Another Great Cross County Season

Tonight Nicholas finished his cross country season with districts at Central Valley High School.  We have been very blessed with amazing weather this fall...lots of sunshine and warm temperatures.  But, not today.  It was only 39 degrees and pouring rain!  The sad thing about cross country is that there is a lot of standing around, waiting for your division to start and then the run only lasts about 10 minutes.  Nick was soaked by the time his group started...but he had a personal record, running 1.5 miles in 9 minutes 28 second.  I'm so proud of him.  Now, he can focus on just soccer for awhile...until basketball starts!  

Obviously this picture is not from today -- I wish we had some sunshine! 

Primary Program (aka My Favorite Sunday of the Year!)

Sunday, September 30th, was the Primary Program.  The theme this year was, "Choose the Right."  I'm so touched that my children are learning at an early age that agency is a gift from Heavenly Father and that we can use that agency to choose the right.  Obedience is truly the only gift we have to give to our Father in Heaven, who has blessed us with so much.  

Here's a picture of Natalie and Adam on the morning of the program . . . they are my only two children still in Primary:

Back to School 2012

When you see these lined up....

... you know it's that time of year again:  Back to School!!!

Ally is in 9th grade, Nicholas in 8th, Natalie in 5th, and Adam in 3rd.  

Today was a crazy day for our family.  Nick especially had a long day.  He was gone from 7:30 this morning until 8:00 tonight.  He had school, cross country, and soccer practice.  Nick is such an easy-going kid.  He never complains and seems genuinely happy to be active.  He's growing like crazy.  When I dropped him off this morning I heard a girl, who was walking behind him, say "Wow, Nick grew this summer!"  As you can see in the picture above, he is now taller than his "big" sister.  Nick will be busy this year with school, sports, scouts, and serving as 1st counselor in his Deacon's Quorum.  I know he's going to have a great year!  

Ally loves high school so far and felt comfortable with her classes.  The only one she wanted to change was drama (she wants to take photography instead!)  She's most excited about her Spanish class.  I think she'll excel at learning a second language.  A few years ago, I taught the children some basic sign language. We had a book we studied and I put up charts around the house.  Ally loved it and continued to learn more words and phrases on her own.  This summer, there was a hearing-impaired girl at Girl's Camp and Ally was able to use some of the sign language she learned.  I think she'll take to Spanish like she did to sign language.  Also keeping Ally busy this year will be seminary.  It starts on Monday.  Ally's amazing teachers stopped by a couple nights ago.  They have such sweet spirits!  I know they're going to be a blessing to Ally each morning.  Ally is doing competitive club cheerleading and looking forward to trying out for the high school squad in the spring.  

Natalie is most excited this year to be at the "top of the school" as a 5th grader.  She loved going back to school and seeing all her friends today.  Natalie is definitely the most social out of all of my children and very liked at school by her peers.  She was welcomed back today with tons of hugs and kids calling out to her.  She's excited to serve on the ASB again this year; mainly, because she loves doing the announcements over the PA system in the morning.  We've been pondering a lot lately about what a good extra-curricular activity would be for her that won't aggravate her asthma.  We discussed options and prayed about it and decided she should sign up for a dance class.  She wants to do jazz.  I think this will be a good match for her.

Adam (also known as "coco" or "the baby of the family") also had a fabulous day.  He has probably the BEST teacher at his school, Mrs. Skeman.  Adam loved her instantly.  I know he's going to have a great year.  He starts soccer this week and will be busy with that and cub scouts.

The night before school started our wonderful home teacher came by and gave each of the children a blessing.  The spirit was so strong that night.  I was especially touched how each blessing was tailored to each child.  I have no doubt that our Heavenly Father loves us and knows us individually.  

The lazy days of summer are over, but there are no 4 people I rather be "busy" with than Ally, Nick, Natalie, and Adam.  "I believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children."  Elder Dallin H.Oaks.  

Alaska

I'm so thrilled that I can now cross "See Alaska" off my bucket list!  I'd heard Alaska was a beautiful state, but, truly, words or pictures can't perfectly capture the breath-taking scenery of Alaska.

The kids, my grandparents, and I went on a one-week cruise from Seattle to Alaska, with 3 stops in Alaska (Juneau, Skagway, and Tracy Arm Fjord) and 1 stop in Canada (Victoria).  It was such a great opportunity to spend time with my family and to behold the beauty that Heavenly Father has created for us.  My heart was full looking at mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and the ocean.  Alaska is so pristine.  I left with more respect for our amazing planet and more resolve to take care of it.


We also spent 4th of July on the ship.  We were actually in Canada on the 4th, so for the first time ever...no fireworks for us.  

It was a little windy!  

  
One night on the ship was formal night for dinner.  Here we are ready to eat (although we look like we are going to church!)

April 7, 2012 was Adam's Big Day

Adam was baptized the day before Easter.  What a wonderful weekend to focus on Adam's decision to be baptized and also to celebrate the miracle of the resurrection.  Adam was actually blessed on Easter...8 years ago!  The following Sunday he bore his testimony about his baptism experience.  The faith of an 8 year old is such a beautiful thing!    


Our sweet home teacher, Brother Smith, baptized Adam.  This man has gone above and beyond in taking care of our family over the last year!  Grandpa and Grandma came up for the big day and then stayed for Easter.  It was a wonderful weekend filled with family, fun, and closeness with the Savior.  

 Adam and Brother Smith

Arriving at the church for Adam's big day

 Easter Morning

 

Adam's Baptism

I'm so excited for this Saturday.

Adam will be baptized at 5:00pm at our stake center. All are invited.

I'm so happy he has made the choice to follow in his

older brother and sisters' footsteps

AND in his Savior's footsteps!