Tiny Mike's blessing day

We chose to do Tiny's blessing earlier than I might have done with him being so small because I really wanted my parents to be there before they left for their mission.  What a fun weekend it was!  We had so many family members come and support and show love.  My parents, the Larsen family, the Durazzani family, some of the Weeks, the Connell family and Mark's parents all came.  There was a BYU football game that the men went to while the women stayed home to visit and cook and love on the tiny guest of honor.  After church we enjoyed pasta and desserts and lots of visiting, laughing and then some crying as it was also the weekend a lot of people said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Morgan.  They are staying here to go to the MTC and had to say goodbye to the Twin Falls people.  We get to see them a few more times since they will sleep here a week before they fly to Japan.  How grateful I am you had both of your grandpas in the circle!  You are truly blessed to be surrounded by strong men who hold the priesthood.  Your dad gave you a beautiful blessing including having a special relationship with me and the power and courage to reject Satan and to be an example to your siblings.  You are meant for great things little man. 

Birthday and Baptism

We had a big birthday to celebrate around here this month!  Shortstop turned 8...although I do not know when that happened.  We kept it pretty low key...mostly because of my pregnancy and how hard it has been but also we knew his baptism day would be filled with family and fun.  His actual birthday he loved going to school and taking treats then we enjoyed family dinner, a cake shaped into a moon landing scene and presents.  Then he and I watched Harry Potter 4: The Goblet of Fire.  He was geeking out about that cause it is PG 13 but he has wanted to see it forever since he read the book.  I love laid back birthdays with just my little family.  I could not ask for a better oldest boy and am so glad he is the example the other kids have to look up to.

Looking up spells in his new spell book as we watched the movie

Then two weekends later was the big baptism day.  Shortstop has been ready for this forever.  He read the up to Alma in the Book of Mormon to prepare and to know he was making the right choice.  He loves the Lord and said he couldn't wait to have the gift of the Holy Ghost at all times.  Mark was pretty emotional and so proud of his oldest son.  I love watching my hubby perform his priesthood duties with his family.
Shortstop has taught me so much about forgiveness, loving the gospel and having a strong desire to learn all he can.  He tries so hard to do what is right that sometimes it stresses him out.  We are working on that.  We had so much family in town and loved spending time with them.  Somehow we lucked out with him being the only baptism in our ward so we got to do the whole program.  My dad and my nephew Reagan gave the talks, my sisters gave the prayers and lead the music and Elise and Uncle Tyler sang the most gorgeous duet.  We were sad that Mark's parents could not make it due to his dad having pneumonia but we understood.  I was pretty wasted afterwards but grateful more than anything for the choice my boy made and for the family I have that supports everything we do.  Shortstop loved getting called up to the stand on Sunday as the newest member of the ward.

Ward Family Campout

This summer our ward had a father/son campout AND a ward family campout.  My boys were so excited to get to go to both!  We decided that we would go as a family for dinner and games and playing and then ACE and I would come back home to sleep since she does not do well away from home, let alone in a tent.  But I am so glad we went for the few hours we did!  It was up Provo Canyon past Sundance and the perfect spot.  We ate dinner, played in the dirt, visited, Mark played football and baseball with the big boys, the boys did pioneer crafts and heard pioneer stories and ACE played some more in the dirt.  They LOVE the outdoors and I love the freedom they have and the adventures they go on.  Mark said the boys did great with sleeping and breakfast was a lot of fun.  ACE and I had fun sleeping in the next morning and going shopping for a bit.  I am so grateful the ward does camping stuff cause it is not the first thing I choose to do but I know how special and important those moments are for kids.

My husband is HOT and good at every sport he tries...(this is my blog and I will shamelessly brag if I want to)

Pioneer crafts

Why did I put her in a white shirt again?

She took a face plant, as you can tell, but it didn't even phase her.  She got up and immediately ran to the next messy thing to play with

This girl loves her daddy

Wedding time!

My nephew Evan got married last month!  What a crazy and awesome thing to happen.  He is the first grandchild to get married and we could not be happier with the sweet girl he chose, Katelyn.  I still remember babysitting this little kid and playing with him forever as a young teenage aunt.  And that my sister is a mother-in-law?!  Forget it!
The reception was the night before in Bountiful so we decided to make it a staycation and get a hotel in Kaysville.  We had such a great time partying at the reception.  The boys got to dance with cousins and the bride.  I got to visit with my sisters and parents.  And the refreshments were delicious!

