Tending Olivia

January 17, 2012

Livy thinks it's so fun to hang out with Grammy and Grandpa once in awhile. Anyway, I know WE had fun! This particular evening her mommy and daddy went to a Utah Jazz game! We had dinner together, read a few stories, and watched a video. I mean, how much fun can one child have?!

Baby boy blessing outfit

January 15, 2012

This is the blessing outfit that our oldest son, Ryan Willim Farnsworth, was blessed in. His grandma, Barbara Hulme and I made it. Haven't styles changed?!

Ryan and Shanna are expecting their first boy and our first grandson sometime during the end of February or the beginning of March. Shanna was wondering what Ryan was blessed in so I found it, cleaned it up as best I could and sent it to them. There was a little bit of blue stitching around the neck and arms and on the tabs but when I used a special whitener, it took out the blue color so I took out the stitching.

It's so fun anticipating the birth of this special little boy! We love him already!

BYU basketball

January 14, 2010

One advantage to living in Provo is getting to see BYU Sports, especially basketball because you can sit inside and don't have to battle the elements outside. We have great seats, too, as you can see. We really enjoy going to the games with Brad's dad and once in awhile another family member.

Tonight we played Santa Clara and won 95-78! We love it when BYU wins.....but we have to admit that we miss Jimmer!

Sew cute!!!

January 12, 2012

Jen got a new sewing machine for Christmas from us and Becca got a new sewing book with darling patterns to make purses from her sweet husband, Ryan. So.........we decided to get together and work on our sewing skills. We each picked a different purse to sew. I'm sure you will eventually see the finished products.

LaJolla Groves

January 11, 2012

My mom, Barbara Fitzgerald Hulme, and I try to spend some time together every week. My mom doesn't drive any more so I get to be her chauffer sometimes. Today we met some of her friends at LaJolla Groves in Provo for lunch. These friends are people we knew from California who have transplanted to Utah and still enjoy getting together and reminiscing. They have know each other for almost 40 years! I know alot of these children so it was fun for me to see them and catch up on old times.

LaJolla Groves is a fun place to eat. The place is decorated really cute -- even with lemons on the trees in the middle of winter. I had a yummy shrimp pasta.

Funny story: My purse dumped out under the table and I didn't notice that my make-up bag had fallen out until 2 days later. I called them on the 14th and they had found it! I was so happy.

Before and After

January 10, 2012

So, months ago the lock on our front door broke, so naturally we needed to get a new front door. (Anyway, we thought it was a good excuse.) We think it's a wonderful improvement. What do you think? The color is called Indian Legend, (just so I don't forget) and it matches our garage door perfectly!

Before

After

I love the way the light comes through these glass windows. I thought I might worry about the privacy but it seems just fine and we love it. I haven't missed the screen door yet! Little by little we are replacing and updating our home. Home sweet home!

The Pita Pit

January 9, 2012

Certainly, one of the joys of having family around in town are those spontaneously moments we can get together. Today Becca and Livy called and said they were having lunch at the Pita Pit and asked if I wanted to join them. I honestly don't remember going there before so naturally, I said, "Yes!" Becca is always looking for healthy alternatives for us to try and she loves this place. So do I! I had a yummy pita with lots of good veggies and chicken. Livy was the darling of the lunch crowd....(she must be looking for all of her new friends still inside when we took the picture!) I'm sure we'll go there again!

Missionary Training Center

January 8, 2012

Today was our last Sunday at the MTC. This is the last district that we worked with in Branch 23. They are leaving on Tuesday and Wednesday. Most of them are going to the California Fresno Mission, except for the hermana on the left who is going to Phoenix. We have loved our 7-8 months there working the Shumways, Wilkins, and Warrens and the numerous missionaries-in-training. It was a nice transition from the mission field but now we are back in the mission field here in Provo. We had a chance to bear our testimonies which was nice and also welcome the McDonalds who will be serving there now.

Brad also gave his first talk as a counselor in the Provo Mission Presidency in our own stake. We felt like that was a nice beginning as well. It's only through change that we grow!

Stake Conference

January 7, 2012

This is a picture of Brad with his dad, William D. Farnsworth. Brad's dad is 90 years old and is doing great. His mom, Glenona Robison Farnsworth passed away in October 2010. We all miss her, of course, but we also are so happy to be seeing more of Grandpa Farnsworth.

We live in the same stake, the Provo Utah Edgemont South Stake, so we often sit together at stake conference. Today was our Saturday evening session of stake conference. We had Brad's dad over for toasted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup before we went to the meeting.

Future Quilt!

January 6, 2012No, this is NOT my quilt, unfortunately! This is a sample of a dresden plate quilt made by my mother's hairdresser and friend, MaryLou Fryer. It's it great?! When we came back from Spain, I brought a tie from each of our missionaries. I want to make a quilt using them and this is one of the ideas I might use to put it together. Don't the little spokes of the wheel look like ties? One of these days I will be posting a picture of MY quilt.

By the way, taking my mother to get her hair done on Thursdays is one of my favorite things to do. It is so fun to spend time with my 88-year-old mother. She gets her hair done as we enjoy the company of the ladies there, then we usually go and get lunch. She's never eaten so many french fries in all her life!

More Visits!

January 5, 2012

We were blessed by another visit from Olivia today! She is learning so much and growing so fast! She loves these jungle animals and will line them up on the bench and then one-by-one take them over to the couch and line them up. She growls fiercely when she looks them in the eye. (Somehow we need to teach her that a cat doesn't growl!)

Livy also brought her beautiful mommy over and we were able to hear some beautiful piano music. That's one thing I definitely miss without kids at home!

First day of school!

