Our special sweater.

Today it was cold enough for TMac to wear our special sweater to church that was made by Tracy's great-grandmother. I love this sweater. I looked up the photos of him wearing it from last Winter but they weren't extremely different enough to post. He's a lot taller and the sweater fits tighter after one whole year though. We had ward conference today so the stake leaders taught Primary instead of the normal teachers but TMac was really good anyways. When I picked him up the lady said that he was so well behaved and reverent and that she wished that all of the kids were that way. I was SO PLEASED. That's what we love to hear. T is a joy and really understands the scripture stories that we read every night. His mind is so fun to work with.

You can tell I am holding the camera out in front of us. I need to wear bangs. I had some cut at my last haircut in December but I am too lazy to style them and they get in my face and bug me. Aaarrgggghhhh. At least Heavenly Father gave me red hair and curls because he knew I'd be lazy in the primping department. :)

Tot the nursery boy.

Tot has been in nursery at church for 3 months now but he hasn't attended much due to being sick and staying home or going but with germs so he stays with me, napping, etc. We had afternoon church last year but this year we have morning so hopefully he will be awake for nursery. He does love it and has no problem going in and staying which is really awesome. We've never had much of a problem with our kids going to other people. I really love the Sister that is the leader right now. She sets up centers, has crafts, etc. It's like a preschool. This boy is growing up on me too!

:(

CTR 5. Why do kids have to grow up so fast?

TMac started his new primary class this year. He is now a big, huge, grown up CTR 5! He has been really enjoying it so far and is especially excited that they combined the 5 and 6 year olds into one class so his older friend N is there and his first "girlfriend" C. She used to come to playgroup before she started 1st grade and they were the cutest couple. During sacrament we sat in front of her family and she drew TMac a picture of a train and gave it to him. He taped it onto the wall above his bed. He is so happy to be back together in a class with her again.

Why does my little man have to grow up? I guess if he didn't I wouldn't be enjoying the things we do now like preschool, soccer, reading books, his help with shopping and grocery shopping and nightly games of Go Fish. Sigh.

TMac's first prayer assignment in Primary.

Doesn't TMac look so grown up in his suit? The whole time we were at church he just seemed so big to me in this serious little suit. I also love Tot's little outfit which will not fit him much longer. Of course, by the time I got back inside the house from taking the picture of TMac in his suit outside, Tracy had Tot completely undressed and then he fell asleep. The photo of Tot was taken a few days later because - yes!, I am that OCD about my pictures. Especially the outfit that he wore that Sunday because it is one of my favorites. The little sandals around his chubby little Flinstone feet are so cute!

These pics are for Sunday the 10th which was the first time that TMac was given a prayer assignment in Primary. They asked us after the first hour and we didn't say yes at first. I wanted to feel TMac out since they usually give advance notice so you can prepare. I went to ask him about if he'd like to do it. He smiled so big and said, "Yeah - that will be so exciting!" I told him that it would be the closing prayer at the very end, that his Dad and I would come in to watch and that I would go up to the podium and help him. He was really happy and excited.

When we went in to the end of Primary TMac was obviously upset sitting in his little chair next to his teacher. He was a little teary eyed so I whispered to him. When he saw me he started full blown crying. We talked to him out in the hall and he was upset because he thought that the Primary leaders forgot about him. I guess he just saw the other kids going up to the podium for different things and was getting more and more upset each child that wasn't him. He assured us that he wasn't upset because he was scared and that he still wanted to say the closing prayer.

A minute later the time came and he and I walked up to the podium. He stood up on the stool, adjusted the microphone very seriously, looked out at the audience and.....started to cry and hid his head! I said the prayer and then escorted a very upset TMac to the back of the room and his Daddy's waiting arms. He said that he got scared at everybodies eyes looking at him but he wasn't scared before that. He said, "Mommy, you were very brave." He is looking forward to getting the chance again. Hmmm....we'll see! I felt bad that I didn't stay in Primary the whole time to help him. I know he gets anxious trying to wait for something and I should have known that would happen or even asked for him to give the opening prayer instead of the closing. I know I can't control everything that will happen in his life but gosh dang I want to! Poor little guy. He's sweet.

Yep - more Sunday cuties!

I've kept my goal so far of taking Sunday pictures of the boys every week. We did miss one Sunday this month because of illness but it was on Stake conference Sunday so thankfully TMac didn't have to miss his primary class. TMac's sweater is special. It was Tracy's sweater when he was a little boy that his Great-Grandmother Petra handmade for him. I've been waiting for the weather to be cooler to let TMac wear it because I think it is made of wool yarn so it is really warm. I did have to put Tot's pants back on for the photo shoot because by the time I got in the house from the van after church of course Tracy was already undressing him!

More pics of my handsome Sunday boys.

I love dressing the boys up in their Sunday outfits. Thanks to all of my sisters and family giving us all of their boy clothes I have plenty of outfits to choose from. TMac used to be so excited by the camera - just like Tot is now. Tot just smiles and laughs when he sees the "silver box". But TMac is a different story. He used to take photos so easily and now I have to cajole him as you can see by the top photo. He loves to hold his brother so I can at least get that as a good shot. I am so happy with the cold weather right now because I have been waiting for it to be cold enough for Tot to wear this powder blue teddy bear outfit. I haven't gotten a good shot of the blue ears on top of the hat yet though. I love this outfit! It covers him head to toe and has the cutest hand mittens built in and a little bear to play with and stick in the pocket. It is super soft so he got lots of massages from everyone at church. I bought it at Old Navy ($4 marked down from $30!) last Spring when I was pregnant with him and now it is finally cold enough for him to wear it. Such handsome boys. I'm not at all biased!

My best boys dressed in their Sunday best.

This year I want to take a photo every Sunday after church of the boys all dressed up so handsome. I just have to keep Tracy from undressing them before I can get pictures! I tried last year but missed the Sundays when we took separate cars because I'd get home and all the males in my home would be stripped and eating chips and salsa in no time flat. Imagine a pit crew - clothes flying and chips everywhere!