Luke's Baptism Day

 What a special day to have all our family and a couple close friends (we call them family) to help us celebrate!  Mr. Lukie is growing up.
Here are a few pictures in his handsome suit...

 I had to beg him to smile for this picture... He hates the spaces in his teeth, but I told him that one day they will be gone and it's fun to remember how cute it was.  I used to have the EXACT same spaces. So glad he obliged, because this is my favorite picture ever.

 Getting ready for the big dunk!  Can't tell he's excited can you?

The Baptism Program was so neat.  Luke was the only one in the entire stake getting baptized, so we got to plan our own.  Grandma Heaton talked on the Holy Ghost and Grammie Nadauld talked on Baptism.  Luke and Felice Sang "I am a child of God" in Chinese and the cousins all sang it in English.

I just have to shout out to both the Heatons and the Nadaulds.  They are so supportive.  I have some great friends who traveled to be able to support us and Luke too.  It is true that your family (and close friends) will always be by your side through happy and sad times.  I love them and am so grateful they put forth an effort to show support.  No matter what anyone says, it makes you feel good to be supported.  Even if you think you don't need it. :)

We had some yummy food at our house after...

 The weather was great for out door eating..

 and outdoor playing...

 

The Heaton Clan spent the rest of the day at 7-peaks with a mini family reunion.  The weather wasn't great, but kids don't seem to mind and we all had a great time together. 

 We kind of forgot to take a nice picture, so we quickly had luke throw on a jacket so we could document our day together.  One more child dunked, and off our slate.  He is beholden to his own conscience now!  Love you Luke

First Day of School 2013

It's that time of Year again!!  Here is the cute "First Day" photos.  I remember getting them when I was young, and so the tradition continues....

 Jacob... 4th Grade (Hobblecreek Elementary)

 Luke... 2nd Grade
(Sage Creek Elementary Chinese Immersion)

Sam... Pre-K           Miss Ettie's Studio

Nate.. 3 yr. Preschool
Miss Jackie

Felice.. Junior Springville High School

 All the cute boys at the bus stop the first day of school... Everyone is Excited, even LUKE!

My cute neighbor Jenifer Bird put together a little bus stop Breakfast.  It was super fun for the kids and something to look forward to the first day.  I love this neighborhood and our schools.  Here's to a great new year!!

Hobble Creek 2013

Have you ever seen a cuter group of runners?  

This is why I run.... so that I can hang out with these cool cats. :)

 I love it when I can get Amber to come race with me.  She has a natural runners body and never thinks she can run fast, and then always kills it.  I think I've convinced her to run the Big Cottonwood Marathon in one month.  I am so excited for her.  I think she will do awesome.

 The Ohio Clan (Plus Brian Hess - filling in for Taylor since he didn't make it back from Singapore in time for the race).  So glad we all live close still.  Love these peeps like family!!

Another year, another race.  This time I can say I did my best though.  FINALLY.  I got a PR 1:41:18

Good Bye Summer....

You've had a birthday SHOUT HOORAY!  Taylor hit the 35 mark and kind of got the shaft this year for his birthday.  I was at girls camp and he was stuck tending, then when we tried to have a date night, it got foiled by a soccer tournament.  I had 2 friends with birthdays the day before and the day after his and he let me take time to go to breakfast and go running with them.  Poor Taylor, had to celebrate his birthday a few days late.  So glad we have family around the corner that can make our birthdays a little more fun.  We are so lucky to have Taylor around.  We've missed him this summer when he has traveled for work.  He will be leaving again to Singapore in a couple weeks for more Goldman Consulting.  We appreciate how hard he works to give us the life we have.  I don't thank him publicly enough for being such a great provider and protector of our family.  We are lucky to call him ours!  Happy Birthday Tay.  Next year will be better.... PROMISE!! :)

We finally took Taylor's parents boat out as a family.  It only took all summer for this to happen.  I have to say, I need to either get bigger kids, or learn how to drive a trailer, or learn how to drive a boat.  Poor Taylor had to do all the work.  I am willing, but I'm a wimp when it comes to driving.  What is my deal?  I thought I grew up in on a ranch. :)

Anyway, we got to have my nephew from California for a couple days and he wanted to learn to wake board.  So did my boys.  They all did great.  Way to go Nadauld little men!

 Charlie above:  Only a couple tries and he had it down, he never gave up and stayed at it until he had it.

