Jon's Long Lost Cousin Cheryl

Jon received an email from a Cheryl Shinn, a McFarland cousin from Boise, in late Feburary.  She and her boyfriend Steve were coming to Salt Lake City to see a concert in March and wanted to see Jon and Jeanie.  They stayed at our house and had a small family reunion with Jon and Jeanie. 

One of the best surprises were these old photos of Cheryl's that she brought to share.  Taken in May 1973, here's a photo of 17 year old Jonnie McFarland with Aunt Virginia, Aunt Helen, his stepfather Milt and his mom, Mary (on the far right).

And yes, its a Gremlin!!!!

Sweet ride, Jonnie Boy!!!

It's a Snow Day!

We haven't had a lot of snow this winter.  So the kids really have to make those rare snow days count.  How darling is our Carson?

They buried Quinton!  When I touched is face, I could not believe how cold he felt. Brrrr!

Hurray for Snow!!!

Eden's Preschool Valentine Party

Eden at her Preschool Valentine Party. 

I loved how so many of the girls came to school dressed in Valentine outfits.  Its a good thing I had Eden dressed up!!!

They shared a delicious snack of Oreos and milk prepared by Miss Cidny.

Eden, Mia and Sylvi with their Valentine bags.

Eden with her friend Cameron Boozer.

It was a really fun way to celebrate Valentines Day!  Hurray for Miss Sharon's preschool!

SuperBowl Sunday!

You'll know it's SuperBowl Sunday at our house when Uncle Rick breaks out the deep fryer and starts makin' his famous Buffalo Wings!!!  In fact Celeste Wilson called from next door when she saw him starting in our backyard.  She wanted to "borrow" him and a cup of milk for her party!  

Along with the amazing wings, Rick also made homemade french fries and sweet potato fries. The wings were just hot enough to make your nose run (or was that a cold coming on), but then a spoonful of Grandma Margaret's yummy cole slaw cooled the fire down.  All his cooking along with the rest of our favorite SuperBowl treats were fabulous!!!  It's such a fun reason to celebrate with family!

Rick and Rock watching over a batch of wings!

A few years ago during SuperBowl halftime, we started letting the boys break a football pinata.  We hadn't done it for a few years, and decided that Eden needed to experience a pinata party.  However, the party store was sold out of football pinatas, so Jon picked out a colt pinata! 

Our colt, just like the Indianapolis Colts, took a beating!

Mackenzie and her boyfriend Jon with Zoey

I love this picture - Look closely, Eden's behind Grandma's shoulder grinning for the photo!

Uncle Rick started playing with Eden during the third quarter.  Little did he know, she was going to occupy him for the rest of the game!

"Again, again"

"One more time!"

Careful, she might puke on Carson!

Dog pile on Rick!

Eden hearts Uncle Rick!!!

(I wasn't thrilled with the summer nightgown that she insisted on wearing after the pinata, but you just can't argue with a two year old!)

Lucky Carson won both the 1st and final quarter jackpot.  This little boy pulled in $30 during our party! Don't spend it all in one place, Dude!

Thanks for cooking Rick and thanks to everyone for coming to our party.  It was "Super" again this year!!!

Happy SuperBowl Sunday!!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Have you got your "Valentine" on? Eden and Gracie do!  Yup, its Valentine Pajama Time!!

Oh ya, she's still wearing her sparkle shoes with PJs!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Happy Birthday Stephanie!

To celebration Stephanie's birthday, we all went to Bonsai Steakhouse!  It was really nice of her to pick this restaurant because she knows it's the boy's favorite place to eat out.  It was also really fun visiting with Steph and Brad while watching our meals prepared in front of us.  Eden is finally starting to enjoy Bonsai rather than getting scared.  She seemed to have a ball tonight!

The chef starts the grill with fire!

Eden loved the volcano made of onions!  She kept asking the chef to make another "bolcano"!

Quinton tries to catch a shrimp thrown by the chef in his mouth, however, it landed in his eye! 

This photo catches Brad's shrimp in midair right before he caught it!

Stephanie blowing out her birthday candle!

Happy Birthday Stephanie!!! We had a great time celebrating with you and Brad.  Eden is still singin' the Happy Birthday song!

Love you!

Fancy Nancy Eden has New Shoes and Eyes!!!

Eden got these darling new Twinkle Toes (light up) Sketchers!  They are crazy and light up blue and pink when she walks. (They are so adorable that I want a pair!) She loved them so much the day we got them that she insisted on wearing them with her PJs. She even left them on over night so they would light up in her bed!!! 

Now, choosing PJs each night has become quite a fashion statement for her.  I like her to wear pajama bottoms with night gowns to keep her legs warm, but the adorable ensemble she chose with the new Sketchers had me in stitches!  Fancy Nancy has nothing up on Eden Belle!

Hazel eyes!!!? I'm having major mommy guilt...Both Quinton and Carson have blue eyes and Eden did too...until recently.  Just last week, we noticed that Eden's eyes have changed from blue to hazel like her dad's!  I feel guilty because I'm not sure when it happened and I was sure they would stay blue!  Jon says she has Erik's eyes ;-)!  They (and she) are beautiful!!!