Oh Christmas Tree 2011

We always do a real tree. We prefer it. It wouldn't feel like Christmas if we didn't go looking for a tree. Last year we just went to Lowes and went cheap. And we got what we paid for cause that tree was painful if you were poked by the needles in addition to that, the needles  fell off like mad. It was insane. This year we found a fun little tree farm to chop it down. I don't remember the name of it but it was north of us. They had free hot chocolate, popcorn, and a hay ride. They shake your tree to remove any loose needle or debris. They also had Santa there if you paid for it. It was such a nice day in December when we went. We had a really fun time. It's one of our family traditions that we enjoy and the kids really get excited about too.

Audrey get VIP treatment while looking for our tree.

Colton petting the cat. This cat just appeared out of the blue and the kids were all excited about it.

Audrey would not leave the cat alone. She would pet it and follow it around everywhere it went.

We've found our tree!

Chopping it down

A cute picture of all the kiddos.

There was a free wagon ride at the farm and the driver let Nate, Josh and another child sit up front with him.

Daddy and Audrey. She kept eating her hat. She really loves her hat.

Colton and Mommy

Colton is showing Audrey and ornament

The kids totally decorated the tree. Danny and I did the lights but this was all them decorating.

Our finished product

Eight is Great: Baptism!!!

This is Nathan's invites for his baptism. Thank you digital camera and Sam's Club for this end result.

 

Daddy, Nate and Mommy right before the baptism. And the tears had already began.

Grandpa and Nate. Grandpa got the honors of baptizing him.

So glad that Tilisa, Sophie and Wiatt could be there on his special day.

And this is our family. Colton is never happy when we it's a picture moment. I've accepted this is how all our photo's are going to go during his childhood.

Grandpa and Grandma-thanks for coming out.

The grandkids that were there. Notice Colton isn't as angry:)

We wanted a cute picture of them all but they were DONE!!! It really had been a long week for everyone. However, I love this picture- in years to come it's going to be a great memory for me.

Grandpa Howell and Grandpa Fritz

Danny, Josh and Nate playing Beyblades. This is what he chose in replace of the alarm clock.

Grandma and Tilisa getting lunch and snacks ready for their trip back home.

Colton and Wiatt  are entertaining Grandpa H, Mari and Grandpa F

     First off, I want to thank everyone that came out to Missouri to Nate's baptism. I know it was a far trip and right after Thanksgiving nonetheless. But thank you-we really appreciate your support and love on his special day. Thank you Dan and Mari for coming and being there for Nate it meant a lot to us that you made the sacrifice to be here with him. Thank you Tilisa, Sophie and Wiatt for driving out here especially being pregnant. Been there, done that, it's a harder trip when you are pregnant. Thanks Mom and Pop for being here and being a apart of his baptism. We are so grateful for all our family's love and support since we do live so far away from everyone. It's not easy or realistic to always be there for these special occasions so know that we are very  indebted to you.

     On November 26th, 2011, Nathan Christopher was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Danny, Pop and Nathan went early to get dressed and the rest of us came later. The minute I finished setting up some pictures and looked at my Nate all dressed in white and ready to be baptized, I began crying. I couldn't believe my baby Nate had reached this age. 8 years has just come and gone. He was ready for this day. He was excited for his baptism. He had been planning this day for months now. He chose everything for the program. He chose his grandpa Howell to baptize him. We told him that was fine but he needed to be the one to call and ask him about it. And he did. He chose his grandma Howell to give a talk on the Holy Ghost and once again, he called her and asked her to talk. He decided to have his Grandpa Fritz give a prayer, his brother Josh also said a prayer. He chose his songs, 'I love to see the Temple' and 'Praise to the Man.' He asked his Aunt Tilisa to lead the music and our friend Melissa Reynolds to play the music. His dad did the confirmation and his mom gave a talk on baptism.

     Bishop Piontek conducted the meeting. We sang I love to see the Temple then had Grandpa Fritz give the prayer. I gave the talk and it wasn't until my testimony that I started crying again. Then he was baptized. While we waited for him, everyone wrote a letter to him bearing their testimony. Then mom gave her talk. She did a really great job and had some great visuals aids that she had made. Nate had a beautiful confirmation by his father. The spirit was strong as he conferred the Holy Ghost on him. I couldn't help but think of our loved ones on the other side. And I honestly feel that their were a few there at that time. I know they aren't there for every thing in our lives but this was one of those times that I could feel them. I know his Grandma Fritz and sister Lidia wanted to share this special day with Nate. Lastly, we closed with Praise to the Man and then Josh said the prayer.
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     Finally we came back to the house (just the family)  and had some finger foods. Nate also had some presents to open that he'd been dying to unwrap. He got a little children's songbook that he'd been wanting forever (he's kind of weird). New scriptures and case, tie, tie pin, future missionary tag, hold to the rod key chain, a world globe puzzle, and a new white towel. I think that was it. But thank you everyone for his gifts and for coming. It was a beautiful day. The only downside to it all was having to say goodbye to mom, pop, Tilisa and the kids. That really stunk! I hate saying good bye and not knowing when we'll see each other again. That was a bummer- It really is harder being the one left behind than the one going! But on a good note, the boys now have a new favorite restaurant- Golden Corral. They loved the chocolate fountain!

     Our bishop had told us that Nate was well prepared to be baptized. He knew the answers to his questions. In fact,  the next day the bishop's wife told us, that he told her that he really enjoyed Nate's baptism. She said that he says they all baptisms are good but that this one was really special and got to him. He had enjoyed being there with Nate-and thought he was just a wonderful kid.  Of course I really enjoyed hearing that-it made me feel so good.

