Family Pics 2012

Legs of Onions

This is how I store my onions--tied in nylons so they stay dry and if one goes bad, the others stay good. I ended up with about 5 1/2 "legs" of onions.

Labor Day Swim

More Baptism

Got pics from the family.

Thanksgiving Swim

I got pics from my mom, I think these were from last Thanksgiving.

The Best Weekend Ever

Over Labor Day we went down to St George to visit family. After a 4 hour trip that took 6 hours, we were thrilled to stay home with Jacob while Adam went with cousins for what he called "The Best Weekend Ever."

They began at the Iron County Fair:

Riding rides! 

Petting the animals

and (not pictured) eating lots of delicious, expensive, and unhealthy fair food.

Next came the rodeo. They let the kids go into the middle and let loose a pig. Whoever catches it wins a prize (or just the glory). Simon (white t-shirt) almost caught the pig. 

The next day, they headed to the mountains:

What could be better than no seat belts?

Standing up!

 And here are the ones responsible for all this fun! Zach and Kate!

 

I'm A Guy

Jacob came into me and announced, "I'm a guy."

You see, we have dress ups, including spider man, green lantern, etc. and when you put on a mask or glasses, you are dressing up as a super hero, or as Jacob puts it, "a guy."

More swimming videos

Jacob before swimming lessons. Notice, no fear, no skills: Here is Jacob after 9 swimming lessons:

New Favorite Thing

I got this new drying rack at Costco this spring. Needless to say, I LOVE IT! It can hang nearly all the clothes I line dry. You can't see the top bar, just the bottom of a shirt, but you can put clothes on hangers all along that as well (which I do, when I'm hanging them to put them away). 

Not bad for 20 bucks.

Jacob the Swimmer

So here is Jacob after 8 swimming lessons. He starts at the far side of the pool and swims toward the camera.

Birthday Birthmom

Although we mean to do it more, we often don't see Adam's birth mom more than once a year at his birthday. This year we had a wonderful visit with her. Adam gets his coloring from his birth father (though he also looks a lot like her brothers), but you can see how many features he gets from her. Cheeks, lips, and chin, and overall the tall, thin build is definitely from her side of the family!

Adam's Baptism

It was a big birthday this year--not only did Adam turn 8 years old, but he was baptized ON HIS BIRTHDAY! Now, for those of you who live outside of Utah, that may not be a big deal. But here we have stake baptisms the first Saturday of the month, and all the children who have turned 8 are baptized on that day.

Lucky for Adam, the first Saturday of August was his birthday, so he was able to be baptized on that special day!

Even better--he was able to share the baptism with his cousin Parker. Their family came from California for a double baptism.

Thomas and Parker

Skousen Family

Baptism boys

Sam and Adam

The baptism was at noon, and we showed up at 11:30 to get the white clothing and for the kids to practice their musical number. 

Well, as we were waiting for the group before us to leave the chapel, a bored child pulled the fire alarm. So sirens wailing, we all went outside until the firetrucks and ambulance came, checked the building, and cleared the alarm. 

This is our family waiting outside while the fireman made sure we were safe. I don't know why Adam looks so serious.

Sam's mom conducted the music, and his sister Christie played the piano. Adam, Parker, and Samantha (a girl from our ward who was also baptized) sang "When I Am Baptized," accompanied by Hazel, Parker's sister. It was so sweet and the kids did a great job.

Parker's brother, Christien, gave a talk about the Holy Ghost.

After the baptism we went to the park for a light lunch, and so the kids could run around.

It was a wonderful day filled with family (Kate and kids, Rachelle and kids, Jodi and Mike and kids, aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides. And of course, lots of grandparents), food, and fun!

It's crazy to me that we have a child this old--he's getting so tall (in that lanky phase), losing all his teeth, and his feet are nearly as big as mine. It seems impossible that it was 8 years ago we picked him up from the hospital. Back then he was so tiny, I remember him curling up on my chest and I could hold him with one hand. They sure grow fast!

PS Any family members who have photos of this event--send them to me!

Trail of evidence

Jacob gets up early, usually before we do. It's his little noises that not just wake me, but often make me leap from the bed to hurry and see what's going on. This was a quiet morning, but one that left a trail. He got into the flour, put it in a bowl, and got to the sink to add water. Clearly, he needs to start helping me cook in the kitchen!

Izzy's Blessing

Fun pics from a family baby blessing!