A Birthday and a Baptism!

Cooper turned 8 on June 1st.  His birthday happened to be on a Saturday, and since our church building has it's own baptismal font, Cooper decided he wanted to be baptized on his birthday.  He had his own special program, and it made for a very special birthday.  A birthday I hope he'll never forget.

I've watched this firstborn child of mine grow from a beautiful newborn baby, to a happy toothy-grinned toddler, to a sociable pre-schooler, and now to a handsome, quick-learning, determined and stubborn, sensitive, caring and helpful 8 year old boy.

Cooper was so excited to be baptized.  He planned the whole thing out--- who he wanted to speak, who he wanted to invite, and what he wanted to eat for the dinner afterward.  He invited lots of friends, including many who are not members of our church.  It was neat to see them come and witness a Church of Jesus Christ of Latte Day Saint baptism.  Yes, my 8 year old little boy is a better missionary than his mom!  It comes quite naturally to him.

We had a wonderful turn-out.  Most of our family members were able to make it.  Randall's family came just for the day--- his sister Maureah was in the process of moving to Texas.  Many of my family members (my parents, brother Wyakin, sister Shalani, and sister Kiana and her husband Spence, came and stayed for the weekend.  It was nice to have visitors, especially my family.  I love them and I don't get to spend nearly as much time with them as I'd like.

Cooper looked so handsome in his new suit jacket he received for his birthday.  And he looked so clean and pure and HAPPY in his white baptism suit.  I'm so grateful for a wonderful husband who was able to baptize Cooper.  Randall is a great dad, and I'm more thankful everyday for the best decision I ever made- to marry him.  I can't imagine my life without him.  He loves me and our children more than anything.  He is a worthy priesthood holder who loves and honors God.  He is hard-working and super intelligent.  I've thought about my choices leading up to marrying him a lot lately.  (It must have something to do with teaching the young women in our ward- I worry about them and about the choices they are making now that will affect them for the rest of their lives!)  I am grateful for good parents and good friends who were good examples to me and encouraged me to set goals and not settle for anything less than an eternal marriage.

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and cares about me and my family.  I am so thankful for that knowledge---it has helped me get through many difficult and trying situations.  I hope I can instill that knowledge in my children.  They are growing up so fast and I feel like the amount of influence I have on them is quickly diminishing as they grow and spend more time at school and outside of our home.

So proud of my boy!

I wish I would have taken a few more pictures, but I was so busy running around trying to make sure everything was in order that I forgot to take pictures.  Next time I'll assign someone to take pictures for me!

Cooper with his Grandma & Grandpa Raymond

Cooper with Aunt Maureah & Scott... who just moved to Texas :(

 

Spring Break Fun

The boys enjoyed their Spring Break from school last week.  Actually... we all enjoyed their break!  We kicked off the beginning weekend with a trip to Eastern Idaho to visit grandparents and family.  Randall's mom had given all the adult girls tickets to Time Out For Women- a conference for women with motivational speakers and performers, put on by Deseret Book.  Randall and the other dads took care of the kids, and we attended the conference Friday night and Saturday morning.  The conference was wonderful- I came away feeling very enlightened and inspired.  It was fun to hang out with Randall's mom and sisters and have some girl time.

Saturday evening we celebrated a few birthdays, and Sunday morning Randall, his Dad, his brother Kade, and brother-in-law Brian sang a beautiful musical number in church- "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy."

Sunday evening Randall and Brian headed home so they could work.  Cali and I stayed a few extra days.  Monday we went to see my family for the day.  We went to get lunch with my mom, visited with my Grandma Wilcox (she's nearly 92 years old and still looks great!), then we picked up Shalani from school.  Dallin brought Suri out for dinner and the kids enjoyed playing with her.  Wyakin came in from working for a bit, much to Lainee's delight.  Lainee has a unique bond with her uncle Wyakin--- it's really cute.  Before we left my dad was sure to give and receive lots of bear hugs!  We love visits with Grandma and Grandpa.  We visited with my good friend Emily before coming home Tuesday.  We really had a fun trip.

Friday we took the kids to Wahooz in Meridian for a family fun day.  We went bowling, the boys rode Go-Karts, and Lainee and Ashlin played a few arcade games.  We went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse- a family favorite before heading home.

