Christmas This Year??? Look closer.

Traditional jammies from Mackay made with all the love in the world!

While singing Christmas carols Santa came to visit.  Blake looks about the same.....

 But look how little Seth looks! 

Karissa's hair only at her shoulders??? No wonder why Auntie Tara calls her Rapunzel.

From afar Brooke looks about the same...perhaps she and Blake don't age?

Kenz?? She looks NOTHING like this now, 23 lbs lost has transformed her to almost unrecognizable!!! So, ya, am I behind on my blog? YOU BET I AM.  But here's my promise to catch up!!

After Grams and Pa's house we headed home for some Smore's and Hot Chocolate.

Yum!

Cute little Bood.

Take a lick!

Goofy, excited little boys.

 With cookies for Santa and carrots left in the front yard for the reindeer, the kids head off to bed.

 Let's go.....It's Santa-Time!!!  Going to need a shot of sugar to get us through. 

 Well done, now get in bed before the sun comes up! 

Kenz found the pickle! Guess she gets to open the first gift on Christmas morning.

Go for it McKenzie!

Good morning Seth! Your turn...

This year the kids all asked for the same thing....

From the shape of the boxes they tried to guess, but Santa did a good job of disguising the box size. 

What is it they asked for???

 iPODS!!!  

One for you,

and you,

and even you (although you're only two)!

Good thing our dad loves being tech support and can trouble shoot any and all of our computer needs and can even create "clouds".  Thanks for rigging up a dedicated plug-in, power-up, charging drawer for us all!

A good holiday season was had by all.

Life's Little Mile Stones

This is a nasty picture, but I hate taking things for granted.  You have to wait MANY years and MANY stomach bugs before your little ones actually make it to the toilet before they erupt, right?!?!  So proud of Blake, look how close he got....ALMOST Buddy, ALMOST. 

Perfect at Pineview

The kids and I absolutely LOVE days spent at Pineview Reservoir.  They are especially fun when they are spur of the moment and when we can find fun friends to come with.  This trip I texted the Melissa at 8:30 and we were on our way to the lake by 10:00.  All 9 kids had a great time (Seth's toe cramp left him in pain, but nothing that an Advil couldn't solve)!

 The girlies enjoying lunch

 Just try and get the boys to come eat.....not when there are sand, rocks, water, and buckets around!

 Perfect way to cool down when it is 100 degrees outside!

 Homemade salsa and soda under the shade of our favorite tree....could life be any better?

Relaxing 4th

This year on the 4th of July we woke up with very few plans....a BBQ later in the day.  So with no plans for most of the day John and I slept in until 10!!!!  WONDERFUL.   Then we all went out and took 11 of the pigeons to Brigham City.  After letting them loose and watching them take off in the right direction, we had a picnic in the park.

 Once we got back, we filled up the LITTLE pool and all got in our suits....yes, mom and dad included.  With the radio turned up and water going everywhere, we enjoyed what felt like a good old-fashioned 4th of July.  The seven of us hung out playing in the water, laughing, and enjoying the freedom this country provides.

 Seth, doing what he enjoys......being silly.

               Brooke and Blake soaking up some rays

 Pool tricks

 Deciding it was too crowded, Karissa decided to bail.

 It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring.....

 Mommy and the girlies

 After laying out on the trampoline for a bit, we cooled off while keeping our feet cool.  

 Blake and Seth brought out their frogs and the kids enjoyed playing in the water with them.

 Why does my little baby girl like frogs and bugs?!?!? 

 Later that evening, we had some friends over for a BBQ.

Look at all those kiddos!  They had lots of fun building volcanoes and dropping in smoke bombs.  They all waited patiently for homemade ice-cream and were super excited for it to get dark so the fireworks could begin.

  

Kelly, Alisa, and Melissa ready for dessert!

Seth's Baptism Announcement

While I was cutting Seth's hair the night before his baptism, Seth asked me, "What happens to all the kids who don't want to be baptized?"  I told him no one is ever forced to be baptized, everyone who is 8 or older has the choice of whether or not they are ready.  I asked him what made him think about that, and he said he had looked up baptism on Google and read that some kids choose not to be.  I asked him what he thought about baptism and he assured me that he was ready.  I LOVE that Seth is so inquisitive and always thinks about the future.  We love you Pup!

Two very proud parents and one excited little boy

Welcome to my special day!

Dad and Seth

On their way to the baptism font

The only two kids from our ward to be baptized this month with Seth and Paityn.  It was fun for Kristin and I to make plans and make party plans.  For some ODD reason Pai and Seth acted like they didn't even know or like each other, weird considering how much time these two kids spend together.  They were equally ODD on the stand the next day at church when the bishop had them stand and introduce them as the newest members of our ward.  They both looked sooooo bored and unexcited. Ha! 

 Priesthood Power

Dad, Grandpa Becker, Pa, Uncle Justin, and Great Grandpa Mackay

With guests arriving,

and the table set

the party began! 

It was EXTREMELY hot at 11:30, so with very little shade, some found relief under the tent while watching a video of Seth put together by mom and dad LATE the night before. 

 Others took to the cool grass and visited in small circles. 

 We love you Mackays!!! 

After everyone ate their fill, we quickly returned the food to the fridge (the slices of cheese were beginning to melt right on the tray!!!) and brought out dessert.  Seth LOVES snack foods.....especially cookies and milk. So in his honor we served LOTS of different kinds of cookies and plenty of ice cold milk.  It was super fun and not serving a homemade cake was definitely a first for us.  

 The kids loved the cookies buffet.

 As their moms tried to limit them to one or two, I had fun telling them to take as many as they wanted!

One of the biggest dunkers in the family is Pa.  After the cookies were brought back in from the heat, he found them and taught Zach and Karissa how long to dunk each cookie for the perfect bite.

 Thanks Seth for letting us all be a part of your baptism day!