The week before Christmas we had our friends over to hang out and decorate gingerbread houses. The kids had fun decorating and sampling all the candy. At one point Joseph and Jos loaded so much onto theirs that the walls collapsed, but thankfully we were able to rebuild.  |
| Joseph and Jos |
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| Silly kids |
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| Marli working hard |
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| Kortney working hard |
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| Joseph and Jos building as a team |
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| Brock's ginger village |
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| Our ginger house |
So one night that wasn't too terribly cold while Ben was in Wisconsin, we headed over to look at some lights. It was a nice night, and it wasn't too cold so we were able to enjoy all the lights.  |
| The monkeys |
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| Janee and I |
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| Pretty lights |
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| Being silly |
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| Copper trees |
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| Ooohhhh, Ahhhhhh |
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| I just love these blue and white trees. |
On Saturday October 12th, Joseph was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a wonderful day, and we are so proud of the choice that Joseph made. We were blessed to be able to have so many amazing friends and family there with us to celebrate. Joseph's Nana and Grandpa gave wonderful talks, and Brother Baumgarten did a great job conducting. Joseph was overwhelmed when he saw everyone that had come, but later that night he told me how happy he was that everyone was there. Joseph even had the opportunity to set a good example for his cousin, and practice being a missionary. The night before his cousin left, Joseph gave him his old copy of The Book of Mormon so that he could read it at home with his parents. Joseph's cousin was so happy that he read it the entire way home, and he now keeps it next to his bed.  |
| Temple and CTR sugar cookies |
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| Joseph's baptism table |
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| All ready to go. Joseph was a little nervous when he saw how many people had come to share in his special day. He refused to look at any of them until after the baptism. |
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| Three generations of amazing men. |
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| Proud parents |
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| Joseph with all of his grandparents. |
Joseph celebrated a very big and special birthday this year. He turned eight! We had quite the celebration this year, and I think Ben and I enjoyed it just as much as Joseph. He had a Harry Potter party and we loved making all the goodies and decorating the house to turn it into Hogwarts. I may have been a little crazy to let him have so many friends, but I was hoping they would be able to play outside. Of course the day of the party it was rainy and cold so I had twelve very energetic boys in my house for a few hours. The boys all had a blast, and since they all left with smiles on their faces I would say it was a success. Happy Birthday to my favorite little boy!! |
| Minion cupcakes for Joseph's class |
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| Party! |
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| Birthday boy |
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| Lego's! |
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| Yay for fishing |
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| Sirius Black |
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| Welcome to Hogwarts |
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| Harry Potter cupcakes |
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| Broom gift sacks |
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| Yay! |
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| Yummy! |
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| Too much sugar for me |
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| Boo |
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| The best house! |
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| Ready for the boys |
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| Our room |
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| All ready to party! |
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| Broom racing |
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| Round two! |
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| Shirt making time |
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| Wand making |
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| Too many spells at once! |
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| Yummy!! |
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| Dinner time |
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| Present time!! |
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| Make a wish |
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| The hanging lights of the great hall |
Joseph's first big project this year was a continent project, and he loved being super creative and coming up with everything his continent needed. He spent a ton of time working on it, and making it just right. I am so proud of all the hard work he put into it.  |
| Pez Espada (Swordfish) |
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| All done |
I can't believe that in August this year Joseph started the second grade. He is growing and learning so quickly that he is going to be bigger and smarter then me before long.  |
| All ready for second grade. |
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| He looks so grown up! |
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