A Gorgeous Easter Weekend

It is Middleton Unplugged this month, so life has been slightly different this past week--better! Our personal family rules have evolved over the years as we have seen what enhances our unity and what detracts, so we are allowing movie night on Fridays and made some exceptions for Easter, but for the most part the computers and Ipod's get turned off right after school and we spend our "entertainment" time in other ways. Lily and Sophie's teacher told their class that any night that they participate in "Unplugged" they get out of homework. Since we participate the entire month, the twins are excited; I'm concerned.=) We've had to come to some mother/daughter compromises (no matter what the teacher says) so that they don't flunk their spelling tests, and their reading levels don't suffer, but I do let them eliminate their "busy work", so they are happy--mostly. Last week the community events included a mother/daughter makeover night at one of the local spa's, which the twins adored, and the infamous YMCA night, which everyone enjoyed. There aren't any grand and exciting "events" planned for this week, but I so look forward to the serenity of radio-free days, happy kids playing outside, and quality family time. This month is always such a good tech withdrawal time for all of us. I think it helps us realign our priorities--especially during family hours.

Mikayla is home for 10 days for her Spring Break. Everyone just soaks in her company when she is here. She has transitioned to college so well--straight A's, except Spanish, which is giving her a little run for her money. She just got a job on campus driving people around in a 16 person mini-van. She'll start that as soon as she goes back and she's excited to have some financial resources.=) It will entail a lot of waiting-for-people time so she'll also be able to study on the job, which is perfect. We've all been praying for her and I know this is a blessing.

We enjoyed a beautiful Easter day--gorgeous weather! We were able to have our traditional Easter dinner out on the lawn and take our first official family Sunday walk, with Eden practicing her photography skills, which is what she has decided to study in college. This morning the weather was back down to 36 degrees, but we'll take whatever bits of sun that we can get. I'm hoping those bits become more lengthy soon, because the kids (minus Mikayla) are out of school on the 16th, due to the schools being out of money. Crazy! We're all ready to be done. I think we were all ready at Spring Break!

One of Jordan's best friends, who just returned from his mission, came over for FHE last night. It was fun to hear all about his mission experiences and just hang out like old times. These kids get into your heart and no matter where they go--or for however long--they aget embedded for keeps. It was an enjoyable evening and we had to force the younger kids into bed, while he was still visiting. They were only content when Luke and Mikayla consented to play them guitar lullabies until they fell asleep. Good times.

Quote of the week: 

“The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.” ― Barbara Kingsolver

Saturday Easter Egg Hunt

 

 

Dividing the Spoils

Easter Morning Basket

Easter Morning Breakfast

Easter Morning Clothing

Sun in Our Eyes--Feeling New Like Spring

Traditional Easter Picnic--Weather Permitting Roasted Fish and Asparagus, Pilot Bread, Olives, Grapes, Tamarind Pods, Broken Cheese, Nuts, Grape Juice--and Sun!

Pretty in Pink

The only pretty spot in our yard--but it makes me happy.

First Sunday Family Walk of the Season

Sisters

Sneaking a Peek

Picking Grass for the Horses

Feeding the Horses--Grass and Jellybeans=)

Proof of Spring

Abe Being "Gangsta"

