All in the past months!

A couple of weekends ago, we got to spend time with my Aunt Jean and Uncle Marvin and all 5 of their children.  I love these people.  All of these cousins were more like brothers and sisters to me.  We were all so close growing up.  Aunt Jean reminds me so much of my grandmother.  I love watching her with all of my children.

Laurel's 5th grade class took a field trip to the Huntsville Space Center.  They made it an overnight field trip and it was going to cost a pretty penny, so we decided to skip this one.  The day of the field trip, I surprised her by checking her out of school.  I took her to have her hair cut and get a manicure!  She was so excited and I'm pretty sure the day of pampering made up for any disappointment she felt.

She got some bangs!  Oh my, this girl is growing up fast!

I got a pedicure while she got a manicure.  We really had a good time together, just her and I.

Landon at preschool, Dr. Seuss week!  I'm thinking he may be the class clown!

Crazy Hat Day

Favorite Character Day
Of course, he wanted to be spider man!

It's like I woke up one day and my life was a little easier with four children.  The girls have become so much more responsible.  They have figured out that if mama is in a bad mood, just start picking up the clutter and she will instantly be happier!  They are so helpful with the boys.  The boys have become so much more obedient.  I'm not even afraid to take them out in public.  A few weeks ago, I even took Sawyer shopping with me to a real department store, with escalators and everything!  I haven't done this in a very long time, like since they were buckled in the double stroller!
So, with all that being said, Sawyer cracked me up as he walked through this store.  He was very intrigued by the mannequins!  I even caught him looking under her dress!

I turned around and saw what he was doing.  I said Sawyer come on, and he said, "You go ahead.  I'll be there in a minute!"

Savannah grabbed the camera and took these pictures of Landon on the deck.  She thought it was so cute how he was standing and looking out at the view.

She said, "I wonder what he is thinking?"

Really?  Seth is watching Sawyer and somehow still manages to work on dirt bikes and get him to take a nap!  That.Never.Happens.For.Me!

Saying goodbye to "girl" before school.

Sawyer playing with Papa!

Driving with daddy!

Seth was released as the Bishop of our ward at the beginning of the year.  I remember when we went to meet with the Stake President and he was asked to accept this calling.  Seth sat there and didn't answer for a few minutes.  I could tell that he was so overwhelmed.  But he accepted the call and he served faithfully for 4 years and 8 months.  Our family was so blessed during this time and I was so proud of him for all that he did for the ward.  I will always treasure the times that so many members of the congregation came to me and told me about ways that he had helped them and served them.  We were all very excited to have him back on the pew with us, sitting together as a family.
He received a Bishop's Certificate that was signed by the First Presidency of the church.
He received a couple of candy grams when he was released!  I'm pretty sure the candy won't last long so I took a picture to remember them.

We had the missionaries over the Sunday he was released!  We got to know these missionaries really well.  Laurel and Savannah became  really close to Sister Thorup and Sister Bradford!  It's always a little sad to see these missionaries move on.

Elder Vincent, the one with the football, is from Park City, Utah.  He was his high school's quarterback.  We know a family, the Bradford's who are good friends with his family.  It's a small world!  His companion, Elder Farrell was so funny!  He had the best sense of humor and you could tell he was just having the best time with his mission.