Vince gets Baptized!

Okay, remember the freaking out about Vince turning 8, well, this is the biggest reason. I can't believe I have a child old enough to be baptized! It has gone by so fast. I feel like it will all go so fast now...in 4 years he gets the priesthood, 4 more years he's driving, 3 more years he's on a mission. This coming anniversary, Josh and I will be married 11 years. It has gone by so fast and that is how long until Vince goes on his mission. That is just too close! I really do have to stop myself from panicking when I think of my kids growing up so fast!

But, on a more sane positive note, we were really proud of the decision Vince made to be baptized. It really is a big decision and a big step in life. We're glad that he chose to make it. We were able to have a few family members there to share the special day with Vince. It's always good to have family there to support us in the big milestones.

The program was really nice too. We sang primary songs, heard a talk on baptism, and then while each child went to get baptized we sang a primary song. After each family left we sang the favorite primary song of the next kid in line to be baptized.  Vince's favorite primary song was "Scripture Power". Since we had such a big group, we had to break up the parts of the program and each family took one part. Our family was assigned the Holy Ghost talk. Vince chose me to give the talk. I tried a few times to suggest grandmas, but he stuck to his guns. After the baptisms, the 5 kids got up and sang the primary song "Baptism". It was so cute! They did a great job. Then I gave the Holy Ghost talk. After that, it was time for confirmations. Vince was confirmed by his dad and also had his two grandpa's and his uncle Justin stand in for the blessing. It was a very special day. Vince's 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Garner, also attended. It was fun to have her support him.

I don't know when Vince grew up, but he has turned into such a handsome young man!

Vince and Josh. I'm so glad that Josh honors his priesthood and was able to baptize Vince. It warmed my heart and made my eyes start leaking.

The other kids felt left out, so they had to jump in for a picture with Dad and Vince.

Proud parents with Vince

Mom and Vince (blurry...geesh!) Maybe the camera was a little teary eyed too!

Vince was able to get baptized with 4 of his neighborhood friends. It was really fun to see them all in their baptism clothes. I'm sure they'll remember being baptized together their entire lives. It will be fun to see all of these boys go on their missions around the same time too. This is a great group of kids!

But, remember they're 8, so we had to do the silly picture too!

I had to post both of these family pictures because Marty was so cute in both of them. It made me laugh to see the expressions on his face when I first looked at these. Of course, Taylor was snoozing away...for the first picture. I didn't know she woke up or I would have pulled her out. Oh well.

 

Vince decided that for his birthday he would have cupcakes and save his cake for his baptism so that we could share it with everyone. He decided he wanted a CTR cake. I made it for him and I thought it turned out really cute. Even better, it tasted really good too! I made most of it the night before...until about 3 or 4 am and then finished the last of the dots and the CTR right before we ate it.

Vince and his cake.

He has become our resident candle lighter. He ALWAYS has to have that job! He's pretty good at it too!

Vince and his Grandma and Grandpa Allen

Vince with Grandma and Grandpa Grant

 

Vince with Cassy and Justin's Family

  

Vince with Lane, Mel, and Kenadie. We had to get a second pic to capture the essence of the "pants tucked into boots" that Lane was sporting. Nice look!

  

All of the kids (right before bed) with Grandma and Grandpa Grant. We forgot to get one with my parents too. Next time for sure!

Thanks to everyone who was able to share this special day with Vince. We all had a great time and I know that Vince appreciated you all coming also.

It's Great to be 8!

Vince turned 8 this year, and I must admit, I've been a little panicked for the past few months. I feel like once he turned 8, it would all go by too fast. I hope I can slow down and enjoy the ride!

Vince woke up to the house decorated for his big day. Balloons, posters, and streamers everywhere! I took a page out of sis-in-law's birthday book and made chocolate waffles topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup for his special breakfast. Yes, this is where he should be singing, "Mom is great, she feeds us chocolate cake (or waffles with ice cream!)". He thought it was pretty tasty. I must say, Josh actually stayed and had breakfast with us for once too. Go figure!

 We stuck a candle in his ice cream and sang happy birthday to him.

 Josh and Aubrey enjoying breakfast!

 Vince loved his balloons.

 He wanted me to take a picture of him jumping for his balloons as they floated away. Silly kid!

 Every other year, our kids get a friend party. Vince wanted to have a party at Nickel City. He went with a friend for his party and loved it. So, we got a babysitter for Marty (can you imagine me trying to keep track of him there?!) and Taylor and Josh and I drove the party goers to Orem. They all got a bag of nickels to go play and then we had pizza, drinks, and cupcakes. They all thought it was a lot of fun.

 Aubrey riding the horse. She's obsessed!

 Aubrey and Bradley. 

Weird side note, but Bradley's mom and I went to school together and now our kids go to school together. Kinda weird that we can grow up hours from here, and our kids end up in the same class.

 Opening presents

 The birthday gang...Peyton, Kameron, Aubrey, Bradley, Cole, Tag, Garrison, Vince, and Ethan

 Handcuffs from Aubrey...too bad she didn't think ahead and realize they would probably be used to detain her!

 Lazer tag guns from a group of his friends.

After we opened presents, we ate cupcakes and headed over to let the kids trade in their tickets for prizes. I think it took about an hour for them to decide what they wanted. They each had a couple hundred tickets and were buying things worth about 10 tickets. I finally had to tell them to pick one big prize first. That made things go faster. It was quite a long process, but, it all worked out and they had a lot of fun.

 Back at home, Marty was "helping" Vince open presents.

 

 Scout shirt! 

Aaaahhh! I have a child old enough for scouts! He's growing up too fast. He's super excited to go to scouts. I think he's read through the book about 5 times already!

He got a remote control airplane from Josh and I. He was really excited. He can't wait to be able to fly a real plane when he gets older. He loves it just like his daddy!


Here's a glimpse of Vince at 8:
*loves playing with friends
*wants to be a pilot, hunter, and someone who fixes guns when he grows up
*loves EVERYTHING involved with hunting
*loves airplanes
*loves tv shows that help him learn (mythbusters, magic school bus, hunting shows, etc.)
*loves reading
*loves school
*desperately wants contacts
*loves riding 4 wheelers
*is a great helper and a hard worker
*loves sports
*favorite color is camouflage
*favorite thing to do is shoot his gun and play sports
*recently saved his money to buy a rifle pellet gun...the day he saved enough may have been the best day of his life!
*worst punishment - taking away reading time at night. How great is that!

Vince, we love having you in our family. You are such a sweetheart. You are constantly teasing thinking of others and have such a tender heart. You love to tease go to school and learn. You're completely obsessed with teasing hunting right now. You love to tease play with your little brother and sisters. You love to tease read and learn new things in books. You love to be tucked in bed at night just so you can say good night to us. You love to tease cuddle! I don't know if you caught the subtle hints, but you love to TEASE also! You are a true big brother! Still, you're a great son and big brother! You are such a good example to your siblings and to your parents. We love you!