September

Alyssa's Baptism

Our September started off beautifully with Alyssa's baptism. It was a perfect day. She was the only baptism from our ward on this day so we had a perfect, intimate family program. Tyler and I gave the prayers. Grandma S. spoke on baptism and Grandma C. spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost. Alyssa sang the Baptism song for a little musical number and her sweet voice left very few of us without tears in our eyes! Uncle Nate played his violin while Alyssa and Jeff changed clothes and Grandpa C. and Grandpa S. were the witnesses. Jeff, of course, baptised and confirmed her. It was a Beautiful morning!

Alyssa was so prepared to make the decision of being baptised. I went up to her room one night to talk to her about her baptism and she was in bed reading through her baptism booklet. She told me she was all ready and new all of the answers and asked me to quiz her! She was ready and prepared to make this decision. After her interview with the bishop I asked her how it had gone and she said that she knew every answer to every question that he asked her. I then asked her if he had asked her any questions that surprised her and she said, " Yes! He asked me if I wanted to get baptised. And I thought to myself, 'that is a very good question!' and so I said 'Yes! I do!' She was ready!!! Alyssa has such a beautiful, sweet, generous spirit and I am so grateful for all that she teaches me! I Love You Alyssa!

Tyler's 11th Birthday!

We were actually up at Kidney Camp on Tyler's birthday! We had a great time at camp and everyone sang Happy Birthday to him at breakfast. He even won the first bingo prize of the day! What a birthday present! Kidney camp was wonderful. We always have such a nice time spending time with others who share this journey with us. Thank you Kidney Foundation for a wonderful time!

Tyler is a HUGE fan of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians books so that was the theme of his party this year. It ended up being sooo much fun! It was a smaller group so that made it a little easier. Tyler doesn't have a ton of friends like his sister does, but the ones that he has are AWESOME! I'll have to describe this party through pictures!

All half bloods were required to appear at Camp Halfblood for further training. Training exercises consisted of archery, dodging Fire of the Gods (running up a slope while avoiding spraying water), and trident throwing (Jeff made two six foot tall tridents out of sprinkler pipes).

They were quick and they were agile, but the Fire of the Gods was merciless!

All campers were then required to design and decorate their own shields.

A quest was then issued to the campers. They were to accomplish several tasks and decipher clues in order to find an important possession of Poseidon's that had been stolen. One of these tasks required them to face Medusa! (Alyssa made the awesome Medusa head!)

After accomplishing all of the tasks they found the stolen objects hanging in a tree. Poseidon's stolen Hawaiian shirt was retrieved and the makings for s'mores were awarded to the campers for their hard work. (Thank you Aunt Rachel for the awesome clues for the quest!)

Part of what added to the fun of this party was the weather. It got increasingly stormy as the quest was going on. It was thundering and we kept telling the kids that they couldn't give up because the "Gods" were angry! As they finished up the quest a rainbow appeared as if to thank them! :)

Tyler and Chelsie enjoying roasted hot dogs and smores!

Tyler's cake was blue with a skittle trident on it. (The color blue is significant in the books.)

The victorious Half Bloods!

Jared's 4th Birthday!

I can't believe that Jared is 4! It is just crazy how fast time flies. My children are growing up so quickly! Jared had a wonderful time. He is old enough now to understand that there are candles to blow out and presents to open. It was so much fun watching him experience everything. He has changed so much this past year. He's walking! Yeah! He was diagnosed with his hearing loss and got glasses. He started preschool and loves it! He is healthy and his kidney is awesome! It has been a good year for my Jer Bear!

We had family over for one of the last days of swimming for the year and then dinner. We enjoyed his birthday cake even if he didn't! It was a great afternoon!

After opening two presents he was done and wanted to get down and play!

It took all evening for him to open up all of his presents because he wanted to keep playing! He was so funny!

Singing our family birthday song and getting ready to blow out his candles.

Lounging with Grandpa in the pool! Life is good!