Richardsons

18th anniversary

2011-12-29T16:34:00.000-08:00

Ken and I just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. I took him to an old historic mansion here in Provo that was turned into a bed and breakfast. A nice getaway close to home.

2011-11-26T07:35:00.001-08:00

Christmas Letter 2011We are happy to be putting down our roots here in Provo. We have loved the many opportunities there are to raise a family with gospel support here. We’ve also been blessed to see so much of both sides of our families here.Andy(almost 7) is learning to read and write really well in first grade. He has started taking piano and loves hapkido martial arts.Adam(8) is making great leaps through the programs he’s involved in to help with his Asperger’s symptoms. He loves being a cub scout with his dad as the cub master. He continues to do well in piano and hapkido with Andy.Betsy(10) enjoys being in 5th grade and is a great student. She performs in a musical class called stage crazy and recently won 3 medals at her first Irish dance competition.Marcus(14) loves being a trumpet player in an undefeated marching band in high school with Jared. He enjoys driving home with Jared for lunch during the school day and is a straight A student. He had fun with his dad on a band trip to Las Vegas.Jared(16) is always entertaining us and has a great sense of humor. He played a piano solo in church and did a great job. He continues to play with the symphonic band as well as the French horn in orchestra concerts and the pit in the school musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie”. He is looking forward to performing at Pearl Harbor with Marcus over Thanksgiving.Ken has a very demanding work schedule and very difficult situations to deal with there. Somehow he manages to carry on and make a difference in babies and their families’ lives. He loves being involved with our children’s lives. He is always so supportive of their activities and school work. He loved helping the cub scouts shoot off air rockets for pack meeting last month. He will be a BYU season ticket holder “for the rest of his life.” I recently sent off my parents on an 18 month CES mission to Barcelona Spain. I’m so proud and happy for them. I am happy to be working with Betsy and the activity day girls in primary. I am so glad that all our children are healthy and happy and thriving here in Utah.We hope you all have a happy holiday season!

sister's retreat

2011-11-09T18:49:00.001-08:00

We had a relaxing 24 hours at a cabin in Sundance as sisters. We did lots of crafts, visiting and eating. We enjoyed a photography lesson from Krisi and put it into practice on a mountain hike. This should be a yearly tradition!

Missionary Parents

2011-10-30T18:07:00.000-07:00

My mom and dad are serving an 18 month mission in Zaragoza, Spain (which is in the Barcelona mission). We miss them, but are so proud of them!

family update letter

2011-05-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

Hello from Provo! Spring has finally found us, but we are wary of all that snow up on the mountains that has to melt sometime! We have so much enjoyed our many visitors and especially our “BYU Cousins” that we get to see a lot. Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Jared -- Just turned 16 and passed his driving test. He also got a car and a local billboard posted with a birthday message for his birthday. Jared scored really well on his practice ACT and is getting good grades. He is very busy with Symphonic Band at Timpview High School and raising money for their Pearl Harbor commemoration trip this fall. He enjoys playing piano for priesthood and home teaching with Ken.
Marcus -- Was just called as the new Deacon’s Quorum president. He is working on his Eagle project, which is recording and editing children’s books on tape for our elementary school. He is busy earning his lifesaving merit badge (even though he doesn’t need it for Eagle!) and going on lots of campouts with the scouts. He also will play in the Timpview Marching Band this summer for the parade season and this fall, and will go on the Hawaii trip with Jared. He still enjoys playing trumpet and piano. He got to participate in a physics day at Lagoon. He is known in our ward for his thoughtful testimonies.
Betsy -- Enjoys acting and dancing. She is in a dramatics class and had several performances this year. She also takes Irish step dancing. She won a school poster contest for her drawing of a bald eagle, ran a 5K, and got selected to play piano for the school talent show. She loves Activity Day girls with her Mom as her leader.
Adam -- Has been going through a lot of testing so we can help him with his social challenges. He continues to function at a 6th to 9th grade level academically although he is only 7 and in 2nd grade. He placed in the top 5 for the all-school spelling bee earlier this year. He takes piano lessons and is getting his purple belt in Hapkido. He is the student of the month at school and is enjoying the attention. He looks forward to becoming a Cub Scout in July and going to pack meetings with his cubmaster Dad.
Andy -- Is 6 and finishing kindergarten. He too is receiving his purple belt in Hapkido and loves his sports club at school. He is slowly but surely becoming a good reader. He just started T-ball and loves to ride scooters outside. He finally decided that he is right handed. He loves climbing on his BYU Richardson cousins when they come over.
Jenni -- Has enjoyed volunteering in Andy’s class this year. She is refinishing some furniture and trying to stay on top of a big home and yard. She enjoys working with the Activity Days girls. She has taught several voice lessons and has sung solos in sacrament meeting and Relief Society. She enjoyed going to women’s conference with her mom and sisters. She is happy to see her parents once a month as they will be leaving soon on a mission to Barcelona Spain on Sept.5th.
Ken -- Enjoys working at Utah Valley Regional with a great staff and “the best NICU in the country”. He has been busy teaching Jared to drive and Has also been helping him in a couple of tough classes at school. He always enjoys being involved with his children’s’ school and scout activities. As the cubmaster he takes on a lot for pack meetings and recently ran his first Pinewood Derby. He loves being a member of the Cougar Club and going to BYU sporting events – basketball, volleyball, softball, and rubgy most recently. He got pretty involved in “Jimmermania” along with the rest of Provo and is looking forward to football season this fall.

