Baby pics

I will add commentary soon... But for now, Eliza April Ferguson born Thursday Aug. 19th at 5:31 pm. 9 hours of labor, 3 minutes of pushing. Seven lbs. 4 oz. Twenty and 1/2 inches long. Healthy and WONDERFUL little baby girl. I feel like it's Christmas every time I look at her :). Labor went alright but had to endure 3 days of a spinal headache and get an extra epidural with a blood patch on Sat. Things have been getting better ever since! I love this baby! (And you already know how much I love my boys).

Isaac Turns 8, His Reflections on Baptism

What did you do to prepare to be baptized? “I thought about the Book of Mormon when we read it together as a family and if I would like to be baptized and I thought yes. As a family we talked about baptism. At night my Mom and Dad would let me ask my questions about baptism and we discuss them. I met with the Bishop and it was very fun. He said they expected a lot from me. He asked if I believed in Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon and Jesus. I said yes I do.”

Did you go anywhere special before your baptism? “Yes I did. I went to a Mexican Restaurant with my Mom and Dad. We dressed like church. I ate a fajita and it was delicious. Afterwards we went to a trail and my Mom and Dad gave me my scriptures and they rock. We talked about my life- when I was in heaven, when I went through the veil, and then you would get baptized, then get the Aaronic priesthood, the Melchizedek priesthood, go on a mission and go to the temple. We went to a trail because we pretended like it was the good straight trail and the woods were Satan. I felt normal but cool.”

What did you wear when you were baptized? “I wore a white jumpsuit and I had to inside out my underwear so they were white. I wore all white because it’s good, kinda spiritual, like Jesus."

What did you think of the talks at your baptism? “They were good. My Grandpa Ferguson talked about a milestone in my life. My Grandma Vinton talked about a comforter like Bluey.”

At what time during your baptism did you feel the Holy Ghost? “When me and Daddy were getting ready for the baptism. (When they were alone in the dressing room before going into the water.) When I was baptized I felt normal like I was getting into a swimming pool. I felt the Sprit very very very strong when I was getting the gift of the Holy Ghost. I knew it was the Holy Ghost because I had never felt it that strong in my life before.”

What did you do after your baptism? “We went to Mamafloni’s and it was really like a restaurant. The food was great. I loved it.” (Mamafloni’s is a pretend restaurant put on by Mom and Dad).

Did getting baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost make you act any different? “Yeah, when I got out I felt like I needed to read the scriptures a lot and it really changed my life.”

What happened the next day, Sunday? “The Bishop called me up and I got my own Book of Mormon and there was a note in it saying that they really liked me and that note was his testimony. That night I read a lot of scriptures. My brothers asked me to play the wii that morning and I told them no, it’s Sunday and we’re not allowed to play video games on Sunday and then they said okay. At church I helped Mason be reverent and it was the best Sunday of his life. He listened to the talks and I read him some scriptures and he was really quiet and really good. He’s always been a good little brother.”

From Isaac’s journal entries:
Aug. 7th before being baptized: “Today I am getting BAPTISED. My grandma and grandpa Vinton our here and grandma and granpa Ferguson are Here!! :)

Aug. 15th one week after his baptism: “I was Baptised all my granma and granmas came when I was baptized. I was SOAEKED!!!!!! The water was warm it felt good. I felt good and I thought about it to. When I was baptized I Felt the spirit. And I prayed. And it changed my hole life :).

Memorial Day Weekend in Nauvoo

I'm slow to post. I know Memorial Weekend was quite a while ago but hey, it's turning out that that's my style.

My parents are serving a 6 month mission in Nauvoo, IL and loving it. I was happy when they went because Nauvoo is 4 1/2 hours from here versus the 9 hour drive to Colorado. So we decided we'd head out and see them and enjoy Nauvoo for the weekend. It was super fun, even though Mason, Isaac, and Dave were all real sick. Thank goodness for pain relievers and fever reducers! And thank goodness my parents didn't catch it.

Elder Vinton and a couple boys before the wagon ride.

A pretty scenic view from the wagon.

Ethan showing some brotherly love during a hat and flag parade.

Having a good time!

Sister Vinton helping Mason along in the parade on stage.

Dave with the kids clinging to him after an evening performance. Love that picture. And Isaac at the Gun Shop checking out the machine gun.

Sister and Elder Vinton giving tours at the Gun Shop.

Dave and the kids making a rope! And Dave and Ethan taking a stroll.

Taking an evening stroll down to the Mississippi River before another evening show. Silly E.

Ethan holding a baby turtle we found. Grandpa and the boys throwing rocks.

Isaac glowing in the sunset. The Nauvoo Temple from the Trail of Tears.

Grandpa and Grandma spending quality time with the kids.

Grandpa and Mason at Pioneer Times. And Ethan participating in a children's performance.

Mason wearing a pioneer outfit that he LOVED and wanted to take home. Dave playing pioneer games.

The famous stick pull. Winner pulls against Daddy!

Grandma doing her job.

We had such a fun time and when Isaac just walked by as I was posting this he said, "Oh Mom, I miss Nauvoo so much. When are we going back?" Looks like we'll be back in a month to see the Nauvoo Pageant!