zach’s special weekend…

** I know that many (most) of you visit my blog for scrapbooking and paper crafting ideas and inspiration. This year, I am hoping to be better about recording our “everyday” family events on my blog. I’ll still be sharing loads and loads of paper crafting and scrapbooking projects, but it will all be mixed together…I hope you enjoy reading about our family life – but if you don’t…feel free to skip over these posts and enjoy the scrapbooking posts! As always, if you ever have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment here. Happy New Year, friends! **

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Our little “new years baby” had a birthday last week – his 8th birthday!  He woke up early on the morning of his special day – ready to open his presents…he was excited even though he had picked them all out and knew exactly what he was getting. 

We spent the day hanging out together since the kids were still all home for Christmas break.  Brad had to work, but he did come home for lunch and surprised Zach with one gift he didn’t know about:

When the boys decided they wanted their own rooms last spring, Zach knew he wouldn’t have a tv in his room (there is one in the room they had been sharing).  He was okay with that, and just watched movies on his ipod when he wanted to watch something in his room.  Brad decided he wanted to surprise Zach with a tv for his bedroom….and Zach was thrilled!

He chose to eat at Dairy Keen (we always let the kids choose what or where they want to eat on their birthday).  Grandma Jill came up from St. George and arrived just in time to go out to dinner with us.  We had a family birthday party later in the evening – grandparents, and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins to celebrate with! Of course, there was cake involved. Zach chose a minion “beach party” cake from the bakery…and oreo ice cream.  He blew out his “8” candle and made a wish…which may or may not have been for ‘one thousand dollars.’  He wouldn’t tell us his wish, because he is smart and knows if he tells us then it won’t come true.

The next morning we woke up bright and early to get ready for Zach’s baptism.  (For any of you who were not aware, we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -  you can read more about our beliefs and baptism HERE.)  He was so excited for this special day – in fact, on Friday night, he told me multiple times, “I just can’t wait, mom!”  It was a beautiful day and we were so happy for Zach.

 

Something else that made this day so special was that his cousin, Bailey, was baptized the very same day – an hour before Zach!  We were easily able to attend both baptisms since we all live in the same Stake!  We are so glad Rustin and Karli moved back to Heber last year!  After the baptisms, we all gathered at Rustin’s house for a yummy lunch – it was a wonderful day to spend with these two sweet little kiddos!

It was a great beginning to a brand new year!!