This Halloween tree was a lot of fun to make. My friend had made one , so I had to make one to of course. I just found a branch on the side of the road, spray painted it, then found a bunch of Halloween decorations and went crazy with them. These little cats used to be gold, so I just jazzed them up with black spray paint. I love Halloween, especially the dressing up and decorating.
As a late birthday present I made this for my dad. My dad is an amazing father, grandpa, husband, friend, boss, priesthood holder and man. He is an inspiration to everyone that meets him. I am a lucky girl to have him as my own daddy.
I hand stitched this and just added the cute heart.
This is James' only grandpa that is alive right now, so they are buds.
I made this from a cool adult sized t-shirt. My friend was so awesome to walk me through the procedure.
I cut the bottom of the shirt to make these cute little sleeves.
I love it because it is original and you've never seen anything like it before. I am working on another one, that is kind of army style. I'll post it later.
It has been quite a blessing to see my little brother go on a mission. Presently he is in the MTC and has been there for about 2 weeks now. 
Mike aka Elder Leavitt will be going to Roseville California on October 27th. Here he is pointing to his area of missionary service for the next 2 years.
#3
He got there on a Wednesday and went through the new procedure of taking them through, what I call the cattle drive thru. Seriously, you drive into the MTC, follow all the MTC elders who guide you down the road, then on the right hand side there are a bunch of missionaries waiting with a number.....
We drive and park for a moment while Elder Leavitt grabs his bags, is met by 2 other missionaries who help him out.....,
we say our good byes and he walks off for the next 2 years. It was a pretty tearful event. Elder Leavitt was totally fine and rearing to go, yet for mom and myself I started tearing up as he turned his back on us and walked away. Mom and I just looked at each other in tears and said, "He's ready and he is in the right place."
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE MTC (Missionary Training Center)
I was so lucky to have my bro come stay the night with us before the big drop off. Of course we went to Cafe Rio for the best Mexican salad ever, than went shopping for the rest of his missionary needs. It was so fun talking to him and just seeing how much he had grown and was ready to dedicate his time to the Lord. That evening, mom and I repacked everything with name labels and stuck little notes from us telling him how much we love him. We talked about spiritual things, reminisced his past......
read scriptures together, prayed together, had priesthood blessings given by Mike.......
Told him how much we love him and are proud of him, talked about how he would be going to sleep early and waking up early, eating more food than desired and probably coming home a little heavier (like most). He sure didn't like that idea, so he packed away some exercise gear and did tons of push ups. Wow, he is a tough kid. I have never seen him in such great shape as I did then. He claims that he is going to look just as good when he gets back. Good luck saying no to the members who slave away and might get offended if you say no. Time will tell.....
CANADIAN MISSION FAREWELL- ( a month before departure)
My little family were honored to go see Mike give his farewell talk, despite the 12 hour drive. His Sunday talk was incredible. I was speechless and smitten by the strong spirit that he brought to the room. He spoke with much dedication and love and it sure touched many hearts. I never knew my little brother was such a great public speaker and had the testimony he shared. I was very impressed with his ability to stand before the people there and touch not only myself by many others. He will touch many more than just those that day, but that is why he was called to speak to the California people. He will do much good and he will touch not only their lives but all who are in his presence. I have never seen a bishop get up and feel so touched that he was in complete tears of thankfulness to Elder Leavitt. He has worked side by side with him and talked about the changed man that Mike has become and is. He even said that he has learned so much from him and is a better man because of my amazing little brother.
After church everyone came over for the farewell dinner and gathering. We ate amazing food, mingled with family and friends and talked a whole lot. My sister Lindsey played a great song that she had written for Mike and we all sang, talked and laughed together. 
James had a blast, like he always does, as he got a ton of attention from his grandparents and aunts and uncles and all the other relatives that came to congratulate my brother. 
