A Deacon in the House

Twelve years old is a big age in our church. That is the age the boys are given the Aaronic Priesthood. The first office in the priesthood is to become a deacon. In order to become a deacon, each boy must be worthy and be interviewed by his bishop. Then a worthy priesthood holder (in this case Jeff) along with other brethren (including Bobpa) confers the priesthood upon him.

Jared is very excited to have the priesthood because he is able to attend classes during church with other "Young Men." He had grown very tired of being with the Primary age kids (8-11 year olds). It was fun to see him hanging out in the gym after church with the other young men. It made me realize how old he is now that he is with the 12-18 year old boys.

Three generations of priesthood holders (the resemblance is hard to miss).

My Five Year Old is Better than Yours

For those of you that know Claire, she is a piece of work. She is the typical 4th child. Claire is able to smile and melt your heart. Meanwhile she flies completely under the radar to get away with things.

Lately, she has taken to writing me notes. This one she left on my pillow.

In case you need the translation:

Mom 
You love me
You help me
You care for me
You snuggle with me
You make stuff with me
and I just have to say 
I can't stop loving you.

She is a great kid and tells me every night that "I am her best mommy ever."

Jeff saw the note that she wrote me and asked why she didn't write him notes. She responded with...

As I said, she knows how to cover her bases (note no hearts for dad though.)

Lucas's First T-ball Game

Lucas has been asking to play baseball for the last year. He can't wait to play like his big brother. Opening Day finally came. He was lucky enough to get to play on the Giants this year. For the first game, the manager brought eye black - much needed for all T-ballers.

Jeff is one of the coaches.

Lucas and Jared on Opening Day. It is hard to believe that Lucas will be as big as Jared some day.

Lucas loved every moment of it.

Surprisingly, Lucas was one of the most focused kids out there (which for those of you that know Lucas, this is a amazing!)

He grounded the ball a bunch of times and made great contact with the ball. Most of all, he had a great time.

Leah's Baptism

Here is Jeff's letter inviting our friends and family to Leah's baptism along with the pictures from the day...
  

Hi family and friends, 

It's hard to believe, but our beautiful little brunette Leah is turning 8 years old on February 28th! As such, she's old enough to be baptized and confirmed as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The ordinance will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 5th. 

Like her brother Jared before her, Leah is very excited to be baptized. And as I did for him, I'd like to take a minute to brag about what a great person she is... Since she was a little girl, countless numbers of complete strangers have gone out of their way to comment on her gorgeous brown eyes and curls (see picture below); I'm already dreading the attention she'll get in a few years when the boys start noticing. She has a remarkable work ethic - she's always asking what she can do to help around the house, and she completes tasks with an attention to detail far beyond her years. Combine this trait with her love of learning and you have an exceptional student who eagerly does her homework without being asked, and then will often ask for extra schoolwork to do. Like Jared, she loves to read, and she followed his example by setting a goal to read the Book of Mormon (531 pages!) on her own before she turned 8... She finished just a couple of weeks ago. :)

Above all, my favorite thing about Leah is her wonderful ability to make people feel loved. She is always ready with a smile, a hug and kiss, and a sincere "I love you Daddy" that just make the cares of the world melt away - and I see her do the same for others all the time. In that way, she expresses her love for Jesus in the best way possible: by helping others to feel His unconditional love also.

Did I mention that she LOVES to eat vegetables, and in fact we have yet to find a food that she doesn't like? Flaws, you ask? Well, if I'm nitpicking, I suppose she can be just a bit bossy... OK, to be honest, that's actually like saying that Michael Jordan is "just a bit" bald - but we're going to keep her anyway. She's just preparing for her inevitable future role as the ruler of the free world. Hey, anyone who has spent even a little bit of time around Leah definitely wouldn't put it past her. :)

For those of you receiving this email who live long distances away, we understand that you likely won't be able to join us for the baptism, but please know that we miss you and would love to see you if the opportunity arises to take a trip out here. We have six in our house already but there's always room for guests! For the many of you who are not of our faith, we hope you'll feel welcome and comfortable in celebrating this special occasion with us - we'd truly love for you to attend if you're able to do so. 

Love to all!
Jeff, Carli, Jared, Leah, Lucas & Claire

It was a great day. Bobpa and Nonni gave the talks on Baptism and The Gift of the Holy Ghost. Jeff and Jared sang Leah's favorite song, "A Child's Prayer."

Jared's Final Pinewood Derby

We were all set this year. Jared and Jeff built the car in plenty of time. The paint was dry and it was the perfect weight. "Captain Zoom" was ready to take to the track.

Jeff and Jared lubing up the wheels.

Three cars race at a time. Jared is ready to beat his friends (though it is not at all about winning;)

Jared's car is the orange one that is way out in front.

He ending up having the fastest time in his den and was second place in the pack! Jeff is glad to be done for another 5 years!

One of the boys had a car that broke down on the track and was unable to race. He was in one of the younger dens and it caused a lot of tears. On his own, Jared rounded up his friends and had them vote for this boy's car as the "Best in Show". It was the best part of the day. It is moments like this that you think that your kids might actually be okay in life!

Memorial Day Monday at the Beach

The last couple of years we have gone to the beach with our friends, the Stilwills, on Labor Day and Memorial Day. They are the best - they definitely know how to throw a beach BBQ. There is always way too much food and a competitive game of Bocce Ball.

The whole gang digging a hole - the Andersons, Stones and Stilwills.

Lucas's Last Spring Tea

Each year at Lucas's preschool, they have a spring tea. The kids make the bread and shine the silver. They perform their songs that they have practiced the entire year.

There is always a rousing rendition of "Take me out to the Ball Game!"

Jeff and I were sitting waiting for the Tea to start and we noticed a graph of the class's Jelly Bean choices. We couldn't find Lucas's choice.

Then we noticed a small tag at the bottom.

At least he isn't swayed by others.

Playing Hooky!

Somehow we found ourselves kidless for the weekend. We decided to head over to the beach to play with Duke in the waves. Because we adopted him, we had never seen him in the ocean.


They don't call labs water dogs for nothing!

It is Christmas Time!

The Sunday after Christmas we got right to work on putting up the Christmas Tree. The kids love every minute of it.

Thanksgiving at the Beach

Again, this is why we love California. Of course we pay the price for this weather. Every year, we go with my sister's family and my parents to have dinner on the beach and the kids play in the waves. The weather is always amazing on Thanksgiving.



My hunky husband.

Jared and Branden. These two are trouble!

Lucas was afraid of the water last year but this year we couldn't get him out to go to eat dinner.

Leah and Sidney.

Leah loves the camera.

I love to see them laugh together!

Catherine's Wedding

Jeff's cousin Catherine got married the Tuesday before Thanksgiving in the Los Angeles Temple.

Leah and Catherine.

Leah with Brad (the groom).

Leah with Caleb and Noah, Laurel's boys.

Leah and Parker, MaryClaire's son.

Leah and Natalie, MaryClaire's daughter. They hung out and ate cookies together.


After the wedding, Jeff took the family to Tito's Tacos. Bob and Deborah, the Featherstones, the Poelmans and even Stuart and Helen went! The bride and groom didn't make the lunch date.

November Visit to Orange County

Jeff's cousin Catherine got married the Tuesday before Thanksgiving this year in Los Angeles, so he and Leah drove down. The Monday before, they went to visit Joey and Katie. Jude was born the day before so it was perfect timing. Jeff and Joey took the older kids to Chuck E. Cheese and then Jeff headed over to meet little Jude!

Jared and I were a little jealous that we didn't get to go. Jared had play rehearsals and I had to work.

Little baby Jude!