THE BASTINGS BUZZ: January 2015

Christmas Time

It is always fun to take the kids to see Santa.

Austin asked Santa for an op-gun and some Oklahoma State stuff. I thought for sure Austin would be more suspicious this year about Santa. In fact on Christmas Eve he discovered the new trampoline in our backyard but was content with the explanation that Santa must have needed to drop it off early so he could fit other presents in the sled. Then later that night he was playing in his room and discovered the cabinet full of presents I thought I had hid so well. He comes out and exclaimed "Mom! I know where all the presents are!" I thought for sure at this point that Santa was toast but once again he eager to accept the explanation that those were the presents from Mom and Dad.

Mikayla asked Santa for a trampoline and for some Frozen toys.

And Brooklyn stayed on Santa's lap for about 2 seconds--just long enough to snap a picture.

Austin proudly added an OSU ornament to the Christmas Tree this year.

And Mikayla was thrilled about adding the Sofia The First ornament.

We had some friends over one afternoon to decorate gingerbread houses.

And even though Vicki and Dennis are on a mission in Canada, the Bastings family decided to continue her tradition and make goodie plates and take them around to her neighbors.

This is always a fun family activity and helps bring in the true Christmas Spirit.

Christmas Eve the kids opened up their new pajamas.

We made a goodie plate and notes for Santa and then the kids went to bed.

I was actually very prepared for Christmas this year and was done wrapping by 9:30pm but Austin had a hard time falling asleep. I'm not sure if it was because he was so excited or getting suspicious after discovering some of the surprises earlier that day. He didn't fall asleep till after 11:00pm so it ended up being a late night after all.

The Christmas tree looks so pretty when the presents get all placed.

The kids were pretty happy about their gifts. Austin got his op-gun he had been wanting for weeks.

Even Brooklyn had a fun time opening gifts this year.

And Mikayla enjoyed singing with her Frozen Karaoke machine Christmas morning.

We spend lots of time with family over the Christmas holiday. We spent lots of time with the Bastings family playing games and hanging out. One evening while most of the adults went to see the new Hobbit movie, all the cousins came over to our house to play and watch a movie of their own.

We also spent a lot of time with the Reid family. Every one from my family was able to make it into town this year so that was fun. It was the first time we had all been together for about 3 years.

One evening we watched some home videos my dad had put together of us growing up. Then we roasted marshmallows over the fireplace.

We had a SMORES bar filled with choices of marshmallows and different chocolate bars. YUMMY!

And since we were all together, we decided to get a new family picture done.

All the kids with their grandma and grandpa.

(Austin, Mikayla, Miles, Brooklyn, Matthew, Rachel, and Tyler)

8 Years Old

This little boy will always hold a special place in my heart because the day he was born was the day I became a mother. I will always remember those feelings of excitement and joy as I held him in my arms. He has been a great kid to "practice" our parenting skills on. He is so easy going, easy to please, and naturally wants to be helpful and obedient. One of his best character traits is that he genuinely has a kind heart and is very aware and thoughtful of others around him.

Austin loves doing anything with his dad whether it is playing video games, kicking a soccer ball, throwing a football in the front yard, or watching basketball and football on TV. Austin is eager to make his dad's favorite things his favorite things. He has in some cases become a mini-Craig. Having Austin as a son has been such a joy and blessing for Craig.

Turning 8 years old is a special birthday. Austin made the decision to be baptized, make promises to Heavenly Father and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Austin was excited to get baptized by his dad.

Austin decided who he wanted to ask to participate in the program. Because of the holidays we had so much family in town. Austin had 40 family members at his baptism.

When I asked Austin why he wanted to be baptized he said because he wanted to follow the example of Jesus. I love this picture of Jesus because it reminds me that He is always standing at the door of our homes and our hearts knocking but it is up to us to open that door and let him into our lives. I know that Austin holds a special place in the eyes of his Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are so proud of Austin and his decision to be baptized. He is a great example to his younger sisters and we know that he has a desire to choose the right and follow the example of the Savior.

Happy Birthday Austin

No better way to start your birthday than with a donut for breakfast.

Austin and his cousin Connor both liked the idea of going to Skyzone for their birthday so they each invited a couple friends and away we went.

We got there just as it opened which was perfect because we mostly had the place to ourselves. Everyone piled on the trampoline court for some dodgeball.