Warm Spring Sunday

We had a very mild winter with very little snow this year. But even so, when it is actually warm enough to wear shorts in early March, we take full advantage. On this particular Sunday afternoon, we went to the kids' school to play on the playground and enjoy the sun. Of course, even though Quincy was wearing shorts and and a tee shirt, I was still wearing a parka :).

Fisher's Baptism

 Fisher was baptized on a frigid day in February. Grandma Ross and Taylor said the prayers. Grandma Donnette gave a wonderful talk about the Holy Ghost. And I talked about baptism. It is the first baptismal service we've been able to have with just our family, so it was extra special.

 These are the men who stood in the circle to confirm Fisher a member of the Church and give him the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 While we missed a lot of our cousins, aunts and uncles who live far away or who had other commitments, we were so glad to have such a great show of support from all those who attended.

We had a nice lunch with friends and family at our house after Fisher's baptism. After a nice afternoon of eating and visiting, we went to watch Taylor's basketball team play for the championship. They won and we were thrilled to watch our dad coach them to victory!

Fisher's Baptism Date

When Taylor got baptized, we started the tradition of taking our kids to Temple Square the night before their baptism. It's a great way to spend some one-on-one time with them in a place where you can feel the spirit so strongly.

 Fisher and I standing in front of our great-great-great-great grandfather, Hyrum Smith, one of the first martyrs of the Restoration.

 Dan and Fisher watching the video about Christ's baptism by John the Baptist.

Fisher and I overlooking Temple Square from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where we had dinner together.

Fisher enjoying his ginormous hamburger!

Happy Valentine's Day

Is there a better Valentine's Day gift in all the world than seeing this cute little thing coming out of school?!

 For the Family Home Evening before Valentine's Day we each had a heart for each person in our family. We wrote what we loved most about each person and then hung them on the wall for the week.

 Just because.

Fisher's Baptism Photos

I've got to admit I have a real soft spot in my heart for this little guy. He is such a sweet, happy, sensitive kid. He was born with the sweetest, kindest spirit. And I was so happy for him to be baptized. It is an overwhelming thing as a parent to prepare your child for such an important commitment. But we worked hard with him to both understand the promises he would be making and the blessings he'd be receiving. It's been apparent from the day he was born that he has a special sensitivity to the spirit and a genuine desire to be good. Our prayer for him is that he will never lose that gift.

Everyday Life

 Sometimes, you've got to capture the everyday stuff. Like picking your kids up from school. I am so excited to see this little guy running full speed  through the parking lot to the car everyday after school.

 There aren't a lot of pictures of me in existence. Partially because I am always the one behind the camera and partially because I don't really care for pictures of me. But, there has to be some evidence that I was there--living this beautiful life right alongside my beautiful children. So, here it is!

 So this is the last year I'll have a portion of the day for just Quincy and me. I'll miss the one-on-one time we have together. Quite honestly, it makes me want to break into ugly sobs. We made frequent trips to the pet store where she would pine for (and beg for) a puppy.

 Here, Loryn is dishing herself up some after-school ice cream. A typical occurrence. But Loryn is frequently whipping things up the kitchen, whether it me edible or just some crazy concoction.

Fisher was a good sport to give up his room to Uncle Jeffrey for a week or so. He was happy as a clam to set up camp in the office. Here he is watching Wild Kratts, one of his favorite shows. Someday, we'll have to inform him that being a Wild Kratt isn't a realistic professional choice. But until then, he's studying up on every random animal fact he can get his hands on.

Cub Scouts

Right before Christmas, I got released from my calling in the Young Women to be a Bear Den Leader in the Cub Scout program. I'm going to be honest, I started to cry. Me, crying! Right there in front of our second counselor! Needless to say, it was a big pill to swallow. Scouting is something I know nothing about. Literally nothing. And a gaggle of little boys! Well, we'll figure it out.