Happy Birthday Betsy

2011-02-21T12:31:00.001-08:00

Betsy just turned 10! We love our girl and are so proud of her. She had a great Owl birthday party and got to see 24 cousins on her birthday!

Christmas letter

2010-12-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

Ken and Jenni Richardson Family Christmas Letter
Hi family and friends,

We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We are doing well here in Utah after moving here several months ago. We miss New Mexico and our many friends there, but we are excited about our new life in Utah. We are so grateful for Ken to have finished his neonatal fellowship this month after four months of "commuting" from Utah back to New Mexico to finish up. He now has the opportunity to work as a neonatologist in the NICU at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center here in Provo. The kids are all voracious readers and are becoming avid BYU fans. They are doing well in school and other activities:

Jared (15-1/2) - 10th grade, driver's permit, french horn player, marching band awards, seminary, priesthood piano player, wears glasses now!, straight A student

Marcus (13) - 8th grade, Life Scout, Deacon's quorum counselor, piano lessons, advanced band trumpet player, staight A student

Betsy (9-1/2) - 4th grade, gifted student, dramatics club, piano lessons, activity days girl, recycle crafts club, ward choir member

Adam (7-1/2) - 2nd grade, gifted student, piano lessons, martial arts (Hapkido) yellow belt, after school citizenship club

Andy (6) - afternoon kindergarten, guitar lessons, BYU sports fan, martial arts yellow belt, after school citizenship club

Ken- finally done with school and training!, Neonatologist (NICU Doctor), BYU football and basketball season ticket holder, band dad, cubmaster, choir member

Jenni-stay at home mom, holds down the fort, CTR 6 primary teacher, choir member, coupon clipper

We love living closer to family and having BYU be our playground. It seems like we are on campus weekly for concerts and other activities. We hope if Utah is a crossroads for you that you will consider stopping by and saying "Hi". We're grateful for our many blessings at this special time of year. We are especially grateful for the Savior and for his birth and life. May his influence warm your souls and give you hope and meaning in facing the challenges of life.

With our love and appreciation for your presence in our lives, Ken, Jenni, Jared, Marcus, Betsy, Adam, and Andy

aspen grove family picture

2010-12-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

We had a great Church family reunion in October in Aspen Grove.

my baby is 6!

2010-11-30T12:27:00.000-08:00

Andy just had a birthday! He enjoyed breakfast in bed, presents, cupcakes at school, pizza and bowling, and a handbell concert at the library. We love our "cute, enthusiastic, adorable, kind, loving, compassionate"brother and son.