Coming Back Home--Fred's Ingenious Carrying Tool

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 5:43 PM

Dear Bloomin Bloomers,
   This week was so great, obviously because of conference, Oh man it seems like it passes so fast as the years go on the anticipation come and then its gone without you even noticing.  I loved it though It is always a great learning experience for me and good battery booster.  I watched it live in english except for two talks we went into the chaple to watch in spanish because it was super hot and stuffy in the room that we were in.  The only reason I like it better in english is because I can hear there voice and there is feeling. I thought it was funny when Elder Christofferson said that big word and then was like, transilate that... ha ha ha poor translators.  I think the thing I learned most is that to be happy I need to work hard and have a good focus on my family,  I wrote down a lot of stuff that they talked about in raising children,  wow thats a huge responsibility that I am a little scared for.  Thank you mom and dad for being such good teachers and examples to us. 
   So spring break was the classic rain hu,  maybe we can move down here there was nothing but sun and heat the whole time.  Sometimes Elder Palmer talk about what we are going to do after the mission.  So much to do so little time.  Dad I was thinking, would I get a discount if I went to steven henegers?  Just brainstorming here.  I could to the track of that to see if medicine and all that is what I really want to do with my life.  But if not I would always have something be the back up if other plans fell through, or for work during college, cuz I don´t got no money. anyway just to get that out there but I still have plenty of time.
   We have been working with a young boy that will be baptised on friday, he has a super short attention span and by short I mean shor...hey wow this computer screen is super bright... if you know what I mean.  He is a super smart kid just needs some focusing.  We are excited for him though, I hope it is a good experience for him, this past lesson Elder Palmer had some good Ideas to get him interactive and involved so I think he liked it much more.  Other than that we have a few more investigators that are progressing slowly but surely.  The field is white and we are ready to harvest.
I love you all heaps and heaps, have a bodacious week.
Love
Elder...

A Bit of Earth

I've been thinking about Mary and Martha today. So many lessons have been taught from their brief experience recorded in the scriptures and most often Mary's example is the one whose choice was considered best among both good choices, but I was pondering how incredibly I love conference and the powerful, encircling Spirit that comes when sitting at the feet of the apostles and how easy it would be to just sit there indefinitely and steep in that atmosphere and how sometimes I just want to do that continuously. But after emulating Mary, the necessity to emulate Martha always comes and sometimes, for some people--for me--that is the more difficult expression of discipleship. The whole grace without works doctrine seems to invariably trip me up. "Just do it!" is an arduous discipline
.
Most Personally Piercing Conference Thoughts
*Before I hear the words, "well done" from my Heavenly Father, I hope to hear them from my mortal father. (Boyd K. Packer)
*Teach children to understand the doctrines in the context of what they are experiencing in the very
   moment...these are spontaneous and cannot be planned. (Cheryl A. Esplin)
*It is possible to be active in the church and inactive in the gospel. (Donald L Hallstrom)
*Give me this mountain!...The way to rise above trials is to believe that there is a balm in Gilead. (Henry B. Eyring)
 *Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?...Envy is equivalent to downing a quart of pickle
   juice anytime anyone is blessed around us. (Jeffrey R. Holland)
*Let us not live our lives in regret of what we did or did not do. (Robert D. Hales)
*Live to lift the burden of others (David S. Baxter)
*You can't be right by doing wrong, you can't be wrong by doing right (Ulisses Soares)
*Have the courage to refrain from judging others. (Quenton L. Cook)
*Be cautious with humor. A good sense of humor helps revelation, loud laughter will not. (Richard G. Scott)
*How can we deny for others the grace we so desperately desire for ourselves. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
*When you come upon a drowning person would you ask if you could help, or would it be better to just jump in. Asking if you can help, is no help at all. (Ronald A Rasband)
*It is your privilege to go into homes and exchange robes for rags. (Julie B. Beck)
*Come back, come up, come home, come to me. (Pres. Monson)
*Family and values are the cause--everything else is effect...Put everything you do outside of the home in subjection to everything you do in it. (M. Russel Ballard)
*We lose any power or authority we may have from God when we choose to control others...Wise parents prepare their children to get along without them..."Oh look who is here, and are we glad, and isn't she beautiful." (Larry Y. Wilson)
*Share the gospel in natural and normal ways. (David F. Evans)
*Those unanchored by the sacred will find themselves morally adrift on a secular sea. (Paul B. Pieper)
*What thinks Christ of Me? (Neil L. Andersen)
*May we be better than we were two days ago, when this conference began. (Pres. Monson)

Spring Break
Of course it rained...and rained...and rained, but we anticipated that and enjoyed each others company reading, playing games, (lots of Twister) shopping for Eden's Prom, watching movies, rollerblading with the extended family (thank you Ben and Renee for your generosity and for your music=), participating in cousin sleepovers (thank you Renee and Lori for being such incredible hostesses to my children) and then magically, in between Saturday sessions of conference the sun came out and warmed to 70 degrees and we were ecstatic to get our hands in the earth weeding and pruning. By the next session it was gone, but it was a gloriously tender mercy and made us so grateful for Spring. I am not ready for school to start up again. I do not look forward to those quiet days by myself, but I am looking forward to Easter and Mikayla coming home and the hope of more sunshine, so moving forward is good.

