Seth's Big Week

Seth started playing competition soccer this summer and loves it!  He played in his second tournament last week and his team took 2nd place.  We love wathcing him play!  He plays defender and is having a great time.  He also lost his front two teeth this week and has that awesome toothless smile.

Go Blue Knights!

Congratulating each other 

Love my Seth!

Seth Jack

Happy Birthday Seth!  He is extremely into soccer right now and wanted to have a soccer game with some of his friends at his birthday party.  We played soccer, then headed over to our pool to swim in the freezing summer weather we've had all spring!  But the boys didn't care, they had the pool to themselves.  I couldn't help but think of the movie Sandlot.  Good times.

This picture makes me laugh because each child has such a
great expression of their own, random.

Oops, playing a little 'dirty' 

...and he's down

Holden the hottie, (caught him with a mouthful of cookies) 

Nate, Talon, Ethan & Talmage

Sambo, Holden & Nate

Ethan, Talmage & Tyler

Classic Pirate look!

They're up...

...they're down.

Birthday boy!

I love the funny positions the camera captured the boys in.

Breckon, Holden & Sambo

Seth loves playing goalie, just like uncle Christian.

Wait...is that Justin Bieber?

Talmage played the whole game with a cookie in hand, nice skills!

Tatum made Seth's cake this year.  Great job Tatum!

Happy Birthday to you!  Thanks friends!

I love the smiles on the boys in this picture... pure happiness.

Perfect end to a great birthday...a movie with his sisters.

Seth's Baptism

Today was the most beautiful spring day.  Perfect for Seth's baptism.  We were so lucky to have so many family members in town for this special day.  Grandpa Jack and Grandma Jean, Rob and Wendy, Dana and Bryan, Grandma Dianne, Kim and Dug, Jay and Eric, John and Kristy, Dan and Rachel, all of their children, and Sally.  I can't believe the family support we are so lucky to have.

It is so fun to watch the little children gather around the font.  The excitement they share for this special moment is so tender.  It makes me think of the Savior and how much He loves little children.  After Seth was baptized, Audrey said in her sweet little two-year old voice, "he was baptized."  How cute!

Aunt Rachel said she loves to watch the children's faces as they are being confirmed a member of the church and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  She could see Seth perfectly.  She said as soon as Rick finished the prayer, Seth gave a giant smile, with no teeth, all mouth.  (I love that smile of his).  She said he looked like he knew he had been given something special and had sensed the change that had just taken place.  What an amazing moment that was.  I sat thinking of my son, now a member of the Church, and so grown up.  As I saw him giving Rick a hug, I thought about what a great boy Seth is and what a great man he will one day be- just like his Dad.

One of my favorite parts of the day was when Bishop Vaughan asked Seth to stand up and turn around.  He asked him to look at the faces of all of the people who were there because they love him.  Seth's smile was perfect.  He was beaming.

I loved watching Tatum play "I am a Child of God" on the violin while Daniel accompanied her.  It was so sweet.  She did an excellent job and I think she is realizing what  a talent she has.  

I think Kim was inspired to stop by last night.  She wanted to see what she could do to help.  I told her there was a very small possibility that the person giving the talk on baptism wouldn't be there.  I asked her to bring a "back up talk" just in case.  She also helped me plan the rest of the morning and how to get all of the food ready for the crowd after. We ended up using our back up plan and she gave an excellent  talk that was so personal and perfect for Seth.  Then Ian gave a wonderful talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost and shared a very cool experience he had with it while skiing one day.  Seth is lucky to have so many cousins who set great examples for him.

After the meeting, Kim and Dug cruised up to our house and started cooking before everyone arrived.  Dug made fabulous crepes for 45 people.  One of his many talents.  We sat around for hours enjoying each others company, eating Rob's famous bagels, and Jay's delicious caramel rolls.  Thankfully Jean brought some wonderful fruit to help us digest all of the sugar and white flour.  

Sharing this day with our family meant the world to me.  I am so grateful to them for their love and support.  Family is everything!  When I asked Seth what his favorite parts of the day were, he said three things.  "Family support, getting in the water, and getting confirmed."  Good job Seth!

Taste of success

Seth played Jr. Jazz Basketball for the first time this year.  He turned out to be a great little player and loved it.  The last game was one I'll never forget.  The other team was ahead and kept making baskets.  We still hadn't scored.  At one point Seth had the ball and was looking for someone to pass to. We were all yelling, "shoot it, shoot it!"  He looked at us, then shot it and made a basket.  He ran to the other side of the court with that shy smile I love.  From that point on he was on fire.  His shots kept going in.  His team began to yell, "throw it to Seth" when they got near the basket.  We didn't win the game, but all of the 10 points from our team came from Seth.  What could be more fun than to watch your child succeed?  He was in the zone!  Way to go Seth!  Grandpa Jack and Grandma Jean were there to congratulate him.

My Boys at Flaming Gorge

Seth got up on skis for his second time last week.  What a little stud!  

Rick got up for his first time... this year.  I could watch him ski all day.  He makes it look so easy.  

My boy is all grown up!

Last week Seth walked into our room with this picture in his hands.  He said, "I don't like this picture anymore," and he set it down and walked out.  Rick and I cracked up.  He must have started feeling all grown up when he realized his 7th birthday would soon be here.  I guess this picture is too "babyish," as he puts it.  

All Seth has wanted for his birthday was a bow and arrow.  (He used to call it a 'bone and arrow', I love that).  He was more than thrilled when he opened his presents yesterday and found one.  This morning he ran into my room to tell me he hit the target right in the bulls eye.  The smile on his face was priceless.   I guess "my baby is all growns up, and he's growns up, and he's growns up."

Seth, Zeth, Seths, Seth Jack, Sethers

Recently Rick and I went to parent teacher conferences.  It was the funniest one we've ever been to.  I love Seth's teacher, she is wonderful!  As we sit down, she begins, "So... Seth's parents.  Yeah, I don't know why you are here.  He is perfect.  This is a waste of your time."  We cracked up and then paused waiting for her to "really" start the conference.  After we stopped laughing, she said, "yeah, seriously, I don't know why you are here." She then got choked up as she talked about how if we could have another child just like Seth, she'd take him home.  I would have another Seth in a heartbeat!  

A few of my favorite pictures of Seth- 

He's a sleeper like his Dad.    

Check him out taking his class pet for a ride.