Sunday Shots

I tried to take some pictures before church but it is pretty much impossible to get everyone to cooperate and smile at the same time!  I saw a commercial on TV for a photo editing program that puts an invisible square around each person's head.  Then you can take several pictures and swap in the heads from one picture to another until you get everyone smiling.  We really need to get that program!  Maybe that is why we take so many silly pictures -- then the kids can do whatever they want and it doesn't matter.  But then they don't know how to stop being silly when I want them to smile!

More Baptism Pictures

Janelle's Thoughts on her Baptism

Janelle was SO excited for her baptism today.  She has been looking forward to getting baptized for years!  This morning she was saying, "It is finally here, I am getting baptized TODAY!"  She couldn't have been more thrilled.  When we got home, Janelle's Grandma typed up some of Janelle's thoughts.  I thought they were so sweet that I decided to include them below.  (It also helps me know where we need to clear up a little doctrine!) 

Janelle’s Feelings About Her Baptism

I feel really special because of course my mother and dad let me get baptized and because I chose to get baptized.  I feel really good because I feel warm because I promised Heavenly Father special things when I got baptized and when I received the Holy Ghost.  I promised Him to be a good example, and I am.  Of course I am really nice, and I am sometimes tender to people.  I treat people like I should be treated, treating them like I want to play with them, and I always smile at people.

When my sins got washed away I felt really good inside.  When I got all the way down it was a little cold but when I just stepped in the water then it felt warm.  I wasn’t scared because I knew Heavenly Father would protect me, and He did.  

I felt really good because I chose to be baptized and my dad baptized me.  Only dads have the priesthood.  Some boys are not old enough, but they will probably get it when they are about eighteen.  Girls don’t have the priesthood because they have the power to have babies.  My family taught me this.  I felt really special because I knew that Heavenly Father and Jesus and my family would protect me from Satan.  I know when you turn eight he can hurt your feet and Jesus can crush his head. 

Probably about 19 or 20 (people) came to my baptism.   Grandma Jensen and Gerilyn and Grandma and Grandpa Westra came from far away.  I felt really special that they came from far away for my baptism.  It was so special that they would choose to do that.

Baptism Pictures

We made it to the Stake Center on time in spite of a few shoe problems this morning. Jaiden let Jenna wander around outside with no shoes on making her only decent pair of tights wet and dirty.  Then I couldn't find Janelle or Jenna's black Sunday shoes anywhere!  I was frantically searching through closets and underneath beds.  Josh's shoes broke last week and I bought some new ones the same size but when I tried them on this morning they didn't fit.   So we were scrambling and had to make-do with their summer sandals.

But everything went smoothly for the baptism.  I was so impressed that Janelle's first and second grade teachers took the time out of their busy schedules to come to her baptism.  Janelle friend Boots and the Purdys came too.  We were also happy to have some of the Deaf Branch members come to support her.  I love baptisms -- the spirit is always so strong and each and every one.  I remember that from my mission.  No matter what the circumstance, the spirit was always there.

We did a last minute musical number with all of the kids singing and signing "I Like to Look For Rainbows" and it was really sweet.  Janelle received such a beautiful blessing for her confirmation.  She really is a special little girl.  We felt really lucky that Grandma and Grandpa Westra could travel down for her baptism as well as Grandma Jensen and Gerilyn.  After the baptism we came home and had a delicious early Thanksgiving feast!  Janelle was excited to receive her own set of nice scriptures from Grandma Jensen with her name on them.  We enjoyed relaxing the rest of the day!

Halloween Party and Trick-or-Treating

Rick and I are EFY counselors -- we have to use those shirts for something, right?  Janelle changed from Dalmatian to Nerd at the last minute after spilling her entire bowl of soup down her costume.  Jase put together a weak attempt as a Hobo.  Janika wore her Dorothy costume again, minus the red ruby slippers that were now too small.  Jaiden was a woodland fairy, Josh was a pirate, Jenna was a tiger, and Jared...who knows?   I pretty much leave the older kids on their own for costumes.  We have at least six huge tubs filled with costumes since the kids love to play dress up so much (I would say just the younger kids but Jani and her friends have been known to pull them out every once in awhile too).  But even with all of the available costumes, half the kids just throw some make-shift costume together with whatever they happen to find in their closet.

Janelle, Jaiden, and Josh went to a party at the girls' dance studio this afternoon.  Then we all went to the ward Halloween party and trunk-or-treat.  Then I took all of the kids trick-or-treating.  I was going to bring Jenna too but apparently she was satisfied with her stash of candy and she stayed home with Daddy.  Janika helped me bring the kids trick-or-treating and then went to a party with her friends.

I am glad Halloween is over.  We don't really get into the whole spooky, gory holiday like some do.  This morning we were watching home videos as the kids got ready for church.  It was Christmas time with the childrens' eyes lit up with excitement.  Lights twinkled and Christmas music filled the air.  As we watched the video Janelle sighed, "I just love Christmas!  It is just so -- Holy!  Everyone is happy and smiling and laughing and being nice to one another."  I found myself a little nostalgic watching the Christmas video as well.  I reminded her that we should be that way all year round but yes, Janelle, I love Christmas too.

Halloween Parade

 Josh and Jenna getting ready to watch the school parade (this pirate doesn't seem too excited).

 There's Janelle -- the cute little Dalmatian...

... and Jaiden, the woodland fairy. Jared hid when I tried to take his picture so he isn't here.

 Josh, Jenna and I got to help with Jaiden's party after the parade.  But we were too busy heading up Halloween Bingo to get many pictures.

Janika's Fine Arts Concert

I went to Janika's Middle School Fine Art's Concert.  Janika performed with her social dance class doing the tango and with her theatre class doing the skeleton dance!