Life Lessons
Temporally, I don't consider myself to be overly high maintenance (of course probably no one considers themselves that way). If given a choice, I prefer security to "things" and because it is a choice I am  generally content with the tangible things that I have--sometimes when Fred goes through my closet, he thinks I am too content,=) but for the past few months my farm girl yearnings have become intense. "Just for fun"--I've told myself--Fred and I have been driving around Middleton "just dreaming" about land. Friday, we were driving down this quiet little road with unkempt houses and tiny properties everywhere, getting closer and closer to the river and suddenly there was the prettiest, green, rolling acres--over 25 of them--with a for sale sign right out front. It was the first time that the dream had materialized visibly and when it was staring me down I couldn't help but start putting dreams into facts and figures and of course those figures revealed that the dream was actually a fantasy. and with that realization of reality came a deep disappointment and longing for me and somewhere along the way discontentment and envy starting seeping in to my heart. We have these goals and plans in place that seem painfully plodding. They are goals and plans that we have chosen, that fit within our circumstances but sometimes I get tired of always being sensible..of always waiting, and when I get tired I start looking around me with distorted eyes, seeming to be the only one with unfulfilled hopes and wishes. I had such trouble sleeping Friday night, but Saturday afternoon, Elder Holland, who I am convinced writes his talks specifically for me, forcefully reminded me where "fairness" and envy fit in the grand scheme of things. I am so grateful that those feelings were addressed and nipped before they could fester longer than a day. Isn't it amazing how Heavenly Father knows counsel that we will need and prepares the way for us to receive it before we even have a problem? I love that. It makes me feel safe and nurtured. I know, deep down, that no tangible things can determine joy or peace or even contentment--that has to come from inside and I have some work to do there while I am methodically working toward material comforts that are merely wants. I do know that my family is richly blessed, and that even so, my Heavenly Father cares about my hopes and dreams--even if they are only wants--and maybe--one day--if I am very careful, wise, patient, and generous, I may earn my farm girl dreams and " a bit of earth", "by the sweat of [our] brows", but I will wait and be joyful now.

Quote of the week
"Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is." --Maxim Gorky

Twister--not pretty--especially when you play with a family of cheaters!

Extended Family Fun at the Nampa Rollerdrome

Roller Blade Limbo

Crack the Whip

Nurturing the Crack the Whip Crash Victim

Older Girls Sleepover

Conference Break

The suave way to "lick" the bowl

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan
Date: Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 6:28 PM
Subject: todo esta bien

Dearest family,
  First I will let you know that everything is perfectly fine, we did have an earthquake but the earth just quaked and that was all nothing else.  I was in a families house and the light started swinging and then every thing just felt like jello, it is one of the strangest things I have ever felt.  We looked out side and there was a wall of brick and cement and it looked like pudding just swaying back and forth, I liked it a lot, good birthday present. ha ha Second thank you for all of your birthday wishes,  its crazy how great a few written words can be worth.  I had a wonderful birthday some members invited us over for cake and a little girl that was 8 years old made me a birthday hat and drew me a picture.  Today the zone came over we made pancakes for breakfast and then they made me a cake and sang to me and then we went and played some intence american football.  I am glad that you had a party there as well by Abes faces I can tell it was good and fun, that is what I like.  It was also fun to see the twins in there baptism dresses, they look like beautiful princesses. 
  So you had family home evening with Luke hu how is he has he changed at all, Luke if you are reading this, miss ya man hope you are doing well.
  Down here in santiago in Ñuñoa 3 Elder Palmer and I are just going to town, we have so much fun each and everyday.  The other night while we were making our way to the house we saw a couple making out in the middle of the park, for some reason that seems to be the thing to do here, so we stoped and gave them a Law of Chastity Pamphlet, and very nicely told them maybe they could read it together, before continuing and we left them with that.
  We are working with quite a few people right now 3 of which came to church on Sunday.  I think that they will get baptised within the month of April.
I love you all so much
Elder...

