The CoLoR RuN

A big group of LeBaron family members signed up for The Color Run 5K (the morning of Gavin's baptism) and invited anyone that wanted to participate to join them.  I knew it was something I could easily do, so Matt and I signed up as well.  I was a little apprehensive about what exactly was going to be happening, but in the end, I really enjoyed it!  Volunteers have bottles of colored cornstarch that they squeeze at you along the course, each station a different color.  You kind of just hold your breath as you run through the fog!  Matt and I started off together but I ended up finishing before him.

Pre-race, all clean

 Finish line!!  Can you tell Matt was a little sweaty???!

I used this for my Saturday morning training run.  It wasn't chip timed (I ran it in 27:46 according to my watch), but it was SO fun and I would totally do it again!!

Gavin's baptism day

What a special day for Gavin!  He was beyond excited to be able to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

Since Matt is a member of the bishopric, he got to do Gavin's baptismal interview.  Matt said it was such a special experience and the Spirit was felt strongly.  From Matthew:  It was such a wonderful experience interviewing Gavin for baptism.  As we sat down he said a prayer and we went over the basic principles of the gospel.  Not only was he a smarty pants and knew the principles of the gospel but you could see his spirit shining through.  When I asked him if he believed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was the true church he said, "Yes."  I then asked him if he believed Jesus Christ was his savior and he said, "Yes."  When I asked him if he believed President Thomas S. Monson was a prophet of God his eyes welled up a bit and he said, "Yes."  I asked him how he knew that and he said, "When we went to conference and he walked in the room I wanted to go shake his hand."  I then asked what made him want to shake his hand and he said as he began crying and threw himself into my arms, "Because I knew he was a prophet of God!"  He had felt the spirit before, but he had never been overwhelmed like that with the spirit.  I explained to him that sometimes the spirit fills us up so much that happy tears come out.  This was one of my favorite experiences being a father.

We had lots of family and friends join us for the occasion!

The Hamiltons

Grandpa & Grandma Hamilton

Great Grandma Hamilton

Great Grandma LeBaron

Grandma & Grandpa Palmer

Great Grandma & Grandpa Palmer

His smile~ pure joy!!!  Can't wait to be baptized!

Gavin with Daddy, dressed in their white clothes

Aunt Debbie

Aunt Candy, Uncle David and Dustin Hamilton

Gavin got a few gift for his baptism~ 

A picture of Christ from Grandma LeBaron

Little hymn book with his name on it from Grandma & Grandpa Palmer

 A mission fund piggy bank from the Yost family.  

He promptly put nearly all his dollar bills inside and even got a few donations!

And scriptures from Mom & Dad!

I just want to include a record of the program so we remember who participated:

Grandma Hamilton led the music, Trish Anderson (ward friend) played the piano.
Opening song was I Am A Child of God, opening prayer was given by Aunt Jen Hilton.
Aunt Kristin Palmer gave the talk on baptism, Matt baptized Gavin, with grandpas as witnesses.
Gavin, his siblings and cousins sang To Bring the World His Truth, Aunt Melissa McCoy gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.  Matt confirmed Gavin.
Closing song was When I Am Baptized, closing prayer was given by Aunt Becky Yost.

I had Gavin write his testimony down- "I know the church is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet.  The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was restored by Joseph Smith and there is one little thing I want to tell you.  Every single one of us can be baptized.  We are all children of God.  We are very special to God."

Little notecards were passed around at the baptism for everyone to write a note to Gavin.  Here's what I wrote- "I am so very happy that you chose to be baptized, just like our Savior, Jesus Christ was a long ime ago.  I hope you always remember this special day and how you felt.  Remember to be a good example to your friends and brothers and sister.  Always choose the right!!  I love you so very much, Gavin!!"

~~~~

We had professional pictures taken of Gavin (by the same lady that took B&B's) in his suit.  I love how handsome my boys look with a fresh haircut, in a suit and tie!

Gavin's 8th Birthday

On Monday, our sweet Gavi-boy had a very special birthday!  He turned 8 years old!!  He has been anticipating this birthday for awhile, because he has been dying to be baptized and start cub scouts!

A fun birthday tradition is that I give the option of bringing lunch from a favorite place to school OR we can go out for lunch.  This year, Gavin chose to go to out to lunch at Chick-fil-a.  He also invited Grandpa Hamilton to join us, since he works in the neighborhood right across the street from us!

He asked for chicken lasagna roll ups for dinner, so that's what you see here, all over his face.  Ha! 

Mula from Great Grandma Hamilton!

Pokemon DS games are always a hit!

This silly kid asked for Airheads for his birthday so when I saw
this huge box at Target, I couldn't resist!!

Minecraft Legos!!

His own iPod!!!!! 

{The above picture reminded me of this picture from when Gavin was 3.5 yrs old.
He has always loved music and now he can listen to his own tunes!}

Gavin is not a lover of frosting, but he asked for a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for his birthday.  I tried a new, from scratch recipe, after scouring long and hard for the perfect one.  This was THE best chocolate cake!!  And ginormous!!!  Kinda reminded everyone of the chocolate cake from Matilda!

Gavin got to attend cub scouts today for the first time!!  He was bouncing around from the time he got home from school, hardly able to wait until it was time to go!

Gavin has such the sweetest disposition.  He is also very sensitive and can have his feelings upset easily.  He is a very smart boy.  He has yet to miss ONE word on a spelling test EVER!!  He is also in the gifted program at school.  His teacher frequently sends me emails, letting me know how well he listens and follows directions in class.  Gavin LOVES apples and will eat one or two a day!  Gavin also loved to read.  He is slowly tackling the Harry Potter series, even though he's only in second grade!  He still sleeps with his "QQ" (Precious Moments) blanket that Great Grandma Adams made for him when he was a baby.  I love the sprinkle of freckles across his nose and cheeks.  I love his curly hair and his "squirl" in the front of his hair.  He always reminds our hair girl not to cut it off when she cuts his hair. ;)   He has a testimony of the gospel.  He shares it often and gets emotional doing so.

We love you SO much, Gavin West!  Happy Birthday!!!

A New Sport for Blake

Blake has been begging and begging and BEGGING to play basketball on a team, but since we live out of the city limits and don't have our own recreation department, I haven't been able to find a league for him to join.  Finally, I stumbled upon one that practices and has games very nearby!  Blake was overjoyed when I told him I signed him up for basketball!

I was pretty nervous at first, since this was his first real experience playing basketball, and age 11, I was sure all the other kids on his team would be miles ahead of him in skill.  Thankfully, he got put with an amazing and patient coach!!  Blake is the smallest on the team and the only blonde. ;)

First game day!

Blake doesn't actually handle the ball very much, but I don't think he would care if he EVER touched the ball, he just loves being there, playing!  We found that basketball is a much better fit for him because of the constant motion.  It is so fun to watch him running up and down the court with his teammates!

Blake is #10 - Go Cobras!!

He has the ball!!!

Grandma & Grandpa Palmer came to cheer him on!

I'm glad he's getting the opportunity to try it out and see if it's his "thing."  We're hoping that this may be something he can continue with and will definitely play with this league again!