Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans January 12-15

We had a great time in New Orleans! It is always fun to travel with Utah Farm Bureau, and it is especially fun when it is paid for by Utah Farm Bureau! We stayed at the Embassy Suites, and this is our view from the balcony in the dark.

Honestly, New Orleans is not a great city to visit. Now understand that we were only there for essentially two days for the conference, so we did not have a chance to go on any tours of the plantations or the swamp lands. Some people stayed an extra day and seemed to enjoy the tours. As for down-town New Orleans and especially Bourbon Street-it is evil.

After checking into our hotel on Saturday evening we went in search of a nice dinner. We soon found out that most places close at 7:00, so that people have to head to Bourbon Street. We were hungry and a little naive I guess. We walked down Bourbon Street and soon realized that this was full of bars, and clubs, and women with very little clothing on. We settled for one of the first restruants we came across called the "Cajun Cabin." There was a decent band that was playing loud music and most people were drunk. The food was horrible and the service was even worse. We have a theory that in a place like that the service and food can be bad, because most people are just there to get drunk. We were much too sober to appreciate it. It is definitely an experience we will never forget!

The band at the Cajun Cabin

Garrick, Staci and Jamison McPherson (they brought their 4 month old baby Paisley with them)
Jamison ordered Alligator bites. We did not like them-way too chewy, but Jamison loved them.

Top Ten Placing in National Achievement Award Contest

We had a great time at the Farm Bureau Convention and ended up placing in the top 10 for the Achievement Award. We then had an interview on Monday morning with the judges who read our application. We were competing for a Dodge truck or the 4 runners-up won a Case Farm-All tractor. Anyway, we did not end up in the top five, but felt it was a great honor to rank in the top ten. We did receive a Toy Case Tractor and $500 gift certificate for Valvoline (oil). It was a great experience to meet people from all over the county. I talked to so many people and wish we could have gotten to know them a little better.

This is a picture of our poster with the star identifying us as a top ten contestant. The National YF&R Committee makes these posters to highlight all the participants from each of the three contests.

This is a picture of us standing on stage waiting for the announcement of the winners. The day before we had to stay for a rehearsal. This is a major production they put on, and they needed everyone to know exactly what they needed to do and where to stand on stage. They even have confetti come down when they announce the winners!

One of the highlights of the convention was hearing Colin Powell speak.

Monday night we ate at a very fancy restaurant. They had very good food, but we found out soon after we were seated that we were a little under dressed. The waitress came and politely asked Garrick to remove his hat. We were all a little embarrassed, and started looking around and noticing that most people were dressed more formally than we were. But soon another group came in and were seated at the table next to us, one of the men had a hat on. Staci turned and warned him that he should take his hat off, but he couldn't get it off before the waitress asked him to remove it. Jamison started calling Staci the hat Police, because she warned another guy on our way out of the restaurant.

Anyway, the food was delicious. Jamison had turtle soup and duck. I am not the brave, but had steak and shrimp, and a bite of Jamison's duck. Duck is very tasty!

For dessert we had the Banana Souffle (see picture above). It has butter, brown sugar, banana extract, and rum (hence the fire). It is quite the show as they make it right at your table. They drizzle that sauce over ice cream and bananas. Yummy!!

Happy Birthday Heather!

Joelle


Lydia

When we got back to Grandma Robert's house in Pocatello, we had cake and ice cream to celebrate Heather's birthday.

Wow, 20 candles puts off a lot of smoke!

Rexburg Idaho Temple Open House

On Friday we had the oportunity to go inside the Rexburg Idaho temple with my mom and dad, Heather, Joelle, and Lydia and Wyatt. Kyle and Garrick did not get to come with us, but it was so fun to hear the girls tell them all about it. It was a neat experience for Rachel and Kaitlyn especially. Rachel said that it was so diferent than she had aimagined a temple to be like on the inside. SHe sid that she thought it was just one big room with the alter for where you get married, and then you would walk down these stairs to the baptisimal font. Well now she has a clearer picture and a feeling of what it feeles like to be inside. We all felt the spirit so strongly in the beutiful Celestial room. Rachel said it was like being in heaven.

New Year Bowling

On New Years Day we were invited to go bowling with Anthony and CeCille. THeir friends the Mumfords rent the Preston Bowling Alley every New Years Day. This year we were lucky enough to be invited. Garrick bowled a 164, which is the best score he can ever remember getting. I didn't even break 100, but the kids all did very well and had so much fun.

Kaitlyn and Emilia

Kyle

Garrick

Rachel

More Christmas Fun!

Hannah was so excited for Kaitlyn to open the gift from her. She just kept saying "You're gonna love this, Kaitlyn!!" Sure enough Kaitlyn loved the set of four Kelly (Kid) barbie dolls.


Rachel loved her gift from Trevor.

Trevor got this book from my Grandma Roberts that is extra special because it was made by my Aunt Sue who passed away last month.

Kyle and Rachel love to build with the Lincoln Logs. Kyle got a new set from CeCille.

Santa brought te boys something too!

Kyle got 2 way radio's that have come in handy when he gets stuck when he is on the 4-wheeler


Trevor got a loader and has been busy loading everything ever since. He makes messes and then runs to get his loader and load the mess into his dump truck. THe other day I was sweeping the kitchen floor, and I got a nice pile ready then turned to grab the dustpan. Suddenly, Trevor came full speed with his loader and destroyed the pile I was ready to sweep up.

Santa came to our house!

The girls each asked Santa for a doll, and they have had so much fun playing with their pretty dolls every day.

Kaitlyn's doll is named Katelynn and she is an ice skater.

Rachel's doll is named Alexis and cme with an extra outfit and a fleece robe.

Hannah's doll is named Sophie and has a little baby sister named Katie.

Opening Gifts on Christmas Eve

After the party at Grandma's we came back to Anthony and CeCille's house to open gifts before Jenn and Brandon went back to SAlt Lake.

Jenn and Brandon gave the kids the Mouse Trap game, which we have loved playing.

Garrick gave Brandon a picture of the bull that chased him when he was hunting. You can read more about that on Jenn's blog jennandbrandon.blogspot.com
If you go to her blog you can also see video of Kyle and Brandon snowboarding behind the Ranger!

Jenn and Brandon gave Garrick the Glen Beck book that was impossible to buy at the store. Brandon's brother happened to be at his performance and even got it autographed! Garrick has been enjoying that book.

Kaitlyn loves her Hannah Montanna wig, and Trevor loves to come up behind her and jerk it off.

Christmas Eve Party at Grandma Hall's

We had a party at Garrick's Grandma's house. THere are so many people to squeeze into that house, it is always very "warm and cozy", but it is fun to see everyone and have the Nativiy.


Hannah was a very serious angel with Mia.

Rachel and Kaitlyn were shepherds, and Kyle and Trevor chose not to participate this year (along with several of the other boy cousins).