Birthday fotos

Birthdays, Baptisms and Blessings

It was Jordan's 21st birthday yesterday. I was thinking about him all day, (not that that is a monumental occasion =) and pondering what it is specifically that I love most about him and of course I could think of a long list before I had barely started, but the truth of the matter is that the reason I most love him is simply because he is mine. And that has given me an added insight into the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us, simply because we are his. Satisfaction, peace, hope, joy and so many other feelings are strengthened by the behaviors of our children--by His children--but love has no strings attached. We love our children--He loves His--because they are literally a part of us. If I love my boy this much--if I have this boundless love for all of my children,  I can only imagine how much our Heavenly Father loves each one of us. I am so thankful for my children and for being a Child of God.

This weekend was crazy and busy and fabulous. Fred and I went on our date Thursday, since the weekend was packed. We went to see the movie War Horse. I was a bit anxious because of the themes and because of the rating, but I had reviewed it meticulously. It was exceptionally hard and beautifully done, if you can say that about a movie that shows the waste and evils of war. I was impressed with the restraint used in being visually graphic, but it was no watered down version of war. It was personal and emotionally painful and incredible food for thought. Of course the fact that all the young men were close to Jordan's age and the main character reminded me of Jet, didn't help my emotions, but we had to wait until the credits were almost done rolling just so I could get enough control to walk out of the theater without making a scene. I would never put that weight on my youngest children, but it was a good reminder that no one wins in war and that life--all life--is precious.

We are so glad Mikayla was able to make it home this weekend. She thought she had a ride to come down for Lily and Sophie's baptism, but Monday she found out that there was some miscommunication and the ride was actually going to SLC, not Boise. I'm not sure how that difference could be misinterpreted, but weirder things have happened. That started some stress here at home, and both Mikayla and I were searching and scrambling, but by Wednesday evening we were getting really nervous and had to start looking at all of our options. I sat Lily and Sophie down and started laying out the different choices, but when I got to the awful choice of going ahead without Mikayla, Lily dug in her heels and said, "No! No way! I am not getting baptized without Mikayla!" You don't cross Lily, so we immediately dropped that option, since it wasn't a good one anyway and luckily didn't have to go through with any of the other options as our prayers were answered by the co-worker of the father of a Middleton boy who was also trying tirelessly to get home. Our prayers are constantly answered by people around us.

It was so nice to have all of the family in town, as well as Mom and Dad come for the baptism. It was so nice that you could all help to make the rushed dinner happen and it was so nice to be at the YW conference with the Mom's and teen girls. It wasn't relaxed, but warming just the same. The baptism was a sweet experience and I felt the implications even more keenly, I think because these little girls are my last. I feel so blessed to have the responsibility of these two-at-a-time at the end of this phase of motherhood. 

Yesterday a friend of Mikayla's had his missionary farewell and a friend of Jordan's had his homecoming--both at the same time but different places. We stayed for Mikayla's friend, since he was leaving and then quickly drove over to another building so we could visit Jordan's friend after his meeting. He will be coming over for FHE tonight to share some of his mission experiences with us and we are so excited. 

Mikayla had to leave during the block so we took the other kids back to their classes at our ward building and then Fred and I brought Mikayla home for her ride pick-up and then we went back to church. Fred got pretty teary eyed as he backed out of our driveway. Those father/daughter--mother/son relationships are something unique. Our children are our world. She'll be back in 2 weeks for her Spring break. The other kids are out this week. We had a few promising days of weather, but the forecast is threatening the usual Spring break weather of rain. No matter what the weather does, we are going to enjoy being together. Of course Fred doesn't get time off, but we'll party with him when he's here.

