Latest Happenings

We took the kids to a restaurant where they converted a plane into an eating area. The kids thought it was really neat to see what an old airplane looked like.

We had a big snow storm and the kids had fun making a fort. The fort stuck around for quite awhile after.

In February Bella went to her first day of Nursery. She did great, didn't make a peep. Since then she has done pretty well, cries when being dropped off but settle down after a few minutes. I can't belive how big she is.

Then it was Valentine's day and we went to Ethan's class and watched him hand out invitations.

Bella had to show of her tricks to everyone.

Instead of going out that night we decided to stay at home and have a fancy dinner with the kids. It was so much fun. We decorated, made steak and lobster, and had a nice evening.

Dinner would not be complete with out same after dinner dancing to Justin Bieber.

Ethan finished another season of basketball. He loved it and did great. He scored every game!

Ethan also had a poetry day at school where we went and had a snack with him and then the students went up and read their poems. I am so proud of the excellent student Ethan is.

Ethan also already earned his Bobcat in Cub Scouts. Way to go, Ethan!

We have been busy and having fun!

It's Great To Be Eight!

Ethan turned 8 years old and was baptized! We are so proud of Ethan and the special young man that he is turning into be.

We had such a wonderful birthday weekend with Ethan. Ethan turned 8 years old on Friday. He had school off and Grandma Dee flew in the morning. So we took Ethan to lunch at Red Robin. Then we had a family birthday party with pizza and presents. Ethan's present was a new room with a loft bed! He was so excited and surprised. We had locked Ethan out of his room all week and worked late every night. We told him that all he was getting was new painted walls and that the paint took a long time to dry. The night of his birthday he got to go and look and he was shocked!

Then the next day was baptism day! I loved having the two days so close together. It really put the focus on turning 8 and being baptized. We had so many people there to help support Ethan. Both of Seth's parents came out, Seth's sister Mary, my sister Kaylie, and all my close family were there. We had a big family breakfast at my parents house that morning. Then it was time to get ready for the baptism.

                     

Ethan is really such a good example to his little sisters.

Ethan was well prepared to be baptized. We had taken extra care to prepare him so that he understood what being baptized meant and that it was his choice to make and no one else's. As I watched him the weeks leading up to this day and during his baptism I truly saw the Spirit with him. He took getting baptized very serious, tried to learn as much as he could, and impressed us with his maturity.

The baptism went great, the confirmation and blessing was wonderful, and Ethan and Seth sang the closing song together, "Teach Me To Walk In The Light". Ethan did a great job getting up in front of everyone and singing the first verse by himself, then Seth sang, and then they sang the third verse together. It was such a tender moment. One that I did with my Dad at my baptism.

Ethan's baptism was very well attended with family, friends, and ward member. Here is all the family members that were able to be there.

Then we had a dinner at my parents house where Ethan got new scriptures, a testimony book, and ladder with the principles of the gospel on it. It was such a wonderful, spiritual, and special weekend for our family. I don't think I would have asked for anything to be different. My hope was that it would be a memorable event for Ethan and that his baptism day would be one that he would always remember. I think Ethan was touched by the Spirit and he knew that Heaven;y Father loved him that day.

As we were ending the day and heading home we were talking about the special day that we had and Ethan got teary. He told us that this day was the best day ever. As he began to cry he said he didn't know why he was crying. So we were able to explain to our special young boy that he was feeling the Spirit that day so strong because Heavenly Father was so proud of him and loved him so much. We told him that Heavenly Father could not be there to hug him and tell him in person that He was excited that he was baptized so that He sent the Holy Ghost to tell Ethan He loved him for Him. I will never forget that conversation in our van that night. Ethan was teary for a few days after that because the Spirit was so strong with him and in our home.

I am thankful for the gospel, and for the knowledge that we have. I am thankful that we could grow closer as a family by preparing fro Ethan's baptism, and I am forever grateful that Ethan was sent down to be part of our family.