We thought we would really throw Jack a surprise birthday party.....2 months early.  

He is always gone, for business, in August.  

We didn't want to miss the big 60.

Shelly organized a great time at the Flowrider (Rhodes Pool).
We are so grateful to have a Grandpa Jack in our lives.

Time to Blossom

Last week, Summer attended a young woman conference called 

"Time to Blossom." 

After a few tears of homesickness....

 she ended up having a great time.  

They stayed at a hotel all week....250 girls (can you imagine?)

  The highlights for her were speakers John Bytheway and Vivian Cline, dress-up party, service project,  and fashion show.  (She modeled her 2 year old dress from Target)  

Tie and Ice cream

I think my favorite Farnsworth tradition is the Tie and Ice cream. We all crowd into one of our homes, bring a treat, a missionary tie, and then have a short program about the importance and joy of missionary work.   It also is a way to show our love and support to the missionary(s) that is leaving to go out and serve. 

Last night we held one for Terry and Janet.  We did it a little different this time.  We had a theme of "Mighty Missionaries: Past, Present, and Future"

We had pictures of all the missionaries, that have served from our family,  posted on the walls

 (enlarged  to 11x 14 in black and white) 

 

One of my favorite quotes, shared by Janet:

"Ships are safe in the harbor, 

but that is not what ships are built for."

Father's Day

We were so lucky to have Papa over on Father's Day.  

I hope he liked our gluten-free version of Chicken Divan. 

We intentionally left out the broccoli..he's not a fan.

Papa shared a few boyhood stories that involved skunks, squirrels,

rabbits, and the demise of Dicky bird.  My kids were entertained.

Tom got a little TLC from the kids.

Summer gave him a facial, Cole and Meg rubbed his feet, 

and Isaac fed him peanut butter M&Ms...all at the same time.  

Election

I was so proud of this girl.  The pesky microphone was giving all the candidates trouble.  In the middle of Meg's speech it shorted out.  She just calmly picked up the "just in case" megaphone on the ground and continued on.  A few jokes and punch lines got lost in the transition, but she carried on.
She ended up losing to her friend Dallin.  There was no doubt that he won after he gave his speech.  Pretty clever.   He is a great kid.  
It took about 2 hours for the clouds to disperse and Meg's optimism came shining through.  "I think I'll bring my A game next year and run again...just not against Dallin."

Nationals

This is Powertap Ignited....consisting of Summer and her cousins.

I still can't believe all these girls were born within a year of each other.    

They just competed in their very first Powertap Nationals, last Saturday in Utah. 

Their coach Veva has done an amazing job.    

We sure lucked out having her marry into the family and then start a great powertap studio. 

They all had a great time and received a lot of blue ribbons.... even a trophy.

 

  Tom's mom came along.  What a trooper she is!

Words

I am not a great writer.  In fact, it is a source of frustration for me.   I feel like I can't capture what is swimming around in this head of mine, grab it,  and write it down.  I appreciate good writing and admire those that do it well.
An indulgence of mine are books and movies of the 19th Century.  I prefer this genre above all.
I think I am drawn to the way they spoke and communicated.  It is beautiful, descriptive, polite, and yet simple.  Every word counts.
My friend and old college roommate, Wendy, feels strongly about our spoken and written word.  I don't know how she feels about the 19th Century, but she is on a quest to help us increase our vocabularies and to use our words effectively and correctly.
So if your interested in honing your vocabulary- check out her new website the WORDSMITH PROJECT.

McCain Event

We helped host a McCain event last weekend.  

We are supporting him over Hayworth in this upcoming election.  

We have our differences and haven't always agreed

 with Senator McCain, but we feel he is a  better choice to represent AZ . 

  

Thank you to 

Denny and Nichole 

for opening 

up their beautiful

 home and 

co-hosting the event.  

My neighbor and good friend, Melody Larsen, catered.  It was beautiful and delicious.

Blake Barney and Cole were on parking and traffic duty.
They were tough on parking infractions.