Dress redo

2010-11-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

I took all my old junior high, high school and college dresses from my Mom's basement and passed them on to my niece Camille to re-purpose them for Betsy. She loves them and I am glad they can be updated and used. She is so tall and thin now, it is hard to find dresses long enough and that fit right in the stores.

fall update

2010-10-31T20:10:00.000-07:00

We are doing well here in Utah. Ken has a finish date of Dec. 10th so we are counting down the time he can join us for good. The kids had fun dressing up for Halloween and were excited to get some full sized candy bars from our neighbors. Andy was a martial arts warrior, Adam was a cowboy, Betsy was Penny from "Hairspray", and Marcus invented himself being carried in a box by a small guy. Jared dressed as Aragorn from Lord of the Rings but he is on a band trip in southern california right now. So far they have won first place in all their marching band competitions. The high school here is great in sports, music and academics. The kids are all adjusting well to their new environment. They miss their close friends in Albuquerque, but have grown closer to each other through this move. They entertain themselves with making up little mystery games with clues all over the house. I'm glad they can all be friends (when they're not fighting). Ken has loved being the avid BYU sports fan here. We have also loved living close to family. We hope stay in touch with all our friends and hope you will stop by if you're ever in Provo.

Happy birthday Ken

2010-09-30T06:53:00.001-07:00

I want to wish my honey a happy 40th birthday today. We gave him breakfast in bed, a jar of 40 things we love about him and a book of tribute letters from extended family. We are happy to have him home with us today and will enjoy just being together.

happy b-day here in UT

2010-08-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to update our blog due to the move and computer difficulties. Today is Marcus' 13th birthday. He is a wonderful son and I love him very much. We are getting settled here in our new home in Provo UT. Ken flew back to Albuquerque tonight to finish the last few months of training while I get the kids set up in school. We have had fun with family visits and even a cousin over night. It will take a while to get everything organized but we are doing great and glad to finally be here.

Jared Lettered

2010-05-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

Jared was surprised at his band banquet and concert to have earned the merits of lettering at Volcano Vista HS.

house for sale

2010-05-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

We just listed our home. It looks completely different inside now. All new upgraded carpet. Tile floors professionally cleaned. All walls painted neutral colors, all sparsely staged. A lot of work! Hopefully it pays off.

Happy Birthday Jared

2010-05-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

I want to wish my handsome Jared a Happy Birthday. Marcus made a card for him that says "Jared, you're so talented, smart, witty, and charming...
Sometimes I can't tell us apart! Happy Birthday!

2010-05-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

kids' quotes

2010-05-04T08:44:00.000-07:00

Here are some quotes from my kids this week.
Jared- "I don't feel sick Mom, I just don't feel well"
When asked what to do when we get lost, Betsy said "Hug a tree"
Adam- "Isn't it just the best that you're my Mom?"
When asked at FHE where we lived before we were born, Andy answered "inside Mommy's stomach"

friends

2010-04-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

Betsy plays well with all her friends.

Marcus and his best friend earned 2nd place in the state math competition.

Easter smiles

2010-04-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

a visit from the Easter bunny

2010-04-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

easter egg hunt

2010-03-31T16:58:00.000-07:00

These 2 little guys scored big at the neighborhood easter egg hunt. The candy disappered in 2 days.

Just in time for the next one this Saturday.

Adam's input

2010-03-23T06:12:00.000-07:00

Adam: "What's for Sunday dinner Mom?"
Me: "Broccoli, fish and couscous."
Adam: "Mom at my school we have something called 'alternate' (for school lunch if they don't want the main dish, they have an alternate to choose from). 'Cause I really don't like fish"
Me: laughing and wanting to say "this isn't your school"

andy's gym trip

2010-03-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

Andy had fun at our MOMs club field trip to G-force gym. He was in heaven in the foam pit.

toothless

2010-03-11T10:38:00.001-08:00

Adam was excited to get a half dollar from the tooth fairy last night for his second front tooth.

Happy 9th birthday!

2010-02-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday Betsy we love you

father/son trio

2010-02-06T07:29:00.000-08:00

Ken arranged the William Tell Overture for french horn and 2 trumpets. He and Jared and Marcus performed it at our stake music concert.

Ode to Biscuit our hamster

2010-02-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

By Betsy
Hamsters are cute and funny too,
They practically play all day.
They happen to be a good pet because,
They're always ready to play!

Hamster poem by Betsy

2010-02-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hamsters

Always

Make

Stupendous

Terrific

Energitic

Rodents

Awesome Andy

2010-01-30T14:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Andy and I dropped in on Ken at work to have lunch with him in the hospital cafeteria. While we were waiting in his office, Andy spyed an empty urine sample cup across the counter. He said "Mom remember that thing over there when I went to the doctor and had to pee into it and then the toilet? That was awesome!"
Today Betsy had a friend over. After Andy kept bugging them, he came down and said, "Look Mom Betsy paid me a nickel to stay out of her room!" Guess who kept spying to see how much loot he could get out of the situation?

lost front tooth

2010-01-21T07:43:00.001-08:00

Adam was so excited that his front tooth came out today. He is happy to show all his friends in first grade.

