Baptism

I'm not going to attempt back-tracking right now to catch up on everything that's happened this year.  Maybe in about a month I'll have more time.  Yeah.  Right.

But, I must post about our wonderful day today so our family far away can see pictures because I know you're anxious to see them!

Today Cade turned eight!  We spent last night cleaning the house and getting food ready for today.  We woke up and had chocolate pancakes (prepared last night that we just popped in the toaster this morning), then got ready for Church and headed out.  It was wonderful.

All the Mitchells came as well as my parents and grandparents, and one of our family friends (who is not a member and that was cool he could be there).  We had a few other families stay after for the baptism as well.  I was touched by their support and thought of Mosiah 18 in the Book of Mormon.  Here, Alma is teaching the people at the waters of Mormon right before they are baptized.  It says, starting in verse 8,

 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are^adesirous to come into the ^bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
 9 Yea, and are ^awilling to mourn with those that ^bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as^cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in...

Here was our son, about to enter into those waters of baptism that most of us had already entered.  Usually when I think of this scripture, I think of helping people in dire circumstances.  But this was a happy occasion to be celebrated and I loved that these people were there to "stand as witnesses of God" for Cade and to welcome him into this fold that we are a part of.  They were there to show him that they knew he was doing what was right, and I am thankful for that.

Afterward, we came home, ate, and celebrated.  It was a nice taste of what heaven might be like.

4 Generations of Members of the Church.  How grateful I am that Elder Rowley and his companion knocked on my grandparent's door.  Keep up the good work, missionaries!

 Now he gets to be a cub scout!

 A hand-carved Noah's Ark my grandparents brought back from their mission to Africa.

 Amazing how technology has changed, isn't it? 

 Cade was surprised with his awesome new bedspread from Yia Yia

Thanksgiving Trip

We went to Destin, FL for our Thanksgiving trip this year with all the Mitchells.  As always, it was a fabulous time.

We went to "Gulfarium" where we saw the animal life in the Gulf.

There was a 5K that a few of the brave ran.  We even had some trophy winners for their age groups!  Hooray Ryan and Lorrie!

 I love this picture of Kirk jumping across the finish line.

Instead of having shirts made for this race, people donated old race shirts from other races.  They told the spectators we could all pick out a shirt, too.  Jana found this winner.  

All the Mitchell runners:

And, of course, some fun on the beach:

And don't forget a hearty Thanksgiving meal.

Plus some naps.

Before the trip we had a little fun, too.  We took some of the kids' friends with us to a local dairy farm for a "Homeschooler's Day" - 

And we had a sad day saying goodbye to Elder Mauer.  Our exchange student, Raya, has been taking the missionary discussions and we have all grown quite close with them.  We were sad to see him go, but are glad for the memories we'll always cherish of bringing someone to the gospel.  What an amazing experience.

WAY Overdue

A few months ago we did our family pictures and then my computer broke down.  It was awful.  I'm not exactly sure how it got fixed, but it works now and I'm finally catching up on some work.  Here are a few of my favorite shots from a few months ago:

 Cade had his own re-shoot later.  He wasn't being cooperative this day.  :)  Thanks, Cindy for helping us out!