I didn't get a shot with McCain, but I managed to get one with my Meg.

Our niece Molly with her husband Landon and cute Griff.  

They just moved back from Chicago and we are so excited to have them close.

This is Tom's sister,  Jill , who helped co-host this event.  

I admire this girl a lot.  She is always actively involved in a good cause.  

Jill just came and talked to our young men and young women about the dangers of pornography. 

 It was very effective and well received.  

She is very involved in CP80, a movement to evolve the internet to protect children.

Update

We had Farnsworth family photos this week.  There were  only 150 of us.  

We went to a gym and set up bleachers.  

 The last family picture we took was when Meg was 2--about 8 years ago.  

I snapped this one, while we were waiting ...

Thought I would give a little update on these kiddos.

Cole
Finally caught Summer and is now a smudge taller
Playing Football  
Going strong on the piano playing
Looking forward to getting his braces off
Still no cell phone on the horizon
Just received his patriarchal blessing
Straight As
Going to EFY this June
Gearing up to work this summer

Summer
Powertap competition in Utah this week
Looking forward to Musical Theater this summer
Playing piano 
Always up in her room playing her ukulele and singing
Looking forward to getting her braces off this summer
Finishing 6th grade and off to junior high
Straight A student 
Journal writer
Babysitting
Earning money for a young women conference this June

Meg
Running for student council this week
Just did 5 back hand-springs in a row
Reading a lot.  Finished the Gregor series and loved it
Reading the Alliance 
Spending free time with the Turks (Tom's sister)
Playing volleyball in the house......arrgh!
Cartwheels in the house.....arrgh!
Very loving
Working on being more open-minded about what she'll wear
Straight As
Taking care of  Peanut 
(Hasn't introduced him to anymore female bunnies and is willing to
pay to get him neutered)

Isaac
Kindergarten
Currently fascinated with astronauts and bats
Popsicles 
Always hungry
Still making his books
Reading
Wants more time with friends
Going over to Aunt Janet's
Riding his bike to Nana's 
Just discovered deviled eggs and is a big fan
Talking talking talking
Tuck-ins
Spontaneous hugs and I love yous
Journal Writer

Meg for Treasurer

I am always a bit nervous when my kids want to run for office.  

I feel like I have to deliver as their campaign manager....not a win---just

a good campaign.  I just want them to go into it feeling confidant --no matter the outcome.

Meg is running against a ton of kids...even a friend. 

 I tried to talk her out of it, but she has friends running for every office.  

It is tricky.

For those that know Meg, this fits.
(Thanks to my "Amy the great" for doing some of her media magic for us)

Happy 40th Tom!

He still has this same cute smiling face!  
We love you Tom!

"Hey, Stop That!"

This Easter weekend, Meg learned that it probably wasn't a good idea to

 introduce Mr. Peanut to a cute new female bunny.  

Meg got an "eye-full" and wasn't sure if she could ever look at him the same.
My brother's reply:  Mr Peanut just had the best Easter ever.

Family

We got a visit from the newlyweds Corey and Bridgette (youngest sister). 

 They surprised my mom on April Fools Day....and they got her good! 

 Out of 7 siblings, only the three oldest live here....and my brother and sister both live in Queen Creek (so we don't see them near enough).  Adam is in New Mexico, Aryn  in Idaho, Chad and Bridgette both in Utah.  So it is a big deal when family comes to visit.  

I do hold out hope that everyone will eventually end up here ...

and we'll live within "drop by and visit" distance from one another.
I  love being surrounded by Tom's family.  After we got married,
it was such a bonus to find out that I had joined
 such a great family.  I feel like I hit the jackpot.

General Conference, this past weekend, made me think a lot about
 the importance of our families and how grateful I am for all of them.

(Side note:  I am making a picture rule.  No more faces like that, Isaac.)

12 Year Old Conference Trip

We loved taking Summer to General Conference, along with these cute cousins and their parents.  She's been looking forward to her 12 year old trip.  They had a great time.  

My sister-in-law, Bonnie, had these necklaces made for them to remember the trip.  

