Ben's Baptism

Saturday was a big day for the Shurtleff family. Benjamin decided he wanted to be baptized and that he wanted his daddy to do it! I can not describe in words what it means to have your son tell you that he wants to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Saturday was spent together as a family. We played Christmas music, watched a show together and mommy made stew and cookies. Spending that time together allowed for a special spirit to exist in our home and helped set the mood for that night.
The baptism started at 5pm with a primary president telling a few things about each child getting baptised. Here's what was said about Ben:

Favorite primary song: He died that we might live again
Favorite scripture story: Lehi's dream
Favorite temple: Montevideo Uruguay Temple
Wants to be when he grows up: Astronaut
Siblings: 2 brothers, of course.

(The brother conducting said that he has never had an 8 year old who knew as much as Ben and that the fact that he said the Montevideo temple shocked him. He said he served there on his mission...small world, huh!)

Kent gave a short but very good talk on the Holy Ghost. Of course he got emotional (I barely held it together just listening to him) and then it was time to perform the baptisms. Ben went first and it was overwhelming to watch as Sam knelt right near the glass as his daddy lowered Ben into the water. Tears formed in my eyes as I watched my oldest make such important covenants with his Heavenly Father. We then went into another room where Kent, my brothers and Gpa Coleman performed the confirmation. It was a wonderful night however we missed the presence of all of Kent's family. What a comfort this gospel brings that even though we are so far apart at this time we can and will be together for eternity. What a sweet peace that brings to my soul!

Chubba Chubba

Coleman in his favorite spot...the swing. It'll be a sad day when he outgrows this!!

Rollie Pollie legs...gotta love em!

Drool bug. Coleman is so much like Ben at this age. I can't keep a shirt dry on this boy...it's straight drool all day! And may I ask - who can not fall in love with this face!!!

So Coley will be 4 months next week, can you believe it? He is such a sweet baby and has both Mommy and Daddy wrapped around his little chubby fingers! The last time we checked his weight he was at 17 pounds. Needless to say, he is hungry so much that we had to add formula to my nursing him! He probably eats about 8 oz at each sitting. He's wearing 6-12 month clothes and gives Ben a run for his money at this age!
He hasn't mastered the art of sleeping through the night yet but hopefully that will change next week when he starts getting rice. Can you believe it? 4 months and on rice...

Ben's Birthday Celebrations

Ben decided to have his birthday party at the bowling alley this year. It's becoming the place for birthday parties for him it seems. What fun he had with his friends! It was great to watch them make gutter ball after gutter ball but have the best time doing it! I can't believe he's getting so big...

Ben and Maddie's bday party

Happy Birthday Ben!!
With all the family in town we (Courtney and I) decided to throw the kids an early birthday party. Ben turns 8 on Monday and Maddie turns 3 on Tuesday. Ben was a good sport when asked to share a birthday party with his girlie girl cousin (he didn't even complain when he found out the cake was gonna be Dora). I think the fact that he was gonna get a load of gifts eased the pain...

He scored with a new pair of shoes, legos, a movie and gift cards. Can you say spoiled...

Thanksgiving Day

This Thanksgiving was a first for me. We had it at my house with all the family here. I cooked my first pumpkin pies and even more impressive is the fact that I did my first turkey! And it was good! I had visions of the turkey from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation but it all turned out good.

The boys had a great day playing with their cousins. There were 10 kids along with 12 adults all under the same roof so it was a little chaotic at times. But what a better way to spend the holiday...surrounded by family!

Ben's pre birthday party...

Friday the 13th they celebrated November birthdays in Ben's classroom. Cupcakes, candy, drinks and games (just like I remember from my younger years!) were the order of the party. Ben's teacher is about 4 weeks from having a baby - I don't know how she does this everyday. Those kids, even before the sugar rush, were maniacs!

Happy almost birthday Benjamin!!

Ben's bowling league

This winter we signed Ben up for a kids bowling league. Non competitive of course! I think I laughed at Kent when he said he'd signed him up for it. The image that went through my mind was of those pro bowlers you see on tv. You know the ones. Their names are usually something like Buck or Chip. They've got dunlops disease (that term is used to describe someone who's belly has done lopped over their belt!) and they're farming an unattractive mustache...

After getting over that image I went to one of Ben's "games" last week. Let me tell you it was hilarious. You've got a whole bowling alley full of 6 - 10 year olds who can't throw a bowling ball to save their life but they're having the time of their lives. Ben loves it and that's what it's all about right?? Even if he does decide to go pro...