Bennett's Baptism and a Full House

 What a happy week!

We had ALL the Miner family here as well as Michael's parents for Bennett's baptism. He felt so lucky to have so many people who love him come for his special weekend.

We spent the beginning of the week getting ready for the crew -- lots of food planning and shopping and prepping. I get giddy when I'm doing this part; the more I get done ahead of time means the more I can play with my people when they're here!

Family started trickling in on Thursday. First the Boones, who were very patient with our crazy Thursday nights. This one was even crazier with Michael's annual flu shot party happening at his office. The boys were so happy to see Elise and Dallin and Annie. 

On Friday everyone else rolled into town -- BOTH grandmas and grandpas, and the Miner crew. We had a fun night catching up and grilling hamburgers and hot dogs.

Saturday was full of happiness. First was Bennett's baptism and that boy was glowing! I loved seeing him so happy and surrounded by so much love. His grandparents gave wonderful talks and he had such sweet friends come support him as well. We all know Bennett came to this world with a super sweet heart, and you could tell his heart was really happy that day. I'll always remember his cute hug with his dad right after his confirmation. 

After the baptism we all headed to Westin's final flag football game of the season, which was also his first WIN! That was really fun. He brought a cheering section just about as big as the typical team crowd. His team was so happy to bring home a win.

After that we all went back home to eat lunch and watch the BYU game. I had my annual Comma retreat during the game, so I missed most of it but had a good time catching up with my copywriting team. I love learning more about the company's performance and goals and wins and plans. And the BYU game was a fun watch too, what a happy season! Then we had homemade Cafe Rio for the crowd and the kids loved playing with walkie talkies at the school playground.

On Sunday Bennett shared a sweet testimony about his baptism. He sure was a handsome, sweet boy in his suit and tie and glowing from his happy weekend.

Grandma and Grandpa Daetwyler left tonight, and the rest of the family will leave different days this week. We love having them here!! 

Bennett did a great job telling his primary about his baptism day.

I snuck Annie one morning when she woke up early and it was one of my favorite hours of the week!
Such a little sweetheart.

Meal time for 22 people, 3 times a day! 
Honestly it wasn't even that stressful. People were so helpful and I just loved having everyone under my roof.

Constant laps out on that porch.

Lots of cousin ring-around-the-rosie.

The cheer squad at Westin's football game.
Brought home his first win!

I loved watching this game with everyone.

Asher is not into pictures right now,
but he's there. Somewhere behind Michael. Naturally.

Grandma and Grandpa Miner

The whole visitor crew! Sally was so kind to make this trip after intense ankle surgery.

Parfaits and Krispy Kremes after

Such a sweet boy and special day

It was really happy to have his grandparents all there!

The walk to school cracked me up -- such a crew to pick up the boys.
They totally loved it.

I did a little pumpkin craft with these two cuties.
They're sure growing up. They have so much fun together.

Halloween breakfast!

Tried to go see the Northern Lights again... still no luck!
Someday... someday...
And as I write that I realize that there's some pink in the picture?
Maybe they were kind of slightly there and only the phone could pick it up.

Camden loved this squirrel at his school and really wanted me to take a picture of it and send it to Elise.
He loves his cousin.

We got to go to Camden's school and watch him present his All About Me poster to his class.
He wanted to mention that he loves his family, he has a dog and a cat, he loves going on walks, he loves playing games and playing with cars, and he loves going to school.
We love this little guy.

Super Moon

We had some fun nights this week!

Monday was trivia night again with some other friends, which I just think is so fun. Then Tuesday night we walked up Coyote Ridge with a few other families to try to catch the Super Moon and lunar eclipse. We could see it so well! There was no Young Womens that night because of a youth temple trip on Friday, so it was fun to just get together with friends and be outside that night.

Michael had a meeting Thursday night so it was just me and the boys. They were so great with bedtime. Some nights aren't so smooth but I was grateful for their help that solo night. Then Friday I went to the temple for an endowment session before meeting up with all the youth and leaders for baptisms. 

Saturday was tennis and High in the morning for Michael and me, then Westin's football game. We had a babysitter that night to go out with the Dimonds but their little guy was pretty sick. Michael and I went out for Vietnamese food and did a little birthday shopping for Bennett, then came home and watched the INSANELY FUN BYU game against Kansas State. What a wild game.

We ate dinner at the Schmidts house today, and Bennett and I got to the temple this afternoon to take some pictures of him for his baptism program. He's getting to be so big! 

This little hoarder man.
Every couple weeks we clear it all out and he seems relieved a little,
but then requests thing by thing each nap and night until he's once again
sleeping in sweet chaos.

This is right after he said to me,
"Mom, I'm going to turn you into a boy.
Abracadabra, I give you a................ boy head."
I was cracking up so much and he seemed confused as to why I thought he was so funny haha.

Super Moon with a little eclipse!

We loved walking up Coyote Ridge with friends to catch the special September moon.

Michael turned some jalapeños from my parents into some jalapeño poppers.

Westin has become skilled at managing bedtimes once in a while and I love him for it.

Soccer! Camden loves soccer Thursdays. He's totally into it.

Signs of little boys -- trucks doing yoga on my yoga mat.

