Favorite Things

My son was worried about the thunderstorms that were in our forecast and played out last night. (He ended up sleeping through them anyway but I didn't.) I sang him the song from The Sound of Music, "Favorite Things". I need to make my kids watch that movie. I feel like they won't grow up to be well-rounded, well-adjusted adults without it. I know its silly but one of these Sundays we are just going to watch it. "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...." Anyhow, singing that song has made me start thinking about my favorite things. So this week what I've thought of is:

I loved the movie. I wanted to re-read the books since it had been quite a while since I read them. So good. I love a good book. One of my favorite things is curling up with a good book at the end of a long day.

My favorite breakfast that I eat almost every day. So nutritious and yummy enough I'm tempted to think of it as dessert... muesli.

I love the rain and we've gotten quite a bit this week. Chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven. Love them. too much.I like my new J Crew bracelet that I bought because it reminds me of my children's love of finding frogs.

We have been playing lots of wiffle ball and I love it. It brings back memories of my childhood and playing with my older brother. I love that we have such a great place to play right across the street. So fun.

Goodbye Carmel House

My Grampa has been passed away now for 6 months or so and his house was put up for sale. It's bittersweet I guess. It was put on the market and their was a full price offer the very next day. In this market that is amazing. And its selling will benefit all the beneficiaries such as the Hopi Indian children's school (my Grama always had a soft spot in her heart for Indian children and I grew up visiting this Hopi Indian reservation taking them books and computers and such), the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and others. However, I will miss this house fiercely. This was my favorite vacation spot as a child. I loved climbing in those beautiful oak trees and playing in the tree house my cousins built which has now been taken down. I loved swinging from the tree swing. I loved smelling the Eucalyptus trees and feeling that wonderful feeling of being somewhere where I was loved so very much. I loved all the holidays spent there and summers and time with my grandparents. I love them so much and miss them and I guess their house is just a symbol of them and the time I spent with them. I hope the buyer won't tear it down. I hope they will love that house that my Grama and Grampa built so many years ago.

Gavin's Baptism!

Gavin was baptized on Saturday! He has been waiting for what seems like a LONG time to him.

He was so excited.

He was baptized by his Dad.

Gavin chose the songs: Scripture Power, Army of Helaman and Praise to the Man. He loves those "get-up-and-go" type songs.

Morgan said the opening prayer and Tera said the closing prayer.

Linnea and I played a duet on violin and flute of Teach Me to Walk.

Grama Shirley gave a talk on Baptism and Jacen gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.

Chris and Jacen were witnesses of the Baptism.

Gavin said, "The water was cold but I still felt warm inside."

Gavin said, "I feel so clean!"

For those not of our faith, we choose to baptize at age eight rather than infants so that the child has an opportunity to learn about what they are commiting to and can make the decision. We believe that eight years old is the age that one becomes accountable to God.

Gavin was so happy to recieve his new beautiful black set of sciptures with his name printed on them.

Garet and Thor are Chris' two Autistic children. They are so much fun and love stuffed animals SO much! They found all they could in the house and took them down to the small landing in the stair case and played with them for the longest time. The bounce house was set up downstairs because it was raining outside so the other children were walking up and down past the "zoo" on the stairs.

The kids went across the street in the rain to look for frogs and found several and put them in a wooden box. They brought it home and set it on the counter. Thor came along and opened the box and let the frogs out. We found all but one under couches and behind furniture. Then a while later Chris, with a mouthful of broccoli reached down to pick up another piece and almost picked up a frog. He didn't eat any more broccoli. (: Can you find it?

Beach Day

We have had some warm, sunny days and got the chance to get down to the beach. It was so nice because we hadn't been there in a while. Gavin just dives right in and swims everywhere in that cold water. I'm cold just by looking at these pictures.

Micah poses for pictures in the craziest ways. (:

Linnea read her book (Hunger Games)

The family who works out together...

...stays together. (Is that too corny?)

Saint Patricks Day

Being on a Saturday this year, the kids didn't as many festivities at school for Saint Patricks Day but we did have fun on our rainy day at home. We put up a few decorations and got the corned beef cooking in the crock pot. We later added steamed cabbage and Irish soda bread to the meal. We invited the girls next door to come over to help us make Leprachaun houses and playgrounds and watch a movie and jump in the bounce house that we set up in the garage (since it was raining outside). It was a fun day.

My Big 8 Year Old!

Gavin turned 8!

He had a fun Carnival birtday party with tons of games (requiring tickets) and prizes galore and balloons and a candy-walk. Albert barbequed hot dogs for the kiddos and steak for the dads and Linnea's sweet friends came to help run the carnival games. It was a ton of work but a blast too!

Gavin has been so excited about turning eight and he wanted to know just what time he was actually born (4:30 a.m.) and the details of his birth. I thought it was cute that he wanted to know about that. (: He woke up on the morning of his birthday and said, "Mom, I feel the same!" I asked him, "Did you think you would feel different? Did you think you would feel older or wiser?" Cute huh. He is my bundle of happy energy but not overly so. He is very mature. He asks mature questions and speaks in a way so that I know he is thinking beyond his years. He is also very compassionate. One of his teachers at school just called me recently even and talked of how much she loved her time with him and how impressed she was at his sincere compassion for others. He is kind and sweet and so talented! He has talents in music and writing and reading and athletics. He has always astounded those around him watching him play any sport. It's been fun to be the mom of the "star" of the team. He most importantly has a sweet testimony of Jesus Christ and he wants to be baptized and wants to serve a mission someday. He more often then not, goes up and bares his testimony to the hundreds of people in the congregation on Fast Sunday. I feel so blessed to have this boy in my life. I'm sure that I learn more from him then he does from me. I love my big eight year old and am so happy that he will be baptized tomorrow!

Jacen's 16th Birthday Celebrations

We threw a surprise party for Jacen and invited the church youth group. He was totally surprised! They played capture-the-flag and then ate pizza and watched some tv and played some catch phrase.

We always go out to dinner for a birthday, a tradition started by Grampa Neufeld, and so Jacen chose Sapporos. He ordered Black Dragon sushi and then a steak. Live it up Jacen! (We don't eat much meat at all at our house.)

They sang and played for Jacen. That is always fun.

We came home after and had cheesecake.

My Baby turns 16!

We have loved watching Jacen grow up into a good young man. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments and for being the good person that he is. We love you so much Jacen!

My Favorite Dessert Lately