A funny thing happened yesterday. At the beginning of our sacrament meeting our Bishop called up Sophie and Lily to recognize them for being baptized. We were sitting on the very back row of the chapel, and they were sitting next to each other in the middle of the row, so when they heard their names they both stood up, immediately turned opposite ways and simultaneously walked up both aisles to the stand. There was a soft chuckle and I heard a few, "that's so cute" comments. It was kind of humorous. They didn't seem to think anything of it. Independent little girls.=)

I am anxiously anticipating the next few weeks and months: General Conference, Easter, Mikayla home for break, and summer just around the corner. The symbolism of the sun and it's effect on our physical and emotional well being and the Son and His effects on our spiritual well being (which encompasses all of our "being") is never as profound as it is when Spring is preparing to emerge. That warmth and light and life is an amazing source of power and with it comes such hope. I love this gospel. I love my Savior. I feel truly blessed.

Quote of the week: "Those who are ruled by others are called slaves, those who are ruled by self are called knaves, but those who are ruled by God are called free men." (may not be an exact quote and I didn't catch who he was quoting, but something I heard Bishop Porter (Middleton 4th ward Bishop) say as we slipped into Luke's ward at the close of their sacrament mtg. and which I thought was profound.)

BAPTISM DAY

Lovely Lily

Sweet Sophia

My polar peas in a pod

At the church

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan
Date: Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 5:04 PM

My most dearest loved ones,

                   Why is life so wonderful.  Me and Coty or Elder Palmer were just talking about how we as missionaries really have the best lives in the world.  We don´t have any worries in the world, assosiated to needs we always have food, a good house, wonderful friends, we help people to change their lives for the beter.  To have the life of a missionary is a blessing and an oportunity that most people only could dream of,  yeah sure there are hard times but if there wern´t life would be boring. If life was just always perfect and there were no struggles there would be nothing to work toward and no chance of progression.  

  Thank you every week for your letters they just remind me of the paradise I have waiting for me back at home as well as well.  Today we celebrated three birthdays that were super close together.  We had a small bbq and then played some american football on a turf field, and to end it off we are going to a FHE tonight that is going to be super wonderful.  Abe that is a sa weet rock you found, was it just down by the cannal sitting there in plain sight.  Mikayla that is so tight that you got to  play in something like that and get third, right on sista you will have to send me some photos from the photo shoot.  Lil and Foff your letters should be there pretty soon I am so glad that you had a good birthday.  Mom what an awesome experience to go see Mikayla do you miss those collage days?    Dad I don´t know if there are any traditions here for 21, but I am pretty much chilean now so I will definantly start something.

Hey I love you guys so much 

Elder ...

P.S. When you see Luke give him a huge hug for me, I heard that he just got home.

From Mikayla

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mikayla
Date: Sun, Mar 18, 2012 at 1:12 PM

Hello All,

I'm starting this letter early to better think of all of the spetabulous things that i have to say this week... 

...

...

well, sorry I guess it didn't work. I do have to say that I-cover was soooo awesome! Super scary but WOW! So exiting! 1,000 people pre-ordered tickets but there was also a long line there so i don't really know how many people really showed up, but there were a lot of people there! Before the show we were all sitting in the bands' section and periodically Tessia and Mackenzie would freak out and yell, it was alright though because there was a nice guy next to us calming us down and telling us not to worry about it, he was super good, his band got 2nd place and he was going crazy on the piano. Everyone was pretty funny though and it was just a fun environment! Thanks for coming down mom, I had so much fun! I hope you all didn't pass out on the ride home!

I am sooo exited to come down for the twins baptism! I have a ride down there now so it's a for sure deal! It is so exiting to see that you guys are growing up and going through these amazing life experiences! 

I still haven't found my ipod, i think i might have to cut my losses =(. I wish I could send you pictures!

It snowed here, most people were grumbling about, because they don't like snow haha, oh well, it makes it pretty outside! And it will probably be warm again tomorrow judging by the weathers bipolarity up here!

It's too bad that our spring breaks don't fall on the same week, but I will be out on the 6th of April and be back for 10 days which will be fun! exited for everything! Yo lo esperanzo estas feliz! 

Love, Love, Love you all!

Life Is But A Dream

"Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily--life is but a dream." That is a dream, but not my life!

