We started.. finally!

Here is a picture of our cabinet project that has finally begun.  We've had the doors off since before Christmas, and are just now getting to.  The doors for all the top cabinets have been painted on one side, as well as the faces of the cabinets and the old blue and yellow walls are gone.  The doors will still be off for some time, since we need to let the paint cure for a while before we distress them and then they still need to be stained and top coated.  A long way to go, but at least we've started!

Beau's Family Pow Wow

Tonight Beau gathered us all together for a family meeting.  He had little strips of paper that he had stapled together and written on.  He had all us sit crossed legged on the floor in a circle and set a teepee that he made in class in front of him.  He had us come to him one by one as he presented us each with our Indian names.  We are now to be called (when we have our hats on):

Brav Worer (Brave Warrier)

Dansing Hate (Dancing Heart)

Linting Stem (Lightning Steam)

Super Rockit (Super Rocket)

Shining River (He got it right!)

He was worried about putting anything on Jace's head so he just gave him the name "Straight Arrow"

Thanks Beau!

Jace's Blessing

It was such a wonderful day.  Joe gave Jace a name and a blessing.  Joe and I also bore our testimonies for the very first time publicly.  To contemplate, and verbalize it makes it much more real.  I hope Jarek and Beau, who are old enough to have paid attention, got something from it.  Those in attendace were: 

Our family; Joe, Jamie, Jarek, Beau, Jada and of course Jace

 My Grandma, Virgina Harder

My parents, Stephen and Cathy Harder

Joe's mom and sister, Mary and Katie Jones

Steve Smith and his family: Natalie, Breanna, Josh, Jacob, Michael, Daniel and Rebekah

Jane Ostler and her family; Chad, Ben, Brandon, Elisabeth, Evie and Grant

Sam Smith and family; Kim, Tristan, Kael, Ashleigh and Kallista.  My friend Julie Sears and her sister Katie were also there.  Sam's family and Julie left before we took pictures.

The men who stood in the circle with Joe were Steve Smith, Chad Ostler, Sam Smith and Bishop Jensen

After sacrament meeting we met back at our house for refreshments.  Thanks to everyone who came and supported Jace and our family.We love you!

After a busy day, he's just plain tired :)

It was inevitable, I guess...

Jada finally did it... she cut her own bangs. I guess it could have been worse. Jarek came running to tell me that Jada was trying to cut his head. I asked him if she cut his hair, he said no. I didn't think anything about it, the scissors were put away. Then I notice some stray hairs on her nose... I freaked. She left a nice layer on top that are long and can hide it when they are swept over. We had a nice long talk about how only Michelle cuts her hair. She gets it, I think. Poor thing, hope they grow out quick!

Play Ball!

Today officially started the beginning of the baseball season for the boys and the much running around for me. I called the rain out line this morning, expecting it to say the games were cancelled after looking at the weather report.. but to my surprise, it said all games would be played as scheduled. It only drizzled a little bit before game time and then the sun actually broke through on our way to the Sports Complex. Jarek is starting Machine Pitch this year, so his first at bat was his first encounter with the machine that would prove to be random. High pitches were it's specialty, with a few in the strike zone. He got a piece of one, which is success in my book even though it was a foul. Joe was able to take a lunch and come watch. After we got home the rain POURED down, luckily we had an early game. Way to go Jarek!

Here are a few pics from the game.

Dads n Donuts

Today Beau and I (Joe) had our first Dad's and Donuts! Walking into the school I was greeted with a Donut and instructions to meet my child in his classroom. When I made it to the classroom there was a line of Dads (...who else has a Dad! I thought I was the only one...). All the kids were seated in the front of the room on the floor (the door and Dad line was in the back of the room). It was cute to see all the little faces searching for their Dad. The teacher, who was at the back of the room as well, calling the children to meet their Dad commented, "I should just look for the child with the big grin", as she asked us who our child was (if she didn't know already). When it was my turn, I looked at Beau and sure enough the big grin showed up. It stayed with him as he walked back to retrieve his Donut and his Dad :-) We went over to a small, Beau sized table and began eating and reading. The whole time we were reading Beau kept looking behind us at his classmate and his Dad. I wondered why. I wondered if he wanted to go read with that Dad ;-) We finished our book an he say's, "We beat 'em done!". He is so competetive! We got a book from the classroom book shelf and barely finished in time as the teacher sounded the 2 minute warning. All went well! It was neat to be able to make it and see his excitement at his first Dad's and Donuts.

Mr. Independent

Beau has become so independent this year. He is recently really into doing his own hair. I try to "fluff" it up a little after he combs it, but today he insisted that he likes the way it looks with the comb lines in it. Today I said, "Can I just straighten out your part line?", "No Mom, I like it like this". He did say that some guy on the new Hulk movie has hair kind of like that, so I guess that's where it's coming from. All I'm saying is, it wasn't me. :)

Our Little Ninja in the Making

Beau has learned to climb the walls just like his dad used to do. It's so cute to see him taking after Joe so much.

Merry Christmas!

I have misplaced my other camera that had more pictures on it. This will have to do for now :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Traditions

When I was little, we would always make sugar cookies on Christmas Eve and I looked forward to it every year. We have tried to keep that tradition going, and so far we've done a pretty good job. The kids love the thought of making something for Santa. Here are a few snapshots from tonight.. please ignore the children on my countertop.. that doesn't happen anywhere else right?

Awww the mess. It's worth it though.

Another tradition is that we let the kids open one present on Christmas Eve, and now they always know what it is... pajamas.Merry Christmas Eve!