Pinewood Derby 2012

Ah, the Pinewood Derby. The yearly event that Spencer goes crazy over and spends all his free time on. Well, last year was like that. This year wasn't quite as bad. Aidan was so excited because he got to go so soon after his birthday. He loves Scouts. He tries to wear his uniform to school every Tuesday just because he's excited to go that evening.

Aidan took second place in our ward's Pinewood Derby. That means he gets to compete at the Pinewood Derby play-off things with the others winners from the island.

I can't complain about the time Spencer spends on our car. He tries to make it fast, but doesn't care about pretty. Look at that fancy car! Our friend's husband took apart her CLOCK to get pieces to use for the car. It's pretty amazing though.

Easter 2012

Wow, I hadn't realized it's been so long. I've been here taking pictures, reading blogs, etc., but I guess sometimes I forget to update my own. I'll make up for it with an absurd amount of pictures!

We had a nice Easter this year. It seemed a little lonely without the Wysowskis, but Connie & Ben and Jack & Zuly made it better.

The kids had a rainy Easter egg hunt at the church the day before. They loved it, of course! Then we had our own little one on Easter evening. We had a delicious dinner of home-made sushi, (cucumber rolls), steamed potatoes, and roasted asparagus. We didn't even miss the meat!

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!