 Jake above:  He's a natural competitor and if Charlie could do it, he could!   He even went outside the wake several times..

 Luke above:  Had to force him to try while crying, but then he got up and LOVED it.  He is very athletic by nature, just a little hesitant.  He keep going over and over though once he got up.

 My niece Sydney got married this month!
 
 I can't believe what a beautiful young lady she has grown into.  I am proud of her decision to get married to a worthy man in the temple and to have the desire to get a degree from college.  I wish her luck in life and hope she is always happy!  Love you SYD!

So... as I mentioned before, Taylor left us to go to Singapore, so I took the boys to the ranch.  They love it there and so do I!  Just a lot of boy time getting dirty and playing with cousins.

 This year, they all got to try to shoot the riffle and hit some Skeet.  Jake hit both his clay pigeons on the first try.  He wonders why we've never taken him hunting before.  Well, since neither his dad nor I own a gun, or have taken hunter's safety, he'll have to wait to be invited with cousins before that trip happens. :)

 They were all excited to get dressed up and ready for the program.

 My cute cowboys and cowgirl.  So glad Laura was there to keep me company.

 Just hanging out at the ranch... enjoying the free time.

 

So the best part of having a helicopter at the ranch, is that you get to ride it when Grandma lets you.  The boys were thrilled.  Grandma even let Nate go, although at first he thought he was too young and tried to convince her he couldn't go.  They are so lucky to have all this for free that people pay hundreds for.

Another exciting thing this month is that Luke received his bobcat award for cub scouts.  He's been waiting and waiting to turn 8 just for this reason.  To be held upside down! :)  Another scouter for me, and a reminder of another eagle I'm going to have to earn. (let's not kid ourselves... we all know it's the moms that earn those awards.  I better start preparing right now.)

So... the most exciting news of August is that I got a daughter!!!  Her name is felice and she is from China.  The kids are all excited to have this adventure this year.  She is going to be a junior at Springville High.  I hope she will love us, 

we already love her and are excited to share our life with her.  

Welcome to Utah Felice!

Luke is 8 lets stay up late!

This is our tradition to do breakfast in bed.. This year on his birthday we were in Heber, so we waited till the day of his party to do breakfast in bed.  He didn't want to share his special day with anyone... My boys are really mature and unselfish like that. :)

 We had cousins here and they decided to sleep on the trampoline and lasted most the night actually.

 This boy is about the cutest thing around.  He has a huge personality and a very soft heart.  He loves to hang out with his brothers and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it... or wanted it.  I can't believe he is 8 already.  Some one STOP TIME.  Happy birthday Luke.  We love you.

 Luckily for me, Aunt Heather was here and helped me make the cake.  It was super easy and I think it turned out cute.  A bag of popcorn for our "Late Night Party." Easiest birthday ever, and the kids had a blast.  We just had a late night and let the boys run wild.

 I decorated in movie decor and had a real candy machine and a real popcorn machine (you can see them back in the corners by the window.)  We started the night off with pizza..

 Then a game of pop the balloon...

 Next were presents... (everyone is always way too nice)

 Then some cake and ice cream before the movie!!!

 They watched the Spy Next Door and they each got a tray with popcorn and movie candy along with a cute cup cake with a spy glass and camera on it.  Here's to your last year of themed birthdays Luke.  I hope it was a great one!!!

Girls Camp 2013

 That's right... this IS what happens at camp.  On the last day, the leaders gave the girls a "spa day."  Not like camp when I was a youth for sure.  But still a lot of fun.

 I was lucky enough to have a husband who wants me to get to know the girls on this kind of level, and he watched the kids for a couple days.  My mom is the best and drove up to watch the kids for a couple days too.  I was so happy to be there.  The whole week was awesome.

 My favorite memory of camp was this picture of all the girls sitting around.  They all just started singing and it sounded awesome.  They sand all sorts of childrens hymns and regular hymns.  It was beautiful and the spirit was so strong.  I love when things turn out so awesome and they weren't even planned. If we told the kids to  do this, it never would have turned out so powerful... for sure!

 We leaders of course, had to do our version of the harlem shake before the last fireside.  I'm bummed the picture is blurry, because there were some SWEET costumes.

 The best part of camp was getting to hang out with these awesome ladies all week.  I love my calling!!  They are all so inspirational and fun.  Camp was a hit for sure. "I will"