blessing and lunch

After the temple, we went back to our building for Harper's blessing.

Those who participated in her blessing:

Kyle (duh)

Papa

Cory

Logan

Ryan

Adam

Grandpa Fred

Grandpa Don

Grant

We had set up the night before for lunch. I knew exactly how I wanted it to look, and it all came together. I think my mom thought I was a crazy person, but in the end it was just perfect.

We wanted to have a fun nod to her heritage, and I'd been working on the decorations for weeks. 

(I made all of the pinwheels, cut out all of the hibiscus flowers, wrapped silverware with raffia, etc).

We had crissonts, meat/cheese, strawberries, chips, cookies, water bottles and Hawaiian Sun drinks (I had to track those down...but we thought they would be fun).

It was a fun way to end the day.

3rd grade program

Kaden had his 3rd grade program at school.  This year's theme was saving the planet. They did the program in the morning for the rest of the school, and in the evening for parents.

This year, Kaden had a speaking part.  If you know him at all, you know this is a huge deal. 

Being in a crowd is hard for him.  I wasn't totally convinced he was going to do it (even up until the last minute), but he was amazing and didn't hesitate to step up to the microphone just like he'd practiced.

For the evening program, he had his own cheering section.

Way to go, Kaden!

forever

We finalized Harper's adoption at the beginning of March.  It was pretty random, we got a text from the Oklahoma attorney saying that it was done.  The temple was closed for cleaning, so we tentatively scheduled a date, but had to wait another 10 days before we could get an official appointment.

Our sealing appointment was March 21st, at 9:30am.  We had to be there an hour early for paperwork, etc. My parents went with us so that my mom could stay with the kids in the youth center.

It was a perfect day.  

My grandparents came from Oregon.

Kyle's brother and family came from Oregon.

Kyle's mom came from Colorado.

My grandparents came from Idaho.

Other people who came:

My parents and siblings

Kyle's brother and family

One of Kyle's bosses

Kaden and Bosten's school teachers

Some of Bosten's birth family

My uncle

Friends from our ward

We are so grateful for all of the love and support we had!

More details coming later.

picture dump and catch up

Kaden is really into puzzles lately.  Here is one he just finished:

This little miss is rolling over.

Our friends brought us treats for the Utah vs. Oregon State men's basketball game.  I wonder why they were all red?! Ha!

Sunday afternoon snuggles.

That hair.

Bosten and I went on a date to Red Robin for my birthday.

Happy girl at 5 months:

Tanner got his mission call!  He will be serving in the Maryland Baltimore mission.  Bosten came home and told me "he gets to speak English...YES!"

3rd grade book report on one of the Hardy Boys books:

Snow on my birthday (March 3rd). 

Hanging out with our cousins.

First trip to the park (which she loved):

We went to Fashion Place to check out the Lego exhibit.  It was totally fun.

She's pretty much always this happy.

It came back. I wasn't going to put it up this year, but the boys begged.  It wasn't as perfect as other years (no time), but they were happy.

The boys based their picks off of mascots and places they've been...not too bad of a strategy.

All of the March Madness inspired us to shoot some hoops one day.

Our friends in the neighborhood adopted a baby girl. We had to decorate their house before they got home.

double digits

I am so behind.  Let's see if I can catch up a little.

Kaden turned 10!  

He decided he wanted a fun day out with Dad and Bosten instead of a birthday party. 

They went to All Star's, and then out to lunch.

On his actual birthday, Dad went and had lunch with him at school and I went and took treats in the afternoon.  Mimi, Papa, and a couple of his cousins came up to go to dinner at Sizzler (his choice) and have cake and ice cream with us.

This year it was all about Pokemon.

Happy Birthday, Buddy!