Joseph

 So, in the last post I mentioned that Joseph was trying out for the football team.  . . .he didn't make it, but there were 100 kids trying out for 30 spots, so he didn't feel too bad about that.  One of his friends that tried out had been playing for 7 years and didn't make it. . . . sports are just really competitive here.  I think he will make the jazz band though.  That's what he's trying out for next.  I talked to the band teacher at the open house last Thursday and he said that Joseph plays beautifully and sounded really positive about it.  I'm sure there won't be 100 kids trying out for trumpet in the jazz band though ;)  I just wanted to post several pictures through the last year of Joseph.  Since this is my scrapbook . . . . . The above picture is at Joseph's ordination to the priesthood when he turned 12.  I know very dignified.  Justin bought him a new suit and it was huge!! but there wasn't time to return it and get a normal size, so he just wore it huge for a few months, and now 10 months later it fits him perfectly.  Don't worry, I've already claimed the rights to take John when he gets his new suit.

 This is a picture of Joseph's first temple trip in Dec. 2011.  It was our ward temple day and Justin and I were both able to go.  We did a babysitting swap with some other families.  It was so neat to see him get baptized for the first time.

 These are the cupcakes from his birthday last year.  They played lots of fun games in the gym at the church.  It was such an easy party to plan which was great!

 Our family + Janae and Tyson and family + Mom and dad Rowberry at Joseph's ordination.

 Poison Ivy on the face.  Joseph got poison ivy 3 times this summer.  Twice on the face.  Ouch!  I still haven't managed to ever get it.  He pretty much always comes home with it after a boy scout hike.

Here he is playing around with a lobster that I cooked.  It was one of our funnest meals this summer. the girls especially had a fun time playinng with the lobsters before I threw them in the pot.  Ity was delicious!

6th grade graduation

Joseph graduated from 6th grade last spring.  It was pretty crazy.  He was asked to speak at the assembly and didn't tell me or Justin until the night before.  I was panicked thinking he hadn't prepared anything, but luckily he had and it was delivered nicely.  He also insisted on wearing a suit.  He looked pretty snazzy.  John was the only drummer playing pomp and circumstance in the 5th grade band while the kids walked in.  He did really well and didn't miss a beat.  

I can't believe I have a middle schooler now.   So far it's fun.  Football tryouts are tomorrow and I really hope Joseph is able to get on the team, though I'm a little doubtful.  There are only 30 spots and 100 people are trying out.  Joey has a great attitude though, and he's prepared to give it his best.  Keep your fingers crossed! 

                                            Jordan, Joseph and Max at the brunch after graduation.

                                                Kids getting up to recieve their awards.

 Robert, Max, Nick, Joey, and John the first few weeks of summer, just before our landlord made us take down the trampoline.  It's been really rough finding fun things to do outside without the tramp, but we're figuring it out.  We recently made a cool skateboard swing that has gotten a lot of use.

                                             Kyra, Samantha, and Kate on the slip n slide.

Can't believe summer is already over and fall is almost here.

The Hill Cumourah Pageant

Here are a few pictures from our family trip to Palmyra this summer.  We went up Friday night, pitched a tent in the dark and spent Saturday and Sunday visiting church history sites and playing.  When we woke up Saturday morning, we realized there was a lake at the campsite and canoes and kayaks we could use.  I hadn't really realized this so only about half of us had swimming suits.  Regardless, we jumped in fully dressed.  The lake was very rocky and the missionaries that ran the park urged us all to wear our shoes in as well so we wouldn't cut our feet.  So most of us had soggy shoes too.  After the kayaking, we cooked our lunch over a fire in searing heat and put on dry clothes. 

We headed out to see the church history sites and ran into Jay and Janece Woods from Basin City at the sacred grove.  After the sites, we grabbed a picnic dinner and went to the hill cumourah pageant.  Surprizingly, Justin's cousins were in the pageant and we had a nice little visit with them and got to see them perform.  It was really good.  After the pageant, it was another late night getting to the tent in the dark and falling right to sleep.  It rained during the night, but our tent kept us relatively dry with only a few leaks.  It dried up just long enough for us to make breakfast in the morning and then the rain began to fall again.  It was really discouraging to try and get all the kids showered and dressed in their church clothes with all of the dirty mud and rain.  I was about ready just to give up and stay in the tent until the rain stopped.  There was thunder and lightening and it was really pouring.  A few minutes in the rain would completely drench us.  Justin found some plastic to use as an umbrella and escorted us all to the van.  I was pretty self concious going to church as we were all a little dirty and smelly and I had accidentally left my church shoes at home and had to wear my stinky, drippy tennis shoes from the lake the day before.  By the time we were all in the car, we were about 20 minutes late for church.  I was feeling pretty embarrassed, but as we walked into the chapel, my feelings completely changed.  The chapel was brimming and the curtains had been opened spilling out into the gym.  IT looked like stake conference there were so many people.  Some were dressed perfectly for Sunday, and others like me, were wearing tennis shoes, or shorts or jeans.  It was really a beautiful sight to see so many people reagardless of their circumstances or dress gathering to worship Jesus Christ.  It really humbled me and reminded me that the Lord looketh on the heart and not at our outward appearance and that he wants us to come to Him even if we aren't perfect.  IT was really the most spiritual part of my weekend. 

After church we went to the David Whitmer farm and saw the Steele's from Mt. Home ID.  THey were volunteering there for 2 weeks.  It was great to talk with them about all the people from our old ward in ID.  after that we struck camp and headed back home.  It was a great weekend.