Kenna's Baptism

Marlin and Kenna ready to go.

Kenna got baptized last Saturday. It was a very nice baptism. Our Stake does Stake baptisms, but because Kenna was the only one being baptized in August, we were able to arrange things to be more personal.

Kenna chose the songs, and the speakers. Sister Berger gave the talk on baptism, and Jessica gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. They both did a great job. It was nice to have people other than family give the talks. She hears from us all the time.

It is exciting to watch Kenna grow up. She has such a strong spirit and personality. She can do so much good, it will be fin to watch how she helps others.

The time before the baptism was crazy. Between trying to find out what was going on with band camp for Ian, and the little boys being wild, I was stressed. Don and Andrew ended up covered in marker, so a bath was required. Then after the bath and getting dressed in Sunday clothes, the poured an entire bottle of syrup on the carpet in their room. Someday I will laugh, but I am still a little put out.

Good thing they are cute boys. Some days it is all that keeps me from drastic measures.

Erin and Richard

Don and Andrew being their normal selves. Not the most reverent, but they did well during the baptism itself.

Didn't get a picture of Ian and Kelly, but they were there too. I am sometimes delinquent.

Philmont

Here are a few pictures of our Philmont experience. I don't know why I didn't actually gt this posted in July when I wrote it, but better late than never.

Another Don Moment

Just so you know Don is not always funny I will include this story. When we were up at Philmont Training Center, we were exploring the grounds of the Villa Philmonte, which is the mansion where Waite Phillips and his family would live on the ranch. There is a really nice gazebo type part of the building where you wait to go on a tour. We were looking around there and Don looked up and said "This looks like Heavenly Father's house." Then he went and sat on one of the chairs and said, "this is where He sits and talks to people."

Then the next day Marlin was walking him around the gardens and he said "This looks like Heavenly Father's backyard."

He is quite the little boy. It was beautiful up at Philmont.

Kelly just came in and said that Don said "look it's snail polish". He keeps us smiling.

More Don Funnies

OK, so having a 3 (almost 4) year old is fun.

Yesterday in church, Don leaned over to me and asked "Where are your Sunday clothes?" Well, considering I was dressed in church, I said I am wearing them.

He repeated "No, where are your Sunday clothes?"

I said "Right here."

He thought for a second and said, "But where are your beautiful Sunday clothes?"

I couldn't hear well enough to figure out what clothes he was talking about, but apparently it wasn't what I was wearing. The only thing I can figure is that I had to change shirts before church because Richard slimed me. I guess the first shirt was beautiful, the second was not. hahaha

Then after church we were making dinner, and the girls were cutting up fruit for a fruit salad. Don asked where we got the fruit. I said from Sunflower Market. Don must not have heard because he then said, "Oh, you got it at the fruit salad store?" What a cutie. I think I'll keep him.

Summer Means Swimming

So for weeks the little kids have been asking to go swimming. The indoor pools are open all year long, but rec swim hours are from 6pm to 8pm. Usually that is a rotten time to try and get out to swim. So the Saturday after school gets out is when the outdoor pools open. That was Memorial Day weekend. The weather was windy and only about 78 degrees or so. But we went swimming. The water was cold, and the wind made it cold out of the water. I never did make it in, I stayed on the side with Richard. He loved sitting on the side of the pool and playing in the water. The cold didn't seem to affect him much.

Since then we have been swimming several times. Richard loves to be in the water. He doesn't seem to mind the cool water. I usually take him out when his lips start turning blue. Maybe I should get him out sooner, but he never complains.

The older kids have swim team each morning, and Andrew and Don will start swim lessons in a week. (Originally I would have had them in swim lessons now, but the pool close to our house has to close temporarily to fix the pump. They had to cancel this session of lessons.)

These pictures are from when we walked to the pool that first time this summer.

I would have just as soon not had this picture, but I had to get one of Richard. I learned that those flip flops were not good for walking the 3 blocks to the pool.

This is Erin and Andrew.

Andrew Excited to swim.

Don and Kenna

Don was ready. He kept the swim cap on until he got in the pool. Then he took it off. :-)

Kelly is groing up!

The Young Women had a Daddy Daughter Dance a few months ago. It was a wear a dress event. Kelly had invited a friend from school to go with her, but her friend didn't have a dress, so they dug through Kelly's closet and ended up wearing the "prom" dresses that I got at a thrift store for halloween 2 years ago. Kelly has slimmed down, and the dress fit her way to well if you ask me. She really looks grown up.

Marlin was able to go, and enjoyed dancing with Kelly, Tasha (the friend from school), and Madison. It sounded like a good night.

Kelly in her fancy dress. Oh so grown up.


Kelly's friend Tasha.


Kelly's friend Madison.


The three girls together. Thank Heavens for cell phones. I wouldn't have pictures otherwise. I forgot my camera.

Catch UP - kind of

I haven't posted in so long, and I don't think I can truly catch up on everything... But here is some info.

School is now over. Ian completed the 8th grade, and they had a "Promotion Ceremony", aka Graduation.  I was amazed at the clothes the girls were wearing.  Can we say immodest and not appropriate for anyone much less 13/14 year old girls.  I was also thinking that this may be the last graduation some of those kids will ever have. I was glad for Ian, but sad for those kids that had reached their greatest educational experience.  I can't believe Ian is going to high school next year. CRAZY.  

The girls and Andrew all had great years and are looking forward to next year. 

Summer means swimming and scout camps.  Marlin and Ian have been gone for a week to Brownsea. Life is different when they are gone. I am much less motivated to cook, clean and do anything.  I need to change that. 

Kelly is off to her first Girls Camp. I can't believe she is 12.  She looks older though. She is almost as tall as me now.  She is a beauty! We will have the shotgun primed for the next 10 years or so. 

Richard is growing and growing. He is almost crawling, and loves to walk by holding our fingers. I think he may walk before he really crawls. He can get around now if he wants to.  Time for continual vacuuming!

Don is so funny. We had some really strong winds a couple of weeks ago, and our roof is losing some shingles.  Don came in and announced that "Someone took a bread knife and took some   skin off our roof!"   I don't know where he comes up with this stuff, but it was very cute.  Even to say a tool that was used.