It is always so fun to have the warm days of February jump start spring a little. We have been able to spend a few hours out in the yard; dressing up the flower beds, pruning some of the plants, and discovering that the tulip & daffodills are bravely poking their heads up 3 or 4 inches now!!! The church purchased about 350 more acres of orchard next to our church orchard in Sunny Slope.... Our ward gets to help with the change over... like cutting down all the peach & cherry trees as they are going to plant pear trees instead. They are giving small sized trees to those who want to dig them.... So you know us.... we have a big yard, sure let's get some!! Merrill is fixing them to be so fine!!! Spring is such an exciting time of the year.

On the 6th of March we went to Rexburg to go to temple when Scott went through for his first time.... Linsey & Austin hosted a lunch afterwards in their cute little apartment.

I don't know why we didn't get a better picture of Scott but this is all we have. He still has lots to do to get ready for his mission.

New year -- New activities!

So Bishop Bastian is tending to his flock, while I jetted off to Julie's (in Virginia, where it is really cold.) to help welcome Kade in to the family. The kids and I play all kinds of fun things like board games, Star Wars sword fights, and their newest toy the Wii. I'm quit the bowler.
Cute bunch of Homer kids......

Final memories of 2008

Jordan came home from his mission.

We held our annual Sunday before Christmas family get-together on the 21st.

Brenda, Roger, & Scott were

here from far away Michigan

We played our candy bar

right-left game again

We had a really white Christmas
It has been a super wonderful year

Good-bye for now and Happy 2009

to all!!!!

Life changes every once in a while. On November 9th Merrill was sustained as Bishop of the Caldwell 5th Ward. Instead of the phone ringing because someone needs a key or it won't work, or the toilet in the bathroom in plugged..... the phone rings and someone needs other kinds of help..... but the phone rings..... so we don't get lonely or bored.... If he does get bored he builds cages for moose.... new hobby?

A Trip to Kansas

What a beautiful time of year to travel!!

First day we went to Ephriam & spent the

night with Gayleene & Richard........ Then...

We drove down through southern Utah on

Highway 70. Then took 50 down through

Colorado by way of Gunnison, Monarch Pass,

Salida, Pueblo, to La Janta where we stayed

the 2nd night. I loved seeing that part of

the country. Monarch pass was especially

Interesting!! Was snowed on even!!

We ate lunch in Dodge & went to one

of their museums.... then got out of Dodge!

We got to Derby late afternoon & Brock

was so glad to see us........

Raegan was glad for more attention too.

Merrill spent a couple of days putting in a tile floor in one of McDavitt's bathrooms & we

had a great time with the kids......

Halloween was fun..... Raegan dressed

in her costume the entire week before. After

she went out to a few houses 'Trick or Treating'.

She came home & helped give out treats. She

would stand @ the door & call out, " Come to

my house, people.... I have treats for you!".

They have a really fine Zoo.... where we

spent Saturday Nov. 1

Brock Maxwell Bastian was given a name &

blessing by his daddy, Steven on Sunday Nov 2.

Now back to home & business @ hand...................