Baptisms for the Dead

 I had the opportunity to take Tayden and some of his friends to do Baptisms for the Dead last week. It was Taydens first time so it was a really special and unique experience to share with him. I haven't been to the temple in over 18 months, so just being in the building was incredible. It was liking breathing after holding your breath. It feels so good. Taydens main take away was how peaceful it was. He commented that it was the most peace he has ever felt. I hope that sticks with him forever. I love that he had the opportunity to be baptized by priests in our ward. Every time I did baptisms when I was younger, it was a leader performing the ordinance. However, Tayden was baptized by his peers and it gave him a goal to look forward to as he gets older. I love that the youth were able to do temple work without the help of an adult. He was even able to act as a witness for his friends baptisms, which was cool. I just sat and watched a soaked up all the goodness the temple has to offer. It was really neat and I look foward to many more trips with him!

Football Pictures21

 This years football pictures. My boys are handsome as always. 

Flower Girls

 Jodie is just the best friend I could ask for. She knows me so well and gifted me with a fresh flower  picking experience. There is the cutest wild flower farm up the road and we spent the morning among the blooms picking our favorites and making our own bouquets to take home. 

It was the best morning and I can't wait to go back! 

Birthday Babe

 My birthday was last Tuesday and it was wonderful. I can't believe how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many great people who love me and make me feel so special. I was the recipient of many texts, phone calls, messages and cards wishing me well. My tribe is the best. 

Beckett brought me breakfast in bed and it was just the sweetest thing. All the boys wished me Happy Birthday and gave me multiple hugs through out the day. When I got home from mutual, they had set up a party with the help of Scott. Scott had each of them pick me out a gift and it was so interesting seeing what they thought I would like and how well they know me. Kyle got me peanut butter M and M's. Cache picked sandals, Beckett gifted me a blanket and Tayden knew I would love a gift card to my favorite drink shop. They did awesome! It was a great birthday!

I love getting older. I love the confidence that comes with age and how my perspective is changing. I feel so blessed to live this life!

Game Boys

These two brothers gaming in their unders on my bed most mornings, was a favorite part of  my summer. 

Check Ups

 We did check ups for all the boys today. They are growing great and looking wonderful. 

Tayden at 12 years old: 64 inches (88%) and 87 pounds (30%)

Beckett at 10 years old: 61 inches (97%) and 104 pounds (98%)

Cache at 8 years old: 53.5 inches (70%) and 66 pounds (63%)

Kyle at 6 years: 48 inches (78%) and 56 pounds (85%)

Fences

 Yesterday, Scott took the older boys to Ashton to work on the fence to line the property. Even though the boys had been working hard at football all week and Scott was tired from work, they went up and put in the work together. I love the property for so many reasons, but a big one is the work ethic that it is teaching the boys. I'm grateful for a husband who pushed the boys when I want to protect them. I am grateful for his work ethic and the example it is to the boys. They were so proud of the fence and were excited to tell me about when they got home. As a reward, Scott took them fishing that evening and then out for milkshakes. Work hard, play hard. 

While the big boys worked in Ashton, the smaller boys stayed home with me. We worked a little too and took a trip to the dump and cleaned up the house. Then in the evening we delivered donuts for Becketts football fundraiser. Cache got a new book at the library and read as we walked telling me all the cool new things he was learning about tarantulas. Kyle rode his little dirt bike and Luna followed. It was a great evening!

Packards in Ashton

 We spent the weekend in Ashton with the Packard family. We had plans to float the river and go swimming, but the weather had different ideas. Despite the change of schedule, we still had so much fun. 

After a ridiculous storm Thursday night, the weather cooled considerably. We were going to float the river Friday, but decided to road trip instead. We went to Mesa Falls, detoured to see the monstrous fish at Big Springs in Island Park, stopped for candy in West Yellowstone and had pizza on the way back to camp. It was a full day of lots of fun!

Instead of swimming on Saturday we hung around camp. The big kids went fishing at the reservoir, we played games and spent time chatting and laughing. 

 It was a great weekend! The highlight for me was playing games with Dave, Cheryl, Jeff, Sharlee and Scott while the kids watched a movie in another trailer. The grown ups had so much fun, we all laughed until we cried! Those small and simple memories are the ones I cherish. It was so fun just enjoying each other.

Another highlight was spending so much quality time with my nieces, Aimslee and Alaina. We see them often enough, but to have time to be with them was awesome. We held hands, played games, told stories, sat on laps and shared snacks. The adults joked that I had a magical flute that drew the kids to me, but in all honestly, I had the time of my life with the kids. I adore being an aunt and love those kids with my whole heart. 

Scott had a bit of a rougher weekend than I did. He chipped his tooth and lost his drone in the lake. But regardless of those set backs, he was so fun to be around and had a great attitude the whole time. I love that he gets to escape his everyday stresses in Ashton. 

I feel so blessed to be a part of this family. The first few years were hard with growing pains and figuring out the dynamics of a new family. However, 15 years later and I am one of the Packards through and through. I am loved and love back. I love these weekends that strengthen our family ties and friendships. Because in the end, family is all that is left and what matters most. 

  

Canal Fort Take Two

Last year, Beckett and his friends built a canal fort. Sadly, some people made them take it down. This year, he found a new spot and started construction again. I am so impressed with is his new digs. 

The pictures are hard to see, but he cross hatched the roof and wall with sticks and then laid weeds on top. He tied sticks together with flower stems and used a rock for a hammer. This kid is going places, I tell you!

Arm Pit Hair

Tayden: Mom!! Look!! I have arm pit hair. No really, I do. Here, I'll take a picture and show you!"

Me: Laughing hysterically.