My little Boy Scout

Aidan was so excited about being a Boy Scout and worked very hard to get his Bobcat quickly. One of his requirements was to learn how to use tools. I had to take some photos of it.

Aidan's May Day 2012

One fun thing that Grandpa also got to do was to watch was Aidan's May Day performance. It was such a fun thing for him to get to see, but also for Aidan to have his great-grandfather there. It is so special to me that my children have been able to spend this time with him and have these beautiful memories to keep forever.

Track Meet 2012

Aidan wanted to run on the track meet again this year. I feel badly about it, but we really dislike going. It is so hot, and it lasts for hours, which is frustrating, because if they did things differently, they could have multiple events going on at a time. We go to support our boy, and we love that he wants to participate in these type of things.

He ran the 50 m and the 100 m. He didn't win anything, but we are proud of him for deciding to do something and following through with it. Great job Aidan!

Aidan's Baptism

Aidan was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on March 3rd, 2012. It was a very special day for all of us. My parents were here to be with Aidan on his important day. We were also very blessed to have so many of our dear friends here attend and support us. The program here is short and sweet. Our Bishop actually only wants one talk, instead of the usual two. Aidan had the choice of who he wanted to have speak, and he picked me, even though I strongly encouraged him to pick someone else. I don't speak well publicly anyway, but it gets much worse when I am very emotional. For a minute there, I was afraid that I was going to have to have Spencer take over for me, but I was able to calm down enough to finish the talk. It was a very beautiful opportunity for me to share with my sweet boy my thoughts and feelings on baptism, the Holy Ghost and his new membership in the Gospel. We are so very proud of this sweet young man and his choice to be baptized. We love having him in our family and he brings us immense joy. We love you Aidan!

Aidan's 8th Birthday

My poor Aidan. He has somehow ended up not having very big parties compared to the other kids for the last few years. I swear it's not a middle child thing. Last year I just wasn't up to it right after having Lucy. This year, eight, was going to have to be huge! Aidan is in love with Harry Potter, so we were going to go all out. My parents were here in town for his baptism, and my Mom is also a huge Harry Potter fan (who isn't, really?). She's thrown huge HP parties before, so I was very grateful for the help. 


We made wands for the boys, which they got to pick when they arrived. We had a sorting hat and sorted the boys into their houses. They got felt ties with their house colors. We had a huge assortment of treats, including cauldron cakes, chocolate frogs, owl snacks, chocolate wands, and acid pops. We also had the absolutely necessary drink, butterbeer! The kids seemed to have a blast, especially running around and casting spells at each other. Aidan thanked me over and over for the party, so I think he felt loved and important, and that's exactly what we wanted for this special day. 

My Dad as Lucius Malfoy

Lucy was in LOVE with the Butterbeer. 

She was practically trying to climb into that cup!

An Obsession

I got my new camera in August, and I had been having fun with it, trying to figure everything out. I have been trying to use it in Manual mode since November, and I was gradually learning a little at a time. But ever since I was able to take the wedding photos for Jack and Zuly, I have been obsessed. I'm reading every bit of information I can find on it. I could read photography forums all day long if the kids would let me. If I'm not doing that, all I want to do is be out shooting something, trying new things that I have read about.

I am having such a blast, and really loving some of the pictures I have taken, that I'm sure I will just have random posts of pictures of my pretty babies. I am so excited to have found such a fun, interesting hobby. It's fun to be stretching and growing and learning again. I missed that, although I hadn't even realized until now.

I know the format of some of these is the same, but the layout was free and I don't want to spend the money yet on fancier ones right now. All I need now is to get Sienna to be willing to just go out and let me take a bunch of pictures of her too!

What happens when Daddy helps the kids in the mornings...

I saw Aidan when he came home from school with this lovely outfit. I cannot keep track of how many times I have told him no patterns with patterns. I just had to laugh that Spencer didn't notice and Aidan didn't care!

He did it!

Aidan did it! He's learned to ride his bike, at least to ride and balance. 

He needs a little more work on starting and stopping, but he is on his way! 

Aidan's 1st soccer game

Aidan is playing soccer for the first time this year. He's actually doing very well. He's out there, running hard, chasing down the ball. He's actually a pretty good goalie too, (just like his Daddy!). He runs right up there and snatches up the ball. I love seeing my children have these opportunities that I didn't have as a child, especially when they end up loving it.

The Awesome Eagles