Anika's Baptism

Anika made the decision to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are so proud of her and how hard she strives to follow her Heavenly Fathers commandments. She was baptized the Saturday after her birthday on November 22, 2008. It was a crazy, busy day. I was a little stressed.
First thing in the morning Adam and I took her out to breakfast to celebrate, then Celtin and Anika had a primary activity where they had to pass off articles of faith in order to get ice cream toppings. Adam stayed with them at the church because I still needed to make a bolero jacket for her dress. We bought her dress online but it was sleeveless and I was worried she would be too cold. After I found some white eyelet shoes I had a great idea to make a matching jacket. She was not home so I used one of her shirts to measure since I did not have a pattern. Once she got home and tried it on I realized they were way too tight (I did not think about the lack of stretch in the eyelet fabric) and had to turn them into shorter sleeves. They were still snug but it looked cute and kept her a little warmer.
I finished up the 7 layer dip and helped Anika get ready, while Adam ran over to the church to fill up the font. I was a little stressed trying to get everything (her hair...I was weaving pearl strands into her braids) perfect. On the way over to the church I told Anika that I was sorry I was so stressed but I just wanted this day to be perfect for her. Anika replied, with a smile on her face, "Mom don't worry...I am getting baptized today, that is all that matters!" How did she become so wise in only 8 years?
So we get to the church and she changes into her baptism jumpsuit-so cute! Many of our friends arrived, We probably had as many friends there who are not members of our church as those who are. I am so grateful for the wonderful, caring and supportive friends we have made. It makes the fact the most of our family couldn't make it more bearable.
The whole program was great. It was relaxed but innocent and sweet. Anika's Grammy gave a wonderful talk on baptism and Celtin gave a cute talk on the Holy Ghost, while Anika was wrapped in a blanket made by her Grandma.
The actual baptism was simple and wonderful. Anika looked so beautiful and peaceful as her father baptized her. I am so grateful for the priesthood and for a wonderful husband who is worthy to preform such important ordinances. When I went to help Anika change I asked her how she felt and she said "Happy!" I hope she remembers that because one of the greatest things this gospel brings to my life is HAPPINESS. She then received the gift of the Holy Ghost and a blessing by her father. I was so filled with joy and gratitude for all that our Heavenly Father offers us and the promises he gives to us. I feel so lucky to know the true church and am glad that my children can have this in their lives as well. Congratulation Anika and I am so very proud of you. I love you!

Happy 8th Birthday Anika

I can hardly believe my little girl is 8 years old. She is growing up so fast! She is such a sweet, beautiful girl and has brought so much happiness to our lives. I think she had a fun birthday...it was very busy. Here are the highlights.

• First she started the day with breakfast in bed (bacon, hash browns and scrambled eggs)


• She opened her package from Grandma.


• She took M&M chocolate chip cookies to school for her birthday treat. Yummy!
  
• I stopped by at lunch time and brought her a kids meal from Wendy's. Lochlan and I stayed and ate lunch with her, she really enjoyed that but I was a little overwhelmed...I cannot believe how loud and crazy that lunchroom was.


• She had brownies after school and took double stuffed mint Oreo's and Milk for snack. Even Yummier!
  
• We went to the mall and she got her ears pierced. She has wanted them pierced for 2 years...she was so excited and very brave but cried because it "really hurt", it did not take her very long to recover-then she was all smiles.


• She made a new puppy friend at build a bear named Licorice. She has a pink bed, pink collar, pink heart dress and a puppy whom she can carry in her mouth.


• We came back home and had cake (double layer white cake, white frosting, and white chocolate candy pieces) and then she opened more presents. Fun...fun!

School Pictures

Anika and Celtin just got back their school pictures. We only bought one sheet and the class photo because we really need to get in and have professional family photos taken. We are waiting right now because Lochlan has a huge bruise on his forehead and a teething rash around his mouth, Celtin just lost his two front teeth and Anika has another cut on her nose. I suppose there is no way we will all be blemish free at the same time! :) Here are their shots. Celtin looks so handsome and grown-up! Anika is as pretty as ever but she never seems willing to show off her beautiful smile in school pictures, maybe she gets a little nervous.

