Height, Lego's and Afton

Things are sprouting here and I don't just mean seeds.

I decided to measure Kenna and we found that she grew 3 inches in a year.

Corban did the same thing. 

Kenna does not want to be tall. 

I think she might have been born into the wrong family if that is not what she wants. 

We went to the movies for FHE last night. 

We saw the Lego Batman movie.

It was funny.

And everyone was laughing.

Even the lady behind us. 

She was really laughing. 

Really.

Laughing.

 And the most exciting news is that Afton is coming to live in Wasilla. 

He's bringing his parents as well. 

I'm so excited to squish him and play with him.

We facetimed him this morning after seminary. 

He's got loads of teeth coming in and is walking around like crazy. 

I just love that face!

Let there be lights!

Lots has been happening out at the farm. The plumbers and the electricians got their jobs done and now there are tons of lights and water systems for the beds. It is still winter in so many ways. In fact this picture is of my hand right against the snow that has piled on top of our van. It is three feet deep in many places on the property and will take a long time to melt.

But the greenhouse is going to be an oasis in another month and I am so excited about that.

Plus Jamie is visiting and we bought her a new dorwawa since she lost her last one.

Week in Review

This week has been a little crazy. I had midterms and had to write large papers in every class.
So this is a review.

Corban decided that he wants to start a youtube channel and show fun things. This wubble bubble was his first thing. It was supposed to not pop. Supposed to....

We still have snow. Lots of snow. And it just keeps snowing. But Trapper likes to have his picture taken and things are happening in the greenhouse. We cleaned all morning out there and got the shelves up and organized. We have tons of plants growing. I'm excited for the greenhouse to be green again.

Also, I got a message from a wonderful lady in California with pictures of Dallin. I love that so much!

The Day of Love

I am horrible with holidays. For real. Yesterday on social media there were all these posts about things mom's did for their children and what spouses did for each other. Me? I hugged Corban and said Happy Valentines Day and I love you. I did the same with Matt but added a kiss. One thing I am grateful for is that Heavenly Father doesn't suck at holidays and yesterday showed His love by 40 degrees and sunlight hitting the mountains in amazing ways. He's pretty incredible!

On another note, Matt and one of his employees finished framing and insulating the greenhouse. I am so excited to start growing all things green in there. Just waiting on the electricians and then then we should be able to get things under way. As for now, we have lots of little green plants in the house. I do love growing things!

Roots Tech 2017

Last week I got to experience one of the coolest things that replenished my soul and spirit and gave me the will to get through the rest of winter: Roots Tech.
It is basically comicon for genealogists!
The first day I was smiling so much I thought my face was going to stick that way.
I felt like I was with people who completely understood me.
They expected 15,000 and I think there were 30,000 that ended up registering.
The expo hall was like raven hall at the Alaska State fair.
Booths EVERYWHERE!
There was even funnel cake. Mine was salted caramel.
I will dream about that.
I also think I figured out a way to break the biggest Hayes brick wall: who Grandpa Al's father was.
I got my dad to take a YDNA test.
I learned about DNA and am so incredibly excited.
I met a woman named Christine who is not LDS, but felt prompted to buy a showbox full of pictures. She got them back to the owner who in turn had Alzheimer's but remembered his daughter because of those pictures by the time he died.
I felt the Spirit so much.
I made new friends.
I got to hear Sheri Dew, Elder Nelson and his wife, and Hank Smith
I hope to go back again next year.
It was the perfect remedy for the winter blues!
Also, I got to visit with Libby Lewis for a minute and that was awesome too! 

My Meggan

Several years ago, I can't remember how many, I met a girl named Meggan. She was stylish in her Sunday dress as we sat and got to know each other in Relief Society. She called me a celebrity. I felt like I had known her forever. Then she moved away after only being here in Alaska for like a year or something. Two weeks ago her Matt passed away leaving her with 5 kids 1 to 11. I had already planned my trip to Salt Lake for Roots Tech and so I took advantage of going to see her. We cried together, ate tons of desserts (not even kidding), and cried some more. We talked about eternity and the atonement and allowing ourselves to feel and faith. I went on a walk with her little 8 year old and snuggled her 3 year old- well until she spit chips in my face and then I was done with that.

I love Meggan with so much of heart!
Plus we unplugged a toilet together. She did the hands on work and I did the plunger work. I think we make a good team.

I also got to visit with my Winnie friend but sadly, no pictures were taken. Next time!

So icy and cold

I keep waiting for warm weather.
It doesn't feel like it's coming.
This morning was -8 as we drove to seminary.
At least it is beautiful.
I also have to remind myself that it is only February.
All the snow won't even be gone until April.
The end of April.

However, we are planting things soon.
Matt is planning on having micro greens for sell within less than two months.
And I am going to Salt Lake tomorrow for Rootstech where it is almost 50 degrees warmer.
It will feel like summer.
On a super fun note, Afton loves chocolate just like his grandma Ninny.

Planting guide 2017

Matt and I sat down for a while this morning and planned out the garden and greenhouse planting guides.
To say that I am excited might be an understatement.
We are going to grow so much food this year, it's going to be amazing.
I'm so excited!!!!!

This is our seed collection right now. There are two HUGE white bags of seeds too. Matt has a problem with buying seeds....

Welcome February

I've really struggled the last week and a half since I heard of Meggan's husbands death.
It has felt like darkness.
I have been surprised at how deeply it has affected me.
Also, there has been little to no sun for that same amount of time.
That normally doesn't help.
I am child of light.
Today it came back.
I even went on a walk to take in some vitamin D.
I just stood there on the snow covered driveway and took deep breaths while it shone in my face.
Thank goodness for sunlight.

This afternoon the kids decided to do a little Just Dance.
I love it when they do that.
They are so white.
It is good times.
And then I joined them.

And in other news Corban got a goldfish and named him Fernando.
Hopefully, he lives until the morning.
He wanted to take him to zoology tomorrow.

Also, I just remembered Dallin got into a bike accident today. Evidently he is fine. Just ripped his pants. A member of the ward he is serving in sent me pictures and let me know. Then they fixed his bike for him. I love good people! And I'm grateful for angels protected that boy.