Friday afternoon, three other ladies and myself loaded into an Excursion, filled with some mysterious oil "coctail", instead of diesle,  and headed to Rexburg to see Mikayla and two of her roomate friends perform in their first ICover concert. The adventure started in Mountain Home, when the oil concoction acted up and we lost power, but the "tough girl" driving, found an auto parts store and climbed under the hood--literally--and changed the fuel filter, while the burly workers looked on with perplexed confusion of why we were burning oil, not diesel.  I just sat in the car, saying prayers and hoping that anyone knew what they were doing. Apparently they did and we made it into Rexburg and back without further troubles--at only $17.50 per person! I don't know what burning oil does to a car's life, but it didn't damage mine, so it's all good.

We pulled in around 8:00 pm and started winding down for the evening, but in the spirit of true college life, our BYU-I girls were just winding up. They left at 10:00 pm for a band practice, which was followed by a birthday party, which was followed by a movie. I checked out much earlier, but Mikayla finally joined me in her dorm-size bed, her at the head, me at the foot sometime during the early morning hours. She seemed to sleep soundly and I slept like I do when camping--up every hour from 5:00 am on, anticipating the morning with eagerness, just so I could drag my stiff body out of bed and end the discomfort.=) And yet, what fun it was! Some of us out-of-towners went to the temple that morning, which was filled with youth temple workers and patrons and St. Patrick's Day wedding parties. Anything good plus youth equals something glorious--and it was. I sat in the Celestial room, which was overflowing with youth reading and contemplating and praying, and felt brimming with hope and appreciation for the gospel and this generation--of which my children are a part--that awes and inspires me.

We returned by lunchtime and split up into families for a little while. Mikayla and I fixed lunch in her apartment then she took me on a walking tour of campus and we  wandered and talked. What a great experience to have that one on one time again! We ended up at the Manwaring Center where we bought pudding and found a gorgeous window nook to eat in and finally realized that time had gotten away from us, as it often does when you are absorbed, so we hurried back to her place at the Colonial, where she got ready for her scheduled sound/light check and left with her roomy band members for a few hours. I snuck in a good book and a short nap. The band girls came home with just enough time to eat dinner and head back up to campus for thier early check in. We didn't see much sense in waiting around so we walked up early as well and were at the front of the line when the doors opened. Being the "adults" that we are we chose auditorium seats and then watched the audience pour in with blankets and pillows and all kinds of energy as they spread out all over the bare main floor and into the rest of the auditorium. I saw a few of my favorite Middleton youth, which was delightful. Pre-sold tickets numbered over 1,000, but they had to start the show ten minutes late because the line to get in was so long. Who knows how many were actually in attendance. I believe the auditorium holds about 4,900, but it wasn't full. There was definitely a weekend party atmosphere going on. It was fun to sit there enjoying the energy and remembering those exciting time, but I was perfectly content to be a mother in the audience--I wouldn't want the whole cumulative experience back--maybe just bits and peices. =)

Thirteen auditioned bands played that night for an hour long concert. Mikayla's band ("A Blonde, A Brunette and A Redhead") was number nine. There was quite a variety of music--some which I really enjoyed--others which were just noise to me, but our girls were just giddy to be a part of it all. Their peers were literally at their feet, with their hands in the air, cheering them all on, and when the audience vote came in (all done with cell phones) they won 3rd place and a band cover photo shoot. I think they were in shock after that--they were still trying to come to grips with even making it past auditions and I don't think the idea of winning ever even entered their minds, so that was FUN!!! It really was quite magical. We left them at a dance that was too energetic for me and drove back that night, getting back to Middleton at 4 am. I'm still exhausted and stiff, but I'm so glad I didn't let that opportunity pass me by. Mikayla was a star for a night at BYU-I. She's a star for us always.