Holiday Eves

2010-01-19T13:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

New Year's Eve

He cleans up well!

2010-01-12T14:02:00.000-08:00

Jared looking very snazzy in his tuxedo for his High School Band Concert.

dinner conversation

2010-01-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

Me-What's the best thing that happened to you today?
Adam-I learned that you (a human adult) have 206 bones in your body.
Andy-How many bones does a dragon have?
Me-Good question.

16th wedding anniversary

2009-12-28T06:38:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish my husband Ken a happy anniversary today. We're at sweet 16! We plan to eat out for lunch and see Avatar 3-D.

Christmas Sunday

2009-12-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

2009-12-16T14:39:00.000-08:00

Richardsons –Christmas 2009
Hi, everyone! Our big news is that we are headed to Provo, Utah this next year, where Ken has accepted a job as a neonatologist at Utah Valley Regional! Here’s a rundown of our life in Albuquerque this year:
Andy, 5: Loves preschool, is progressing in his speech therapy and enjoys MOMS Club field trips.
Adam, 6: Is the “ham” of his Sunshine Generation performing group and loves piano lessons and the gifted program in first grade at school.
Betsy, 8: Enjoys her friends & her hamster “Biscuit”. She enjoys Activity Days, piano, gifted and chorus.
Marcus, 12: Was excited to receive the Aaronic Priesthood, pass the sacrament and take trips to the temple. He is a “Star” boy scout and plays trumpet and piano.
Jared, 14: Enjoys high school and early morning seminary. He had a busy fall playing the mellophone in the marching band and French horn in concert band and continues to be an excellent pianist.
Ken: Is a busy neonatal fellow and is looking forward to finishing up his training. He helps the scouting program stay on track and is in the Young Men presidency. He remains a very loyal BYU Cougars fan.
Jenni: Is still the choir director as well as music chairman. She teaches private voice lessons and enjoys crafting hobbies and cooking.

jewelry for sale

2009-11-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a few of the beaded watches I made for a craft expo yesterday. I am opening an etsy.com account under jennisjewelry to try to sell more.

Andy's prayer

2009-11-09T07:22:00.000-08:00

Last night this was Andy's bedtime prayer:
"Heaven and Jesus, I love my family. I know the church is special. And I always play nicely. Please bless this food. I love the missionaries and prophets. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen."

Betsy quote

2009-10-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor friend who owns a big dog asked us why we didn't have a dog. I mentioned that "we are not dog people". When this didn't satisfy her, Betsy chimed in "Adam and Andy are enough of a responsibility". You don't need a dog when you have an Adam and Andy.

craft project

2009-10-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

This time of year inspires me to make crafts. I covered our old ugly cork board in our office. Once side for Ken and the other for me.

Adam quotes

2009-10-16T16:54:00.000-07:00

While I was filling up the sink to wash dishes by hand Adam excliamed, "Mom you're wasting water!" "If you waste water, Alaska will melt!"

While Adam was getting a hair cut at Great Clips , "I just can't take it anymore!"

speical shapes day at the fiesta

2009-10-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

Balloon fiesta

2009-10-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

where I get satisfaction

2009-10-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

So the reciept didn't turn out, but it said I saved $222.00 at Albertsons. I told the cashier my goal was to pay under $200 after using my coupons. I made it to $144.00 for all this food. And you don't see the fresh vegetables, 4 1/2 lbs. of london broil and tons of yogurt I bought hiding there. It probably took about 2 hours in preparation and an hour and a half to buy. I used my ad, newspaper coupons and 2 web sites: pinchingyourpennies.com and hip2save.blogspot.com. I also sometimes print coupons on coupons.com. It feels like this is my new job now. Ken is grateful to start putting away money in savings now.

Ken's b-day pics

2009-10-04T16:39:00.000-07:00

Happy 39th birthday Ken!

2009-09-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband. He is such a great father and husband. I am so grateful for him in my life. I love you Ken!

latest kid quotes

2009-09-25T15:19:00.000-07:00

Jared 14- (With Andy laying on his lap in church) "This is better than having a lap dog!"