There is a picture of the Salt Lake temple on one side and a CTR on the other.  

So cute....and so Bonnie to do something like that.

I was so glad to be there, in the conference center, with Summer.....my heart was full.

Park City

We headed to Park City for Spring Break....minus Meg.  

She  got invited to go to Chicago with Terry and Janet (Tom's sister).  

She was missed by all.  

I didn't remember to pack a camera...so I am so grateful to 

Tracey and Shawni for taking these photos.

I absolutely love watching my kids learn new skills.   Isaac was a good little skier and Cole snowboarded for the first time and did great.  The 3rd day was the big break-through for him.  

Summer got her cast off the day before we left and her ankle was still really sore.  She got almost one day of skiing in...and then was done.  

She still had a great time.

This is a fun bunch.

They all get-along great.

This was quite a different kind of ski trip than I experienced growing up.  We would wake up at 2 a.m. --sleep in the car, while my dad would drive us up to Sunrise (usually with our cousins the Bagleys.)  I always found it tricky to find ski clothing that fit.  Whatever we had--had to work.  It was usually clothing that was way too big.  I  am sure I looked pretty ridiculous in my get-ups.  For lunch, we would head to the parking lot and get our sack lunches out of the car--quickly.  My dad wanted to squeeze every ounce of skiing in.  He believed only lazy people went to the ski lodge and wasted time.   At the end of the day...it was my dad's goal to be the last on the lift and therefore the last skiers to be on the slopes.   I don't know why that was so important to him, but it was.  It was a big deal if we made it to the bottom of the mountain and didn't see anyone else on the slopes.  We hardly ever skied more than one day.  We would drive home that night. As exhausting as this seems to me now--I loved it.

The Dudes

Mike Zaharis, Tom, Denny Barney, Dave Pothier, Bill Okland, and Scott Simas

(Glad that Denny could even be with us.  He almost died a couple weeks before in a snow boarding accident that ripped his spleen in half...losing 8 units of blood.)

Doing a taste-test on our favorite dipped apples from two different stores. 

 If you're ever in Park City on Main Street don't waste your time at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory....go up the street to the Village Candy Shop...we all agreed it was much better!

Lots of Card Games and Liars Dice.

Summer & Karli Okland. 

 These two have been friends since they were toddlers.  

Gotta love those cute brace smiles.

Meg in Chicago

While we were in Park City....

Meg headed to Chicago 

to visit her cousin Molly's family. 

We missed her and found ourselves quoting her and talking about her a lot.  

She leaves a void when she isn't around.  

They made a video that captured

 all the things they saw and did.  

It was so well done...I wouldn't be suprised

 if she went into broadcasting one day.

Showing us why it got the nickname

 "The Windy City."

Hailing her first cab

This child just hates the camera..

 Watch Out!

 Check out the river that they turn bright 

green for St. Patrick's Day...how cool is that!

Uncle Terry is the best.

Thanks for taking such good care of her!

Incredible

This is my brother in law, Dave Collins, on his first bike ride

 since his accident .... just 5 months ago.  

His recovery has been nothing short of miraculous.  This has been a truly great example of the power of prayer and faith for our family. 

 Other than breaking his foot

 playing trampoline dodge ball with us on New Year's Eve....it has been a steady recovery (: 

(Dave is married to Tom's sister, Ruth)

14 Years Today

14 years ago, we had Cole.  I remember thinking the world suddenly changed.  

I couldn't believe how much parents loved their children....  

How much I loved this baby.  

Cole was good right from the beginning and has continued to bring us so much happiness.  

Happy Birthday.  

We love you Cole!  

Peruvian President

Our brother-in-law, Terry Turk was called to be the mission president of the Trujillo, Peru mission.  Terry is married to Tom's sister, Janet.  They report the first of July.  We will miss them something fierce.  They have helped raise my kids...no exaggeration.   Meg and Janet are kindred spirits.
They have been an incredible blessing to our family and we are happy for their new adventure....even though they will leave behind a huge void.