      It was a simple service but it was beautiful. The spirit was there. I know that Nate is doing what is right. He chose to get baptized and follow our Savior's example. This is only the first step in returning back to our Heavenly Father. I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet that restored Christ's gospel to the earth once more. I know the scriptures are true. I know my Savior died for my sins and but lives again. I know our Heavenly Father wants us back to Him. I know He know me. I know He knows my family and I know He knows that Nathan chose to follow him by being baptized. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Nate's Birthday Celebration

 Somehow my little Nate has continued to grow up before my eyes. I love this baby picture because you can just see the awe and wonderment in his eyes. So much learning ahead of him. Now 8 years later he has learned a lot and had some growing pains mixed in there. This shot of him just speaks of his silly-happy nature.He has such a goofy sense of humor. He literally loves to learn, he craves it. He's really good at math, reading, and science. He's in the SAGE program at school. It stands for Students in Academically Gifted Education. He is bused to another school once a  week to attend this class. He started in kindergarten and has loved it. It's his favorite day of the week. His BFF is Caleb McClain. They are so similar in personalities and just get a long great.

 

Grandma and Grandpa got him those books you see in the back, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and this lava lamp. He has been wanting one of these FOREVER!! He loves it! And those books he had read in like 3 days-he loves reading.

He was excited for this gift. It was a rocket alarm clock that would launch off when the alarm went off. However it didn't work and we had to send it back. It was a cool concept, just a bummer that it didn't work.

Opening his globe that he enjoys, a  puzzle and other presents. He enjoyed all that he got. 

He asked for a spaceship for a cake and this is what I managed to create. It was rather easy. It's a little darker gray than I'd have like but I added way too much black to the frosting but it worked.

 This is an aerial shot of the cake. I may have over done it with the gum drops but I was having fun decorating it and I just kept going.

 And this one is because Nate added the lizards. We didn't have aliens and he wanted something added to it and thus this is the end result.

Blowing out some candles and making a wish. 

 

Nate's surprised that he gets to be the one to cut the cake.

And the kiddo's patiently waiting for some cake. 

Over all Nate had a great birthday. He was so excited that grandma, grandpa, Tilisa, Sophi and Wiatt were all here to help him celebrate. He was able to pick dinner for the night and his choice was home made chicken noodle soup. It was a delicious batch of soup too. Some of his other favorites right now are, Carbonara spaghetti, bread and gravy,  & corn dogs. He's also into anything Bey Blades, Lego bricks, any Lego wii games, Bakugan, puzzles, origami, crafts, anything that keeps his hands busy. He's honestly too smart for his own good because it gets him into trouble. He speaks without thinking-he's very quick. He's a really good kid with a big heart. He loves his brothers and sister even though he can at times torture them. He can be very helpful. He really helps me out a lot and I don't give him enough credit for all that he does do for someone his age. I love this Nate boy! Our family wouldn't be the same without you. You are my favorite Nathan. Happy Birthday my Nate!!!!

we are here. We are hear. WE ARE HERE!

Hi everyone!!!
 
If you're looking for a new post, you found it. But there's nothing to this one except to simply say we are alive and doing good. You'll have to check back later for updates and pictures. I have a ton to post about but haven't uploaded any pictures to my computer lately.  Frankly, I'm too scared to see how many I have. So, for now, we are here!!!!
Check back later.

(Can anyone name that movie?)

New Hair cut

BEFORE

 This is my before shots of my hair. It really had gotten long. I did enjoy having long hair, I was able to experiment and play with it. It took me months of debating back and forth about cutting it. And now looking at the pictures I can definetly say, I'm so glad that I did because I look so much better! (no humility here)

 

AFTER

 I really love how the cut came out. It's probably a tad shorter than I'd like, especially when it's curly. But when it's straight I really like it. I'm so glad that I chopped it. It wasn't a cheap hair cut either, it's the most expensive hair cut I've ever had. The back is much cuter when it's a little messier-this shot doesn't do it justice.

 I am a short hair girl!!!!

Happy Halloween 2011

This is our spider we made for the trunk or treat.

It was a team effort. I found the idea and Danny made it happened. We did receive many compliments on it. In fact we even won 1st prize and a $25 gift card!!!!

Napolean and Deb!!!! SWEEEEET!!!!!

Colton is our Doggy. Nate is a Black Ninja. Audrey is a Kitty. Josh is a red Power Ranger.

It's so hard to get a picture of all 4 kids looking at the camera.  Oh, well, this isn't too bad.

Colton had to have his picture taken  while standing in the hall.

Pretties little kitty cat ever!!!! She loves her candy.

My Napolean

Labor Day camp out

Nate reading to Josh and Audrey.

On Sunday night I wanted to do something fun for the boys for Labor day. We really didn't have any major plans happening so I thought about a camp out at home. It was a beautiful night so to make it even funner I decided to set up the 4 man tent right on our deck! They LOVED it!!!! Nate, Josh, and Colton slept out there all night! They began with some book time then I tucked them in, I was leaving the tent door opened because it looked directly into the family room. Well, they zipped it up and I never saw or heard from them until the next morning. They did so well all on their own. I worried that they'd be coming IN and OUT all night before they went to sleep but not once did they ever come back in. I'd say it was a success! So, they'll definitely be doing it again.

still reading

Colton chose to read on his own.

Audrey's cheesy little grin

All done reading and ready to zip up and go to sleep.