Another Saturday Flag Football game.

Krispy Kreme opened in Fort Collins, woohoo!
I knew the boys would love watching the donuts being made.
They were making fresh apple fritters and they put them straight from the line into our box.

This little cat. She's so cuddly.

Some baptism photos for Benny boy!

He is so excited to turn eight next month.

He had to write about building something in his experience journal for school,
and specifically what he does when it breaks.
"If it breaks, that's ok! You just start over!"
That sums up Bennett :)

Last time my parents were here Camden asked and asked if he could make a gingerbread house with them and to be honest that just kind of went in one ear and out the other for me because, so random? And gingerbread houses are not on my mind yet? Then when they drove away he said, "Well it's so sad we didn't make a house together." Breaking my heart! So I kept my eye out for Trader Joe's haunted house kits they usually put out and he's so excited to build this with Grandma and Grandpa when they come back out for Bennett's baptism. What a funny guy.

School's Out! Plus a Summer Road Trip (already!)

On Memorial Day we hiked with Katie's kids and Diana and Jocelyn. Then we did the splash pad, had ice cream, and came home to barbecue burgers and hot dogs. They ended up staying another night because the boys were just having too much fun. We were sad to see them go Tuesday.

I loved Bennett's end of First Grade ceremony on Tuesday so much. His sweet teacher Mrs. Wood had such sincere, kind things to say about every student in that cute class and I just love the way she loves them. He has had such a wonderful year with her and I need her to not retire until she's had two more little Daetwyler boys. Bennett's award this year was Mr. Manners, which cracked me up because that award has come home before. These little boys can be pretty crazy at home but for whatever reason they sure shape up at school :) I love both sides of them.

Thursday was the last day of school! Which totally had me sentimental. End of third and first grade? Already? I feel like Westin was just barely in (online) kindergarten. We are coming up on four years here in Fort Collins, and when we pass that we'll have lived here longer than anywhere else in our marriage. Feels good.

We took Jimmy John's to the school on the last day for a picnic lunch (the boys had a half day) and looked through their yearbooks. My goal is to clean out their backpacks and cubbies at home before July... we'll see.

We woke up Friday and immediately started the summer right! Hopped in the car and drove to Utah for Julia's baptism. We stopped twice because #pottytraining but Asher totally rocked it.  He even hit a new... "milestone" right when we got to Ali's house and I'd like to formally thank Matthias for reading him The Poop Book on FaceTime when we were in Wyoming and trying to hit that milestone on the road.

Saturday started with the South Jordan Summer Days parade and the kids were totally loving all the candy throwing and swag handouts. Then we drove to Lehi for Julia's baptism. The last Miner kiddo baptism and that's just hard for me to believe! She is beautiful inside and out and it was a happy day. We had pizza there at the church after, swam at grandma and grandpa's hotel later that day, tacos at Ali's that night.

Sunday we went to Ali's ward and then the Miners, Dan and Tanya and Gracie, and grandma and grandpa all came over for Annie's birthday. Ali made another professional highly impressive birthday cake (I can't get over them) and Annie totally loved it. We played Herd Mentality that night and it was so funny. This is a quick trip but we're just so happy to be here with family for happy times!

Hiking the "A" overlook, Luna's first time! She did great.

Splash pad and ice cream, a solid combo around here.

Feeding 7 boys always feels like an event!

Diana walked to school with us before they headed back to Katie's house.
My neighbor said, "This must be your sister!" and she was so surprised when I told her it was Michael's. That has happened to me with multiple Daetwyler sisters and I love it.

Baby geese at playgroup!

Luna is such a good little tag along. I used to think I'd never, ever take her to playgroup and now it's no big thing.

These cute boys playing in the back of Bennett's classroom during his first grade awards ceremony.

Lemonade stand on the way home from the LAST day of school!

This guy. I love this age.

Friendship bracelets for Sister Holker's last YWs activity.
We'll miss her but we'll be cheering on her husband Dallin and his time with the Saints this NFL season!

This sweet card. Bennett loooooved Mrs. Wood this year.

Finished first grade!

Buddies.

Third grade, check!

This morning crew. Soooo many walks to school!

He finished last week, but had to snap a picture too!

These are heart-wrenching, honestly.

Sooo much taller in person.

This one seems so much bigger inside and out.

Last day drop off!

They're off!
The end of the school year is so fun.

Heading home to summer!

First day of summer: Utah road trip.
We've played at many a random park in Wyoming.

I Spy Westin.

Camden's face cracks me up here so much

Have to get ice cream at Little America

South Jordan Days Parade

They totally loved this candy-heavy parade experience

Stilts! I just think they're so brave!

All the Miner grandkids

Julia's special baptism day. We were so happy we were there with her!

Julia's ear piercing!

Building baby Annie's birthday present

That breakfast wait, am I right?

A spontaneous bubble-blowing contest, and yes, I am the reigning champion

Annie's birthday lunch.
I have eaten two of Ali's cakes in one month and for that I feel very blessed.

Girlfriend loved it.

Birthday crew!
Annie is loved!

She started showing off during pictures and trying to stand up!
She's allllmost mastered it.