Cameron's Birthday and Baptism

When we were living in AZ, we were actually going to travel to MD to celebrate Cameron's 8th Birthday and Cameron was going to be baptized in MD, so we could be closer to cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. It's funny how things work out, though. We're now living here, so there was no traveling required.

Cameron was able to be baptized and have cousins, aunts, uncles, and both sets of grandparents there with him! What a wonderful day it was!

I cannot believe that eight years have gone by. Cameron is loving, full of life, super fun to be with, makes friends quickly, and the list goes on. Cameron is the child that makes the party come to life. There is NEVER a dull moment with Cameron. Cameron we all LOVE you and we are SO glad you are a part of our family!

Cameron also loves the gospel. He's super smart when it comes to remembering things he's learned in church, family home evening, and family scripture study. We are happy that he made the choice to be baptized.

First Day of School and Mike's Birthday!

I'm really late in posting this, because I've been very busy.......I was going to post things to my blog when things calmed down a bit. I put it off, got all my Christmas shopping done, mailed all my Christmas cards and thought....wow....I have almost everything done...maybe I'll have time to post to my blog. Then guess what? Shortly before Christmas, I got called to be Primary President. We have about 110 children in our Primary and I have an awesome Presidency. Needless to say, I've had a few things to do. Now, I feel like things are settling down a bit.

So.....back on August 31st, the boys had their first day of school here! Cameron is in 2nd grade, Zachary in 4th, and Joshua is in 7th. School here is VERY different from what they were used to in Arizona. I am happy to report, several months later, however, that they have adjusted VERY well! They are all in gifted (two years ahead here for everything gifted!) and they are making good friends!

Since Mike's birthday was on the first day of school, I decided to make a school bus cake!

We managed to fit 39 candles on the cake! ...(and we didn't burn down the house!)

A few of us...there were more, but I didn't get many pictures.

Wedding!

The oldest boy cousins on the Schoeny side (missing the 5 youngest).

All the girl cousins on the Schoeny side (they're outnumbered)!




Madeline climbing the steps at the Washington D.C. Temple. She's been talking about and planning her wedding, wedding dress, etc. every since this:) I guess we have a few years to plan:))

My brother, Joseph, got married to Alyssa this past summer. It was a beautiful wedding. It poured the entire weekend, but it turned to a mist outdoors while we got these and more pictures. I'm glad they got some pictures in front of the temple!







Us!


Chocolate Bars



Refreshing!



Madeline and Trevor dancing.


Trevor was a good sport for about an hour of Madeline dragging him around!





Luncheon.

Owen in his little tux!

Cousins.

Enjoying some sparkling punch.

Orioles game!

The kids all got free tickets to the Orioles game for reading this past summer.

We used them in August.

They had a blast with their cousins who also got free 'library' tickets.

Makena and Madeline enjoyed cheering.

I'm not sure if Madeline knew what she was cheering for,

but she enjoyed it anyway.

Scout Camp

Joshua had a great time at Scout Camp this year. They were able to have camp on the Bay, so they had classes like water skiing, boating, and other great water sports.

Joshua got to climb daily!

Joshua said the food was great!

Polar Bear Swim early in the morning, only Joshua said it was pretty hot, so he wouldn't call it a Polar Bear Swim.

More boating!

Exhausted after a week of adventure!

All City Swim Meet

We have been so busy lately, that it's hard for me to keep up with blogging much about all that's going on. I'm a little late in posting these pictures, but the boys did really well in their All City Swim Meet. They all placed in several events swimming against the whole city!!! Perhaps part of it is all that swimming they did while living in AZ. Above is Cameron starting one of his events (black and orange suit).


Joshua starting one of his events (black and orange suit).

Friend, William, Zachary, and cousin, Tyler.

Madeline wanted her picture taken with Cameron's purple ribbon!

Zachary with his 2nd place medal in All City!

Cousin Makena and Cameron before competing.

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Joshua with one of his 3rd place All City Medals!

Cameron, Joshua, and Zachary with their medals and ribbons! They tried their best, had a blast, and did great! What a fun day it was!

Happy Birthday Zachary!

OK, so I'm a little late in posting this, but Zachary turned 10 on July 30th! Whoo Hoo! He really wanted to have his party at his Uncle David and Aunt Joni's house.

He got some great gifts!

.....more gifts....



For some reason, Zachary picked out a giant bird as his pinata. We think it was a Parrot, but we weren't exactly sure. Whatever it was, the kids had a grand time hitting it and finally Cameron broke it and the kids got all the candy!!! I think some adults got candy too, I guess they thought they were some of the kids....don't know.

I made a bunch of pan pizza's from scratch (took me a whole day) a few days before the party, froze them, and reheated them on the grill. They actually turned out really well! They were some of the best pan pizza's I've ever tasted.

Some of the kids enjoying a pizza break.

More kids eating pizza. YUM!

WAR! Zachary wanted to have a war for his party. All I have to say is the kids had a great war. My brother has a pretty large and secluded yard, so yelling, screaming, squirting, running, acting like crazy people, and whatever else suits your fancy works in his yard. I don't know his neighbors either, so that's a PLUS!!!

More squirting and running around getting dirty. What a great party for mostly boys.

We are so so so glad that Zachary is a part of our family. Zachary's the one who tends to remain calm, cool, and collected, under times of stress. Zachary is the child with the good head on his shoulders. He's the kid that you go to when you need good advice, when you need a true friend. Zachary is the middle boy, the peacemaker, the child that puts you in your place when you're being irrational. He's the child that see's the true potential in everyone. Happy 10th Birthday Zachary! We love you! What would we ever do without you!?