Grant grows up

I've taken a picture from each year of my life and put them here. I am eleven now.

2006

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2016

2017

by Grant

Fast and Furious

Yes, the boys are 8 and that means....

Pinewood Derby!

First a little pre-race discussion to decide whose car looks the fastest.

They both chose pretty standard shapes but very different color schemes. Cole went with an America flag theme and Grant wanted gold, lightning, and flames.

After what seemed like hours to a bunch of 8-year-olds it was time to race. Grant won this heat easily.

Cole took first in this one.

In fact, both boys won three of their four races. In their only head-to-head match-up the boys took second and third behind the overall fastest car of the day, a silver wedge by their friend Aaron.

The final results mirrored that race, Cole took second and Grant took third overall.

A Day to be Remembered

“And again I say unto you, ye must

repent, and be baptized in my name,

and become as a little child, or ye can

in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.”

3 Nephi 11:38

Back to School

Yes, the boys are heading off to their first day of second grade.

Don't they look excited?

But first, a little backpack battle.

Take that!

And that!

Now it's time for some serious pictures.

No, I said "Serious"...

Close, but that's not quite it.

There's a little enthusiasm but it's still not what I'm looking for.

No, that's not right, either.

Almost...

Finally, some friends to calm things down and share the walk to school.

The Big 4 (and 40)

This was a big year for both Bryn and Mom.  She turned 4 (which was HUGE in her eyes) and I turned 40 - exactly one week from each other.  We each got to have a date with dad, although one of us dressed herself to the nines and even brought her purse.  I'm not even sure if I have a purse.  Well, that is one happy little girl, and one really cool dad.

Gap-Toothed Grin

Nearly nine months after his twin brother lost his first tooth, Cole has finally done it.

I never saw a boy so happy to have a mouth full of blood.

She's Our Sunbeam, Too

Today was Bryn's first day in the "big kid" Primary at church. She was a little shy at first and needed Mom's support.

Dad needed some support, too, but I had to be satisfied with taking surveillance photos through the window. Bryn eventually came around, let Mom go and sat on her teacher's lap for a while, then in her own chair.

By the end, she was excited to find mom to show her the picture she colored and tell her about her first day in the Sunbeam class.

Our Baby is 3 Today!

But as her brothers like to remind her several times a day, she will never catch up to them, and they will always be older AND bigger.  (But a little sister can dream, and even wish - while she blows out candles.)

Feeling all special while being sung to.

Munching cake with her best buddy from a few houses down.

Best of all, it was a day full of princessy goodness.

And as far as we know, all her dreams came true and she will be living happily ever after. 

The boys, hiding from all the new girl toys.

Cruisin' Crunchers

Warning! The following boys are growing up fast.

And those biking jerseys are only making them faster.

Almost makes you want to be five again.

Milestones: Our First ER Visit

In what is sure to be a repeat performance, Cole got his first visit to the emergency room today. After a long day of playing in the mud and other activities, Ma decided that the boys needed a bath. After Cole got out he wanted to sit on the "Big Boy Potty" but he didn't stay there for long. He got up and slipped on the wet tile, falling and catching a small ledge below the sink with his head. Gotta love those head wounds for producing spectacular flows of blood. This picture was taken after we cleaned him up a little. At the hospital he got two staples and didn't appreciate them one bit. That one's worth viewing at full size. Fortunately our hospital has a pediatric ER and they are well stocked with popsicles; Grant even got one. And finally, the reason Cole has vowed to return often, the nurse gave him a "beanie" frog named Smoochy. Next time he's going for the stuffed moose.