My sister and her little boy- I tried really hard not to think how fast time flew and how soon it will be me dancing at my son's wedding

Daddy-daughter dance

Getting ready to cut a rug together

Dancing with almost-bride

Cute dancing cousins

The kids slept well at the hotel and the next morning we dropped the boys off at my sister's house where she had set up babysitting.  Mark and I headed to the temple with little ACE and had my niece watch her outside the temple.  It was a beautiful ceremony and made me grateful again for the blessings of the priesthood and eternal marriage.  I loved holding my sweetheart's hand as we watched the cute couple make promises to each other and the Lord that we made nearly 10 years ago.
After pictures we went back to Melanie's to help the babysitters with lunch for all the littles then again Mark, ACE and I headed to the best Chinese food restaurant in Bountiful for the wedding luncheon.  It was so nice to sit and visit with family and try to see if Evan and Katelyn ever stopped smiling...

...they didn't.

My parents and my sister and brother in law

They look way too young to have a married child!

Annie's blessing day and lots of cuteness

Baby blessings are some of my favorite days.  Everyone who can comes to visit, to support and be a part of a a very simple but beautiful moment in a child's life.  The priesthood circle that surrounds the baby brings tears to my eyes, tears of gratitude and love for the gospel and the men who honor their sacred calling.  And then to listen to my husband, an amazing father, follow the Spirit and bless his baby with the things the Lord wants for them makes my heart burst with love.
ACE's blessing day was wonderful.  She wore the dress my mom made for me 33 years ago for my blessing day.  She looked like a sweet angel wearing it and was asleep and perfect throughout the entire blessing.  Her dad blessed her with some beautiful things that I have recorded in her baby journal.  We named her after my dad's mom, Annie, who I never met.  She passed away when my dad was 16 but from what I hear, she was spunky, loving, and the definition of mama bear.  I can't wait to meet her one day!  My grandpa Morgan once told me I look a lot like her which I have always held on to.  I know my baby is going to grow in the gospel and be a strong warrior for the Lord in these last days.  We had so many family members come to be with us and we missed those who could not make it.  We stayed for all of church so my ward's numbers in relief society almost doubled with just my family!  It was pretty sweet.
After church everyone came to our house for lunch and visiting.  We had hot ham and cheese sliders with a brown sugar/mustard glaze, chips, fruit and veggies, and three amazing desserts my sisters made: mint brownies, sugar cookies and chocolate cake. I love having my house filled to the brim with family and laughter.  I stepped back from the food prep and happy chaos for a moment and looked around and was overcome with love.  We have amazing support on both sides and to see a lot of them under one roof was just perfect.

 The boys were very tired after playing all afternoon with cousins but at least they sat still for a picture even if they look annoyed.

She is also three months old today so I just want to write some things about her.  She is the epitome of sweet.  She smiles and coos all the time...to the point of distraction when she is eating.  While I am nursing her I almost can't catch her eye cause if I do she smiles back at me and won't eat for a bit...not that I mind.  She loves watching her brothers and they can get her to laugh so fast.  They adore her and want to see her every minute they can.  She loves being with people and doesn't love being alone but rarely fusses either way.  She sleeps 9-10 hours a night, eats like a champ, is a master spitter upper and has leg and bum rolls that are so delicious!  Her eyes look like they will be brown but we are not 100% sure.  She joined me for a pedicure one night...not for her, just me...and sat in my lap the whole time just looking around. It made me excited for when I take her for her first one in a few years.  She can make a pouty face to rival anyone and it is heart breaking.  It tells me she will always be able to get her way, especially with her dad who is a puddle around her.  She has found her fingers and sucks on her fists so loudly it makes me laugh.  She also loves to work her tongue and has it sticking out most of the day.  We are so in love with her.  She is our joy and lights up our home so much.  And just some too cute pictures to pass up posting!

 Chilling with dad while watching TV

 Matchy matchy cousins

 This little chicka has some serious long eyelashes

 Tutus make me all swoony

 My nail lady made this for ACE and it makes me so happy