September 2024

 The Fogle kids came for a visit!! By this time, our dear friends the Fogles had moved to West Virginia, and then Lauren and Dallin got divorced. For this particular trip, Dallin was bringing the kids back to Idaho for a family reunion, and we got to hang out with the kids most of the day while he worked. It was so great to see all of them again and I couldn't believe how tall everyone had gotten! 

Gwen and Lindy participated in a kid's craft fair at the Village! It was cool seeing them put themselves out there like I have on ocassion at craft fairs. I think their eyes were opened and they learned lots of things; for instance, you have to put yourself out there and talk to everyone that comes by, and you have to price things at a place where people are willing to pay it. It was hot and sweaty and lots of work, and a good learning experience. 

One of the mom's at co-op offered to take school pictures of all the kids for the yearbook. I know I'm biased, but c'mon, look at those beauties! 

Other September notables! Football games for Miles, ice cream triple dates with friends, co-op and ward activities. :) 

Benson Turns 8 and gets Baptized!

This cutie pie turned 8! It's a big deal! We were lucky enough that his birthday/baptism coincided with a trip that Ross and Amanda were taking around that time anyway! So Ian and Makenna made the trek up here too and it was like a mini Garner reunion! Before the other Garner kids got here, we took the James kids to an arcade type place to celebrate and got ice cream. :) When the other Garner kids got here, we also had lots of fun at Grandma and Grandpa's pond and fire pit! We did the #8 punch board to try and teach him about the promises he makes at baptism. I also loved getting to take him to buy his own set of scriptures. It was so cool to see how decisive he is. I'd give him a couple of options for colors, fonts, cases etc. and he would immediately know which one he wanted. 

We felt really lucky that Grandpa Crosby drove 10 hours up to Nampa for the baptism! We tried to soap up time with him as best as we could. He showed Benson where to put his hands for when he got dunked and made sure he brought up the traditional white embroidered towel Grandma Crosby has made before she passed away. 

We had to get special permission from the stake to have Benson's baptism outside of the regularly schedules stake baptism days. It was a little tough, but I'm so glad it worked. It was so nice to have it be just our family! Benson asked Grandpa Crosby on baptism and me to speak on the Holy Ghost. I asked Jenn to get on Grandma's computer in SG and send me some of her saved talks :) So I was able to borrow lot of my talk from things Grandma had already said, and it felt special to include her in that way. Benson also asked Ross and Grandpa Garner to sing his favorite primary song, "I will be what I believe". Ross and Grandpa sang the verses and everyone joined in on the chorus. Aunt Adrienne sent up a super soft blanket to help Benson remember the feeling of the Holy Ghost and he loved/loves it! Grandma and Grandpa Garner went right into food mode when we got home, prepping an absolutely delicious waffle bar for everyone to enjoy. It was all so lovely! 
 

Here are some of the awesome pictures my friend Whitney took for Benson's baptism. During the session, he kept smiling with his eyes basically closed. I was really having to work hard to get him to smile normally. I was worried we'd get any decent ones! But when they came back, there were so many great options of our adorable Benson!