Kiersten's Special Day............She was Baptized

What a special birthday Kiersten had this year...........she was able to be baptized on her actual birthday, just like I was. I think that makes it extra fun and easy to remember. Kiersten was so very happy for this day to finally come. We have been talking about it for months and months. What a sweet picture! Justin was just as excited to baptize Kiersten as Kiersten was to be baptized! Kiersten was able to wear the same jump suit I wore when I was baptized! Which was a neat detail Kiersten was excited about. To think that on my eight birthday I wore that same suit and was baptized helped her realize I was a kid once and not just a mom. There was such a sweet spirit there at Kiersten's baptism. Grammie Cluff gave a beautiful talk on baptism and Rieley Hoyt gave a wonderful talk on the Holy Ghost. They both told such neat stories to Kiersten and she just soaked it up. We had Terry Williams make a video of pictures of Kiersten from the past eight years, which we showed while I was getting Kiersten dresses and hair done after she was baptized. We got tons of compliments on the video and it was nice for everyone to have something to watch instead of just waiting for us to get done and come out. Melissa played "When I am Baptized" on her viola and it was beautiful. Kiersten loved it as she plays the violin herself. One beautiful experience was that I had told Kiersten the day before (Sunday) that Grampie Boswell might not come to her baptism, I wasn't sure. We talked about how he doesn't go to church and sometimes feels out of place and uncomfortable going to church things, but that it doesn't mean he doesn't love her. All on her own, Sunday after church she made him a special card letting him know she hoped he could make it to her baptism and we took it to him that evening. The next day was her baptism and as people came in she got this beautiful smile on her face and came running to me to tell me Grampie had come to see her baptized. I was touched that amidst all the excitement she cared so much that Grampie could experience her baptism and feel of the spirit! What a sweet, special daughter Kiersten is. We are blessed to have her in our family! After her baptism we decide to keep things simple, as to not take away from the special experience of her baptism, and had a family dinner party at El Charro. We wanted to make sure that the party following her baptism wasn't remembered more than her actual baptism. It worked out great. We reserved the backroom at El Charro and filled it complete with family. It was simple and sweet! We did have fancy cupcakes. Half of them were dipped in chocolate...............oh were they delightful! Thanks to Krista Hancock for making them! Everyone LOVED them! Kiersten LOVED having fancy girly cupcakes!

YUMMY!!!

Kiersten opened her family gifts and thanked everyone for joining her on her special day! It was just a beautiful day! We have many friends come which added to the experience! We were so glad to see Sandra Smith, Kari and Jon Stewart, Kathy Mack, Brother and Sister Judd and our good friends the Smith's, to name a few! Along with almost all our immediate family members, aunts, uncles, cousins. Thanks to everyone who came to show support for Kiersten and our family! We love you all so much!

Logan's First Day of Preschool

Logan was so excited about his first day of preschool! He has Deann Lutz this year and I am so excited about that. She was Hunter's teacher last year. We love her! Logan is getting so big, I can't believe he will be four in November! Logan was even excited about his Thomas the Train backpack, even though it's the one he used last year. He didn't care that the other kids got new ones and he didn't, he was just happy to have a backpack! He turned around and asked me to take a picture of it and then of course he wanted to see the picture.

Logan really started striking poses for me! What a guy!

Nice pose Logan! Kiersten had a little of an emotional morning so I took her to school a bit late so we could talk about what she was worried about. She is such a perfectionist and has a hard time if she doesn't do everything just right the first time. So we talked about being easier on herself and she was good to go!

Logan didn't cry one bit. He loves getting to ride the bus and so does his mommy! They pick him up and drop him off which is extremely nice for me! This year his little friend, Melanie, from next door is going to preschool with him and they get to ride the bus together..........it's so cute to see Logan happy to sit by his friend on the bus!

TOO CUTE NOT TO BLOG

So this is Kiersten on the second day of school. She was just way too cute not to blog about!!! Now that I know I will only have one girl I feel justified in getting her REALLY CUTE clothes. I figure I only have a few years left where Kiersten will let me pick out her clothes so I am going to fully enjoy it while it lasts!!! I really wanted to jump in her body for the day and go to school. She was super excited to wear this outfit and got tons of compliments. I am so glad she is so girly!!! Shall we go to Paris?

Hunter was like "why don't you want another picture of me Mom?" Of course I wanted a picture of him as well....................he does look rather charming! These kids are so excited about school! They love their teachers!

First Day of School

Kiersten is starting the third grade this year and couldn't be more excited. Her new teacher is Stacie Moore, who's is our ward and lives down by the lake behind our house. She is going to be a great teacher! Kiersten looked so RoCkIn' CoOl for the first day of school! She was very, very , very excited about her outfit and going to school. So far this year there are only 12 kids in Kiersten's class, only 5 of those are girls. I think it will be a wonderful learning environment for Kiersten, just hope she likes those other girls! One of them is her good friend, Samantha from last year so she's not worried. Kiersten was sad to find out that her BEST friend, Hannah, is getting home schooled this year. Bummer!

These are the cutest shoes ever! Twinkle Toes by Sketcher, LOVE them. Only wish wish they made them in my sized!

Now is that one handsome STUD or what? What out Kindergarten here comes Hunter! He was more than excited to start school. His teacher, Mrs. Willis is going to be wonderful, she is so enthusiastic which is great!

