Thobe's Baptism and Our Family Visit

June has been a wonderful month for our family. At the beginning of June, my sister Kristi and her family came to visit us. We have had such a wonderful time with them. I have loved being able to spend so much time with my sister and her family, and our kids have relished every minute that they've spent together. She has some pretty incredible kids. I love them all so much!

On June 14th, Alden and Thobe finished school. They were happy to be done, and I was too. I feel bad that I never was able to get fully organized with school this year. I hope that next year will be better.

The week the boys finished school, Michael went to Mexico City on business, and the next week, Alden went to basketball camp in Toledo and spent the week with Grandpa and Abuelita. He was sad to leave his cousins but had a great time with his grandparents. While he was gone, the rest of my family arrived. Laura and Israel and their new baby Learsia came to our house on Tuesday. I was so excited to meet my newest niece. She is so adorable! My brother-in-law, Doug, my brother John, his wife Lindsay, and their two kids, Joseph and Kaili, arrived on Wednesday, and that evening my mom and sister Diane arrived with Diane and Doug's kids, Davin, James, Bridger, Joshua, and Airika. They drove here and were happy to be done with the car. We were happy for them to be here. Early the next morning, my dad and sister Emily arrived on a red-eye flight. When Alden got home from basketball camp, everyone started chanting his name. He felt like a happy superstar who was completely surrounded with the love of his family. On Thursday afternoon, my sister Amy and her husband Jeremy arrived from Oklahoma. It was so wonderful having everyone there.

Prior to everyone's arrival, we bought a play structure on Craigslist and paid someone to put it together for us. In the process he broke his thumb and was unable to complete the job. Fortunately, John and Doug were here, and with the help of my dad, Israel and Jeremy, they replaced some bad wood and rebuilt us an awesome playstructure. The kids had such a wonderful time playing on that thing.

On Sunday, we went to Toledo for Thobe's baptism. We scheduled it in Toledo with the hope that Michael's great grandmother would be able to come. Unfortunately, she fell and broke her hip earlier that week, so she wasn't able to be there. We had so many people that were there though. We loved seeing so many people that are dear to us and appreciated everyone's efforts to be there.

Thobe's baptism was wonderful. I am so proud of my sweet boy. I love him so much. I created a video for him. The link is as follows:

Thobe's baptism video

After the baptism, Amy and Jeremy drove home, and little by little, everyone else left. The boys loved having all their cousins with them to go to their cub scout day camp.

When most of my family was gone, Michelle and Eric came and stayed with us for a few days. We had so much fun with them too.

How grateful I am for family! I love them all so very much!!!! Thank you everyone for coming and being with us. We love you!