Halloween Fun 2014

We had a really fun halloween this year. It helped that we were able to begin our celebrations with our family while they were all in town for Braden's baptism.

While my sisters and I worked to get ready for the baptism the kids headed out with Grammy the dads to the trunk or treat at the kids school. Braden and Carter were sad to have missed dressing up at school but dressing up with cousins was much more fun.

The following day after the baptism we all dressed up and headed to the Springs Preserve for the Haunted Harvest. This has become a tradition of ours and it was so fun to share it with everyone.

Because Nevada Day falls on halloween the kids didn't have school so I planned some fun activities we could do together during the day. Unfortunately the most looked forward to activity of carving pumpkins didn't turn out as every store was sold out of pumpkins! Really?! The boys were sad, especially Braden. We did have a scary dinner of mummy dogs, witches fingers, monster teeth with troll snot, maggots on a log and dried worms.

The best part of the day was definitely dressing up and trick-or-treating. Riley was really into it this year. She Found out really quick at the ward trunk-or-treat the week before that it was worth wearing a bulky costume if everyone she put her hand out to gave her candy. She also did a great job saying "trick-or-treat" (wee-weet) and "thank you" (ah-new) to everyone too. Carter and Braden wore their same costumes as last year, a race car driver and a werewolf, and Riley was a zebra. (Side note: all 3 of my babies wore this zebra costume. I added the bows so people would hopefully know she was a girl. It only kind of helped.)

I dressed as a hobo (thanks Abi for the idea) and...

...Kam was a track star! 

He turned a lot of heads and many didn't even recognize him. At first Riley hated that daddy had hair and kept trying to get him to take it off. She was ok with it after a while though. 

For trick-or-treating we all piled into the back of the van with our friends and stopped at a few houses in our neighborhood and then we all drove over to our other friends neighborhood to trick-or-treat with them. It really was a fun night. Happy Halloween!

I Like to Look for Rainbows

Leading up to Brady's eighth birthday we spent a lot of time planning special family home evening lessons to prepare him for his baptism. We talked about faith, repentance, what baptism is and why it's an important step, the holy ghost, the sacrament and other lessons. Braden is an amazing kid and probably could have taught all the lessons. His testimony is already so strong and his understanding and faith is so beyond his years. At his baptism interview on his birthday he whizzed through the interview questions with ease and after only a few minutes our bishop stopped to tell him that he has never had a baptism interview with a kid more ready. He also shared this text with following the interview:

Photo's from his baptism photo-shoot:

Brady's big day was really special and he was smiles all day long. We had most of our family staying at our house with many others joining us for the festivities. It was so wonderful having so many people there to support Braden for this big step in his life. Plus, it was really nice having so many helping hands to help decorate and prepare for the festivities.

Our stake had a really nice program before the baptism and after Braden was baptized our family and friends went to a private room for the confirmation. While we waited for Braden and Kam to join us the primary president handed out paper and pens for everyone to write a note to Braden that she presented to him the following day in primary. Following the confirmation our bishop took a minute to talk about Braden. Most of what he said I've heard before, but I was really moved when he mentioned that he felt very strongly that our Heavenly Father is preparing Braden to be a great leader in His kingdom in the last days.

Following the Baptism and Confirmation we all headed back to our house for a luncheon. My family did a great job making my vision a reality. We had balloons everywhere and all the food had a rainbow theme (from the I Like to Look for Rainbows primary song).

My dad helped me finish these fun CTR cookies...

...and Gramma Lucy Made this delicious CTR cake for Braden.

Brady with his Grandparents

We are so very happy Braden chose to be baptized. He is an awesome big brother and great example to his little brother and sister. I feel so very blessed to have him as my son. He teaches me so much about faith and helps to strengthen my testimony everyday. He truly helps me to not only be better but want to be better. A few days after Braden's baptism the boys were in the shower getting ready for bed. I overheard a little commotion and later found out that Braden had hit Carter. Kam and I left the boys alone to work it out for themselves and I was amazed with what followed. Braden, after dressing into his PJ's, immediately went to kneel at his bed to pray and then after went to tell his brother he was sorry and give him a hug. Like I said, this kid is amazing and truly teaches me everyday.

The Boy Turned Eight!

Eight! Eight years! Has it really been eight whole years?! I knew this year was going to be a big deal but what I didn't expect was to see this little boy turn into a big boy overnight.
We started his birthday celebrations on Saturday the 11th (the day before his birthday.) Braden and Dad went to the Great Scouting Event put on by our stake. Braden was in Heaven! He got to build a boat and race it, check out how a pinewood derby runs, make a craft, shoot BB guns and arrows, run through an obstacle course, crack a whip and climb a rock wall.

After the scout event we went to Braden's soccer game, ate chicken noodle soup (one of his favorite meals) and then picked up a couple of his friends and went bowling. I forgot the camera so I didn't get any photos from bowling but I will share a fun story about bowling. Before we left Braden asked that Mom and Dad not bowl because he wanted to win. Funny thing was, he still didn't end up winning because his friend Ava totally kicked butt! Beginners luck probably. In the end Braden didn't mind not winning and he had a fun time even though he ended the night with a migraine.

The next morning, on his birthday, he woke to a decorated door and house. We went to church and following church Braden had his baptism interview with the bishop. Then we went home and opened presents, watched a movie together, played games, made homemade pizzas and ate a candy cake. 

Braden got his own set Scriptures.

We let Carter open his birthday presents on Braden's birthday since his birthday is 4 days after christmas. Carter got a pillow pet and a game and the boys together got some baseball stuff.

Braden was most excited about the last present he opened.

True to fashion, this boy cried in excitement 

that his daddy got him a pocket knife.

Braden didn't want a cake because he was getting a special cake 

for his baptism so instead he asked for his favorite treats. I couldn't 

not do a cake so I made a "candake" for him instead.

Make a Wish!

A few days later Grammy Bo arrived to play with the kids before everyone else arrived for the baptism and brought with her many fun surprises for Braden including this cowboy hat that he wanted so he could look like Uncle Dane.

As family arrived for the baptism there were more surprises, treats, and fun both to celebrate Braden's birthday and his baptism. It was super fun to celebrate this amazing boy all week long!