May Cont…again {Kyson’s Baptism!}

ON our way home from New Mexico (well on our way to Utah) we stopped by 4 corners. We weren’t sure if we would ever get the chance again so we did. Well, the kid really could have cared less. I guess it would have helped if I would have given them a little geography lesson before hand, but by the time we got there, it was too late. There was no interest in anything, but buying something from the many vendors that were there.  I was able to get Maliyah to at least come down on ‘the spot’ and Emma copied her.

Once in Utah we spent a couple days at Duck’s parents house. WE had a tiny birthday celebration, and of course enjoyed swimming with Grandpa, as always!

Kyson got a new Remote Control car from them, so bright and early the next morning, first thing kids did was head outside with the car….Jammies and all!  THE best picture of the trip?  Savannah Sneezing a snot bubble and I just happened to catch it!

LIke I mentioned before, this trip was our Family Vacation for the year, so we wanted to make sure and take advantage of this time with Duck and fill it doing fun things.  A couple things we did while staying at the Duckworths was visiting the Dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point, and the Church History Museum.



The best event of the trip though, had to be Kyson’s Baptism.  He is such a neat kid, and it was a really spiritual baptism. He definitely has a sweet spot for the spirit and really recognizes it.  I’m so grateful to have such a wonderful son!



PIctured Below:

Grandma & Grandpa Duck
Our Sweet and Adorable Friends the McAllister Family! (Oh how we miss them!)
THe White Treat!  The funny story about our refreshments?  While we were setting up for everything there were some kids playing outside and riding bikes. During the Baptism My sister went out in the hall to get Emma and she caught those boys shoving their pockets and mouths with handfulls of our refreshments!  She told me she chased them down and scolded them and made them hand back everything!  Lol, I was quite humored when she told me and figured that they got punishment enough!  Luckily we made lots and they saved some for us.

 


One last thing we did do before Duck went home was take the kids to Lagoon.  Oh my gosh that was so fun!  We arranged for my parents to have the little girls halfway through the day. so we did all the kiddie rides in the morning and then the bigger rides later.  Both my sisters joined us and we had a blast!  It’s been so long since I’ve been able to just ride roller coasters and thrilling rides! Maliyah and Jayden are definitely my dare devils, but mostly Maliyah.  We stayed until the park closed.  It was a perfect day! (minus getting TOTALLY soaked on Rattle Snake Rapids)

Kyson’s Baptism {Project.12 | Water}

As I was contemplating what I wanted to photograph for this month’s Project.12 theme, my thoughts immediately went to my almost 8 year old son and his upcoming Baptism.  We are member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and believe in Baptism by immersion in water.  So right away I connected water with his Baptism.  So although there is NO water in these pictures, knowing they were for his Baptism invitations immediately made me think of water!

Here is a link if you want to know more about Baptism in our church   LDS Baptism





 



This is my favorite.  This kid has such a big heart, is so kind and is such a good big brother.  He loves entertaining his little sisters and can make them soooo happy!  He still lets his mom give him huge hugs and kisses anytime, and anywhere. He loves to be mom’s helper and yet would spend every minute with his Dad if he could!



The sweetness in these pictures really represent him well.  Yes he is a normal 7 year old, but he sure tries hard to make right choices and prepare for his Baptism.  I’m so proud of you Kyson!

Oh so many things!

I would normally post all this in many posts, but there is just too much I want to squeeze in...that it just might be faster to do it all in one!

Our trip to Utah was fun, even greater was our visit to Denver to see my brother Jordan, his beautiful wife Larissa and their darling baby Lydia!  OH what a doll, it's so hard to be so far away from them!

We started off our trip by a few day visit with the Duckworths. The kids love their time with Gma and Gpa Duck and we enjoyed our stay there visiting with cousins as well.

One of the favorite thing the kids like to do when we visit is swimming at the club house.  Maliyah just learned how to do this while we were there.

We were able to get with Gavin and Jessica and their kids at the park. The kids LOVE playing together and seem to get along pretty well. Somtimes there is boy and girl rivalry...but when isn't there?

This is my handsome nephew Hunter.

Kyson is such a good big brother!

OH, and then there's Jaxon with his beautiful blue eyes!

Hugs!~

Towards the end of our trip we were going to meet to go to a park, but after already spending all morning in the hot sun at a wedding, we decided on an indoor activity.  Great idea Linda! The kids are still talking about it!

Another morning we also scouted out all the splash pads in the area and chose one for some cooling off!

Saturday morning was Madi's Baptism...Gavin's daughter.  Here she is with both her grandpa's who baptized and confirmed her and her mom Erin.

This is Erin's new husband Jon. I was really glad to finally meet him!

Gavin And Jess and their cute family!

 

All the kids being kids and cousins!

   

(in a tiny squeeky voice )  *tiny hugs*

That evening was my other niece Maddie's baptism (my brothers daughter). I didn't take any picture as we arrived a few minutes late and then just after had to change into pj's eat dinner and then head out to Denver for Lydia's blessing the next morning! We arrived to Highlands Ranch at about 2:30am. I am still shocked that I didn't sleep through all of church! The blessing was great but of course even greater was just getting ot meet Lydia. Larissa's parents fed us, took care of us, entertained us and were the most fabulous hosts. It was such a good time to be able to spend with Jordan and his darling little family.

 

 

These are the Spear Grandkids, Lucy*Preston*Lydia

What's a photoshoot without some craziness. Actually this is the reaction we got when thinking about the idea of Jordan and Larissa having 6 kids!  (Emma likes the idea!)

 

Preston and Jadyen totally hit it off and had a great time together!

That evening we played Qwelf.  Is your thumb as long as your nose?

How about a Hula Dance?

Or Tying a square knot in a tie on yourself..it was harder than it sounds.

Monday morning the spears took us to the lake.  The kids got to Jetski a ton, the littles played in water and apparently sunscreen too!

  

A few of Lucy...I couldn't get enough of those darling curls and yummy cheeks!

 

Oh brother, more kissing?

   

Hey! I finally got in a picture with my kids!

Kyson wanted a turn taking a picture so me and Savannah were the targets.

 

One afternoon back in Layton my friend Melissa had us all over to play. The kids had a blast and she helped me take Savannah's 3 year pictures as well. (they will hopefully be posted in the next couple of weeks) I love visiting with Melissa. I'm so sad she is back in Layton, but so happy that at least she moved somewhere that I visit frequently! We also got to spend Sunday afternoon together and it was wonderful. I miss you Melissa!

Jayden also had a great adventure. Playing with a rubber exercise band, he flicked himself in the face (it slipped off whatever he had the other end hooked onto) and it hit right in the corner of his lip. He was bleeding all over the place! It also cut inside his mouth so he was choking on his blood. He ended up needing a few stitches and was my official first visit to the ER with my kids. I knew it would be him! He was super brave though and didn't even flinch when they gave him his shot to numb his mouth, OR while getting the stitches.

After the stitches

He still has a bit of a joker smile, but he's all healed up now.

Another fun thing about our visit was the chance to meet my brother Austin's girlfriend, Emma and her sister Becca. They are both adorable girls!