Weeks 6 and 7...Makenzie's Baptism (and our recovery from it)

Makenzie is BAPTIZED!!!!

I'm going to go off "style" this week and just focus on Makenzie!!!!

We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

When children turn 8-years-old, they can be baptized.  Makenzie decided she did want to be baptized.  She had a meeting with our bishop.  He talked with her and agreed that she understood what she was doing and why.

Our closest friends and our dear family traveled to share this special day with us.  My parents drove up from Jacksonville, FL.  Spencer's sister Katie came up from Tampa Bay, FL along with Cleopatra Doyle and her two sons, Luke and Corban.  Carrie and Lance Cromwell and their daughters Ava and Olivia drove up from Augusta, GA.  

(This is one of my favorite pictures from the entire weekend!!!)

Carrie and Cleo have been my dearest friends from before Makenzie was born.  They were both at my baptism (Cleo gave the talk on the Holy Ghost).  Cleo came with me to the temple when Spencer and I were sealed for time and all eternity.  They were both there when Makenzie was born.  They have been a HUGE part of my life and I'm so thankful they made the effort to be here for Makenzie's baptism!!!

Makenzie decided on everything for the program.

We opened with the song "Baptism" from the Primary Songbook.  Then Emily Thomas gave the opening prayer.

Spencer gave a talk about choices and baptism.  Then he baptized Makenzie.

Hailey, Spencer, and I sang "A Child's Prayer" (as requested by Makenzie).  It was heartfelt (and sounded totally awful!!!!).  But...Hailey was adorable.

I gave a talk about the Holy Ghost,  Then Spencer laid his hands upon Makenzie's head (along with Lance Cromwell, Eric Harper, Lee Reynolds, and David Venus) and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Finally, we all sang "When I Am Baptized" and then Cleopatra gave the closing prayer.

The spirit was strong and it was a beautiful day.

Next, we all headed to the Thomas's house to hang out and visit.  Luke (from FL) wanted to see snow...and Heavenly Father granted his wish.

With GUSTO!!!!

(Lance Cromwell showing the little kids how to really play in the snow!!!)

After church the next day, there was still a little snow on the ground.

By the afternoon, the snow had vanished!  (The perfect type of snowstorm...enough to play...not enough to be a nuisance!)

We had a WONDERFUL time visiting with everyone.  

Then, the FL people left early Monday morning.  And then Spencer left Monday afternoon to fly to Houston, TX.  He was there until Thursday afternoon.  So...Mommy got to clean the house and take care of 4 very tired kids.  But...by the weekend, we were all recovered!

And...Spencer's meetings got done early and he was able to visit the NASA Space Center.

 (Touching a moon rock!)

Well...that's two weeks in our life!

Week 5...Makenzie Turns 8!!!

My oldest daughter turned 8 this week!!!!

Usually, I'm pretty "with-it" and am ready for the birthday and party and such.  Not this year!!!  I made the birthday invitations on Monday (for a party on Friday).  We wrapped the presents Monday night (for a Tuesday birthday).  We bought and hung up decorations on Friday afternoon (for a Friday party).  Needless to say...there was not a lot of planning this year.  BUT...it was still wonderful!

Makenzie was sick over the weekend...and then shared with the rest of the family.  So we were crossing our fingers everyone would be healthy.  Makenzie was mostly better on her birthday.  She was fine by the party, but Hailey and Riley had gotten sick.

Between birthday stuff and sickness, it was a crazy week!!!

Spencer

Spencer was home the ENTIRE week!!!  Didn't have to travel anywhere.  Woo-hoo!!!  He is continuing to loose weight...and is on of the top 5 men for total weight lost so far!

Rebecca

I was not able to go to the gym this week (thanks to sick kids)...but I still lost enough weight that I didn't have to pay any money!  I received an early Valentine's Gift this week...a Wonder-Mill.  

We ground corn to make tortillas (not so good).  Then we ground flour to make bread and pizza dough.  YUM!!!!!  It takes soooooo much better with freshly ground wheat.  WOW!!!!  I'm so happy with the mill.  Why did it take so long to get one???

Makenzie

Makenzie turned 8 on Tuesday!!!  She asked for French Toast for breakfast.  No problem!

She wanted to go to the library.  Then we went to lunch with some very close friends.  Makenzie got to choose the location and we went to El Primo Mexican restaurant.

Afterwards, we invited Stella over to play so that her mom could have some peace at home.  They made slime and played make-believe. 

Next, we went to the YMCA and went swimming and played on the water slide.  Finally, we came home, and ate pizza.  Originally, Makenzie just wanted candles on her pizza, but Spencer talked her into getting a cheesecake instead! 

Then presents.  

A super fun day for a super fun girl!!!

On Thursday, we had an A.H.G. meeting.  It was the first time she was able to wear her full uniform!  She has such a wonderful time at the troop meetings.  I'm so thankful we found the A.H.G troop!!!

Hailey

Hailey had a fun week.  She finished up going through the alphabet with lower-case letters.  She's adding numbers up to 8 (and surprises me with how quickly she does it).

On Thursday, she was able to go to A.H.G. as well.  She loves her uniform, and especially her bead necklace!

Isaiah

Isaiah is doing more of the same.  Destroying the house one room at a time.  On Wednesday or Thursday, he decided it was time for another "Les Mis. Barricade".  It's fun to watch him, because he's VERY particular about how/where the objects should be.  If you move something, he gets really upset.  I can't wait until he can talk clearly and explain what's going on inside his head!!!

Riley

Riley is learning how to climb.  Life is very interesting.  She is also learning the power of words and keeps trying to use them to get her way.  On Friday, she would NOT sleep.  So, I figured she had an ear infection. Spencer took her to the doctor on Saturday and YUP...ear infection.  She's on medication now and feeling (and sleeping) much better.

This is how she slept Friday night.

Needless to say, we didn't sleep much!

Super-Duper Family Fun

On Friday night, Makenzie had a slumber party to celebrate her 8th birthday.  The decorations were totally on the fly, but she loved them.

I baked her cake from scratch.  It tasted great...just a little dry.  I'm very proud of the fact that there are no strange chemicals or flavors.  Just real ingredients and real decorations!  And yes...the icing was the best part!!!

The girls had so much fun.  I love listening to little girls giggle and play!

Balloon fun.

Cake fun.

Game fun.

Movie fun.

Present fun.

In the morning, we had bacon and eggs.  Then they played the new game Makenzie got.  It was so much fun!!!  The girls got so excited every time they got to make the Mouse Trap go!!!

On Sunday, I slept!!!

Well...that's a week in our life!