January 4, 2012BYU started today. After we had prayer and Brad was on his way out, I yelled, "Wait!" Of course I needed a picture of his first day of school. You have to remember this was about 7 am and he was already smiling! Brad is teaching 2 Missionary Preparation classes and 4 Book of Mormon classes. He's a busy boy!

Visit from Livy!

January 3, 2012

We are so blessed to have some of our children living close by with their cute little ones. Olivia Jackson came to visit today and had a little Grandpa time. It doesn't get much better than this!

New Calling!!

January 2, 2012

Brad got a new calling today! He was set apart as a counselor in the Utah Provo Mission Presidency by President Pitts, Utah Provo Mission President. Three of our children and their families were able to attend, along with Brad's dad. All the Priesthood leaders were able to stand in the circle. We are so grateful for our wonderful family. Afterwards we went to IHOP to celebrate and had a fun brunch. We are sorry to leave our assignment at the Provo MTC but we are excited to still be involved in missionary work. His first assignment was to speak in our own stake conference on January 8. We felt like that was a little tender mercy. We look forward to the adventures this new calling will bring.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! In an effort to post a little more often, I'm going to try and take a photograph each day and document what goes on in our life during the year. We'll see how it goes!

January 1, 2012

This little guy was actually purchased in 2000 for Y2K and is still shaking and wiggling in his 13th season!! He laughs and giggles and says, "10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, Happy New Year!" Then he plays "Auld Lang Syne" while he wiggles and shakes and then says, "Welcome to the Year 2000" and laughs and giggles again. It is hilarious. Our kids thought it was funny 13 New Year Eves ago and now it's fun to share our little New Year's snowman with our granddaughters! I hope he's around for another 13 years! Welcome to the Year 2012!!!

Christmas Card 2010

I wanted to share our Christmas card with everyone! Of course, we have our wonderful family, but especially want to show off our sweet granddaughters - Kenna Rae, Addelyn May, Olivia Jean, and Lucy Reine. Aren't they just adorable and growing up soooooooo fast! We have to add an additional young man to our Christmas card next year because......

Jennifer is engaged! She said "Yes" to Timothy Edward Cavanaugh on January 20 and they are planning a wedding on April 23. We are so happy for them! They are a perfect couple and we think Tim is the best! We feel so blessed!

Miss Lucy Grow

Announcing Miss Lucy Reine Grow..........Here she is at 19 days old. Born: 21 November 2010, weighing 7 lb. 11 oz. I was able to come to California to spend a few happy days with the Grow girls while their daddy was out of town. We have had such a good time -- from a doctor's appointment(now a whopping 8 lb. even) to shopping at the mall with a stop at Chipotle's. There was pumpkin-chocolate chip bread and a Twilight movie marathon (who would have thought I would enjoy them - Melissa said I'm on Team Jacob.)

We have had a couple of early mornings - 2 am feedings and a couple of late mornings with us in our PJ's until noon. Melissa is a sweet and caring mommy. I love the way she talks to her little "girlfriend!" It's been great!




I hope little Lucy will remember her Grammy moments. I know I will never forget them!

Into All the World - Programs - Home

We just wanted to share a fun interview we were able to do with the Mormon Channel. It recently became available on the internet. Our mission in Spain was priceless. This interview gives you just a glimpse of it. We hope you enjoy it (when you have 30 minutes with nothing to do!) Ha ha...

Into All the World - Programs - Home

I HEART New York

It all started with a late-night flight to New York City and an early morning cab ride to Murray Street. Brad and I were so excited to visit Ryan, Shanna, and Kenna in their new New York City home.

The first day consisted of a quick run for Shanna and a quick doctor trip for Kenna by Ryan and us. After a medicine run, we were ready for our excursion to the temple. It was our first trip to the Manhattan Temple and we loved it!

The temple session was followed by a walk to the Earthen Oven, an Indian restaurant close by the temple It was yummy! I would recommend the halibut!

Saturday, after a 5K race by Ryan and Shanna, we wandered through the Ground Zero area and Wall Street. Ryan knew about this wonderful little family style Italian Pizza place called Harry's. It was yummy, too! Once again, the Margarita pizza was the best!

Subway rides are the best!

Sunday was Valentine's Day and we had a delightful time at church. Shanna made a wonderful pork tenderloin dinner and we had cousin Miranda come and join us. She is attending Pace University. It was great to see her! She's a beautiful young lady.

We did have time for a story or two between watching Olympic events.

And no visit to New York City would be complete without a burger from the Shake Shack.

New York will forever be a wonderful part of our lives now.

We love this sweet, little family. They have made a wonderful little home and we felt so comfortable, welcomed and loved.

Thanks, Ryan, Shanna and Kenna for a fabulous New York City weekend.

And we even made it to the airport all by ourselves on the subway and airtrain (with a little coaching from Ryan)!

Nanny

I love my mom! She is also known as Nanny to her grandkids and Barbara to her friends.

One of the hardest aspects of going on our mission was knowing I wasn't going to be able to spend time with her. We had our telephone calls and I did come back three times for weddings but it just wasn't the same. I think we are making up for it now.

We have our trips to get her hair done and doctor's appointments, the random eating out and, of course, shopping. Last week we made our first trip to Five Guys/Burgers and Fries. We had a yummy cheeseburger with all the fixins' along with some fries and, of course, peanuts. It was fun!

My mother has taught me so much.......from sewing, beauty tips (isn't she beautiful for being 86 years old), raising children, keeping a nice house, hosting....I could go on and on. But I think the thing she has taught me the most is how to serve and help others, especially my family. She is a wonderful example of Christlike charity. She has taught me the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I am so thankful. I love my mom! She really is my best friend and I'm looking forward to the years to come and the things I will continue to learn from her. I hope I can have the same kind of relationship with my girls. Thanks, mom. You're amazing!