Knob Hill

Anthony has had some fun with his new camera on Boy Scout camp outs.   He also has a fun time with Bradley and the guys.  This first picture turned out so cool.  Anthony edited in a cool sky, but other than that, the lighting is just from the fire. It's pretty cool to not have to pack up lights and stands just to get a few cool pictures.

It was pretty cold so the boys just huddled around the fire for most of the night.

 That's a handsome young man!

 The boys found fun things to burn and melt. It made for a cool picture.

 Hash brown time! 

 Time for a hike. 

 If you look up close, you can see the boys at the very top.  Bradley came home pretty tired.

 This is a great group of boys and they have a lot of fun together. They will have many great camp outs for years to come. 

Lucky Number 7

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure being Conley's mom isn't just a dream.  He is just the best ever.  And, he has turned SEVEN! This was the first year Conley didn't have a party and I think he was okay with it. Other birthday traditions such as picking dinner, candles on your breakfast, cake, presents, singing, etc, that's all this handsome boy needed. 

He picked sloppy joe's for dinner.

 I love the look in his eyes.

These candles were the BEST.  Most trick candles last for 60 seconds or so. These were like 3 or 4 minutes.  It was pretty fun.

He just loved the candles! 

Presents!!!  I just love his expressions as he opens gifts. He is always so excited and grateful. I love this guy.

On Sunday, we enjoyed this yummy carrot cake that Abuela brought over. It was delicious!  

Conley was so cute waiting and waiting and waiting for us to sing to him.  What was he waiting for? 

He was waiting for Uncle Loren to finish his story already!

Ahhh, finally, time to sing.  

Conley does NOT like being the center of attention.  He does this cute thing with his mouth/jaw so as to keep the smile at bay.  You can see it in this video.  I just love it.

Uncle Loren wanted the first bite. Happy birthday Conley! 

Bathroom Make-Over

I have been wanting to paint our downstairs bathroom for awhile now.  It is always hard for me to start a large project when anything else that takes time needs to be done first.  But, today I put everything else on hold and found the time to get it done. It took from the minute the big kids left for school until the minute they returned. Jamison was home from school sick so she was able to crash on the couch and watch movies and the boys were content to hang out with her so I didn't get interrupted too much.  Her being sick was a blessing in disguise.  

Here are a few pictures of how it turned out.  I just love it and wish I had painted it years ago.  I didn't get any before shots, but just think white, white, white and you'll get the idea.  

When we first moved into our home it was all red, brown, orange, yellow and white.  There was so much to re-paint.  I love that it's almost done.  Only a few spaces remain.

Priesthood

Bradley has had a busy few weeks.  He has . . . 

- graduated from Primary

- received the Aaronic Priesthood 

- started going to Mutual

- passed the sacrament for the first time

- been to the temple to do baptisms

- taught his first lesson in the Deacon's Quorum

- collected fast offerings

 He is paving the way for three more handsome Vidal boys to do the same.  Bradley is the best big brother.  His brothers love him very much. 

We all do. 

 Even the girls.

Thanks for being awesome Bradley. 

Twelve!?

How is it possible that this boy is 12!?

He had a GREAT birthday.  We started the celebration on Saturday night before his bday with a game night with a few of his friends from school.

30$?  Yahoo!

Awesome!  

Noah busting out the chords.  That's Bradley's friend Marcus on the guitar.  Marcus has been Bradley's best friend since Kindergarten.  He is such a sweet boy.  

A little Ticket to Ride action.  

Look who came over?  Crystal where have you been?  We have missed you so much.  She had a blast as you can see.  Crystal is always the life of the party! 

On Sunday we had a cookie cake for Bradley over at Loren's house during Sunday dinner.  

On his actual birthday Bradley's Abuelo brought over a yummy cake for Bradley.  Thanks Abuelo!  It was delicious.

After dinner, I took Bradley to his FIRST mutual (Young Men) activity.  It was so much fun.  It was a joint activity (Young Men and Young Women) and everyone was so glad Bradley had a b-day because it meant cake for all! 

After mutual I took Bradley to Yogurt land.  He's such a fun date.  I'm sure this boy won't always want to spend his bday with his mom, but I'll keep enjoying it while it lasts.  

On the Sunday after his birthday, Bradley was presented to our ward and sustained to be ordained as a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood.  Bradley was ordained a Deacon by his father on 1/10/16.

 Thanks for coming Eric, Uncle Loren and Uncle Sam.  It's nice to have the support from these men in our lives.  They are good people.  

 Bradley is such an awesome boy.  I don't know if anyone loves him more than I do. I have enjoyed every aspect of being his mom.  My Uncle Bob said it best, "Parents love their oldest different than subsequent children. Not more, just different."  I just love that.  There is something different about my relationship with Bradley than my relationship with the other 5 kids.  I love this boy.  

Primary Graduate

Bradley entered the Primary program as an 18-month-old toddler.  He has enjoyed his years in Primary so much.  He's had amazing teachers that have helped supplement the gospel learning we teach in our home.  He has been a good example to others in Primary and has made a lot of friends.  

Bradley turns 12 in 2 days and will graduate from Primary into the Young Men program.  He is excited.  I am excited.  He has had a wonderful time in Primary and I am so proud of the young man he has become.  He is smart and polite and I think he is going to make a great addition to the Young Men in our ward.  

Bradley gave his last talk in Primary today.  It was a bittersweet moment.  He has given a lot of talks in Primary and has always done such an outstanding job.  I think he has a great knack for public speaking.  He is never nervous and does a great job memorizing.  

Here is Bradley's first talk in Primary as a 4-year-old Sunbeam.  

Here is Bradley, today, 8 years later, giving his last Primary talk.  

I have enjoyed being Bradley's mom for the last 12 years.  He is a good son.  He navigates the waters as the first child and does an amazing job at anything that is thrown his way.