A birthday and visitors

Gabe wanted to try rock climbing for his birthday party this year. He took a few friends and went to an indoor rock climbing gym and had a blast trying it out for the first time.
My mom, step-dad, grandma, and grandpa made the long drive and came to visit, play, and celebrate Gabe getting the Aaronic Priesthood. Mike gave him a wonderful blessing, saying that as a deacon he would have the opportunity to help others feel the sacredness of the sacrament. I think it is amazing what we ask our young 12 year-old boys to do and become.Gabe is an amazing young man who is growing up too fast. I just feel very blessed to be his mom and be a part of it all. Not only is he super smart, a leader, and willing to try new things, but he loves the Savior and wants to be like Him and he tries to live like that. Happy Birthday, Gabe!

Our hot new chicks

Monday night we became the proud family of 12 four day-old chicks. What started as maybe 3-4 laying hens somehow escalated into 12 unsexed chicks when we visited this nice families farm with more chicks than they knew what to do with. And they were just so darn cute.

This is Saturn named by Andrew for her rings.

Gabe is so gentle and can't wait to play with them with them when he gets home from school.They sleep huddled up in a ball, each trying to get under all the others.Some of the other names are Chewbacca and Yoda. As you can see, we have become Star War fans, at least of the Lego variety.

Mike has named them all chicken tenders or chicken stew, but as you can see he really loves them, too.