Addison's Baptism

Addison was Baptized on Aug. 1, 2015.  She was baptized in Blackfoot with her cousin, Whitley.  Whitley was born on July 28, 2007 and Addison was born on July 30, 2007.  They are the twinner cousins.  The funny thing is Merrick and I were both due two days apart and we both went 5 days over with our pregnancies so Addison and Whitley were still born 2 days apart.  They were probably in heaven scheming it that way. 

Addison was so beautiful in her white baptism dress.  She seemed so happy.  She made the choice to get baptized because she wanted to be a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of  Latter Day Saints.  During her baptism interview with the bishop she said she was ready to make a promise with Jesus to keep the commandments. 

Addison and Whitley's Grandpa Jones gave a talk on Baptism and Aunt Marcie gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  They both did a great job.  Grandpa Jones talked about Jesus' baptism why it is important to be baptized.  Marcie had little laminated pictures of ways to remember how the Holy Ghost can help us. She gave Addison and Whitely each the pictures along with a few treats to keep, which Addison loved.   

We were all so happy to witness Addison's baptism, except Ty.  Ty was noddy during the whole thing.  He was pretty concerned that his dad and sister were in the water without him.  I think he thought they were going swimming or something.  He kept banging on the white plastic screen that sits in front of the baptismal font and yelling for his dad.  Good thing the plastic screen was there or he would've probably be in the water with them.  Addison didn't seem too phased by his bad behavior so hopefully he didn't ruin the moment.  After the baptisms, we had a luncheon with all our family and friends at Merrick's church building.  It was a beautiful Day.  So proud of our beautiful girl!

Love this Family of mine.

We got a family picture with Marshall's family before the baptism.  My eyes were closed, but it was the only one we took. 

Addison's baptism hair.  We did it up so it wouldn't take her long to get changed after the baptism.  Marshall told me that it was a pet peeve of his when it takes people forever to get changed and ready after the baptism.  Funny thing, Addison changed so fast so Marshall was the one we were waiting for. I had to give Marshall a hard time. 

The girls ready to be baptized

Addison and Whitley had the exact same baptism dress.  It was cute that they looked like twinners. 

This was the program for the baptism

It's great to be 8! Addison's birthday

Addison turned 8!  She has been looking forward to being 8 for a long time.  She has been looking forward to being baptized and start going to activity days.  This year was a friend party year for Addison.  She wanted to have a beach themed party.  This was the cake we made her. 

 

 

 

 

She woke up bright and early (7:00am) this is considered bright and early for her lately. She had been sleeping in until around 9-10.  School starting at the end of this month is going to be hard for her because she will have to start waking up early again!  

She wanted pancakes and bacon for breakfast, her favorites. 

After breakfast, She opened her gifts. She got a razor scooter and an ipod.  She has been wanting a scooter for a while and Marshall has been wanting to get the kids ipods so they can use them when we travel to North Dakota in a few months.  So she got spoiled this year!  But, I guess 8 is a milestone so its ok.  She got a couple other small things from us like the movie 'Grace' (the new American Girl Movie) and a water bottle like her old one she loved (it got chewed up by fluffy. Her Grandma Marilyn gave her her first set of scriptures with her name engraved on them and a scripture bag.  She got a baptism necklace, a baptism piggy bank, and a bead set from the Youngs. 

She got a cool side walk chalk game and a new shirt (picture below) from her Grandma and Grandpa Jones.  She was thrilled with all her gifts!

My girls had their last day of Summer gymnastics and it was take a friend to gym day, which worked out awesome being it was Addison's birthday!  Addison took her friend, Isabella with her.  Eden took Ty haha (I may have encouraged that).  He thought it was awesome to finally get to do gymnastics, instead of having to sit and watch. 

After gymnastics Addy chose to eat at Carls Jr for lunch.  Eden wasn't in the mood for a picture apparently. 

