Sunday, October 3, 2010

Happy 13th birthday Christopher!

13 years ago Christopher joined our family! Except 13 years ago it was a Friday and there was a BYU football game going. Russell was in the marching band and almost didn't make it to Chris' delivery. Then the doctor had the lightbulb moment of...."If this lady doesn't have her baby soon I'll be stuck in football traffic trying to get home." So...he got out the vacuum and that was that!
We are so happy to have you in our family. I still can't believe there are now 2 teenagers!

My newest and last (sniff, sniff) cub scout!

Nephi turned 8 on 9-17. He is our newest and last cub scout. Sniff, sniff. Please pass the kleenex. Hold on while I wipe my eyes and blow my nose. sniff sniff.

He has been patiently waiting for almost 4 years now to be old enough to be a scout! When I was a den leader for 3 1/2 years he went just about every time. (Except his first grade year as he rode the bus home with his older brothers.)

His shirt actually goes down to his knees but this just ensures I won't have to buy another blue one during the next 3 years. lol

The apple of my eye!

I bought 4 boxes of gala apples and 3 boxes of ginger golds. This is what I gleaned from my efforts! Lots of applesauce, juice and jelly. We will be set with apple products for the year. Mmmmmmm..... Now....bring on the toast (for the jelly of course. lol)

Boys, boys, boys!

Last Saturday on the 25th of September, our ward youth had a temple trip to the Portland Oregon Temple. Our Young Women's president has small boys and we have 2 smallish boys. So...I offered to watch her kids so she could attend the temple with her husband. Then another friend called wanting to know if I could watch her two small boys. Their 2 older boys had just turned 12 and she and her hubby wanted to attend the temple with them on their first time. I said sure....why not. Most people probably thought I was crazy, insane, whatever. We had so much fun! My boys play really well with either set of visiting brothers - who also play well together so I didn't a problem.
We collected grasshoppers, lady bugs and beetles. I just had to remind a certain 4 year old not to shake the jar or else his grasshoppers might throw up on him. He wanted to take them home and let them loose in his bedroom.
All 6 boys just about polished off a huge plate of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies as well. I didn't have a problem with this because I knew what went in those cookies. Lots of yummy stuff!
We had a really fun picnic style lunch on the family room floor and watched a movie. I don't own any highchairs for 2 of the boys - so this worked really well.

I just love this picture! The beach...it's the place to be!

I just love this picture!  The beach...it's the place to be!
I think this was in 2004. It was Nephi's first trip to the beach. The boys were all so little! My have they grown.

Meet the Parents...Russell and Candace

Meet the Parents...Russell and Candace
It all started for us when Russell left for Cape Town South Africa on a mission. Candace felt inspired to write him - so she did! We wrote for 3 1/2 years. Candace came home from her mission to the Texas Houston East Mission and we dated for 5 months. We married in July 1994 and have been happy ever after!

Son 1...Donovan

Son 1...Donovan
Our 14 year old boy scouter, 50 miler bike rider, cartoon drawer, computer gamer, book reader, clarinet player, babysitter, 8th grader boy!

Son 2...Christopher

Son 2...Christopher
Our 13 year old, boy scouter, harry potter computer gamer, lego creator, imaginator, book reader, 6th grader boy!

Son 3...Michael

Son 3...Michael
Our 9 1/2 year old drama king, perfectionist (I wonder if he gets that from mom? lol), drawer of many things, 3rd grader boy!

Son 4...Nephi

Son 4...Nephi
Our8 year old keeper of surprises, leg breaker, book listener, lego creator, music enjoyer, 1st grader boy!