Adam's birthday and baptism

We have just had such a fun weekend! Adam turned 8 on Friday and then was baptized the next day. Both sets of grandparents flew in for the occasion and we partied for 3 days straight!

Here is Adam gearing up to blow out his one candle.

Adam in the "birthday chair." He got 3 Pokeman games for his DS (because I went from store to store looking for the game he wanted, and ended up buying the random Pokeman games I could find). I think his favorite gift was the Slinky he got from Jodi and Jeff's family. There was much cheering when he figured out how to get it to propel itself down the stairs.

A goofy picture of the Birthday Boy with ice cream all over his shirt...

Luke and Erik pounding away on the piano. I told you it was a party - a LOUD party!

Adam and Brad after the baptism on Saturday. The timing was perfect - Adam turned 8 on the 27th, got baptized on the 28th, and then Brad left for Germany the next day, March 1st. If Adam had been born two days later, we would have been in real trouble!

Our little family.

Adam with both sets of grandparents.

The kids goofing off after the baptism.

It was such a fun weekend, I almost didn't notice that Brad left on Sunday. I say "almost" because I did notice, and it was sad. I have to wait for him to call me because the phone he set up on his laptop for me to call doesn't work in his current hotel room in Berlin, so he calls me from his office once a day. At least we have that. He is spending today and tomorrow looking for houses with our favorite agent Stephani, so hopefully I'll have some good news soon about where we will be living in Berlin. Brad, if you see this, WE MISS YOU!!!

Pepper turns 10!

Well, on October 2, Pepsy Lou turned 10! He is now officially a member of the Double-Digits club, which of course is the best thing ever when you are 10.


For his birthday, our family went to Chuckie Cheese (a.k.a. Up-Chuckie Cheese, or Yucky Cheese, whichever you prefer). Pepper invited his friend Landon to join us, and it was perfect because Landon had his 10th birthday the day before.


After a meal of semi-edible pizza, Pepper blew out the candles on his cake.


We got Pep a new bike for his birthday. It is huge - he wanted a "bike like Dad's", so that is what he got. It makes me nervous when he rides it because his feet barely touch the pedals and aren't even close to reaching the ground. So far, there are no major injuries to report.

Happy Birthday Magoo! We love you!

Jessica turns 12!

On August 20, Jessica turned 12 - a momentous birthday. Since most of her friends are already in Young Women, she was more than ready to leave Primary and join the big girls. In honor of her birthday, we threw a "Crazy Pants Party." Each of the girls wore the craziest pants they could find, and we had a little fashion show with prizes. Then, of course, we watched "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."

No birthday party is complete without cake. Jessica decorated her own birthday cake this year - you probably can't tell, but the cake is cut to look like pants and Jess made sure they were very crazy.

Make a wish...


Jess's big gift this year was an iPod. I'm not sure this was a good idea, because now she spends all her time with earphones in. I'm kind of lonely without my buddy to talk to. With all these boys in my family, I need her for girl talk!


Happy birthday Jessica! I am so proud of you and the truly cool person you are. Our family is all the better because you are in it. You have great instincts with people and I appreciate all the help you give me with the boys without me even having to ask. Even though you will always be my Baby Girl, I am looking forward to watching you grow up and become the sweet, smart, amazing woman you will be. I love you.

Luker turns 2!

For Luke's second birthday, we went to the park for a little party. It wasn't a huge hoop-la, but I think Luker had fun.




What an adorable two-year-old! Our family would be so boring without Luker!

Adam's birthday

In February, Adam turned seven! I know mothers are supposed to say they can't believe their child is that age, but in Adam's case, I can. He has been about 8 years old in my mind for a couple of years now - probably because I just assume he is as mature as Jess and Pep. So, next year, he will finally be officially the age I treat him.