Great to Be 8

Baby Kaj

I seriously still can't believe it! My baby-my first baby turned 8 years old. I knew the day would come, I never really imagined what it would look or feel like, but it sure does feel an awful lot like time playing tricks. This one was a sneaky little trick. Wasn't he just barely carrying bunny with him everywhere? and making just the duck noises when we would go feed the ducks? and going on Ralph's Italian ice dates with just me and him?? He is growing up and fast now. I remember going to some of my friends children's baptisms and thinking how much their child had grown up in just a couple years, and how 8 just seemed so old, and now Kaj is there..amongst those oh so grown up kids.

It was a great birthday. We celebrated with the family. We kept it relatively low key with presents, cake, and taking the family bowling for the first time. It was actually a really fun time. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much Rowan enjoyed it. The boys would help him with the ball and get so excited for him and the pins he would knock down. On Kaj's actual birthday I had decided I would get him out of school to get his haircut, and then take him to lunch. I had friends who would do this with their kids on their birthday and I wanted to try out to see if it was a tradition worth keeping. I even treated myself in my own special way by getting pulled over by a copper and getting an enormous ticket when I was calling the school to get Kaj checked out for the day. I tried not to let that taint my mood the rest of the day--but it kinda did. But, Kaj didn't seem to notice. We went to Red Robin with Jonah and had lunch together and talked. I find myself looking at his face, and wondering if he grew even more over night. I am starting to picture him grown. It's strange.

Kaj got baptized on May 5th at 11:00. We had our own, so we put together the program. We were joined by some of the family. Whit and Justin's family came into town and Mom and Dad. It was so great to have them. Everyone stayed at our house which worked out perfectly. In my own opinion, I would not have had it any other way it was really fun having all that time together. The program went off without a hitch. My mom led the music, Whitney said the prayer, my Dad gave the talk on baptism. Kaj was attentive and reverent and seemed to really know the importance of the day. I was so proud watching him. He was then baptized. Twice. His toe popped up. Which only a mom thinks, "oh, how cute!" His toe popping up. 😍 😂 Then, the boys went to dry off. And whoops! We forgot to bring towels. 😳😂 So, when I went to go check and see how everything was going they needed to be handed many a paper towel to dry off. Mental note: do not forget to bring towels to your child's baptism. Neither of them complained at all. Kaj came out--looking a little damp still, but handsome. I then sang, "The Voice of the Spirit." I must say no matter how it sounded I will always remember looking at Kaj while I sang, and we smiled at each other, and his sweet eyes while he watched me. People commented on how sweet that moment was. I hope the song was done nicely, but I am glad I decided to sing. Kaj shared with me later, "Mom, your song was so beautiful, it almost made me cry."
Then, Justin gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, and Kaj once again, answering his questions, nodding, and listening so wonderfully. He received that Holy Ghost which is such an amazing moment that I hope he remembers. Sam did a great job.

We went out to RedRobin afterwards with the family. Everyone seemed super hungry, and ate really well. We decided to hike the butte later and then play at the park. We loved having cousins there, and the support and love was definitely felt. Honestly, I told Sam as we were wrapping up the day-I would not have changed one thing. It was such a great and special day.

I will also share that the following day it was fast Sunday. I whispered over to Kaj that he could share his testimony if he wanted. I don't think he ever realized he could go up and do that. He decided that, yes, he would. Me, being me, got nervous for him, and thought, wait, really? He asked if he could talk about anything, and I explained, just things about the gospel, and things that he knows to be true. He asked if he could share his goal. He leaned over to me, and said he was going up "after this guy." And again, I was thinking, are you sure? I mean you could wait till after the next person too?! He literally stomped up to the pulpit. It was a long walk too. He was very determined walking up there. He said, "Ever since I was baptized I made a goal to not make any mistakes. I wanted to be an example to my brothers." Then, he was done. (we had a FHE the next day on bearing testimonies) But, it really was sweet, and he had people following him saying things like they wanted to be like him, and Sister Tsang, who I believe to be the sweetest, kindest little lady in all the land, said how special his baptism was, and how attentive he was. I was bawling at many points during this meeting. I don't know--a combination of being overwhelmed with the kindness of others, and also the spirit was egging me on to go up--I have done this semi recently, and then I wait too long, and of course, they close the meeting, cause they are not going to wait for me, and then I ended up crying even more. I had to actually excuse myself from church the rest of the day because of how disastrous I was. What I learned though was a lesson from my 8 year old that day was if I feel the spirit and get the impression that I should go bear my testimony I need to go up with that same kind of determination.

