spring is in the air

(Memphis Temple)

Mike and I enjoyed a quick trip to Arkansas to visit his brother Chris and his family.  We had a great time seeing them and their two cute kids.  I was so excited to be able to go to four new states.  Yeah.  It's my goal to make it to all 50 states.  I am to 28 now.  Mike is winning at 38.  Darn.

The yard work has begun.  We spent a few weeks filling our flower beds with around 25 yards of topsoil.  Alex and his friend were great helpers and did most of the work themselves.   Mike figured it out and it was over 20 tons worth of dirt.  Boy did they get a good work out. 

 

 

 

Happy Happy Happy 

 ( I couldn't resist.  It was $10 at Wal-Mart)

 

 

 

 

 

Soccer has begun.  The boys are having so much fun.

 

 

We are still paying Ethan a dollar for every goal (so far that is two).  I missed his first goal and felt bad so I gave him an extra quarter.  Now he has asked that we not watch every time so he makes more money.  He's pretty sneaky.

 

 

Ethan lost his first tooth.  He had Alex tie some floss to it and pull it out.  It was priceless when it came out and Ethan was running around and exclaiming with joy, "I lost my first tooth."  He later commented on how strong Alex is because he was able to break the root and pull it out.  There is never a dull moment with Ethan around.

 

April 12, 2014   
 We enjoyed pizza with Ry.

 

 

So it begins again.  Long story short, Adam was riding his bike and crashed.  He has a broken collarbone.  What's up with our family and collarbones.  This is our 4th now.  I am totally making all the kids drink milk and might consider having them wear a full padded body suit when they ride a bike.   Poor little guy.  He was only able to play one soccer game and is out for the season.  We also have had to postpone his friend birthday party and he is missing out on many other things.  He hasn't been able to use his right hand for two weeks now.  He's getting very good at using his left hand and we are finding different was to entertain a normally very active boy.

 

 

 

April 13, 2014 

Happy 8th b-day Adam

 

 

 

 

Pie fight

 

It looks like Ethan is crying but he is actually laughing so hard.  It was so funny to watch them make a mess of themselves.

 

Happy Easter Ryan.

 We are so thankful that our Savior rose again so that you will some day as well and we can be together forever.

We played the game "Headbands".  Each person asks yes and no questions and then trys to guess what picture in on their headband.

 

 

 

 

Adam is so happy to be a cub scout.  He has asked many times to go back over to his den leaders house to work on scouts.   He doesn't understand why scouts is only once a week.  He's so cute.  He earned his Bobcat award at his first pack meeting just a week and a half after his 8th birthday.  The other day we were at Wal-Mart checking out.  He noticed an old lady behind us and asked if he could help her put her groceries up on the conveyor belt.  I thought it would be hard considering he can only use his left arm but saw the look on his face and couldn't tell him no.  He was so proud to have helped her and later told me he did his good turn for the day.  I was so proud of him.  He is such a special little boy.

 

 

April 26, 2014

A special Day For the Lotts

 

Many tears were shed.  It was so special to see Alex dressed all in white and to know he will be going through the temple soon.  My heart was also full knowing that even though we couldn't see him, we knew Ryan was with us on this special day.  It was also hard taking these family pictures without Ryan.  It didn't seem right but was better when I took his picture off the wall so he could be included. 

Mike ordained Alex to be an Elder.  Afterward Alex baptized Adam and then stood in the circle as Mike confirmed Adam.  It was so sweet that Adam asked Alex to baptize him a few months ago.  Not many big brothers get this special opportunity.  We have asked Ethan if he wants Alex to baptize him.  He did enee menee mynee mo (ok I don't know how to spell it) and Mike won, so he will have Mike baptize him.  He cracks me up.

 

We had wondering how it was going to be baptizing Adam with his broken collar bone.  Alex practiced with him a few times at home.  We were prepared that it might have to be done a few times but Alex did a great job and only had to do it once.  We took his slings off and Adam kept his right arm down and Alex plugged his nose for him.  Alex did tell me later that he had to push Adam's stomach down because he was floating up.  It looked perfect to me.  Mike and my father were the witnesses.  Adam was so happy and later told me he wanted to be baptized again.  Ethan has informed Mike and I that it is a stupid rule that 5 year olds can't be baptized.  We told him he should tell that to Heavenly Father, who I am sure is getting a chuckle out of our little guys frustration.

 

 

Alex leaves in 63 days.  Wow.  That is going by quickly.  I have been busy shopping for clothes and other necessary items and preparing him and our family for this joyous and heartbreaking day.  We are so proud of his worthiness and are excited to see his life and the lives of other's, including our's, change for good.

 

Just a heads up, Alex's farewell will be held on June 29th @ 9am at the Hooper Stake Center.  All are invited to come.