the line when next thing I knew I was on the ground sideways. It was pretty funny. I also got to climb a rock wall. By that point I was so exhausted that I didn't have the energy to go all the way to my car for my camera. This picture was taken after the rotations. I know I was in a couple of pictures taken so I'll try to get them and post them later. Pretty fun group of kids!



After taking a shower we went back for dinner, a talent show, and a dance. Last night (Sunday) there was another fireside and testimony meeting...another leader went to that one. It was a fun time and a great experience. The stake leaders did an awesome job! Dallin played Superdad again and had the kids for the ENTIRE day. Thanks Dallin!

Now we get to start getting ready for Jacob's baptism and packing for our cruise!!!

Cub Scouts!

Jacob started cub scouts on Friday! They had a special Pinewood Derby kick-off. He got to bring his sleeping bag and watch a Derby movie. I snuck in a little early to take a picture (he's in the bright blue sleeping bag). He had a lot of fun and is really excited to be a cub scout. His birthday isn't for almost 3 weeks, but since the Pinewood Derby is after his birthday he'll get to attend any activities that are for that. My baby is growing up!!!

Blankie Repair

Savannah has a beloved blanket that she's carried around since she was a baby. The edges have been falling off (literally) for the last year or so. On Saturday it finally got a big hole in the side. So we did some "blankie" repair. I cut off all the nasty sides and then sewed it up again. Savannah is thrilled...and I'm excited not to find blanket threads all over the house. She's getting used to the fact that it's smaller, it doesn't quite cover her as well when she watches movies.

Rock Climbing!

The boys helped celebrate their friend Ethan's birthday on Friday night. He asked a couple of friends to go rock climbing with him at a place called The Main Event. Zach was so excited and completely loved it. Erin said he made it to the top a few times. Jacob was more hesitant but said he would try it. Even though he never made it to the top this time he loved it and had a great time. Thanks for the fun time Ethan!