Aaron's blessing

It was really important to me that Rebecca could be at Aaron's blessing.  Neil and I talked about several options of where and when to bless him.  We finally decided to bless him in Idaho at Karan's ward building after church on Sunday, August 7th.  My Mom and Dad were willing to bring Rebecca with them. Ben and Dawn also drove up from Utah.  My parents and Ben and Dawn share an anniversary.  Thanks for taking time to drive to Idaho on your anniversary.  It was Rebecca's first time to see Aaron.

We planned to bless Aaron at 12:15ish after church got out.  At about 11:00 the power went out in the building and church was excused.  Luckily, Ben and Dawn had just gotten there and my parents weren't far behind them.  We were able to do the blessing in a semi-dark Relief Society room earlier than planned and have more time to visit after.

Neil gave Aaron a beautiful blessing of health, and a desire to follow the Lord.  He was told of our our Savior's love for him and our love and gratitude for his health.  Aaron was good all through the blessing.

We had a luncheon after at Karan's house.  We had food leftover from the Hibbert Reunion that Janet graciously let us have.

We enjoyed visiting with family members and taking pictures.  It was a beautiful day!

Rebecca and Aaron

The Waite kids minus Bethany and Julia

Ben and Dawn with Aaron

Grandpa and Grandma Sharp with Aaron

Neil, Karan and Jim with Aaron

One month old

Aaron is one month old!  It has been a great month. He is a content and peaceful baby.  He has no lack of people around here you want to hold him.  You usually have to take a number and wait your turn.  He is growing.  He weighed 8 and a half pounds a few weeks ago.  He has already gone on his first road trip and been camping.  We are grateful for this sweet boy!

Hibbert Reunion 2016

Back in January we planned to attend the Hibbert Reunion in August.  We didn't know that Aaron was going to be nine days late or I might not have planned to go.  I always enjoy being with the Hibbert family so I am glad we went even though Aaron was pretty little to take to a reunion.

We left Powell on Thursday afternoon to drive to Rexburg.  Aaron traveled really well.  We got to Rexburg in time for dinner.  We enjoyed seeing so many family members.  Camping that night was a little chilly and maybe I shouldn't have had Aaron out there.

Friday morning I decided to take a shower while Neil helped the kids get breakfast.  Bad idea!  When I turned on the shower the faucet handle flew out of the wall and across the shower.  I tried to screw it back into the hole, but that did no good.  I really wanted to just walk away and act like I hadn't been going to take a shower. Thankfully I still had my clothes on and I left the bathroom to go and get Neil to help.  By now the bathroom was flooding and it was creating quite a stir.  It ended up that we couldn't do anything about it. We were without water until about 3:00 in the afternoon when a plumber could come.

After the shower adventure Neil took some of the kids and went on a tour of some of the family historical sites in the area.  They also went and saw some elk on a elk farm.  The kids enjoyed spending Friday with other kids playing and making friends.  Aaron was a popular little guy that lots of people wanted to hold.

Saturday morning we cleaned up camp and headed up to Karan and Jim's house to stay.  It was great to have a real shower that didn't explode when I used it.

It was a great time spent with family.  I am grateful for family and their love and example.

The kids playing games with Aunt Janet

Cousin photo time

Hibbert Family picture
We are the family in red shirts

Karan's family who were at the reunion

A family bike ride

Neil has been wanting to take the kids up to the bench and let them bike back down with him.  It is a pretty straight road and all down hill.  There isn't too much traffic on that road in the evening. Some of the kids weren't very excited to go do it, but they had fun once they got started.  Matthew was working at the fair and didn't get to come with us. MaryAnne did have a minor crash before they even got started, but that was the only mishap.  Aaron and I dropped everyone off with their bikes and then drove down the road a few miles to pick them up.  We only had to wait for them for about 5 minutes.  Aaron did really well while waiting.  It was his first time in his carseat. Emma and David enjoyed the bike ride so much that they rode the rest of the way home together.  Thanks Neil, for planning a fun family activity.

Getting the bikes out and ready to go

All our daring bikers

Lydia and Joshua get the easy ride down the hill

Aaron waiting for the bikers to come down the hill

MaryAnne finishing the ride

Emma and David finishing

Neil and the bike cart kids finishing the ride

Dallin finishing the ride

Getting a ride in the trailer