Baptism

This picture was 8 years ago when the twins were blessed. You can tell who is who by their initial on the pocket of their handmade outfits. I can remember the day like it was yesterday.

NOW... they are baptized and still have those cheeks you just want to squeeze. When I walked into the prayer meeting right before the baptism, Jackson and Leighton were sitting on their chairs, right by each other, and I couldn't believe how adorable they looked in their jump suits. So pure and innocent. My emotions got the best of me and I was in tears just at the sight of them. They looked confident and were very content with the decision they made to be baptized.

Eric has been looking forward to this day and did an amazing job getting all their toes under and giving them both beautiful confirmation blessings.

My mom gave a talk on Baptism and gave them "Baptism Bears" to always remember what they committed to. The book Leighton is holding included little notes everyone at the baptism wrote to him, and Jackson received one too. Leighton commented on how special that memory book was to him. Thank you to everyone who came. They will always have those messages from you.

Grandma and Grandpa Bateman gave them their scriptures and were so proud of them.

Our eternal family...

... and Sara. She walked right over and posed with us. Look at Eric's expression. He's saying, " Who's kid is this?"

The kids that stuck around after the baptism. Organized chaos.

We went to the park afterwards to enjoy a nice meal and to visit. The boys were so happy.

I haven't seen a smile this big from my dad in a long time. He rarely smiles big for pictures. I caught him enjoying a nice hug from my mom.

Leighton and Preston

James and Jackson

Mikki and Maci (and her friend)

Brooklen and Michele

Byron, Meeka, Hope, and Naomi

Eric and Nate. Nate has lost 75 pounds this last year. So much for sharing clothes with Eric.

Paul and Julie

Bronsen, Nate, and Ashlen

Christian (Happy 18th Birthday), Marie and Mike

Krazi Kari (as she calls herself) - she made all the yummy food (outside of KFC) and set everything up. She was amazing!

Shannon and Sara - Sara wasn't as excited to have her picture taken.

Katie, Maria, and Hailey

Dan and Sadie Corvino

Phillip and Michael

Boston had a t-ball game Saturday morning and we brought along the boy cousins to enjoy the sun and spice things up a bit.

As you can see, the whole experience was exhausting.

I am so grateful to family and friends that traveled and came to support the boys. We are all very loved!

Pinewood Derby & Bobcat

There aren't words to describe how excited the boys were about the Pinewood Derby. Eric helped them design, carve, and paint their cars then Uncle Dave helped put the weight in and the wheels on. I can see where you can go all out or just do the basics and still get the same result - a happy scouter!

Jackson's car won "Best Workmanship"

Leighton's car won "Most Unique."

Due to a building scheduling issue, the room was a bit small where the track was. The kids didn't complain (just the adults) and went with the flow. It was a lot less chaotic than I imagined.

Dinner was served and this is what Boston decided on. His face says it all. Boston brought an old car from home that Grandpa Bateman had helped the boys build just for fun, and raced it. It didn't even make it all the way down the track. It was given the "Most Unusual Car" award.

The boys woke up Tuesday morning (yesterday) around 6 am and the first thing they said was, "We are getting our Bobcat today!" It's the first badge a Wolf Scout gets. Eric was able to turn each of them upside down while I pinned the badge on. Jackson was laughing because Eric was tickling him.

Leighton was the first to go so he was upside down a little longer. I had no clue what I was doing. The twins on the other hand, have been reading their scout manual and are tuned in. The other day Leighton had come to the car and Jackson was like 10 minutes late. I decided to park and go see what was going on. As I started walking up the sidewalk, he came whistling along with his whole scout ensemble on. He had been in the bathroom (before school even got out I soon found out from his teacher) changing into his scout shirt and yellow scarf. It was all tucked in and perfectly positioned. He told me he had read in his scout book how to put the scarf on and that dad had been doing it wrong. Now scouts wasn't until 7 pm that night so I asked him why he was in such a hurry and he said, "I want to show dad I'm responsible." Ah...my heart skipped a beat.

We didn't win 1st or 2nd or even 3rd but they didn't seem to care. They were just thrilled to be a part of it all.

Salt Lake City 1/2 Marathon

WE DID IT! Alisha, Rylee, and I all set a goal in January to do this 1/2 marathon and it was such a worth while goal. We stuck to a training schedule (with a few alterations) and finished with a time of 2 hours and 13 minutes. We definitely weren't doing it to get first place - just wanted to run the entire time and finish. The above picture is before the race started. We were more than ready.

Alisha was a few feet in front of Rylee and I at this point. She still had so much energy, she couldn't help herself. I would've sprinted had it been in me. This was taken as we were about to cross the finish line at the Gateway shopping plaza.

And... we were still smiling at the end. It was so much fun. I am totally planning to do another one soon. Although the marathon would be the next challenge, I have no desire to do one of those. 26 miles is a whole nother ball game. After the race I was talking to one of the twins on the phone and he asked me if I got 1st place. I told him I was close. I was close to the 1st place marathon winner! Thanks Rylee and Alisha for being consistent and sticking with me!

Easter

Easter this year was very laid back. We colored eggs Saturday night with Grandma Bateman and made rolls that were symbolic of the Savior and the atonement. The kids woke up late to find their Easter baskets and we turned on conference and enjoyed a delicious breakfast Kennedy whipped up from the Food Network (hash brown baskets with egg and maple bacon).

Around noon we ventured over to the the park for an Easter egg hunt where 48 kids surprisingly contained themselves. Each child got a new game to take home due to a very good coupon shopper (not I). They hit the jackpot.

Kennedy with her friends, Carli, Grace and Alex.

A little family shot - we couldn't quite pull it all together but I've given up on perfection. We aren't supposed to be perfect. That would be boring.

Monster Trucks

What a great way to extend an 8th birthday - going to "Monster Truck Mania!" The twins invited their friend Evan to go with them and they had a might fine time. Eric volunteered to take them and I volunteered to stay home. Monster Trucks = Red neck's x's 1000's! Not that I'm against red neck's (I could probably be classified as one at one time or another) but this was good bonding time for the boys. They came home around 10 pm and yelled, "Mom! Mom!" when they came in the door and couldn't wait to tell me all about it. I love that they wanted to share their fun adventure with me. I think Eric just enjoyed watching them get so excited and into it. That made him happy.

Jackson and Leighton Happy Extended Birthday!