Being 8 is GREAT!

Luke was baptized on February 4th.  He was the only one from our ward being baptized that day.  He had been looking forward to this day for a long time.  At the beginning of 2011 the primary issued a challenge for families to read the Book of Mormon together in a year.  We started off really well, but didn't quite keep up the pace to finish in a year.

Luke had set a personal goal that he wanted to finish the Book of Mormon before he was baptized.  So when he knew we wouldn't reach the goal as a family, he started reading on his own.  I would sometimes find him reading at night with a flashlight in his bed, or up early before everyone else reading on the couch.  He would spend some time on Sundays trying to catch up with his reading.  He was my example as I watched him work so hard to reach his goal.  When he got to the last chapter of the Book of Mormon he wanted to read it as a family.  I was glad he wanted us to be a part of that moment.  When we finished reading he had a huge smile on his face and said, "I kind of feel like I want to cry.  I just feel so good inside."  I explained to him that it was the Holy Ghost testifying to him that the Book of Mormon was true.  I am truly grateful for that moment to help him recognize the Spirit and to see the beginnings of his testimony.  It was a strength to my testimony as well.


 A sweet young woman in our ward took some pictures of Luke in the suit he wore.  This suit barely fit him, but we really wanted him to wear it because it is the same suit that all 5 of my brothers wore on their baptism days.  Luke was a good sport and endured a snug waistband. :)


                                           

We were so grateful to have Grandma Hutchings and Grandma & Grandpa Cottrell come from Utah.

                                             


                                                   

 

I wish I would have taken more pictures after the baptism of those that attended.  We appreciated all the support!  Luke invited a kid from his school class and it was a wonderful surprise to see the boy and his mom at the baptism.  That's my little missionary!

I can't believe my oldest is 8.  Where does the time go?  I'm not sure how to answer that question because the time has flown by way too fast for my liking.  Even though it is hard to see him grow up, I am proud of him and the choices he is making. 

Birthday Continued

Luke's actual birthday was on January 16th which ended up being a day off of school.  So we met up at the park with his cousins to have lunch and play.  Luke always enjoys hanging out with his boy cousins. :)             

He received his presents from us which included a baseball glove, baseball, a large Harry Potter lego set, and his new Cub Scout shirt.

Instead of cake he wanted a donut "cake".  I was happy to oblige after working so hard on his birthday party.  The donut "cake" is the way to go.

8 things about Luke:

1. He loves to learn and remembers what he learns so easily.

2. He really enjoys reading.  When he is into a book, the only thing he wants to do is read.

3. His favorite subject in school is science.

4.  He is not afraid to stand up for what is right.  He is such a good example to me.

5.  He loves to tease his sisters, but he is also so good to them.

6.  He hates running errands.

7.  Still a very picky eater, but is doing much better at trying new foods.

8.  His favorite game to play during recess is a game called Catch it.  Almost everyday I get a report about Catch It and whether or not he had a good day or bad day playing.  I love his excitement!


I am so grateful Luke was sent to our family first.  He is such a good example to his sisters and strives to choose the right.  We love our Luke!

Celebrating Harry Potter Style

On January 16th, Luke turned 8 years old.  After going to his cousin's Harry Potter themed birthday party in December, Luke knew that he wanted the same theme.  He had just started reading the books and was very excited about it!  This was his year to have a big friend party so we went all out.  I haven't read the books (I've tried, just can't get into them.), but Kevin had read them.  So thanks to Luke, Kevin, pinterest, & blogs I was able to come up with a Harry Potter party.

The prep work:

Invitation

Sorting Hat

Take Home Bag- they also put some the creatures they found on the magical creature hunt in their bags (plastic frogs, snakes, dragons, lizards, etc.)

The boys were split into these two schools & wore this badge to represent their school.

Kevin made wands out of dowels and made each one a little different. I just told them to make them all the same, but he went above and beyond. 

The cupcakes

This was supposed to represent the train depot at Platform 9 3/4. (It was a stretch).  They walked through the "red brick wall" to enter the party. 

             The Party:                                     

When the boys first came into the party they received their wands and decorated them with markers.  Then we used the sorting hat to put each boy in either Gryffindor or Slytherin.  We used a baby monitor in the hat and Kevin was in the other room talking.  The boys thought it was cool to have the hat "talk".

Receiving wand and magic instructions.

Sorting & counting their creatures they found on the magical creature hunt.

Potions class.  Kevin did such a great job!  He really got into and made sure the boys said the "magic words" & used their wands to make the potions work.  I just wish we would have had a costume for him to make it seem more real. :)

Quidditch-  I got the idea for the Quidditch goals on a blog.  We decided to forgo broom sticks knowing they would be more dangerous than fun.  The boys loved this game and had so much fun playing Gryffindor vs. Slytherin.

Luke's friends sure spoiled him with some great gifts.  Nerf guns, Legos, remote control car and more.  This was one happy 8 year old boy!