Kaden's Perfect Day!

There are few days that actually qualify to be called "perfect"...

This was one of them for our family!

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Kaden had a wonderful Baptism

surrounded by family and friends who love him

who came to show their love and support of his decision.

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Here's a look at his darling invitations... I loved how they turned out!

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He and his Daddy looked so handsome all dressed in white together!

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The men who stood in the Priesthood Circle to help confirm him...

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What an awesome group of incredible guys!

(Back Row: (Left to Right)- Dear Friend/Home Teacher Ross Schofield, Daddy Matt, Grandpa Joe Cotton, "Uncle Pete" Ron Kaas

Front Row: (Left to Right)- Kade's Idol Greg Schofield, Cousin Jeff Bench, Man of the Hour Kaden Staker, Grandpa Larry Staker, Cousin Kelly Kaas

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Kaden with "honorary" big sister, Alli...

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And favorite Babysitter, Cassie...

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And here's a peek at my latest "little project"...
A couple of weeks ago, I was looking around for a Baptism Book for him.

I couldn't find one I "loved" anywhere, so I decided to make one for him.

An afternoon Photo Session and a couple of sleepless weeks later... wah-lah!

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It has been so fun to do and I hope it will be a treasured keepsake from his momentous day!

I am so grateful for everyone who helped and offered input!
Thanks to all the Grandmas and Grandpas who took time to send their kind words and testimonies for Kaden. And thanks to my friends who shared their ideas... I knew what I "wanted" to do and had my outline, rough draft and most of the photos done, but it was nice to have input before I finalized my layout and designs! So a special thanks to Shannon Taylor and Gretchen Knell, both friends who's Baptism Books I borrowed, and Heather Gibb, a fellow-photographer (who collaborated on Gretchen's book), who I borrowed a couple "shot ideas" from at the last minute! They were the perfect finishing touch! Thanks, Ladies! I loved your creativity and it sure helped to inspire mine!
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Thanks so much to everyone who came to share this special day with Kaden and our family...

We are so proud of you Kaden!
You are an incredible young man... We love you and are so happy you made this great decision.
We loved sharing your "perfect" day with you!

Awfully far from home, ain't ya, Bambi?

Imagine my surprise when I looked out our back window
and found THIS face staring back at me!
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Silly, I KNOW, but I grabbed for my camera and yelled for the boys to come see... Quick!

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It's not evra dayee that us city kidz see wahld critterz a-wanderin' though our yard
a-munchin' on our them-thar bushes-a-owrz!
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We live a good several miles from the eastside foothills where they usually frequent, after all.
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So we had a few magical minutes watching them, watching us!
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And pardon my non-deer-saavy- lingo, but there were 2 young bucks
hanging out up on our back rock-wall... (Look close!)
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Note the big 5-pointed horns/antlers on the far right, in the shade... he was the "look-out", I think.
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I jokingly told Kaden to go get his new cross-bow and we'd eat this guy for dinner...
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You should have seen his face... I thought he was going to cry!
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(Yeah... we're a bunch of softies... NOT a drop of Hunter-blood amongst us!)
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This little fawn wandered and galloped all over the place! Soooo cute!
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Trevan wanted to go out and pet it!
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And didn't understand why it ran away when he climbed into the window to get a closer look... City Slickers! I guess they have a few things to learn! :)

Happy, Happy Birthday, Cheryl Dear...

One of my favorite people in all the world had her Birthday last week...

We neighbor girls finally found a night when we could take her out to celebrate for a belated Birthday Dinner.

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PF Changs... always a treat!

And despite our onery waiter (seriously, sooooo rude!), we managed to have a fun Girl's Night out!

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So Happy, Birthday Cheryl!

You know I love you to pieces... you are truly one one of the most sincere and genuine people I know. Such a wonderful friend to everyone.

I am blessed to have your friendship and influence in my life. I can always count on you!

...Not to mention, you $ave me thousands in therapy!

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AND you love treats as much as me!

(Yeah... it's all about that Great Wall of Chocolate! Mmmm!)

Ummm... ooops!

Anyone having a bad day?.

Yeah, I guess it could be worse... THIS could be your house and car!

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I drove by this mess on my way out and about this morning... glad it's not anyone I know!

Still, sooo SAD!

Sweltering...

I am currently grateful for 2 things...

(Everything else I am pretty sure I could live without!)

1- The modern miracle of air-conditioning...

