Birthday dinner

Christina Marriott, Heather Clark, Angela Jensen, Mandy Ricks, me, Marisa Neyenhuis

My favorite thing that I try to do every year is go to PF Chang's with my girls friends for my birthday.  I love to get as many entree's as we can and all share.  It makes me so so happy.  Happy enough to take pictures of the food.  I like my girl friends too (but I see them more than once a year).  This year December was just too busy so we went mid-January.  We decided to go early so we could get home early.  WE got there at 5:00 and left at 11:00 oops.  I was SOOOO tired.  I drove with someone or I would have left.  I enjoyed staying and chatting by 11:00 is way past my bed time these days. 

Taking Noah to the temple

The week that Noah was ordained we took him to the Denver temple.  We asked Noah if he wanted it to just be the three of us or if he wanted Brock to go.  It shouldn't have surprised us that Noah wanted Brock to go.  Noah had been doing family history for the last 2 or 3 months before he went to the temple.  Nothing huge - mostly just figuring out family search.  We went to our local family history library a few Sunday afternoons and he really enjoyed that.  He had about 8 or so names for all of us to do at the temple.  He has a goal of going twice a month.   

Here is a picture when we came out - the lights came on - so we took another picture.

It was one of the best days that I hope to always remember.  It didn't start out great.  Right before the temple Noah and I got in a fight about screen time and he said he didn't want to go to the temple that day.  I didn't want to "force him" to go, I wanted it to be for him - but this was literally while we were out the door, Jason was meeting us there from work, and I already found a babysitter (which wasn't easy that time of day).  I was frustrated and so was he.  He decided he did want to go - but things were tense on the way to the temple.  I was feeling sad for him that this was going to be  his first experience.  But as soon as we walked onto the ground I guess we all just forgot about it.  Noah was adorable in the temple.  Here is a text I text our family afterwards:

"We took Noah to the temple for the first time yesterday.  Jason baptized all of us.  Noah was adorable.  Have you seen Noah when he is really excited to do something? He is practically laughing and smiling so big and shaking his hands? (he has done it since he was 18 months) Well, he was doing that the whole time while watching Brock being baptized while waiting to be next.  He has been finding names for all of us the last 3 weeks.  He had names from Debby's side and Brock and I had names from the Barker side.  It was a great night."

Family comes

Dane's face explains our excitement for our family being able to come for Noah's ordination.  January is a hard time to travel to Denver and both sets of grandparents had a lot of other things going on so we were so grateful when they were both able to make it out for the same weekend.  They were both only in town for Saturday and Sunday so we had to pack a lot of "special time" into a short time - but I think we did it pretty well.  This is going to be out of order - but it would take more time then I have to put it in order.

On Saturday afternoon both Brock and Noah had a Young Men's basketball game.  I was proud of Noah for wanting to play.  As he says ,"sports are not my thing" - but when he is out there doing it he really enjoys it and has a big smile on his face... for the first 10 minutes anyways.  

We ate a lot of food.  We made a big brunch on Saturday morning and then again on Sunday.  Debby helped out so much in the kitchen - she always comes ready with ideas about what to make and is ready to help make it!

In fact she taught my kids how to make a scrambled egg in the microwave and they have been doing it daily ever since.

We played several board games and card games.

Saturday morning Brock had a basektball game.  So we all went to that!

On Saturday afternoon my parents to the older kids bowling and then (not pictured) Jason and I went out to dinner with them Saturday  night at Texas Roadhouse for our birthdays.  My parents left Sunday afternoon and Debby and Randy stayed until Monday - so we were able to have some alone time with them Sunday evening.  

Noah's ordination

Noah was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday, January 12th.  Both of his grandparents were able to be there.  He was very excited.  One year ago when we got the announcement the 11 year olds would be ordained in their 12th year I was nervous about Brock - but felt like the announcement was inspired and Brock would rise to the position.  But I said, "There is no way Noah will be ready for the priesthood or to go to the temple in one year!"  Boy did he prove me wrong.  I think he was more ready, prepared, and excited then Brock was.  Heavenly Father really knows what he is doing and these kids are ready for more gospel knowledge and responsibility then we know.  I am so glad Heavenly Father knows them better then we do!

Before the blessing: (most of these pictures are from my father-in-law)

After the blessing:

The men who ordained him

Brett Scott, Randy Herbert, Jason Herbert (who ordained him), John Ricks, Joe Hanna.  Brock did not stand in the circle - but got in the picture :)

Our newest Deacon!  

Here is is getting ready to pass the sacrament for the first time.  This is only half of our deacons!  They had to split into 2 quorums this year.

Back Row: Emerson Clark, Brock and Noah, Penn Smith, Evan Roper

Front Row: Riley West, Dayton Ahlstrom, Cameron Neyenhuis, Shea Jensen, Boston Wauddoups

Noah likes to look really nice for church.  He needed a new suit (first suit that wasn't a hand-me-down).  He wanted a blue, 3 piece suit.  We fought for a while about the color of belt and shoes.  I insisted that they be brown while he insisted they be black.  In the end I let him win becasue he decided to just buy a black suit if i was going to force the brown.  So I backed down.  Regardless, he looks so handsome and I love that he likes to dress so fancy.

These 2 deacons make me so happy! (funny to think a year ago at Brock's ordination Noah was taller than Brock!)  I am so glad they will get to be together for a whole year.  Brock has done a great job welcoming Noah and watching out for him.  When the bishopric decided to split the deacons quorum they asked us if we wanted the boys in separate quorums or in the same quorum.  I talked to each of the boys separately and asked what they wanted.  I was so overcome with joy when they both responded that they wanted to be in the same quorum - even if that meant not being with their best friend (which is what ended up happening).  They were both sad - but said it was ok becasue they are with each other. 

And some family pictures: