The Glow Run 10k

Woohoo! Sara and I ran a 10k tonight! It was fun, but it worked me hard! I beat my last official 10k time by 2 seconds! I wish it was more, but I'm just glad I wasn't slower!  It was a really neat race. It was on a pretty golf course at dusk.

They had no official race photographers, so this is our picture of us running! Hahaha! We're AWESOME! My favorite picture!

Finished and DONE!  Oh, and P.S. Our first mile was my fastest mile ever!  Yay!

9 Months

Preston is 9 months old now!  He's growing into quite the little boy.  He loves to eat and chew on things.  He LOVES to hit things.  We think he might be a drummer, he is always pounding on something. 

Sometimes it's your face.

He claps and waves and crawls around like crazy.  He can stand by himself for a few seconds.  And I think he knows and says "mama" for me, and maybe says "hi".  He loves to play with his siblings, especially Noelle.  He likes to knock down blocks and play with anything electronic.

He just recently got his hair cut and he is all blonde now.  The dark hair has officially all been cut off.

He had his first ear infection when we went to his 9 month appointment.  So strange, though.  He'd actually been much sweeter those last couple days.  So, hopefully he wasn't in pain.  Here is how he was looking at the Dr.'s:

Weight: 20 lbs. 2 oz. (50%)
Height: 30 in. (95%)

Ethan's Baptism

I don't think I have words to say what I feel about this boy.  I am so proud of the decision that he made to be baptized and I am so proud of the boy that he is.  Ethan is the sweetest, most helpful and obedient child I know.  I don't know how many times I've said "I'm not sure I'd have had 5 kids if I hadn't had Ethan first."  He continuously makes my life easier and tries so hard to do what is right.

Ethan was so excited to turn 8 and be baptized.  The Bishop told me that his baptism interview was quicker than he thought it was going to be because Ethan already knew all the answers.  He is a good listener and is so smart.  I had been so worried that I had not prepared him enough for baptism.  Thank goodness for primary teachers and others who have helped him to realize the importance of this sacred covenant.  And for a bright and earnest little boy who wants to do what the Lord expects of him.

Ethan was baptized at the same time as his little friend, Nixon.  He asked Grandma Dopp to lead the music, Grandpa Allred to say the closing prayer, Mom to give a talk on baptism, and Dad to baptize and confirm him.  And Ethan played his cello for the special musical number, When I Am Baptized, while the primary children sang.  He played so well and I am so proud of him!

We had lots of friends and family come.  Ethan even had some friends from school come.  We had a family luncheon at our house afterward and had a great time.  It was a beautiful, windy day. 

 What a great example this boy is to his siblings.  How blessed we are to be his parents.  And how grateful I am to have the power of the priesthood in my home.  I see Ethan watching his dad's example, and hope that he will also honor that priesthood when the time comes.  What a beautiful and special day!  And what a special son!

Easter

Happy Easter All!  We had a great one at our house!  We had a crazy busy weekend, but had a ton of fun.  The kids were pretty excited that the Easter Bunny came and left them all kinds of stuff.  How did he know which Beyblades Ethan didn't have?

It is so fun to have Preston around.  He is just such a smiley, happy baby!  And look how grown up he looks in his Easter duds.

All 5!  Little stairsteps!

We had a fun egg hunt at Grandpa and Grandma Dopp's house.  We let Noelle practice by picking up pine cones in the backyard.  When it came time for the egg hunt, she did not want to surrender her bucket of pine cones. 

Until she spotted all the eggs!  She had the pine cones out of that bucket in 10 seconds flat!

Caitlin with one of her eggs.

Peston chillin' with his cousin, Clara.  Any picture of Preston, after this point, has the added benefit of blue lips and mouth.

Noelle realizes baskets and eggs are not so bad.  She kept her eyes on her eggs at all times.

Miss Avery with her spoils!

Ethan is just getting to the age where it's still fun, but not as exciting.  He was willing to let the little ones get in there, too.  Kind of nice, but kind of sad.

The best photo we could get of all the Dopp cousins together.  I think this year was the hardest.  Just a lot of little ones right now.  How do you get 8 kids to look at once?

I love that we have this holiday to remember Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice for us.  But man, am I glad when it's over.  I'm not a fan of trying to keep kids looking nice and enduring weeks of candy crazy kids.  I'm so thankful that we know what Easter is really about and that we have the opportunity to celebrate that together as a family.