Marcus 12-made a report on careers and thought "student intuition" for college was $1000.

Andy 4-"Mom you remind me of a gir.l" and "It would be really beautiful if you had pretty shoes and make-up."

Adam 6-"Andy leave me alone you're fweaking me out!"

updates-new camara

2009-09-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

Jared plays the mellaphone in marching band. They sounded great at their first football game. In August Marcus turned twelve and became a Deacon...set apart by his Dad.

Church family reunion

2009-08-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

Richardson reunion

2009-08-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

Reunion at Snow Basin

2009-08-11T15:25:00.000-07:00

More fun in Utah

2009-08-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

A Sunday walk around the Provo Temple, 4th of July parade in Delta, Adam's 6th birthday bowling at BYU, playing in Bridal Veil Falls.

More month of Utah

2009-08-03T18:18:00.000-07:00

Spending Father's day with my dad, fun at Liberty land and hanging out in Krisi's handmade hammock!

Fun times in Utah

2009-07-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

The "Kong" cone at Macy's, Dinosaur museum at BYU, fun with cousins

Highlights from our month in UT

2009-07-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

Our rental home in Provo (Shirley's home)

reunion

2009-07-24T18:08:00.001-07:00

We've done a lot on our trip over the past 5 weeks. This reunion in Arizona was the end of our trip. Ken is still in UT with a rotation. This is the Richardson clan at the reception for Ken's parents celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

A day at the ranch

2009-06-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

The kids and I went to galloping graces horse ranch this morning. They got to scoop some poop in exchange for a free horse riding lesson. They all loved it and Betsy in particular was in heaven.

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Ken got to open presents early for father's day. We will be in UT for the special day, and I didn't want to have to pack a bunch of presents...so he'll get breakfast in bed next Sunday and have memories of opening gifts at home. Happy Father's Day we love you!

Edward Cullen hair

2009-06-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

BEFORE AFTER

Sorry no more vampire hair for my taste. I get mean with the scissors.

Thanks for your prayers

2009-06-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Jared was in the hospital for 2 nights with pneumonia. Ken was able to take 2 days of sick leave so we could take turns staying with Jared. He is home and recovering. We appreciate all the kind thoughts and prayers for him.

R.I.P. Squeak

2009-06-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

We are laying our dear departed pet hamster to rest in the back yard. When we had company over Saturday night we discovered our fiesty rodent was not moving. It was a very emotional night for Betsy, but a little funeral and the promise of a new one was consoling (mostly). This was our first attempt at a "real " pet and she only stayed with us for 5 months. Hopefully we'll have better luck with the next one.

Rio Grande River

2009-05-25T18:03:00.000-07:00

Today we took our company (Ray and Eileen) to the Rio Grand Nature Center. We saw lots of hummingbirds, turtles, geese, ducks, lizards, frogs and a roadrunner in the wild. The kids couldn't help dipping their toesies.

Band concert

2009-05-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Marcus just finished his first year playing trumpet in beginning band. He and Jared had their end of the year concert and did a great job as their last concert at James Monroe Middle School. Jared will attend high school and Marcus will go to the newly built middle school near our home. We are impressed with their musicianship.

He's 14!

2009-05-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Jared turned 14 this month and was just ordained a teacher. We are so happy with the good guy he is and how he has accomplished so much in his life so far. We love you Jared!

Zoo Fun

2009-04-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

I met Adam and Andy's classes at their Albuquerque Zoo field trips. It was a beautiful day.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T17:27:00.001-07:00

the Garden Tomb-Jerusalem

Albuquerque Turkey sandwich

2009-04-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share a local recipe that I just made for lunch today. Yummy!
Albuquerque Turkey Sandwich
(feel free to change this sandwich with any ingredients you like! It’s fun to experiment!)

A few slices of turkey
One slice swiss or provolone cheese
2 slices wheat bread
Guacamole
2 slices fresh tomato
lettuce
Green chile -the fresh frozen kind

Toast the bread and immediately place cheese on one slice after you take the toast out of the toaster. Spread some guacamole on the other slice of toast. Place all the other ingredients on the cheese toast, then put the guacamole side on. I like pickles on the side.

