On November 5 Ben was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

We were excited that Chad's parents were able to come out and be with us as well as many friends and neighbors.

A couple of things that I will remember about that day.

After Ben was baptized and he and Chad came back into the bathroom, Ben gave Chad a big hug and whispered "Thanks Dad".

Ben's Primary teach gave a talk and she asked Ben to come up and read the words to the song "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus".  While he was reading it, without realizing it, he began to softly sing the words to the song.  It was so cute and my heart about melted!  Why can't they stay little?

 Newly baptized

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I know who I am.  I know God's plan.  I'll follow Him in Faith.  I believe in the Savior Jesus Chris.  I'll honor his name.  I'll do what is right.  I'll follow His light.  His truth I will proclaim.

Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

Mama's Boy

 Brothers are best

Loves his dad

I LOVE this picture!



Then the following Sunday (the 13th) Ben was asked to speak in Stake Conference.

I was worried that he would be really nervous, but he took it all in stride.  Didn't have a nervous bone in him.

I wish I could've taken a picture because he looked so cute sitting up on the stand, in his little black suit and CTR tie, next to the stake patriarch, sharing a hymn book with him.  He looked like it was the most natural thing in the world.  He was asked to speak about his baptism and he did a great job.  Got up and read it without any mistakes and then came to sit by us.  We were about 5 rows back and he got high fives from people sitting in the aisles on the way back to our bench.  It was so cute!

It was Josh's year for a Birthday party this year and he decided he wanted a Halloween themed party.  We had pizza for dinner.  Then took the boys out back and light the firepit, put on the fog machine and told scary ghost stories (complete with gross props like noodles for brains, a dried apricot for an ear, frozen peeled grapes for eyeballs....you get the picture).  They had fun and I even managed to scare them and make them all jump...my goal was accomplished.  Then it was back inside for caramel apples, cake & ice cream and presents.

Some of our guests were very old.

Halloween Fun

Happy Halloween.  Another year with another fun Halloween.  As I say every year...I LOVE Halloween here!  The neighbors were all out with firepits in their driveways, visiting with one another while all the kids (we had over 300 this year!!!) ran around trick-or-treating!  SO FUN!

Chris did a chick magnet again this year.  He wasn't going to go out, but decided at the last minute that he just couldn't do without the sugar high.  While at one house the lady told him to wait and came back with a super sized candy bar and a trophy that said "best costume" on it.  She also took his picture.   Funny!

The boys checking out their stash and trading with each other after the night's sugar fest.