Sam gets baptized!

Sam at his bishop's interview with Bishop Hair.

Sam's baptism quilt from Grandma Mickies.

Everyone who came to see Sam baptized: Grandma and Grandpa Neslen, Uncle Lars, Aunt Dyan, Nora & Soren, & the Lester, Alt, Mill, Long, and Merrill Families!

Sam surrounded by proud and adoring sisters!

Sam the morning of his confirmation with Grandpa Dick, Dad and Kate.

Sam with his loving father.

Sunday morning before Sam received the Holy Ghost.

What a wonderful two days for Sam.  He was surrounded by love and support by friends and family.  We are so lucky and blessed that Grandma Mickies and Grandpa Dick came out to help us celebrate his baptism.  We were spoiled!  Saturday it rained and rained!  Sam was baptized at 4:30pm.  Both Meg and I cried when we watched him go under the water.  We were so happy for him and touched by the spirit!  He had a big grin on his face and said that he felt really happy inside.  That evening friends and family (Uncle Lars, Aunt Dyan, Nora & Soren) came to help us celebrate with dinner and a birthday cake with ice cream! 
The next day Sam was able to have his confirmation of the Holy Ghost given to him.  He was told several different ways how much his Heavenly Father loves him.  He was so touched and full of emotion tears ran down his sweet cheeks.  His father told him to always remember that feeling.  He was able to sit on the stand next to the Bishop throughout the entire Sacrament meeting.  He was laughing when a baby being held by a mom kept trying to eat the microphone while she was talking.  It was a sweet day and we were so glad that Grandpa Dick could be a part of the priesthood for both events.  What wonderful and tender memories!

Sam turns SEVEN!

Wow!  How much do we love this little boy!  "He is awesome" (direct quote from his dad).  We love his energy, sense of humor, curiosity, tenderness, and fun.  We love spending time with Sam!  He is a great athlete and loves skiing most of all.  He does bat a good ball and flips a good flip as well.  This year for his birthday he invited a bunch of boys to come over to our local park and play a game of baseball.  He gave out baseballs for party favors and had a baseball cake and cupcakes for all to enjoy.

Sam's new cool soccer shirt!

Once

Four of my most favorite people in the world!

I wish I could stop time and just live like this forever.  I know that this time is fleeting and I labeled this Once for a reason.  This time is happening only once.  Once upon a time when my children were small and thought that I was important and wanted to be with me.  Once upon a time when I could kiss it better or hug it better and put a band-aid on it.  Once upon a time when I actually did have almost all of the answers.  Once upon a time when I had a huge and immediate impact and influence.  Once upon a time when being together was way better then anything or one else out there.  Once upon a time when I could really mess up and say sorry and truely be forgiven and events forgotten.  Once upon a time when they wanted to walk with me and hold my hand.  Once upon a time when they liked to dress like me and do make up like me and tell all of their stories to me....even the really long dreams that never end.  I hope this story ends in happy ever after but right now I'm enjoying the beginning!

Halloween

Our Baby Ghost!

One Dracula, two witches, one ghost, and a ghost holder all ready for Trick-or-Treating! Grandma Mickies WE LOVE YOU! Thank you for all four of these costumes(:

I Vant to Suck your Blood!

Hermione casting a spell!

Vampire Alert! Look out Edward...this one is even more handsome and charming!

Year two in this great witch costume....we just love it!

A little Witch and a Black Cat on Halloween night!

Sam's Class Pumpkin Patch Visit

Sam was in charge of bringing all the pumpkins back to class.

Sam likes hanging out with his buddies.

Learning about the ecosystems in a pond.

Class picture with Mrs Whatley

Petting a rabbit.

It was a beautiful day to spend with my little man. He is so much fun to be with and he is always so excited for me to be with him! Sam let Alice and I eat lunch with he and his buddies after the field trip. It was so entertaining to hang out with a bunch of 6 year old boys at lunch and see what they do and talk about(:

Our Family Castle

Erik working in our garden after the harvest while the kids make a castle in the backyard.

Our little Kate working hard on her castle.

Our neighbor Ali Cannon helping with the paint job.

Sam working on the inside kitchen.

No picture could do this fancy new building in my backyard justice. They were so creative. The castle had bedrooms, a patio, front door with a door handle, an oven, a family room and an archway that led to the patio and backyard.

Sam looking out the front window.

Meg working on the back patio roof.

Kate painting the side wall by the second window...very artistic!

Sam getting the front doormat ready.

It hardly ever rains around here, only for a month out of the year and a few sprinkles in the spring. This year it rained heavily within a week of creating this masterpiece....unfortunately we had to dispose of the melted castle sooner then planned.