January 2016 Week #4

Dear Kids,

Barnum's Family Best Week #4

We had a couple of big things happen today.  Dad was put in as a member of the Griffth Park Bishopric.  We are overwhelmed and humbled by this new experience for our family.  It was so cute to see all of you in the high council table as we gathered to see your Dad set apart as the 2nd counselor.

Here is a little before and after of Garrett.

Another awesome thing happened today too.  Jenna finished the Old Testament and therefore has now completed all of the Standard Works before she entered the Young Women's Program at age 12.  We are SO proud of her and her determination to accomplish something so hard yet so rewarding.

Tuesday night at pack night was the annual Pinewood Derby and it was a lot of fun as usual.  The little boys look forward to it almost as much as Cooper.  Ryder can't wait until next year when he will be an official Cub Scout.

We still have Seth and Seamus here three days a week and it is going pretty well.  Some weeks are harder than others but we are making it work.  They are good little boys and they are good to go and do whatever we are doing.  That is really important to me because we really enjoy being out and about doing fun things.

It sure was fun to celebrate our sweet Jenna's birthday this week.  I can't believe that she is 12 years old.  It wasn't that long ago that she was a teeny tiny little baby in our arms.  We love her at least as much as we did back then.

  

 Banana Cream Pie                                                Cute Birthday Set up             

Since this was a big birthday year for Jenna with turning 12 and becoming a Young Woman.  We wanted to do something special.  She got make-up and a few other things but for her main gift I had all of the important people in her life write her a message of advice and encouragement for turning 12.  It was fun to see her pour over and enjoy every message.

This is what we know and love about Jenna: She is 

• very intelligent
• hard working
• fun to be around
• creative
• talented pianist
• growing a very strong testimony
• responsible
• an avid book reader
• very excited about being in the YW program
• spiritual
• an amazing help
• a wonderful big sister 
• beautiful on the inside and out!

Horsie Jenna                                     Pac Man after cleaning the Church

We knew we wanted to take Jenna to the temple as soon as we could after she turned 12.  So we set up an appointment for Saturday afternoon and it was wonderful.  It was so neat to be in there together and she Jenna experience it for the first time.  Dad loved being able to do the baptisms with her too.  Afterwards we went out to a special dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  We know that we have a VERY special girl here and we love spending time with her.