My big helper

Lochlan is growing so quickly (9 months). He hardly seems like a baby anymore :(

• He walks a ton now and can even squat to pick something up then return to standing. WOW!
• He is cutting his top four teeth all at once and is being a trooper...for the most part.
• He learned how to go down the stairs and get off the couch by sliding backwards on his tummy. Hallelujah
• He loves to climb in the fridge and pull out the condiments or "help" unload the dishwasher.
• He imitates us and says uh-oh and that (for what's that), makes the where did it go sign, claps and waves hi and bye.
• He is obsessed with his baby Einstein videos and will sit and watch an entire 30 minute show.
• He has figured out how to make his big brother and sister laugh and gets quite a kick out of it.

He is such a happy, fun little monkey and we are so glad he joined our family.

Attendance Week

Last week was perfect attendance week at the kids school. They had something fun to do each day so that all the kids would attend...apparently the importance of education is not enough to get everyone there! I only got pictures of Monday, Tuesday and Friday :(
Monday: pajama day
Tuesday: crazy hair day
-Anika was not thrilled with her hair, she wanted it all straight up but it is so long I could not make it stay. Celtin changed his mind 3 times, first it was three rows of spikes, then it was a circle spike in the middle and flat on the edges then it was all spiked. They all looked the same to me! :)
Wednesday: mismatched clothes day
-Anika had a field trip on Wednesday and did not want to look silly so she only mismatched a little (pink pants and a green plaid shirt) Celtin went all out with brown camo pants, black t-shirt and a navy blue plaid button up. He wanted two different shoes but we were running late and couldn't find the other pair.
Thursday: wear character colors
-Anika-blue, Celtin-orange
Friday: Halloween parties

Halloween Fun

I have been MIA lately because I have been so busy. I was trying to get Anika and Celtin's costumes sewn and Lochlan has not been feeling well so he has been a little clingy. Plus I have been watching my cute niece Hayden a few days a week and my friends little girls all day Thursday while she had surgery. I am back now and will try to be more diligent about posting...although I do have Anika's birthday, baptism, Thanksgiving, Celtin's Birthday, Christmas, New Years, Our Anniversary, Lochlan's birthday all coming up in the next few months. It is good to be busy but I tend to overbook myself. :)

Pumpkin Carving

After the trip to the pumpkin patch the kids begged daily to turn their pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns. After a few days we gave in and did it for FHE. It was two weeks before Halloween so now they are piles of rotten mush-Yum!

We pulled out our one good knife and Adam cuts out the tops and the kids cleaned the insides. Then they drew their design and carved them mostly by themselves. Adam's pumpkin is a cyclops, mine is a pirate, Anika's is the heart eyes and Celtin's is a traditional scary pumpkin. Lochlan slept through the whole thing but we did draw a face on his little pumpkin!

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School Parties

I helped in both Anika's and Celtin's school parties. I went to Anika's first from 1 until 2:15, they had tons of goodies and a special witches brew punch, they decorated pumpkin cookies and had a parade through all the second grade classrooms. After I left they played some games. Celtin's party started at 2:15 and went until the end of school at 3:25, they had 5 craft tables and a snack table. Celtin was so busy doing all the crafts he did not even sit down at the snack table. He frosted and ate a cookie, made a candy necklace, a tootsie roll sucker ghost, a fridge magnet ghost and a popcorn hand. They both got tons of candy from all their friends and had a blast. Adam too the day off an Lochlan stayed with him.

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Costumes

Anika is a spider witch. I used some of her old costume from last year but made a new shirt, the hat and made the skirt fuller with frayed ends. She had specific plans for the face makeup.

Celtin is Indiana Jones, his shirt, pants and sack are made from two of Adam's old dress pants that were headed to DI (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) The hat I got at Dollar Tree and made a few changes so it would look more like Indiana Jones Fedora and the whip is made out of some scrap material from last years Anakin cape.

Lochlan is a turtle; I made this costume when Celtin was a baby...glad to be able to use it again. ;)

Trick or Treating

After school we went trick or treating with our next door neighbors and a friend of Anika's from school in the neighborhood just north of us (Our neighborhood did trick or treating the Sunday before Halloween-retarded) After about 45 minutes we went over to our friends the Clayton to trick or trick in their neighborhood and each yummy chili and cornbread. The kids had so much fun and got way to much candy. Luckily mom and dad are good at helping eat the candy! :) Lochlan went trick or treating but slept for the first little while and since he can't really eat much candy we didn't even take a bag for him. Anika and Celtin are more than willing to share with him when I say they can.