Last Year in Single Digits!

My little girl is growing up! How the years have flown with this angelic, spunky, creative, beautiful little whirlwind we call Kate. She has been such a joy to raise. She is a tender-hearted, snuggly little redbird, but she manages to hold her own with her two brothers in a most impressive fashion. I love that she ADORES animals of any and all kinds (be they stuffed or otherwise). I love that she loves to dance and sing and play dress up. I especially love that she and her best friend, Sadie, dream up crazy make believe games like "Scientist Princess"! I love? that she is so naive and tender that she gets absolutely scared to death during Scooby-Doo! She makes me laugh so hard when she gets up in the night to go to the bathroom -- she never remembers a thing -- but she is highly entertaining!! What a blessing to have been entrusted with one of the most angelic little spirits to have ever graced heaven's planes. We are truly blessed. We love you, Katie-bug! Happy Birthday ... and many more.

Todd's Memory Book

Todd also had a HUGE writing assignment this year. It was extremely painful at times (for both him and his mother), but we persevered and the result is a beautiful 13 chapter memory book all about Todd. I learned a lot of new and interesting things about him and truly treasure this keepsake/history of the first 12 years of his life. He is a multi-faceted guy!

If you'd like to browse through it, you're welcome to. If not, we're not offended! It's 13 chapters, after all! And admittedly, it will be most interesting to Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa!

For the abbreviated version, you might just want to look through the title pages for each of his chapters. You get a pretty good idea of the content just from the picture choices. As a side note, may I just mention that kids today are exceptionally adept at using the computer! Wow -- go Todd!

** Editor's note: I think I've got these files embedded correctly now, so that you don't even have to log in to Google Docs to view them. They should (cross fingers) just pop up when you click on the hyper text. Let me know if you're having troubles. I'm at the extreme novice level still! **

Todd's First Talk

In January, Todd was asked to give his first talk in Sacrament Meeting since receiving the priesthood in November. We brainstormed together to come up with some key points and create a kind of "web" from which to work. We also helped him mine some relevant scriptures, and then turned him loose to write it on his own. With just a few minor edits and a bit of clarification by mom, he finished it and he did a fantastic job! He was pretty nervous about the actual delivery of the material, but he came through with flying colors and received many kind and supportive compliments. I am so thankful for such a sweet, righteous, and obedient son. Could not ask for better. Period.


**If you'd like to read Todd's talk on Agency and Accountability, here's a link. :)

There is Hope

Okay, so Jack has got to be one of the tiniest 4 year olds in the world. He still wears 3T clothes and even some 2T. He talks like such a little grown-up that he really surprises people. They usually think he's 2 or 3. Lately, however, he's been having CRAZY growing pains in the middle of the night. The kind that wake you up out of a sound sleep and make you cry. Thank goodness for Motrin. Maybe there's hope for this little guy yet! However, he is living proof that great things come in small packages.

Todd's Solo

Todd and his good buddy Reegan!

Todd and Mrs. Garner (his music teacher). Thanks for all your hard work, Mrs. Garner!

All the 4th and 5th graders of Rupert Elementary.

Todd sang a solo tonight in the joint 4th grade/5th grade Patriotic Program for his school. He sang "Let There Be Peace on Earth". He did an AMAZING job!!!! We are so proud of him. He worked really hard on it and received many, many compliments. Good job, bud. You're growing up so quickly. It's hard to believe you'll recieve the priesthood this year.

I noticed tonight, as he was getting ready for the concert, that he is changing all of a sudden. There's hardly any little boy left in him. I'm sad and happy about that at the same time. The years are flying by too quickly.

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