mom pretending to sleep with Odi 

So, I just wanted to circle back to the family weekend we were able to have. We packed it in full of fun times. We had a really great time with all the kids, and more importantly, they had a great time with each other. It is really fun to see how well they get a long, and how much they really love each other even when they don't live close by. They don't skip a beat with really making good use of the time they have. Elsa was hilarious with Odi. She was genuinely scared of him at first. Then, 30 minutes later I would say she was following him around, pulling toys away from him and calling him, "Big fella."  😂
We went to the river, they played with beyblades 🤨 (I don't know) my boys are really into them right now. We did some bike riding and walked to the park. We went to Old Mill and to the candy shop, and even when we thought we had made a big day of things they wanted to go to another park. We had fun with the adults when the kids went to sleep and it was simply a really enjoyable weekend. I will reiterate how thankful I was for the effort that was made on their part for making the trip. I realize it was time they took out of their work and lives to drive to come to this event, but it was not overlooked. We were so grateful, and will always remember this day and I am thankful they were a part of it.

deflating the mattress

beyblades

😍

Jonah loved Addi and Addi loved him

Mom and Bonnie Visit

Well, well, well look who decided to show up?! My Aunt Bonnie had been saying for awhile that she wanted to visit Bend the next time my mom was coming out. So, when I was visiting around New Years I put the pressure on ever so slightly, and they got a trip planned for their spring break. And, lo and behold, it actually happened.

Bonnie likes herself a hotel so they decided to stay at the Hampton across the street from the river. So, if they weren't staying with us then I would say this hotel was a good choice-not only is it a very central location for the places we would be going to it was also pretty new. They got to town on a Wednesday afternoon after staying in Boise.
 We kicked off the fun right away with a walk a long the river. We did a lot while they were in town. We went on another hike, we went swimming, we into Sisters, we went shopping, we had some yummy food, we watched the Greatest Showman, we got our toes done, and this all with boys in tow. The boys had a lot of fun with Bonnie, and they still will ask about her. Mor Mor still has an association for Rowan about swimming. Mor Mor and swimming go hand in hand. If we pass the hotel they stayed at he will say: "Swimming with Mor Mor and Bonnie." He'll randomly ask: "Where's Bonnie?" or "Where's Mor Mor" and then it will quickly turn to swimming, getting in bathing suits, and how much fun it will be. 😂
It was really was a really fun trip. It is always a good time to have people come into town who are easy going and game for anything, because with weather in Bend plus the boys plans can definitely change. But, we got everything in that people wanted to do. We were able to do the last day without the boys. We had some great conversations and a lot of laughs, and I was so happy to have them visit.

Sisters

Brothers in Sisters

The face Jonah makes when he is saying: "Cheese"

Best eater

Sno Cap in Sisters

Josh turns 6

Mister Joshy bears turned 6 this year. I was getting some teasing about how much I gush over this boy, because he really can be such a fantastic kid. He has thrown me some curve balls this year--and honestly, I am chalking it up the first year in Kindergarten. I felt the same with Kaj, we just had some rough patches with behavior and I just think "My Josh?!" 🤭 "That can't be right!" But, I have been reminded with this change that he still is just a kid. He just set himself up for some really high standards, but he is a kid. 

Why is Josh so exceptional??