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And 2- The wonderful man who is going to show up sometime tomorrow to fix ours!

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(Seriously, it's the end of July, people... It's 100 degrees outside!

And do I need to remind you that I am 7 months pregnant?

NOT a good time to come home from vacation and find the AC out!)

Supersonic loves my children...

It is safe to assume I will be taking a trip to the Carwash tomorrow...

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and this is after just ONE Chip!

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Who knew you could make this much of a mess with one Chocolate Chip Cookie!

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And who thought digging the cherries out of the cooler was a good idea?

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Cherries!?

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Oh the joys of a Road Trip with kids!

For the record, I have forbidden my boys to even look at food while in the car until they are at least 12...

Relaxing Day at the Pool?

...Yep!

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One of the things we adore about our Little D is how happy and uber-easy-going he is...

Seriously, he is soooo chill!

We can go anywhere and do anything and he is just thrilled to be along for the ride!

(Really, how many kids do you know that fall asleep IN the pool?)

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And I love that he is still clutching the little goggle strap that Matt tied on for him to play with!

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What a sweetie!

Having a Ball...

Well, it was $1.00 well-spent!

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Dayne had a "ball" playing with this Beach Ball at the pool!

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He about wore me out chasing him around!

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(Just don't mind the sicko shots of me in my swimsuit... Sorry, but I was there, after all!)

Happy Pioneer Day!

So we spent Pioneer Day in St. George

(Where, apparently, they don't believe in doing fireworks... what?

We looked! There were NONE going on, anywhere!)

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with sick kids...

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(Well, okay, let's be accurate... A sick kid...

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and another who wanted to be sick to make sure he got his fair share of attention!)

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who laid on the couch all day watching movies...

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So... What to do... Hmmm...

For lack of a better idea, we had French Toast in the shape of Utah for Breakfast!

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No one tell my boys how truly LAME this was... They LOVED it!

And Kaden actually ate for the first time in days!:)

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So, Happy Birthday, Utah! (Well, sort of, I guess!)

At any rate, how grateful we are for the Pioneers...

I, for one, could NOT have done it!

Big Sunday for our Handsome Little Men...

Kaden had his Baptism Interview this morning with our beloved Bishop...

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(Quick sidenote: We just adore the Durrant family... They have been our "across-the-street-neighbors"

since just after Kade was born until we moved into this house, so now they are just around the corner.

Matt & I have often joked that we want to be "Devin & Julie" when we grow up.

I have also been able to teach all 3 of their oldest daughters in YW, and even though they are all grown up now, we still keep in touch and I just love them to pieces!

They are a wonderful family that we hope to emulate and we are grateful to have such an incredible, loving Bishop, who we also consider a good friend!)

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Kaden's visit with Bishop Durrant went well...

He looked so handsome and grown up! He was so excited to wear his new suit and take his new scriptures along. He wasn't nervous at all until a few minutes into the conversation when a question stumped him for a second, but he recovered well and went on to say some wonderful and insightful things that I can't wait to record in the special Baptism Book I am working on for him.

He never ceases to amaze me! What a great kid!

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Trevan gave a talk in Primary about Missionary Work...

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(He wanted to wear a suit, like Kaden, so I quickly rounded up one that Kaden has outgrown and wah-lah... It was a perfect fit! He looked just like a Missionary! We even found a "Future Missionary Tag" for him at the store the other day to complete his "ensemble". )

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He did such a great job giving his talk!

What a pro! He had been practicing all week, so he said all of the words clearly as Daddy whispered them in his ear, and was so proud of himself when he was done.

Mmmmm... Mmmm... Mmmm.... I just love that huge handsome grin!

Awwww... Now if that's not "Brotherly Love"...

...There's just "no-buddy" like a brother!

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(Especially when you need a pillow on the long drive home, after a fun evening at the Park!)

Picnic at the Park...

Our big boys were too busy playing "Guardians of the Trees"

(and I never found the energy to climb up and join them to take photos...

I know... Fat, lazy prego-slug that I am!),

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but Daddy & D had a good time feeding the very spoiled, un-intimidated ducks & geese

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at the Sugarhouse Park Pond...

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(er.. is it Swamp?!)

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We haven't been there for years,

(Matt & I think the last time we went there was for fireworks

one of the years clear back when we were dating!),

but if you can bear the murky water and digusting sidewalk-o-landmines,

(...Seriously, shouldn't that be a violation of some City Health Code?),

it's worth the trip!