Fun Family Time!

 While Bailey was gone to girl's camp, the boys were able to go to Branson with Nanny, Papa and Uncle Joseph and his family. They had a great time. They stayed up late, played way too much Minecraft and Mario Cart.  They played at the pool and just relaxed with their cousins.  

Then, after their week in Branson, the boys went to Mtn. Home and once Bailey got home from camp, we went over too. The Allreds, Aunt Laura and Uncle David all drove over too so I got to hang out with all 4 of my siblings. It was so fun. We only had three short days together but it was the best. I'm so grateful for the relationship I have with my siblings- we all just love being together and it's so fun. 

We went swimming at the Bertel's house on Thursday. The cousins had the best time playing together and we had some epic chicken fights. 

Our visit to Mtn. Home coincided with a visit from our Richter cousins. It was so fun. The Richters have always loved Arkansas and fireworks so after they spent a few days at the lake boating and fishing, they came over for dinner and fireworks. We had a delicious dinner of BBQ and then spent the evening on the driveway watching my cousin Christian set off about $1000 worth of fireworks. 

On Friday we worked outside with Papa. We mulched the flower beds and the trees and cleaned the driveway. It kept raining on and off all day so by the end of it, we were soaked and exhausted but it felt so good to help my parents. They never want to ask for help so we were ll thrilled to get to do something helpful for them. 

Saturday during the day we worked outside a bit more and the kids played together. We also decided to take some sibling pictures and pictures with Nanny and Papa. We decided it was essential since we aren't together very often.

Tonight the kids and I drove back home. Chris had been gone for his 2-week annual training, but he came home so he wanted to be there. 

We had such a great time in Mtn. Home that it was hard to leave. We are so blessed to have such great family and that we all get along. We are counting down until we can be together again. 

Grandparent Visit

 Today, everyone who came in for Benson's baptism left and our house feels way too quiet. We were blessed to have a few extra days before the baptism with both sets of grandparents. Mimi & Grandpa came in late Tuesday night and Nanny & Papa came in Thursday night. 

On Wednesday we mostly just hung out at the house and let Mimi & Grandpa rest, since they got in super late. We did go to "Tropical Smoothie Cafe" to get free smoothies. They were running a weird promotion that if you wore flip flops into the cafe, you got a free smoothie. We decided to take full advantage and Mimi came too. 

Then on Thursday we went to the newly renovated Walmart Museum. It was pretty cool. We ended our museum outing with ice cream from the "Spark Cafe". One thing about Grandpa Herb, he LOVES ice cream. So we had to take him to "The Spark". We enjoyed the beautiful weather and ate our ice cream on the square. 

Then on Friday morning, we went to the temple as a family. However, before we left we had a small emergency. Tanner had a teenage boy moment that ended in him nearly burning our house down. Happily, he caught the fire before it caught the garage on fire. Tanner thought it would be fun to burn all his old school work and notebooks from the school year. However, after he thought it was extinguished in the backyard firepit, he found a piece of paper that was smoking. Without thinking, he tossed it in our big trashcan in the garage. Then he went inside to finish getting ready for the temple. When he came back out, the entire trashcan was on fire. Tanner was thinking somewhat clearly and pulled the trashcan out of the garage and  onto the yard in the front. However, some things fell out of the trashcan and onto the garage floor and kept burning. By the time the rest of us came out into the garage to get into the car to leave, the garage was full of smoke and Tanner was frantically pouring cups of water over the trashcan in the front yard. We all immediately went into damage control mode and got the garage fire put out and sprayed the garbage can with the hose, dousing it until it was just smoking. 

Then we quickly piled into the vehicles so we could get to the temple in time for our baptism appointment. We arrived with a few minutes to spare and walked into the temple smelling a little like smoke, but no worse for wear. We got our clothes and got settled in the baptistry, all the while, Benson and Tucker are waiting on the temple grounds for us to finish. 

Then while I'm sitting in the baptistry, I kept having the thought that I needed to go home and check on the trashcan to make sure that it was fully out. I hesitated because I thought it was just my anxiety getting the best of me. However, after the third time the thought came to me, I decided to listen and I left the temple, took Benson and Tucker and we drove back home. When we arrived home we found that the trash can had reignited and was fully on fire. I'm still learning how to listen to the spirit, but I am so glad I listened this time and came home. We were able to fully put it out and then we left the hose running on it while we then went back to the temple to pick everyone up. 

Everyone else had a wonderful time in the temple and I'm so glad. But I'm equally glad I left when prompted and was able to take care of our house. 

After the temple we went to lunch at a Korean BBQ place and had an amazing lunch. We did the grill table where you cook your own meat and it was delicious and so fun. Benson loved helping Mimi cook the meat. Papa and Benson had some delicious sushi and both Tanner and Nanny had some soup. Bailey got a bento box so she had a little of everything. It was such a yummy lunch. 

Then on Saturday before the baptism, we all went to Andy's so Grandpa could try the frozen custard. Grandpa was a huge fan and even ordered seconds. It was as delicious as usual.

After our ice cream adventure it was time to get ready for Benson's baptism. We had such a wonderful visit with both sets of grandparents and we feel so lucky to have so much love and support. 

Benson's Baptism

 Today my sweet baby got baptized. I am still in shock that Benson is eight years old, but watching him get baptized today made it more real. 

Benson's baptism was such a sweet experience. Our Bishop, Chris Blankenship and his first counselor, Taylor Bull, both attended, as did our primary president and his primary teacher. In addition to all that support from our ward, multiple friends from church came as well. Not to mention, Uncle Joseph and his family drove over from Texas, Nanny and Papa came over from Mtn. Home and Mimi & Grandpa flew in from Oregon. Then Uncle David, Aunt Michelle, Aunt Laura and the Allreds all were able to zoom in for the baptism. 

Benson had so much love and support and we felt so much love. The Stake RS president I serve with also came and she helped me clean up afterwards. We seriously felt so supported and loved. It was amazing. 

Benson asked Tanner to give the talk on baptism and Tanner did a great job. It was adorable and I was so proud of him. Benson also asked Papa to talk about the Holy Spirit. Papa sat down right in front of Benson and spoke one -on- one with him and it was the sweetest interaction.

Chris performed the actual baptism ordinance and because my sweet Benson asked me, I sang for him. I did ask my friend Jessie Lott to sing with me, because I don't have a strong enough voice to sing alone. Thankfully, Jessie agreed and we sang "My Own Sacred Grove". 

Our bishop also spoke and said some really kind words and then the primary president spoke shortly. It really was such a sweet day and I'm incredibly grateful for some many people who came to share it with us. 

After the baptism we had some refreshments. Benson loves soft pretzels and he asked that we have those after his baptism.. So naturally, I had to theme the refreshment table around baptism and pretzels. The theme was "Like pretzels twisted strong and tight, I'm bound to Christ in truth and light". We had soft pretzels with cheese sauce, "dots pretzels" and fruit cups. My friend Melissa also made the most beautiful cookies. I don't know that I've ever seen more beautiful baptism cookies. They were amazing. 

We had a great time visiting afterwards with everyone while we all ate and enjoyed the food. After everyone had left, we walked over to the temple to take a family picture. Again, I was just so happy to have so much family here to celebrate this day with us.  Happy baptism day little Benson, I hope you always remember this day, what you felt and what the spirit taught you. We sure love you!