Too tired to make it to bed.

Winkin Blinkin and Nod

This year for Thanksgiving we went to the Menlove Family Gathering in Boise. We had a wonderful feast, played lots of games and joined in the Annual Menlove Poetry Fest. Everyone, young and old shared a poem. I LOVE this tradition and plan to make it a Neyman Fest next year! It was a memorable Thanksgiving. We loved meeting the extended Menlove Family!

This poem is Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod. We had to get it on film as it is often the poem Geoff recites to the kids when he puts them to bed at night.

So Happy Together!

Pinewood Derby

Oh boy...the time has come to prove true craftsmanship. Do all boys and their Dad's dream about winning the 1st place trophy for MONTHS before the event? Needless to say, this has been a fun project for both my boys! Only one more month until we see how the cookie falls...or rather how the car flies!

I would post a picture of the car, but then I would have to kill you. I guess you'll have to wait until AFTER the derby!

Meet Thomas!

Introducing the newest member of our little family... Thomas the Tractor! I think we are officially farmers now!

Young Men...learning to Knit!

I think only Geoff could persuade a bunch of 16-17 year old guys to learn to knit! It really was a fun evening... I got to join in since I was instructing, and I always love being with Geoff and these young men...they're such good guys and so much fun.

My favorite part of the evening was after all the YM had finished and left, we heard a knock at our door. I answered it, and Alex said with a sly smile, "I, uh, um, I left my, um... knitting." Too funny.

On the Farm

Pasta Con Chicas

Geoff and I have loved Geoff's semi-new calling as YM president. Tonight, the YM learned how to make homemade pasta and then served it to the young women.


We love having these youth in our home. They really are amazing!

CERT

Geoff has armored himself for Noah's all too frequent diaper BLAST's! You know Geoff...he can never be TOO prepared!

Actually this is his CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) outfit. He has been doing this training for several days.

FHE HIGH Adventure Rafting

We had a split FHE tonight...Geoff and Justin went rafting down the Payette River with the Neffingers and Haffens from our ward, and Max and I hung out at home (we couldn't find any maternity life jackets :)

After hearing about their adventure, I probably would have gone into labor had I gone! Two of the adults were thrown out of the raft! It was a wild ride.

We're still trying to convince Justin that not all rafting trips are as "adventurous." It was a good experience for our safe and cautious 8 year old. Thank goodness he loves spending time with his Dad.

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is always so much fun to prepare for...we all look forward to this day of celebration. Especially since we have such a great reason to celebrate...the BEST DAD in the whole world!
When I asked Justin what he liked best about Dad he said, "I mean, he is just SO MUCH FUN!!!" And it's true. Geoff is a very fun Dad. That is such an important trait in a family of boys. Justin really looks up to Geoff and tries hard to be like him. I couldn't ask for a better example of everything good. How can you not celebrate a father like Geoff??? We all adore him.

Father's Day is a day to simply enjoy spending time with Dad.

Max helped me make a carob cake...which as you can see...Max approved of!

Geoff open some presents...

And then the LONG AWAITED....ICE CREAM CASTLES!!!! Oh how the boys couldn't wait to make and eat these creations.

Happy Father's Day Geoff!
You are the BEST!

High Adventure

On my Honor

Geoff was awarded the "On my Honor" Scouting award tonight. I am so proud of him!!! I LOVE how much Geoff loves the scouting program. He is amazing with his scouting callings. He really makes a difference!

Fathers and Sons Outing

These are pictures from the much anticipated Fathers and Sons outing this weekend.
Oh yea, Geoff forgot to take his camera!!!! Never mind. You and I must use our imaginations!

The boys loved being with their dad, and camping and mom loved a little time to herself! I went to a 6 hour conference on Friday night, and to the temple for Stake temple days on Saturday morning...a great retreat for me.

A Visit From Dustin

Geoff's High School and College friend--Dustin Palmer-- spent Saturday & Sunday with our Family. Dusty is a very fun person and his stay was very enjoyable! The boys always wanted to be where he was!

A Picture of Dustin & his wife Danette

Justin joined them in the morning for a little shooting in the hills.

When they arrived home we tried out our Volcano Stove (a little addition to our emergency preparedness collection) and cooked a little Dutch oven dinner.
Justin loved it so much, he suggested we use the stove every night! It did taste good!

Dance Festival Performance

Paramount Ward Dancers!Standing: Briana, Sadi, Katelyn, Austin, Ben, Justin, Nate, Alex, Dylan, Mason, Tanner, Shelby, Kevin, Natalie

Sitting/Kneeling: Erin, Garrett, Kadi, Chalet, Kamrie, Kim, & Reagan

A picture taken during the Regional Dress Rehersal. It gives a small glimpse of the magnitude of the Dance Festival. The Taco Bell Arena Floor was JAM PACKED with exuberant youth.


A Video clip of our dance at Dress Rehersal.

This has been a GREAT EXPERIENCE for Geoff and I! We've come to know our youth and are totally biased towards them! They are stalwart, tenacious, enthusiastic, friendly, AMAZING kids! It's been such a privilege to DANCE with them. We will miss the frequent contact.

Dance Festival Practice

Working with the youth in our ward and Silverleaf Ward has been a hoot. Geoff acts as MC and dance instructor for most of the time--He's great with the kids, and so much fun! It's been a lot of work, but I am excited to see the final production. What a blast for these kids!

Dance Festival Six Stake Practice

This Dance Festival has been so much fun! However, Geoff and I were VERY SURPRISED (to say the least), at the routine we learned tonight (and have to teach to all the kids in our ward in two weeks). It's quite the dance routine...something I imagine the BYU Cougarettes performing at a halftime show. We quickly went from Country swing to Modern Jazz.

This picture shows only half of the people in the Gym...and these represent only the leaders. I find it amazing to think that thousands of youth will be doing this dance. It is a huge production! We are just beginning to get a glimpse. I think it's a blast. Geoff is still deciding (at least on the Modern Jazz routine).

Anyone who wants to see the dances can click on "Dance Festival" on our Neyman links on the top page (right) on the blog.

Night Time Fun

Night time routines are so fun when Geoff is around!!!

Ward Dance Specialists

Geoff and I were just called as our Ward Dance Specialists for a Dance Festival that occurs every four years here. The participants include all the youth ages 14 -18. It is actually a production that includes 6 Stakes in the area. Each Stake learns a different style dance. Our Stake will be learning and performing Country Swing.

So Geoff and I will spend a month learning the routines for 3 different dances, then will teach them to the youth in our ward every Wednesday night until the actual Dance Festival. It's a major production, and SO MUCH FUN for the youth.

I'm especially excited to have a good excuse to go dancing with Geoff every week for the next several months. I might even get to buy some PINK cowboy boots!!!