A Concert and a Recital

This post is mostly for Aunt Dani who lives very very far away in Wisconsin. Ellie had a concert at school last week and then had her tap recital tonight. Daddy had to work the same night as Ellie's concert so we taped it in full for him. We also thought that Aunt Dani might get a kick out of it. The filming of the concert is not the greatest at first. I was sitting by myself with both of my boys. Riley kept grabbing the camera making it shake and Paden kept tugging on my arm trying to see what I was taping. Then I was trying to get the attention of my parents so they knew where I was sitting. This also caused some wonky filmography. Is that a word? Anyway, My parents got to us and my mom took over the camera. THANK YOU!! However you will hear us talking a little and Paden crying. He wanted his own seat. The video is half an hour so I don't blame you if you skip right over. Really, I only expect my sister to watch the whole thing. And then again I don't even know if she will.

Okay have tried to post the concert video a few times now and it won't work. Sorry Danielle. At least the pictures worked.

Here is our little butterfly all ready to go.

Here is a group shot kind of. It was really dark in there so it was tough to get any good pictures. She is in the front row. Yellow dress.

"Bugz" The concert

Next up is her tap recital. These videos are only a couple of minutes each. Ellie has been taking tap lessons for the last little while. Her teacher actually taught Kirk when he was Ellie's age. She has been looking forward to this for a little while now. I think she was mostly excited because she got to wear some makeup. Kirk taped these ones so no one can give me a bad time about it. Enjoy!!

Caught mid blink but isn't she cute!?!

Here she is with Olivia. One of the girls from her class.
This is Ellie and her cousin Makellen. Look at all that loot!!

This is Teacher Annie with all of her students.

He's got the Whole World in His Hands

Good Ship Lollipop

The Boo!

So my Riley Boo has been walking for about a month now and I realized I haven't posted any videos of it. I figured now would be a good time to do a post dedicated to our Boo Boo Bear!

This little face is pretty darn tough to resist. He is so happy!!! I just want to squeeze him and love him and cuddle him ALL day!!

Here he is trying on some shoes.

Here he is trying to stay dry.

Up to no good with his brother. I didn't put him in there so he either did it himself or had some help from his brother.

I wouldn't be completely surprised if he had done it himself. He is a climber. He pushed this diaper box over to the table and then climbed onto it so he could play with the computer. He was 8 1/2 months old here.

He loves to eat!!

And he'll eat just about anything. SICK!!!

He was just introduced to spaghetti. It was a hit!!

This little guy just goes and goes until he can't go no more!!

And we sure do love him!!

Here is the video of him walking. This is just from yesterday so he has the walking thing down pretty well here. Don't you just want to squeeze him!?!

Sad, confused, and extremely grateful

Facebook has been so fun for me. I love to connect with people I haven't seen in a long time. It's fun to see where they are in their life. I love to see pictures of their kids. It's fun to tell stories from school or the young single adults. It's great and I love it. The thing I don't love though...? The reality of where some of my friends have led their lives. It is so hard for me to understand how someone can be so faithful to their religion. Live the gospel and even serve a mission and then decide that they are homosexual. I know that seems like it came out of nowhere, but I have so many friends from growing up that are now homosexuals. Most of them served missions. They were examples to me in times of trials. I looked up to them and their testimonies. I feel let down. I do love Facebook. I just don't like the reminders I get about the lifestyle choices that have been made by so many of my old friends. They aren't all homosexuals. But plenty of them have left the church. I read their status updates about their night at the bars or clubs. The foul language they use. I see pictures of them holding their beers. It's sad. I feel bad for them and choices they have made. I worry for them. But then I feel so grateful that I still have the gospel in my life. I read these things and it encourages me to stay strong. To be the one setting the example now. When I was in YSA it always bothered me that people would instantly start talking about church or "good" things when I would come around them. I always thought, " I wanna talk about what you guys are talking about". But then it dawned on me. Why should I be bothered by the fact that they are protecting me? My Patriarchal blessing talks about how I will be an example to my peers. That they will be able to feel my closeness to the Savior. I changed my attitude. I started to feel happy that the gospel is what's brought to mind when I am around. Even when I chat with some of my old friends on Facebook the topic always ends churchy no matter how the conversation is started. I sometimes miss the YSA days. We had a lot of fun. We were young, silly, faithful, and straight. But I am so grateful that I still have the Gospel in my life. I am so grateful that I can have a turn being an example. I'm not saying that I am perfect. I'm not saying that I never say inappropriate things. But I am saying that I love the Savior. I am so grateful to have a testimony of Him. I am grateful that every Sunday I get to go to church. I am so grateful for my family and for all my friends. I love my husband and I know that he loves me. I am so grateful that he has a job that allows me to stay home with our beautiful children. I love my children and I'm so grateful that they are so forgiving. I'm still learning how to be a mom. I am also so grateful for the Atonement and repentance. For the opportunity I have to try again everyday. I hope that I can be a good example to my children and all those around me. Oh, and I am grateful for sunshine and smiling faces.

Paden, were you playing with the camera?

Nope. It wasn't me.

Really?

It wasn't me. Really.

Somehow I have a hard time believing that.