Little Ethan Flashback

Wow! Remember when there was only ONE cute little grandbaby? I do. I loved that little Ethan so much! A few random things I remember about him...He was a sweaty baby. I would hold him for a few minutes while he slept in my arms and when I'd lay him down we were both pretty wet. He liked movement to sooth himself. I remember putting him in his car seat at the house on 7th street and then putting the car seat on top of the dryer to get him to settle down and fall asleep. I remember the day he was born (I was late to my senior trip because of it) :) It was the most incredible, beautiful thing I'd ever witnessed. He was such a sweet baby! I was such a pround auntie. Its amazing that this little guy is now SO BIG! He is such a good kid and as far as being the oldest grandchild, he's perfect for the job!

Jonas just looked at this picture and said, "Hey mom! That's Gavin! That's my cousin Gavin!"

Remember how excited we were to watch Ethan sit at the piano, he would get this look of pure bliss when he could make that sound with just the touch of the finger. He also, of course, loved flipping the pages of the music until he found just what he wanted to "play."

Woa, Sean looks so little in this one...now I know what people meant when they called him baby faced.

OK, at this point he wasn't the only grandchild, but I couldn't resist posting these pictures, he is too funny and cute!

I love this one! He's modeling my veil, and I must say, he looks beautiful. ;o)

I'm not sure what's in his mouth, but that face is priceless.

And one of my personal favorites...

Flashback: Richy and the Mission

I have all these pictures of Richy going on his mission and thought they'd make a good flashback. I'll be writing random memories of this time too. Please add your own!

Mom and Richy at the MTC, I remember Mom being so proud and happy having her final boy going on a mission. You guys really made her proud!

Heather, the tease. It wasn't bad enough that she broke Richy's heart by marrying Sean. She had to follow him to the MTC and try to kiss him. Sheesh! ;o)

I think that that kiss was better than Richy expected, he tried to make a break for it! Sean didn't want the competition.

At the airport. I don't remember if Grandma was sick already at this time. She was obviously well enough to be there. I'm pretty sure she was still working at the Temple, so I guess she was doing OK.

Again with the kissing! I wonder what he did in Germany! ;o) Doesn't Grandma look so cute and happy!

Before Rich left on his mission, I remember feeling like he was not very nice. He was always so concerned with hanging with his friends...as you can see, he had a lot of them!

Random memories of his time in Germany:

• getting lectured about steady dating
• getting called to repentance about reading the Book of Mormon-hey! I read everyday!
• feeling livid at the choice of my high school musical senior year
• wishing Richy could be there to see me perform
• crying and crying about not getting Region Sterling Scholar and getting Richy's letters of condolences
• 7Dave starting to date Adrienne... weird!
• Grandpa Dalton dying
  
• 7Dave marrying Adrienne... even weirder... but WAY awesome!
  
• breaking up with Van and getting "I told you so" letters
• the birth of our first nephew, the cutest baby I'd ever seen, Ethan
• redecorating the living room right before he got home
• anxiously awaiting his return

The day finally came and we went to pick him up. I'm so glad that all my brothers missions were before the crummy airport security stuff. I remember many walks along those corridors with my favorite roaming companion, Heather.

And the rest is history! We love Richy!

Flashback Friday

I am starting a new tradition on this family blog: Flashback Friday. The concept is simple, on Friday you do a post about the past. I have been coming across some real gems in my unpacking, but this one may just take the cake. Feel free to join me with your own memories. So with no further adieu, I give you...

April Fool's Day 2000

Remember how weird Richy was sleeping on the floor all the time? It made for lots of room to tie his room up though!

And who could possibly forget Dennis' true passion? "Thanks for being such a good fan, Den. Its fans like you that make it all worth it!"

Hopefully you can see the humor in the prank now (if you even check this thing). Heaven knows it was HILARIOUS! Thanks Heather and Sean for the idea and thanks to everyone else for making such a fantastic memory!