Meanwhile, in Middleton on Friday, A shy young man, who happens to be a Senior, was backing a boom truck (a massive board, painted with Eden's name attached to the crane) into the Seminary parking lot to ask her to prom. She's only a sophmore so she wasn't expecting that but what fun to get that kind of positive attention in front of all of your peers. She's excited. The young man's mom told me that he has only been on two dates during all of his high school years--one with Mikayla--one with Eden. This will be his 3rd date and possibly one of his last as he is working on his mission papers. His mom said he was exceedingly nervous, though I can't think why. He's often painfully quiet, but he seems comfortable enough around my kids that I've even seen a quirky sense of humor a few times. And luckily, there are never awkward silences when you are with Eden,=) so I am sure they will have fun. Besides, he's a smart boy and ensured a "yes'" by asking a sophomore (whose friends can't go to the Junior/Senior dance w/o invitation) and by asking her over a month in advance!=) He's on my brownie points list for giving us that kind of time to find a dress. In all these cell phones that are constantly glued to these kids, I'm still trying to track down a picture that hopefully somebody took of the whole experience. I hope one exists.

Another fun weekend coming up. Today is the first day of Spring and there is a white blizzard outside? Mikayla is coming to town, Lily and Sophie are getting baptized, and Georgie is turning 21! How did I even get this age. Mid-life is certainly a roller coaster and for this brief moment we seem to be climbing. Hope it last for a while before the next stomach dropping descent.

Girl Band "A Blonde, A Brunette, and A Redhead"

A Video Clip of the ICover Atmosphere

Video footage on the stage screens to announce the girls band

Five minutes after the Third Place announcement and still ecstatic!

Clearer shot--but the expressions aren't quite as candid.

From Mikayla

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mikayla
Date: Sun, Mar 18, 2012 at 1:12 PM


Hello All,

I'm starting this letter early to better think of all of the spetabulous things that i have to say this week... 

...

...

well, sorry I guess it didn't work. I do have to say that I-cover was soooo awesome! Super scary but WOW! So exiting! 1,000 people pre-ordered tickets but there was also a long line there so i don't really know how many people really showed up, but there were a lot of people there! Before the show we were all sitting in the bands' section and periodically Tessia and Mackenzie would freak out and yell, it was alright though because there was a nice guy next to us calming us down and telling us not to worry about it, he was super good, his band got 2nd place and he was going crazy on the piano. Everyone was pretty funny though and it was just a fun environment! Thanks for coming down mom, I had so much fun! I hope you all didn't pass out on the ride home!

I am sooo exited to come down for the twins baptism! I have a ride down there now so it's a for sure deal! It is so exiting to see that you guys are growing up and going through these amazing life experiences! 

I still haven't found my ipod, i think i might have to cut my losses =(. I wish I could send you pictures!

It snowed here, most people were grumbling about, because they don't like snow haha, oh well, it makes it pretty outside! And it will probably be warm again tomorrow judging by the weathers bipolarity up here!

It's too bad that our spring breaks don't fall on the same week, but I will be out on the 6th of April and be back for 10 days which will be fun! exited for everything! Yo lo esperanzo estas feliz! 

Love, Love, Love you all!

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 3:32 PM

Well hello there mi hermosa familia,
  I still can´t believe you little twiners are 8 years old the pictures keep wiggin me out, but I am happy to see that you are still those cute little girls that I know.  Eden you look like you are just loving it up there on stage.
 This week has been such a blast, we have gotten a lot of work done but we have had so much fun doing it.  This new ward that I am in has so much energy flowing through it is mixed with elderly and new converts and jovenes, but even the elderly have life exploding out of them.
 Elder Palmer is super awesome as well, we get along really well. Normaly when I have a new companion there is a week were it is a little awkward trying to read them and understand how they roll, but with Palmer and I, we are from the same place so we have the same sort of back grounds, the same dumb humor and even the same exact house. It really is tight,  there is an hermana in this ward that I have gotten to know somewhat because we have been going over to her house in the mornings to paint it.  She is super funny, she is about 55 years old and loves to box, she goes to the gym every morning to practice and the other morning she goes to the temple.  There is a lot of work that needs to be done in this ward but the members are super strong and helpful and I am excited to work hard.  We will show them how Middleton boys get things done.

I love you guys a heap load
Elder Bloomquist