This and That

Kolton is at the really fun age where he says the most hilarious things... these are some of my favorites:

• After watching Inside Out, we were singing Pony Boy and he said, "Family island was running when we were playing Pony Boy." Truer words were never spoken.
• One day he was asking questions about my dad. He doesn't remember him but pretends to sometimes.  I told him that my dad was so affectionate and always gave us hugs and praise.  He said, "I'm gonna be just like your dad and hug people when they pass me."
• After learning to identify and respond appropriately to pornography, he learned the first step is to send a clear message to your brain saying, "that's pornography." One day, while I was getting dressed he said, "mom, you're pornography!" Another day while at a friend's house, he pulled his pants down before he got to the bathroom (as he frequently does). His friend's mom told him he should wait until he got into the bathroom. "Yeah, because you saw my butt and that's pornography!"
• On our date night (we have a monthly date night alternating the parent with each kid) I was telling him that he needed to open doors for girls and be very kind. Brian told him, "you better treat my woman right!" He exclaimed, "Don't call her woman!" and then looking at me said, "mama, I'm gonna treat you so good!"
• Every time his friends come over, he gives them gifts.  I think we are starting to see that one of his love languages is gift giving.
• The other night at Helen and Al's house, I asked Helen how old she had just turned. She said 77 and he enthusiastically said, " And you're still alive!!" Like, nice job!
• He's an affectionate little man... but he has a temper!! We are leaning towards waiting to start kindergarten in order to offer him the best experience ever. He is very good to his little sister, but not so good to his big sister.

We have been blessed with actual snow this year! Thank heavens as we are in a terrible drought!  The kids got to have a snow day, so we made a little snowman.

Just before Christmas, I was shopping for presents and Argenta saw this doll on the shelf and grabbed it off kissing it and refusing to put it back. I bought it for her and wrapped it and put it under the tree.   It remains her favorite baby! She won't go to sleep without it.

Xiana wanted Princess Lea buns and she got her confirmation certificate from chuch which is very special.

They took a million selfies when they got a hole of my camera one day.

Halloween times 3

Because of the previously mentioned stomach flu that Xiana had on Halloween/baptism day, I'm happy to report that would have been her third Halloween celebration.  They went to the pumpkin patch, trunk or treat, and Halloween.  Xiana went as Aurora from Maleficent instead of from Sleeping Beauty.  Kolton went first as Iron man, but then he threw his mask away when it bothered him, so next he went as the Incredible Hulk.  Argenta went in the sweet Little Bo Peep costume my mom made for Xiana when she was this size. It was kind of sad to have it be worn for the last time.  It really is the best costume! Xiana was a witch in her Halloween dance performance (which was darling!) and then lots of cousins were here for Trick or treating because of Xiana's baptism. Ekco spent the day painting her amazing sugar skull face on and grandma and grandpa even joined in the fun with their old person masks. I know there are a lot of people who don't like Halloween... but I love it! Truth be told, I love all holidays.

Baptism

Turning the big 8-yrs-old meant getting baptized for our little munchkin.  She got to get baptized on Halloween which was super fun! I was annoyed that is ended up that way, but true to her little spirit, she was nothing but excited about it.  Jeff and Jen came from Vegas, Brian's parents came from Battle Mountain, and Larissa and her family came from Klammath Falls. It was wonderful to feel so much support... particularly since hers was the first of the grand-kids for my dad to miss. Of course I know he was there in spirit.  Her baptism was beautiful! Tysen said the prayer and Nicole gave the Holy Ghost talk.  When Brian confirmed her, she burst into tears and came running over to me still sobbing. I was worried and asked her what was going on, "I feel the spirit so strong," she wept. I've always known that she is a spirit of serious strength, but she never fails to amaze me with her ability to feel the spirit and be so sensitive to the gift.  After her baptism, we came home for a luncheon where she immediately fell ill with the stomach flu.  The other kids had it earlier in the week and we were all praying that Xiana would not get it and miss her baptism... I guess we should have extended our prayers to include the evening. Poor girl! But the luncheon was wonderful nevertheless. She got showered in sweet gifts from everyone.  She even warranted a trip to the LDS bookstore from Tosh and Helen! Unfortunately, she had to skip trick or treating because of her stomach bug. But the next day at church, her two friends Emma and Kinlee brought me a giant bag of candy for me to bring home to her. They had each given her half of their bags!! I was so touched by their thoughtfulness! The whole weekend and experience was beautiful and touching!