Happy, Happy Birthday Kelly dear!!

Sorry this is so late, but Kelly DID turn 31, so it should be documented...

This cake looked a lot better in my head (clearly I was in a hurry, I didn't even cross my 't'!), but in the end it tasted delish, and that's really all that matters, right??!?

We love you Kel and are so happy to celebrate you!! (wow, so cheesy, but so true!)

After the par-tay, Adam late all the kids try out their mad jumping skills in order to give him a high-five...thanks for providing entertainment Adam!! 

Rite of Passage...

 Kelly should really be doing the blogging on this, sine I wasn't technically there...but if I wait for that, well...I'll just do it :) 

In the Ditto family it is tradition to go to General Conference after you turn 8! so, Kelly and Addison made their way to Salt Lake City for Conference. It just so happened that BYU was playing that Friday night, so the trip was extra fun...especially for Kelly. 

In the above picture, Mary is giving the boys an awesome tour of the athletic training center...

 And here are the boys after the "big win" against Utah State!

 Addison had had a long day!!  Good thing he took extra '#1 foam fingers' for a comfy pillow!

 Saturday was Kelly's birthday!!  They hung out with the family at a special out-to-breakfast, and then hiked Stewart falls!

 And Sunday they got all dressed up and went to the conference center.  They had 3 tickets, so Mimi got to go too!!

 And guess who sat right behind them!!?!  More Dittos!!

 WE LOVE COUSINS!

 Addison in front of the Salt Lake City Temple- so beautiful!

This picture is a little dark- but still breathtaking.  I love this statue, and more than the statue of course, I love having a testimony of Jesus Christ- he is my Savior and the source of peace in my life. Some day soon I will have Addison add his experience of his 'conference trip'! but for now, I need to blog about the rest of our October so far!!

UPDATES

Addison is so Awesome!  This weekend he is with Kelly in Utah for General Conference! They got to go the BYU football game and spend time with many loved ones! (more details and pictures of their trip to follow I'm sure!)  Addison had his first cub scout pack meeting this week and earned his bobcat! WooHoo Addison!  I am new at this whole cub-scout thing, but from what I can tell- it's SO GREAT! All the scouts got awards, and everyone there clapped, cheered, and made the boys feel so proud!  Addison was beaming!  He also had a cross country meet this past week and ran an 8-minute mile!  He is happy, full of energy, and LOVIN life!

Laynie is loving school, she loves learning and even loves doing her homework.  She is still Maren's biggest fan and my biggest helper.  My favorite thing Laynie said this week was "I didn't get my card changed to yellow, so that's a phewf."  I guess "phewf" is the noun form of the expression 'phew.'  It was very cute.

Hailey is my happiest child...when her siblings aren't torturing her. She has a wonderful imagination, and often talks to her (imaginary) friend, Olivia.  She follows in Addison's footsteps in making up words.  Her latest word is "Snoggie Doggie." Everyone is Snoogie Doogie lately.  She loves preschool, and loves life!

Maren is the highlight of everyone's day. She is constantly smiling and talking. On Monday she will be 4 months old!!  I can't believe how fast time has gone!  She laughs and makes everyone who looks at her smile.

First Day!!

 YAY for school!!  Everyone was excited- but especially mom :)

 Addison started 3rd grade and for the first time ever has a woman for a teacher.  When we read the teacher lists, he was nervous and didn't think he would like a "girl teacher"- but after his first day, he LOVES her! and he told me he wants a girl teacher next year too.

Laynie is in kindergarten, and at our school, it's ALL DAY! Laynie loves it, but it does wear her out. She is excited to learn and loves her teacher!

Hailey also started 2-day preschool, unfortunately Daddy had the camera on his brother's weekend on her first day!  But she's LOVIN school too!

We L.O.V.E. Lake Cavanaugh!! 

 The kids and I were SO LUCKY this year to spend 2 full weeks at Lake Cavanaugh! The first week with the Pickett family and the second with the Dittos. Kelly joined us each of the 2 weekends! We had BEAUTIFUL weather and AMAZING company!

 BIG NEWS! Addison water skied!! for the first time!! He was AWESOME!

 Laynie loved the sun, went tubing, and spent most of her time in the hot tub.

 Hailey also LOVED the hot tub and playing on the beach

 We went hiking...

 And OF COURSE we watched daddy do a lot of this!



See you next year Lake C- WE LOVE YOU!

Blessings on you!

Our sweet Maren was blessed by her Daddy on August 14th- She was perfect and her blessing was beautiful!

Of course her Papa had to do a photo shoot before the whole affair...isn't she beautiful?!?

okay Papa, I think I've had enough pictures...

Some highlights from Maren's blessing were recorded by her nana:

Beautiful welcome member of the family
Strong spirit
Strong, mind and body grow and function as they should
Beacon to those around you
Burning testimony
Sweet and calm presence
Kind heart and watchful eye
Vigilant in obeying commandments
Example to siblings and all members of the family of righteous living
Do things in the right order
Marry in temple
Serve faithfully in in  the church
Have a family of your own
Shine as the light of Christ shines and have a heart to love those around you

The family...

Papa and Maren's uncles

Proud Parents- WE LOVE YOU MAREN!

Daddy and Maren have a heart-to-heart (or a head-to-head)

And one last picture of the girls in their "cowboy girl" boots- SO CUTE!

Addison's Big Day!

 

On August 13th, Addison was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!  We are so proud of you Addison and all of the good choices you have made in your life!!

Kelly baptized Addison, sisters and cousins sang, and TONS of family and friends were there!! It was a GREAT DAY!

Addison and his cousins...

After the baptism, in true Ditto style...WE PARTIED!!

CUTE COUPLE!

Even cuter baby!!

We love you sweet Addison!