Hunter was very excited about his new clothes for school. He wasn't with me when I got them so I was happy to see that he loved them. He said, "Good job MOM! These clothes are cool!" I only got him, three new outfits for school but he said that was just fine. What an understnading guy. He really is styling for a 5 year old. He wants his shoes to match his outfits and loves button up shirts. I am so excited for Hunter to learn and grow this year. He only has 13 kids in his class which couldn't make for a better learning environment! Plus all the classes have a full time aide.

Lookin' Great and Ready for School!

Pretty stylin' kids!

Logan doesn't start preschool until next week and he was so mad that he wasn't going to school like Kiersten and Hunter. He really was mad that he wasn't getting to put on new clothes and shoes so I just decided that what the heck.........so he got on his new stuff and was happy as could be. He of course whated his picture taken as well! They are growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!

Tender Hearted Kiersten

So I guess today at primary Kiersten's regular teacher, Brother Goodman, was gone and they had another guy filling in. I think Kiersten said he's the helper that's there with Brother Goodman, but not the main teacher. Anyway, Kiersten was pretty upset when we got out of church and on the drive home she explained that church made her really sad today. I asked her why. She then told us with great compassion how the kids in her class had been loud, disrespectful and "out of control" (as she put it) during her class. She said the kids wouldn't stop talking even when the teacher asked them to and how they laughed at his lesson and told him that they didn't like lessons. Kiersten was clearly upset by the whole thing and promised she wasn't one of the kids that behaved this way. She said she felt so bad for the teacher because he seemed to get really sad about it and the kids didn't care.

As soon as we got home from church Kiersten immediately got stuff out to make a card for the teacher to give to him next Sunday. She insisted on finishing it before she would even eat. I was touched at her compassion for the feelings of her teacher and amazed at how aware she is of other's. She is so tender hearted and can't stand for someone to feel bad. I learned a good reminder from her today and I am so grateful for her and her example!

It's so rewarding to have your children make good choices. I am by no means saying this is always the case with my kids, but it is wonderful and worth recording when it is. Thanks Kiersten for being YOU!!!

Boy Howdy, Garrett Turns One!

Marla's baby, Garrette, turned one on the 24th of July and so the Saturday after our trip to Flagstaff we had a BIG HOEDOWN for him in Mesa. It took a lot of planning and prep work because a lot had to be done before the Hoyt's even flew in to Phoenix. I was glad to help Marla with the party.................as we all know I LOVE a GOOD THEMED PARTY!!!

This is the new sheriff in town. Garrette is so adorable and just the happiest baby! He cuddles and laughs.............makes me anxious to have my own little guy to love on every minute of the day! HOWDY YA ALL!! He is just so precious!

This is Carson Hoyt! He is such a cute three year old and Logan's new best friend. They are quite the pair!

Hats off we're havin' a PARTY!!!

The table decorations turned out great I thought.

The food was delicious..............BBQ meat with rolls, coleslaw, beans, veggies with spinach dip and some good rootbeer to top it off with.

Aubrey holding one of the "pigs" that the kids took turns rounding up. Logan striking a pose for me!

Hunter being a cowboy riding a "cow balloon!" Very bad drawing of a cow face I know but I was in a HUGE hurry trying to get the center pieces done so you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.................right? And you don't make fun I might add!

Nolan looking rather handsome. He lost his first tooth that same day. Isn't his toothless grin adorable.

Logan loved "hiding" behind his cowboy hat. Pretty tricky there pardner!

Hunter and Carson. Carson had a fabulous time sticking most of the toothpicks in rolls and giving them to people as "birthday cakes!" It was so cute no one could even be mad at him.

This is one happy cowboy!

These are the cans I made for the center pieces. They are also the gift bags for the guests. I thought they turned out so stinkin' cute!

Stud man Rieley taking a minute of his precious time to pose for me.

Grammie and Avry. Avry looks so much like my mom it's not even funny!

Milking the cow game. The kids LOVED this game! Found this cow right here in Pima, BoY hOwDy! And man was I glad because they meant I didn't have to make one!

Wow..........I really shouldn't be in front of the camera at this point in the game. I was in charge of the roundin' up the pigs game.

This is the "pen" where the pigs had to be rounded up into.

They had a lot of friends show up and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

This is Hunter having his turn to round up the pigs.

Even with a hurt hand he could wrestle those greasy pigs!

Nolan just givin' that pig a toss!

Kiersten having her shot at milkin' the cow.

Uncle Troy and Warren having a pretty intense gunny sack race. Not sure who won.................probably depends on who you ask!

Hunter felt left out because he couldn't do the gunny sack race with his possible broken hand so he's dad gave him a little help and it just made his night!

Kiersten and Nolan having fun old fashion style!

Hunter and Garrette, the man of the evening!

Garrette getting ready to blow out his candle.

It was fun to watch Garrette devour the big piece of cake he got. Man that cowboy can eat!

Hunter really liked the milkin' the cow game. He wants to have a farm party sometime just so we can play this and roundin' up the pigs game again. They were all a big hit with the kids.

Hunter asked later if we could get a real cow because he was so good at milking the pretend one. Hmmmm............I'll have to think about that one Bud..................OK No not going to happen!