After lunch we went home to get ready for the beach party.  We started the party with a scavenger hunt.  The girls ran outside and inside to find clues.  The treasure at the end of the scavenger hunt was a party favor for each of the girls.  They got a sand bucket & shovel, Swedish fish, a Hawaiian lay, and a beach clappy toy. 

After the scavenger hunt, Addison opened her presents from her friends. She has some pretty awesome friends.  Shelby wrapped Addison's gift 8 times.  She said because she was turning 8  :) Then, we sang happy birthday and ate cake and icecream before heading to the beach. 

Addison and Isabella.

Addison and Jade

Addison and Shelby

The girls and Ty enjoying their cake and ice cream.

 We finally made it to the beach!  It was a beautiful warm day!  We went to the reservoir just down by our house.  I loaded everybody up in the Tahoe and drove down.  My neighbor Sarah and her girls came and joined us.  It was a blast!

After the day was over Addison told me she had a great day!  That's all I wanted to hear!  We sure love Addison!  She is an amazing girl.  She is a great big sister and oldest child.  She helps me so much.  Some days I don't know how I'd get through the day without her.  She has a smile that could light up a room.  She is happy and loving.  She loves to be with her friends and family.  She loves her cousins.  She enjoys

Church and learning about the gospel.  She has faith and a testimony in Jesus Christ.  She is so special and we are so lucky to have her in our family.  

Here are here birthday interview questions: 

Volleyball

 A few weeks ago I played in a volleyball tournament put on by the Aberdeen HS volleyball team. It was a lot of fun but I didn't realize how our of shape I was.  I was hurting the day after.  We played 12 games and only had a few brakes in between games.  Marshall was awesome and kept the kids all day so I could play.  He even brought them out for a few hours to watch.  Our team got 3rd place.  We kinda forfeited our last game because it was getting late in the evening and we were all so tired and sore.  We let a different team play in our place for the last game because we were so hungry, tired and our bodies were hurting.  We couldn't last one more game! 

Pioneer Day Parade

I took my kids to the Pioneer Day parade in Aberdeen.  Marshall went to a wedding for a co-worker in Gransville, ID so I braved it out with all the kids by myself.  The kids loved the parade.  Other than being an hour early (I thought it started at 10 so we got there about 9:45, but it actually was suppose to start at 10:30 and It started late at 10:45) it was great.  We got really good seats in the shade since no one else was there an hour early, haha!  I told myself maybe I need to think things start a half an hour early more often so I can actually be on time more.  The kids got TONS of candy.  We sat with my friend Andrea and her sister in law, who has triplet boys that are Tys age.  

My girls were all about getting lots of candy!  I don't know if they even watched the floats because they were just picking up candy the whole time 😀  

Ty got a handful of candy at the very beginning of the parade and then he was content to just sit and eat what he had. 

Willow was a trooper, as always and just enjoyed the parade from her stroller.  

There were a bunch of festivities in the park after the parade but I was a bad mom and didn't tell my kids about any of the other stuff because I knew they would want to go and I didn't want to be chasing 4 kids all day by myself.  So we went home and had a relaxing day at the house.  I did take them down to the reservoir for a few hours.  It was so much better than a crowded park of people.  I swear I'm turning into a hermit!  I guess 4 kids will do that to you.  

I'll take being a hermit for these adorable kids. I love them all so much!!!

Foster Family Reunion

We just went to the 2015 Foster Family Reunion.  It was held at Marshall's aunt Laurie and Uncle Boyd's home in Swan Valley, ID.  They have a beautiful home.  The kids and adults had a great time slip and sliding into their pond.

 My kids also especially loved the trampoline in the pond. 

And by kids I mean Marshall too. 

Ty mostly enjoyed throwing rocks into the stream

 He also didn't stray too far from the snack table.  

Willow and Grandma enjoying watching the swimmers.  

Marshall's Aunt Sharol, Uncle Boyd, Aunt Laurie, and mom (holding Willow). 

We didn't get to stay and camp over night with everyone, but we got to enjoy visiting with everyone for a few hours and some great food!  Marshall has some really great people in his Family.  We really enjoyed the reunion.