Samantha's Baptism

Samantha has waited a very long for this but her day FINALLY arrived!  We had her baptism last Saturday and it was a very special experience.  We were so grateful for the family and friends who came to support Sam and who helped make it a wonderful day.  She understands the significance of her decision to be baptized and really wants to work hard at making good choices from now on.  When she came out of the font she had the biggest smile on her face and she told me how wonderful and clean she felt!

Clara was having a major meltdown throughout our time at the church so that is why she is missing from this picture.....

My friend Alisa found this dress for Sam over in Woodburn since we were having a difficult time finding one close to home.  It is a very pretty dress and she looks like a little angel in it.

As parents, there are certain events in your life that hold so much significance and are permanently embedded on your heart.  This day was one of those days and we are counting our blessings....

Softball Season!

Last month the girls received an announcement from the school that city league softball was starting up.  They have never had an interest in playing Little League before but they were excited at the prospect of trying it out.  We happily signed them up on the specified day and awaited hearing what team they would be put on.  About a week before try-outs Mark received a call from the league asking him to please coach a team and he decided to go for it!  It wouldn't be that big of a commitment, right?

Wrong!  Little League is huge around here and it takes up about three nights a week between practices and games.  The teams had to be chosen, the practice fields divied out, uniforms ordered, and helpers to find.  Each night of practice Mark and the girls rush home and we hurriedly try to get them through the nightly routine of bathing, family scripture study, and family prayer.  It's been a little bit stressful  but last week they had their first game and both girls did great.  Emma had the first hit on our team and she scored the first run.  Sam had a great hit, too.

We are really proud of them for being willing to try new things and it's wonderful to learn to work with a team.  They are trying out different positions and really enjoying having their daddy around for the whole thing!  Go Team McDonalds!!!

Happy 8th Birthday Samantha!

Samantha Isabel is just growing up too quickly!  Last week she turned eight years old!!!  This is a special birthday for her and she has been anticipating it for months.  She started out with a birthday breakfast before school and her first present - a new outfit to wear.  (She had been begging for skinny jeans for weeks and weeks and the birthday fairy found some on sale at the mall in Boise so Hurray!!!)  Then it was off to school with treats to share with her classmates.  After school she was able to attend Activity Days for the first time with Emma which she was very excited about.  She will look forward to attending now every other week!

Her birthday dinner request was bubble pizza and homemade smoothies.  However, her birthday dessert request was a banana cream pie which was a first.  I thought for sure she would go for something very chocolately but I guess she takes after her daddy in the pie department.  She blew out all of her candles after we sang the birthday song to her.

It was a great day for her and we feel so blessed to have her in our family!

Grande Ronde Rehab Run

Every year in La Grande our Hospital sponsors a family fun-run to promote exercise in our community.  The Grande Ronde Rehab Run is popular and I decided to challenge myself to run it.  As everyone knows, I am NOT a runner but I do try to exercise regularly, push myself, and set goals to work towards.  My girlfriend Elise (who IS a runner - and a fast one) ran the race as well.  I have the greatest husband and kids who are wonderfully supportive and they followed me in the van while I raced - Emma and Samantha even got out for a while and ran with me!

As I sprinted toward the finish line - Elise and and the girls were there waiting for me which was awesome.  While my time was fairly slow, it was a personal best and filled with personal rewards!  I am learning that it doesn't matter if I am the fastest out there - all that matters is that I try!!!

General Conference Weekend

We were so excited to listen to General Conference recently.  It is quite the event in our house and every six months we look forward to what special activities we can plan for the weekend to enhance our viewing experience.  This time around we set a tent up in the living room for the girls to sit in - they could work on their quiet activities, eat their snacks, and listen to what our leaders are teaching to us.

But, of course, we had to start the day off with a delicious breakfast of homemade pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup.  These didn't last long!

I made "Conference Baskets" for Emma and Samantha.  They were full of snacks, colored pencils, water, and an activity packet that they could fill out while listening.  The baskets were a big hit and are still being used in the girls' bedrooms to hold their treasures.  We'll have to do this again in October.

Not only is General Conference wonderful because we get to hear from our beloved Church leaders, but it's a special time to spend together as a family and we love our conference family traditions!

Trip to Twin Falls

Last week we had the opportunity to travel to Twin Falls for a couple of days to attend the wedding of my dear friend, Tonya, in the Twin Falls temple.  I was Tonya's Young Women President and we developed a close relationship in the years that I served in that capacity so it meant so much to me to receive an invite to her wedding.  It was in the middle of the week so we had to take Emma and Samantha out of school for two days but we decided to go for it since we didn't go anywhere for Spring Break.  Our drive there was pretty uneventful (thank goodness) so in the hotel, Mark took the older two girls to the swimming pool to play and burn energy so Clara and I hunkered down in our room and I let her watch Baby Einstein videos on my Kindle.  She was VERY focused on her video and I thought it was too cute!

Clara just LOVES Baby Einstein and it has been such a life saver for me to keep her occupied when I need to get other things accomplished!

On Thursday morning we went to the temple.  Tonya's younger sister watched our girls for us so Mark and I could go in and be at the ceremony.  Afterwards, while we were waiting for Tonya to emerge, we took a few pictures on the lovely grounds.  It was a beautiful, spring day and it was just so nice being there.

Emma and Samantha were thrilled to see Tonya in her wedding dress....they always loved her, too.  Afterwards, Samantha said, "I feel really emotional now and I don't know why!"  ha ha ha 

It was a special experience for us and a fun family trip!  I am so grateful that I could be there!