Well, he is plain and simple, nice. He is nice to everyone. He is thoughtful. I have been able to hear stories and ways that he helps other children, how helps others feel included, he still puts other before himself, he holds opens doors, he lets people go first, he is really easy to be around. He is an easy friend. He likes to learn new things, and he learns very quickly. He is a natural with most everything he does. He is smart. I have been blown away at his seeing his reading levels in school and his well above the standard. So, his teacher has had nothing but good things to say about him in school, and in church his teachers love him there too. They say he is smart, and insightful, and sweet. All of which, does not surprise me He is just really easy to love. I would know. 

St. George Girls Trip

 This one needs to be on record because it was hopefully the first of many, but this was the first. We have talked about a trip with the sisters-mom is one of the sisters- for a couple years it seems, and we finally made it happen. I have to admit, I think it was Megan that pushed for it, and that is all it needed was someone to do that to get everyone taking it seriously and then getting it done.
 We talked about a number of places to go but when it came right down to it, it simply worked for everyone's budget at this time to go to St, George. Meg and I flew in from our different locations and then met up in Utah and drove down. Caitlin had a wedding that day we came in so she wasn't able to join for that leg, but her and dad drove down that night and it was great.

A few highlights on the way down would be the song from Hamilton "You'll be Back" it became the theme song for the trip, practically, the butt crack a mile long at a Wendy's stop and then noticing this cute old man laughing at it too, and of course, chit chatting away. We saw Greatest Showman that night, which was the greatest. Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron ...they're nice. They can sing and dance like men, and that is just really very nice.

We enjoyed some hiking, shopping, good food, a little swimming,  and the company. It was really great to be altogether and just have a relaxed, sleeping in, and then fly by the seat of our pants kind of days. This is truly the best reset button to push after long days of mommying it up.

Sam finally sent this one pic the last day of my trip

Winter up at Hoodoo

first time riding the Autobahn 

We got passes this year up at Hoodoo which was our Christmas gift from mom and dad. We were able to get the ride in 3 which translates that if you take 3 lessons you can then get your passes and rentals for the season. So, we did this for me, Kaj and Josh. I have to say it was good that we did it this way considering I do not have any ski gear ...yet. But, Josh had all the gear this year, and Kaj had the boots. The first time we went up it felt a little crazy. I didn't know the lay of the land, and we were running around like chickens, supposedly with heads cut off, trying to find where we all were supposed to be. Josh got to his class fine, but the line took a while to get our gear, and by the time Kaj and I had made it out it was 45 minutes past our class time, so we decided to ski together. We did the bunny hill many times, but Kaj seemed get the hang of it, and enjoy it. I was fine on the bunny hill also, considering it had been a while since I had skied and I was just getting my ski legs (haha!) Josh practically knew how to ski after the first lesson. We went down a few times together after his lesson was done, and I was impressed. And, Kaj, the first time down that he didn't fall believed that lessons we unnecessary, because according to him, "I can ski now!" I realized the boys have great qualities that I do not possess. Natural athleticism and confidence.

Kaj, Josh, and myself were able to go up multiple times just us. We did get some lessons in, and we did enjoy some fun ski days. We did end up trying the bigger hill just a couple of times. The first time I would describe it best as a hot mess. They flopped around like fish that I had to retrieve. We needed more practice. The next time was much better with some minor flopping. It will be fun when we can hit the slopes with ease, and I am very aware, I may not get much better than I am now. My form did not improve after my lessons, let's just say that. It was a lot of fun, and I am glad Sam encouraged us to go up some mornings.

The other benefit to our passes this year was we also go to ride the Autobahn sledding hill. The first time we went was laughable because the autobahn was off due to the lack of snow, but you could still go sledding, you just had to earn each ride by pulling up 1000lb tubes plus a child or two up the mountain. Ha! We went a total of 6 times, and that was pushing it. The next times we went we reminisced each time it pulled us up the mountain on how we climbed this and how it was really nice not to do that. It was really fun, and I realized how having a older kids has it's perks.

Josh riding solo -the boys loved going by themselves on the lift

"I can't put my arms down"