 

 Cooper getting set for his first Go-Kart ride!

 

Carson wasn't quite tall enough to go on the go-karts by himself, so Randall took him on the big track.  They had a blast and finished in 1st place!

See that #12 on top of the leader board?!!!

Saturday the kids hit the locoal Easter Egg hunt, then our good friends Paul and Joni came for a visit with their 3 adorable kids.  After they left I put the kids to work in the yard picking up all the branches that were scattered all over the lawn from the spring wind.

I'd say we had a fun and busy week!

Happy Easter 2013!

Easter this year was on March 31... my birthday!  This is the 2nd time in my life Easter has fallen on my birthday.  The first was in 1991 when I was 9 years old.  It makes for a pretty special day!  I looked it up and the next time Easter will be on my birthday is in 2024 and 2086.  So, unless i live to be 104, it will only happen once more in my lifetime.  Since it was also 5th Sunday at church, Randall was home for an extra hour and helped get the kids ready for church.  It's so nice to have some help on Sunday mornings!  As a result, we were ready for church early and had a chance to snap a few pictures.

 

I am truly blessed to have such a beautiful family.  The day was absolutely gorgeous.  A balmy 73 degrees, sunny and NO wind!  We went for a walk/bike ride, visited with neighbors and enjoyed spending time together as a family.  It was a terrific end to the kids' spring break week! 

I am truly grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice he made for me, my family, and all mankind. Because of his ultimate sacrifice, I can enjoy my family for all eternity!

 

We took the kids to the Easter Egg Hunt in Grand View on Saturday. I was helping the girls, so they are the only ones I was able to get pictures of. They all had fun, and after it was over they handed out chocolate milk and toothbrushes.

 

 

 

Feeding the Lambs

We have some friends with a lot of orphan baby lambs.  They asked Randall to take a look at a few of them that were not doing very well (there is always a need for a good veterinarian!).  We took the kids over there during feeding time so they could help with the bottles.  The kids loved it!  The little lambs are so cute and fun to watch.

Little League Basketball

Cooper was able to play Little League Basketball for the first time this year.  He just finished up his season last weekend.  Randall was his coach, and I think they both enjoyed spending the time together.  Cooper improved sooooo much!  He was on a team with boys in 2nd to 5th grade.  Cooper was the very youngest on the team, and I think the smallest.  He learned so much and is wishing they could have a few more games.

Now we'll have a few weeks off before baseball season begins again!

Cooper with his friend Layth- yes they are in the same grade... Layth is 9 months older and very tall for his age!

Cooper and Coach Dad

Cooper playing some defense

All Dressed up for Church!

The kids wanted to wear church clothes from Grandma Wilcox today.  Lainee and Ashlin each received a dress from Grandma for their birthdays.  Cooper and Carson both received a nice sweater vest from Grandma for Christmas.  I think they looked great adorable!

I didn't get a picture of Cooper, because he had gone with Randall to his early meetings before church.

Lainee turns 4!

My little Lainee bug had her 4th birthday!  Where has the time gone?  She was soooo excited for her birthday.  She kept asking how many more days til her birthday.  Having Ashlin's birthday just 9 days earlier made her even more anxious.

For her birthday, Lainee invited her friend Avery over for a day of princess fun.  Lainee, Avery and Ashlin dressed up in princess dresses, had their nails painted and watched a princess show while Ashlin was napping.

 

 

Lainee wanted a Dora cake for her birthday.  I had an incredibly busy month going, so I took the easy way out and ordered some Dora figurines from Amazon (thank you Amazon Prime- shipped to my door in 2 days!).

 

My sweet little Lainee is a bit feisty at times, really girly at times, and very tom-boyish at times trying to keep up with her big brothers.  She loves coloring and any social activity.  She loves helping me cook and bake in the kitchen, and is a wonderful big sister to Ashtlin.  Now that Ashlin is a little older, they play together very well while the boys are gone to school.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl!

 

Lainee in her new Dora nightgown she received for her birthday.  Ashlin also received a Dora nightgown for her birthday, except in purple.

Lainee when she woke up on her birthday