Israel pictures

2009-04-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

Me at the dome of the rock on temple mount in Jerusalem. Ken and I at the BYU Jerusalem center for sacrament meeting. Ken and I at Gethsemane. And us hanging out at a 5 star hotel at 6am in Jericho. Ken is floating in Dead Sea water while reading the West Bank phone book.

Random Israel pictures

2009-04-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

This is me and Ken at the "traditional" birth spot of Jesus in Bethlehem.

This is us by the Israel museum where there is a huge model of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. You can see the temple behind us.

This is our first arrival in Jerusalem at sunset.

This is us at Ein Gedi where there is a waterfall and Ibex's. I found a fossil of a fish here.

This is us at Masada where I took a tram ride up and Ken hiked the whole mountain.

April Fools Andy

2009-04-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

On April 1st I was shocked to see Andy with red marks all over his face. When I looked closely, he had drawn with a red marker quite a thorough design on his face. When I asked him if he did that for April Fools day he said, "No, I just wanted to be fancy". Funny fancy boy.

We're back!

2009-04-01T18:09:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful trip to Israel. We appreciate Krisi and Eddy for taking a week off work to come stay with our children. We learned so many fascinating things about the time of Christ and about Israel. I know I will never read the Bible the same way again. Our computer can't hold all the photos we took from Israel, so I will post pictures as we are able to download. Tonight I made falafels, hummus, cucumber/tomato salad, kalamata olives and mediterranean pickles with flat bread wraps with cheese and the spice zatar for dinner. The kids enjoyed the adventure of new tastes. They also enjoyed their April fools jello filled cups with straws and mini dessert sushi and hamburgers today.

stolen car : (

2009-03-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

Ken went outside this morning to discover his car was missing. We told the kids we thought the car was stolen. Then they all had a miraculous revelation that it must have been those mischeivious leprechauns!

"Popcorn popping..."

2009-03-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

Spring is Here! We are happing to see the blossoms on our trees and enjoying spring weather but not so much the allergies.

Betsy's temple cake and baptism day

2009-03-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

Honor Roll

2009-03-03T14:40:00.000-08:00

Marcus and Jared came home with honor roll t-shirts from middle school. We are happy for their academic accomplishments!

Betsy's baptism

2009-02-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

Please join us for Betsy's baptism on Saturday February 21st at 2pm at the Seven Bar Stake Center. We will have an open house at our home afterwards.

Betsy

By: Jared Richardson

Always singing, always dancing. She loves to write and play.
Always reading and exploring. She rides her bike all day.
Inventing new things is something she enjoys,
like helping other people, or playing with her toys.

She can play piano. She never misses a beat.
Candy is her favorite thing to share or to eat!
She cares for animals, like her pet fish Squirt.
She’ll comfort her little brother if he ever gets hurt.

Perhaps when she’s an artist, she’ll paint a work of art.
But right now it’s time for her to be a sacred part
of Heavenly Father’s plan. She’ll be baptized in the water
to wash away all her sins and live with Heavenly Father.

Adam super star

2009-02-12T15:15:00.000-08:00

Adam stayed home sick with a cough the other day. When I brought him in late the next day the whole class erupted with cheers and welcomes to Adam. Two little girls immediately wanted him to sit by her. I said to Adam "Look everyone missed you." Adam threw back his head and said in his way "Of couth!" I guess it pays to take a sick day now and then to see what a super star you become.

Shutterfly | Manage my pictures

2009-02-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

Shutterfly Manage my pictures

court of honor invite

2009-02-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

This is the photo on the invitation to Jared's eagle Court of Honor. It is feb. 20th at 7 pm at the church. That is Betsy's 8th birthday she will have to share the limelight until the next day when she is baptized. It will be sat. the 21st at 2pm at the stake center.

toothless

2009-02-03T03:41:00.000-08:00

After another hour of drama and tears, Betsy let me pull out her other front tooth. After all that, the toothfairy forgot to come again! Good thing Betsy is patient.

Adventures with Andy

2009-01-31T14:15:00.001-08:00

Ken took Andy on a special date to the aquarium this last week. Ken pointed out the jellyfish to Andy and asked what he thought they ate. Andy replied matter of factly, "seafood!"

Adam was feeling sick today and Andy was feeling distraught about it. He faithfully told me he was going to kneel down and pray that Adam wouldn't be sick anymore. He did, and then asked Adam if he was better now. Adam jumped up and proclaimed "yes!", then they began playing.