There really isn't anything greater in life than being with family and basking in their successes and sharing special moments like this with the ones you truly love and feel blessed to have in your lives. I love my baby brother and have complete faith in him and his ability to serve with all his might, mind and strength. He will make a difference in the lives of those in California, and therefore those people with make a difference in others lives. It is never ending. He will touch lives that will touch others lives, that will touch lives forever and ever.
Thus, the field is white all ready to harvest.
Our little guy is so dang cute and entertaining. His personality is coming out more and more everyday. He is one of the happiest little guys I have ever met. He is so content with life and is so curious about life and everything in it. For instance, he was on our bed and managed to creep into the crack between the wall and the bed. Suddenly, I hear Josh telling me to come see James. Well this is what I saw, his little legs up to his chest, but best of all his huge smile and the biting of the tongue. He knew he was doing something funny, he is quite brilliant.
James is into his toys so much, he loves playing with colorful, smooth, rough , or anything that has texture to it. I was quite impressed as I watched him figure out this ring toy as he finally got the ring around the little pole type holder. I really think he is going to be one of those kids who can grasp onto things really fast. I am trying to get him to figure things out and be more involved with things that make him think and use his little brain.
We had dress-up day with the cousins, they loved it. James and McKay were amazing Batman's, while Eliza was a courageous fireman. All I can say is they looked super cute.
James is a huge fan of his cousins. Whenever he hears them upstairs he gets so excited and he will zoom up the stairs. He is an amazingly fast stair climber. And he can even go backwards with no problems at all. They all love their daddy and uncle Joshy, he is so much fun. Josh will spend so much time with them chasing them around, tickling them and just loving them. They know Joshy loves them to death. He is so great with little ones- how did I get so lucky to have a man who just adores children as much as I do?
His mommas spaghetti is one of his favorite, most messy dinners. He loved the feeling of all the slimy noodles slither through his fingers as he grabbed huge handfuls and put it in his mouth. It was so funny watching him do it. He was a mess... oh well, he had fun.
Look at those bottom teeth jabbers. He has 2 other huge ones on the top, with 2 more popping through too. Making it 6 teeth at 11 months. He just loves big people teeth more and more. Yet, I am still pretty picky on not letting him eat sugary things still. I want his first birthday cake to be a total sugar shock and sweet time.
He is still a lover of baths. His favorite thing is to grab all the bottles on the side of the tub and see them splash into the water. He also enjoys filling cups up with water and pouring the water out, I guess he is just loves watching water splash. For a while he would fill the cup up by himself and try drinking it (since he loves drinking out of a cup, with our help of course), which would be shocking to him because he would swallow to much and have to cough it out.
He is so funny when it comes to snuggling. He totally reaches for me, I grab him, give him loves for about 5-10 seconds, than he is ready to go and play again. At least I can cherish those few seconds of snuggles. He does the whole reaching for mommy, snuggles thing very often. It's so fun seeing that he knows who I am. He really loves it when I nibble on his hands or when daddy and I brawl with him and tickle him like crazy. He has such a high pitched little laugh/ scream. And one of his favorite play times are when we crawl around with him and chase him on our hands and knees.
He will be walking any day now. He has taken one step and he loves to stand all by himself. He can push around his little walker, box or little chair. He's a little cruiser. He is always on the move. No silent or calm times for him, unless he is over tired, he is just go go go all the time.
Josh and I are always talking about how much we love him and just how he livens our days and creates a whole new meaning to our lives. He is our pride and joy and we just are in mad love with him.
Dear Baby James,
Thanks for the spirit and love you give to us everyday. You know how to make us laugh, cry, smile, love and learn. I could never of wished for a more perfect baby than you. We will love you for all eternity. Thank goodness families last forever, there is no way I ever want to be separated from my baby boy. You are growing way to fast. I have absolutely loved every stage of your life. You are so much fun to watch grow. People always told me how hard it was to adjust to raising a child. For me it is all I ever could dream of, and I can honestly say that I have never gotten mad at you or been sad that I have you. I think it is so easy and natural having you as mine (ours- Daddy included). You are my life and I will spend the rest of my life loving and showing you just that.
Love Mommy