Adventures with Andy

2009-01-24T07:37:00.000-08:00

Andy is in a great preschool twice a week. He is having fun and learning so much. He's learning everything about ancient Egypt right now. I don't know may preschoolers that could tell you about the Nile, pyramids, kings, Egyptian life, and mummies. The other day in his blessing on the food he blessed all the mummies in Egypt and all over the world. I'm sure they were appreciative.

Andy's preschool teacher referred Andy to a speech evaluation. After several tests he was rated as only 58% intelligable. Poor guy. It is condsidered severe, so he will have speech thearpy twice a week for 30 min. at our elementary school. They hope within a year to get him to 90% intelligibility.

Eagle Court of Honor

2009-01-23T16:30:00.000-08:00

Announcing the Court of Honor for Jared Richardson

receiving his Eagle award in the Boy Souts of America

Friday February 20th at 7 pm at the Ventana Chapel

There will be a reception afterwards

How do you celebrate?

2009-01-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

My kids think every holiday needs a celebration. The night before last Betsy asked how we were going to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. I said that I didn't know. In her sweet way she suggested that we invite over a friend that is black. Ken thought it was cute but wondered how they would feel about it. We ended up going to the zoo as a family. Betsy made friends with children of all colors there, so I think she can feel good that King's dream of children playing together despite the color of their skin has come to pass.

Day Trip

2009-01-17T19:20:00.001-08:00

Ken and the kids had the day off of school so we decided to take a day trip in New Mexico. We drove 3 1/2 hours to this fun destination. We don't have snow often in Albuquerque, so we found the next best thing....white sand.

Dear Aidan

2009-01-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

"I love you. We are cousins and that means we will always be best friends. And we're really good to each other. And we play together all days. In the name of Jesus Christ, and we can be good and helpful, and we don't have the same shirt. From Andy"ibfmf/

2nd hair cut

2009-01-10T11:12:00.001-08:00

I made attemps to fix my last hair cut. I just wish it didn't cost so much. Here is a look at the back.

carol brady hair

2009-01-06T20:04:00.001-08:00

I"m not brave enough to put a picture of me and my new haircut. So this is the next best thing...Carol Brady. This is the second time in the last 7-8 years where I didn't understand what the stylist had in mind for my hair, and I ended up with something similar to this famous 70's Mom. I know I shouldn't want to look like everyone else, but, I don't think I've really ever seen anyone in this decade don this do. It really doesn't help my self esteem to look so outdated. You know when you have a bad hair cut when people at church say "Did you get your haircut?" followed by "Do you like it?" Then there is this awkwardness after I say "no". And of course I got no comment whatsoever from long-hair-loving husband. So I will continue to wallow until a new sylist can camouflage it somehow this Saturday. Any consoling comments welcome...

My little elves

2008-12-31T12:39:00.000-08:00

Alex Kelley's 1st b-day

2008-12-30T14:16:00.000-08:00

We gave our little cousin a fluffy chick for his birthday. We got some cute giggles from him when we threw it like a ball. Thanks for sharing your 6 month and 1 year birthday with us Alex! We love you.

Last presents to open

2008-12-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning

2008-12-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

I won!

2008-12-23T15:44:00.000-08:00

I won my library's Jane Austen trivia contest. It was 2 pages on things about her books mostly. I won this teapot and cup/saucer. I haven't used it but it's fun to look at and remember my good luck.

Jared at the piano

2008-12-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

Snow Day!

2008-12-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

Eagle Board of Review

2008-12-17T11:48:00.000-08:00

Jared passed his board of review last night and will have his Court of Honor the end of February!

2008-12-13T19:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas parade

2008-12-13T19:24:00.001-08:00

Andy, Adam and Betsy got to ride in a neighborhood holiday parade. Jared and Marcus rode their bike and scooter next to the trailor while I walked the 2.2 miles and led the children in Christmas carols. Of course they were excited to throw candy but got ride of it within the first few feet of the parade.

Adventures in Andyland

2008-12-13T13:19:00.000-08:00

Andy and I were talking and he said something really unique and silly. I asked him "where did you learn that from?" He answered "from my brain". So after I acknowleged he had come up with it himself he told me that yes he had "gadgets" in his brain. What a character!